Reading Update: April 2018 (more or less)

I read some books in April. Want to hear about them?



A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki
4 stars
I loved the premise of this book and the back and forth between Nao in Japan and Ruth in Canada. The writing is excellent and the philosophy is sound. Highly recommended.

Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner
3 stars
The plot is compelling and the writing is good although I do take some exception to the main character’s maturity – it just seems like she would have taken her responsibility over her rather childish ambition. Still, that decision was necessary for the plot and I was able to overlook it since the descriptions of the Blitz and the terror that went along with it were very good. I appreciate that it’s told from the perspective of a young girl and I’d recommend it to anyone interested in WWII historical fiction.

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
5 stars
An amazing book about the impact of tragedy on a young marriage, I couldn’t put it down. Contemporary, relevant, heartbreaking and hopeful, I highly recommend this one.

The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
3 stars
A fast paced thriller, sure to be liked by fans of Gillian Flynn, this is certainly not literary fiction but still very entertaining.

Sourdough by Robin Sloan
4 stars
Delightful and fun with a touch of magic, a perfect light read for time on an airplane!

How to Stop Time by Matt Haig
3 stars
A wonderful story about living a long long time but finally recognizing that there is only one thing that really matters (the present) and only one thing that really makes life worthwhile (love). Some of the writing is quite brilliant and beautiful but I never completely connected with the main character and that’s what kept me from giving this a higher rating. Still, a pleasant read and I’d recommend it.

The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks About Race edited by Jesmyn Ward
4 stars
Powerful and timely, I’d recommend this to anyone interested in race relations in the USA.

Winter by Ali Smith
5 stars
Ali Smith is just brilliant. The things she doesn’t tell us, the words she leaves out, are just as profound as the things she includes. I loved this even more than Autumn.

The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer
4 stars
The reviews on this are pretty mixed but I truly enjoyed it. So many good thoughts and ideas on feminism are in here and the author’s style, at times almost stream of consciousness, is great. It’s long and the ending is a little too neat for my taste but I’d recommend it to anyone with an interest in women and their place in America.

One of the best things about not campaigning (aside from winning, that is) is having time to read again. Hurrah for the magic of reading!

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This Post Has 11 Comments

  1. Just in time to entertain me on a whirlwind trip of travel & waiting around. Thanks!

  2. I LOVED Winter and A Tale for the Time Being, and I also really enjoyed Sourdough. But I think I’ll skip on the Meg Wolitzer — I usually end up disappointed when I read her books. 😉 I’m so glad you have more time in your life now for reading again, Selectman Julius! XOXO

  3. I too LOVED Winter! And, I am on the wait list for a couple of others on your list! So.much.good.reading! I am also glad that campaigning is successfully over! XOXO

  4. Always enjoy your reviews and you’ve reminded me of some that I intended to put on my list and forgot. They are now ON my list. Thanks! Glad you have the time to read and enjoy now.

  5. Your reviews make me want to drop everything and read An American Marriage and Ali Smith’s Winter (and Fall)! I’m on hold for Fall and Winter, but now I’m not sure I can wait and might have to just buy them. Thanks for your reviews and recommendations!

  6. I’ve also read four of these and tried to finish “The Female Persuasion” but just couldn’t get to the end. I’m glad you liked it. I did love “An American Marriage” and “Sourdough” and “A Tale for the Time Being” and I enjoyed “How to Stop Time” much more than you did! Off to get your other recommendations!

  8. I also enjoyed Winter (one of my faves this year) and A Tale for the Time Being. As Kym said, Meg usually disappoints me so I’ll skip it. I would like to read Fire This Time and, also, Zora Neale Hurston’s newly published book. Thanks for the reading updates!

  9. Yes, yes, you know I always want to hear about the books you have read! Thank you for the reviews, Carole. I haven’t found a lot of good books lately, but that may be me and my frame of mind. Hope to pick up some of these. Thanks again.

  10. What a great month of reading! I’m glad you have time to read again because Summer Bingo starts in less than three weeks!!

  11. We just picked our next 9 books for book club-some I’m not too thrilled about so I may be grabbing some of your suggestions.

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