Do you ever get towards the end of a really good book & don’t want it to end?…don’t want to say goodbye to the characters that have briefly inhabited your world? So you stop reading … And then a few hours later you’re compelled to run back to finish the story. That’s how I felt about some of the books I’ve recently read.
It’s been a very voracious summer of reading and I’ve loved it! I love finishing a book one day and picking up another the next. I’ve realized that I read way more when there’s an actual book, as opposed to my Kindle. There are pros and cons with both…Kindle is great for travel & you can quickly download books…but the tactile feel of a book, not to mention being able to go back quickly and reference previous information, makes me a more prolific reader. It’s been a bit costlier than downloading on Kindle, but I’ve read more…and I rode my bike to the local bookstore, Lido Village Books, (thanks to Austin & Kate for the gc that made me discover the store) and love chatting with the owner. Because it was a bit costly, I decided to put some of the books on my list on hold at the library. It was great for some less popular or older books…and saved me a lot of money….but many of the best-seller ones have a long “hold” list and I’m number seventy-seven or ninety three…yikes!! At this rate I won’t read them until 2020! A hybrid of library books, actual books and kindle downloads has worked quite nicely this summer.
Here are some books I’ve read, with small critique…in no particular order…
The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne…a great, although tragic at times, story with lots to discuss at book club. It includes some of my favorite places..Ireland, Amsterdam and NYC! Good book club discussion.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides…a noteworthy underline I did… “The development of our personalities doesn’t take place in isolation, but in relationship with others-we are shaped and complete by unseen, unremembered forces; namely, our parents.”
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens…it’s great and been on the bestseller list for awhile. Loved it…and you should read it!
Educated by Tara Westover….in the same vein as The Glass Castle. I loved it! I’m sure there are a bunch of quotes in there, but can’t seem to find my notes…ugh!
Becoming by Michelle Obama…you’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll love this smart, educated, compassionate woman (if you didn’t already.)
Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman…good psychological thriller, keeps you going back to see what’s going to happen!
All That You Leave Behind by Erin Lee Carr…a lovely tribute to her father (I cried in this one too), and her navigation with addiction. One of the quotes I underlined, “you are not an intrinsically interesting subject. journalism..requires you to leave your place of work or residence, go out and find more interesting than you and then come back and tell your audience about this person, place or thing.”
Normal People by Sally Rooney…longlisted for the Man Booker prize and recommended by a few people. I’ll be honest, I didn’t love it. It seems like a coming-of-age young adult read with alot of back & forth.. he loves me/he loves me not. It kept my interest to finish it, mostly wondering if anything was going to happen. (…but I know so many have LOVED it)
Cottage by the Sea by Debbie Macomber…totally perfect, quick, summer beach read.
The Islanders by Meg Mitchell Moore…I loved this summer beach read set on Block Island, where my mom & dad used to go, in their later years (post child-rearing), every year with her sister and friends. Another place I need to visit now!
Lastly…one I just started yesterday and have heard rave reviews! I’ll keep you posted…
A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum
Have a great weekend! I hope I’ve inspired you to pick up a new book. It’s my last before going back to work and I will savor it!
You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!
