Reading Update: Mid February Through Late March

Reading has slowed down considerably over the last little while since my Saturdays are no longer spent with a book but are rather spent holding signs and knocking on doors. Nevertheless, I have finished a few books and I’d like to share my reviews with you today.

The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry
5 stars
Beautiful, clever, wonderful, there aren’t enough adjectives to describe this one. It’s a work of art, I think. Read it.

The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
4 stars
If you knew the exact date you were going to die how would you live your life? Would it hang over your head and remove any feeling of free will? Or would it give you the freedom to live life to the fullest? I’ll just say, I wouldn’t want to know.

In the Midst of Winter by Isabel Allende
4 stars
Isabel Allende is a terrific story teller and this tale, which goes back and forth from the present to the past, does not disappoint. Each character has been broken by their past but when the three come together, in a somewhat unrealistic way, they manage to build relationships and heal each other and move into the future with hope.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
4 stars
Timely and relevant, I enjoyed this book a lot. It covers some hot button issues without sensationalizing or stereotyping and it’s very well written. It’s a tad long but it never really dragged and I definitely recommend it.

Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple
2 stars
A rehash of Where’d You Go Bernadette only not as good. The best thing I can say about it? It was short.

Hum If You Don’t Know the Words by Bianca Marais
4 stars
A moving story of South Africa in the 1970s during Apartheid and the Soweto upraising, told from the perspective of two characters, a 9 year old white girl and a 50 year old African woman. Some parts are really beautifully written and the overall message is one of hope despite the heartbreaking circumstances of the plot. There were a few too many coincidences and the ending felt a little rushed but overall it’s a great book and I’d recommend it.

Even though I didn’t read as many there were some great books in this bunch – one five star and 4 four stars – that’s some excellent reading!

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This Post Has 12 Comments

  1. Sounds like some interesting works. Sadly, I’ve praised a book or two with, “… it was short.”

  3. I loved The Secret Scripture too! And, I am on the wait list for several of the others! Thanks for your awesome reviews (as always!!) XO

  4. I’d say you are definitely making good choices! Thank you for sharing your thoughts (and keeping me from Maria Semple’s latest … life is too short to read even short not-so-great books!)

  5. Sebastian Barry is one of my favorite authors. His books are always wonderful. Little artistic treats, every one! XO

  8. I don’t know how you do all you do, Carole. I’m amazed you have had _any_ time to read. These book reviews are some of my favorite posts. I have started the Immortalists. I will put them on my TBR list. Thanks so much for posting this!

  9. I won a copy of Hum If You Don’t Know The Words from Goodreads and it arrived today. I look forward to reading it. You always add to my Goodreads want to read list.

  11. Thank you for the recommendations. I will say I enjoyed Today Will Be Different better than Bernadette. I think because I listened to it and think the narrator really made the story.

  12. Love that Isabel Allende didn’t disappoint; haven’t read her in a while- off to Good Reads before I forget!

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