I’ve been reading a lot. As in, finishing books in a day or two. That’s mostly because I’ve been reading some pretty short and easy books but it’s also because I’ve had a fair amount of time to myself to just sit and read. It’s glorious and I love it!
Here’s what I’ve read since August 9th:
The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I loved this book and if I could have read it in one sitting I would have done just that. The characters are warm and real, the Minnesota setting feels truly authentic, there’s enough family drama to keep it interesting, and there’s plenty of beer!
The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is a heart warming story that would have made a great magazine article but goes on just a tad too long and becomes dull. Still, it’s good to think about people treating each other with generosity, love and kindness in the face of tragic and difficult circumstances.
The River by Peter Heller
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Fast paced, just like the river itself, I couldn’t put this one down for the plot. I found the writing style to be a bit choppy but overall I really enjoyed it
The Chain by Adrian McKinty
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
A fast paced and easy read, perfect for a day at the beach. It drags a bit in the middle but the ending is very satisfying.
Girl, Stop Apologizing: A Shame-Free Plan for Embracing and Achieving Your Goals by Rachel Hollis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Motivational and inspirational, particularly for women who have a dream they want to pursue.
The Strangers on Montagu Street by Karen White
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Despite the fact that the characters are incredibly dense and unable to simply communicate with each other and resolve their issues . . . I really do enjoy reading this series. The Charleston setting brings back great memories of my trip there and the supernatural element adds just enough creepiness to keep me reading. The inability of Melanie and Jack to express their feelings is feeling very contrived at this point but I’m hoping it will get resolved in the next one.
Return to Tradd Street by Karen White
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I’m still enjoying this series but I have to admit to being frustrated with the repetition of the same plot devices and contrivances that don’t really serve the characters well. I still feel compelled to keep reading but at this point it’s mostly to see how things turn out and I’m rolling my eyes a lot.
The Guests on South Battery by Karen White
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Even though the lack of character development and repetition of plot devices is getting tiresome, I actually enjoyed this one more than the previous one. The Charleston setting makes it truly enjoyable and the spooky supernatural elements add a fun element.
Lanny by Max Porter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is an amazing piece of literature that I’m finding very hard to describe and review. The words that come to mind are: unique, magical, and creepy, it’s a literary fairy tale complete with a bogey man and plenty of stream of consciousness. Highly recommended.
Women, Food and God: An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything by Geneen Roth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’ve put off reading this book because of the title, I thought it would be preachy and religious. It’s not at all, it’s about mindfulness and feeling our feelings rather than pushing them away with food. I highlighted 30 passages and I’m pretty sure that says it all.
I hope you are reading great things these days, too. I’d love to hear about it if you are.
OH, Carole, you know I love these posts about books! Thank you for all the reviews, I guarantee that I will put them to use. I have been having trouble finding things I want to read lately. I just finished A Better Man, and as with all LP’s books, I really enjoyed it. She is pretty good at shaking things up in this long series so that things stay interesting. Did you know that a recent study found that people who read and/or write live longer lives? Thanks again, and keep them coming.
Now I am even more excited to get Lanny from the library! Thank you for these fantastic reviews!
I’m on hold at our local library for Lanny. Sounds good! The last book (Women…) looks interesting too. Thanks, as always for your reviews. Always enjoy them!
I so enjoy these posts! I just borrowed the 9/11 book from Amazon Prime Reading and I’m glad to hear it’s an okay read (perhaps not one I’ll be in a rush to get to, though). Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these books!
Book #1 is displayed in the entry of our small town Nebraska library. Perhaps I should snatch it up and enjoy the fall weather on the porch swing!
I’m so close on the list for The Lager Queen! I listened to The River and to The Day the World Came to Town and I believe that helped a great deal as I agree TDTWCTT was just a little longer than it should have been!
I can’t find Lanny at any of my libraries and I really want to read it! Perhaps a purchase … Luckily, I can get Women, Food, and God from the library and I’m glad to hear that it’s not preachy. Should be interesting!
I just loved Lanny. LOVED. (And then I had to run to the library immediately to read his earlier book, Grief is the Thing With Feathers, which is equally brilliant and clever in a whole ‘nother way.) I just picked up The Lager Queen at the library yesterday, and I’m really looking forward to starting it. XO
I need to choose a book group read and will likely select from your current batch! Thanks for the great insight.
Thanks for the book titles! I read The Day the World Came to Town this summer, too. Wasn’t it that book that inspired the musical Come from Away? Gosh, it seems impossible that 9/11 happened 18 years ago; I can remember that day as if it were yesterday.
Thanks for the recommendations. I’ve added a few more books to my reading list.
Karen White lives in the same city as me. I saw a post about her in a local Facebook group recently. Also, if you get a chance, watch Come From Away. It’s a documentary about Gander and 9/11. It was good. I saw the musical based on it too. It was very good as well.