Quite a few of you asked, and even if you hadn’t, I had every intention of updating you with reviews on the books I read for my finished Bingo card. In keeping with how I have shared these previously, here is the list of the books I read with the corresponding squares on my card and my ratings. There are a few stand outs in this list – enjoy!

Option B by Sheryl Sandberg
4 stars, Bingo Square: Originally published this year
Great advice, whether you are dealing with your own grief and loss or trying to help someone else navigate through their feelings.

Grief Cottage by Gail Godwin
5 stars, Bingo Square: Mystery
A slow paced coming of age novel centered around a young boy who has lost his mom and goes to live with his eccentric aunt on an island in South Carolina, this book is completely engaging and beautifully written. Highly recommended!

I Shall Be Near to You by Erin Lindsay McCabe
4 stars, Bingo Square: Historical fiction
A really great and very accessible story about a woman fighting with her husband during the Civil War. It brought up things I’d never considered about what this must have been like (what happens if you are a woman and you get injured and taken to the hospital?) and stayed pretty historically accurate. Recommended for those who enjoy historic novels and have an interest in the Civil War.

The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick
1 star, Bingo Square: Alternate history
I finished it although I’m pretty sure that was only so I’d get my Bingo square for Alternate History. I found this mostly confusing, choppy and boring. The concept had so much potential but it just never coalesced into any plot, the characters were difficult to keep track of, and the setting was bleak and unremarkable. Ultimately, I just didn’t care what happened.

Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz
3 stars, Bingo Square: Recommended by a family member
I enjoyed this book, particularly the stories and interviews with people Horwitz met while traveling throughout the south. I found the Wargasm section and the descriptions of battles and battlefields to be a bit tedious. Recommended for those who have an interest in Civil War history.

Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
5 stars, Bingo Square: Already own
Mind blowing, outstanding, and absolutely breathtakingly good. I can’t describe it accurately so I’ll just say: read it.

Here We Are: Feminism for the Real World by Kelly Jensen
3 stars, Bingo Square: Collection of essays
Maybe I’m too old or maybe my definition of feminism comes from the 70s but I couldn’t relate to most of the essays in this book. Still, it’s important to discuss feminism, to be inclusive of all ideas, and to keep the conversation going for the next generation of women.

Home Cooking by Laurie Colwin
5 stars, Bingo Square: About food
Inspired by my friend Bonny’s all time favorite book, I checked this one out of the library. It’s just as wonderful as Bonny promised. Colwin’s voice is charming and confident (which is exactly what I want in a book about cooking). I took photos of a few pages so I could have the recipes to try later (potato salad, homemade curry powder and gingerbread with chocolate icing). I wish I had the whole book, though – this would be an excellent addition to anyone’s cookbook shelf.

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
4 stars, Bingo Square: Originally published in the 19th century
Boy oh boy, those Russians are wordy. But still, this is a classic for a reason and I’m glad I finally read it.

If you’re still working on your Summer Book Bingo I wish you well – there’s plenty of time left to read another book or three!

I was pretty up front about my goal to achieve a coverall for Summer Book Bingo again this year. What I didn’t tell you was that I wanted to have said coverall before we went on vacation. And I did it! I finished Anna Karenina last Friday morning and that was my last square.

Hooray for accomplishing goals!