As I mentioned on Monday, I finished the final book for my Summer Book Bingo card over the weekend. And so, today, I am sharing with you all 25 titles that I have read since Memorial Day. Links are to GoodReads and you can read my ratings and reviews there if you wish. The photos are of the front (which you already saw) and the back because it’s easier to read the titles there. (Please note that the back is the reverse of the front, i.e. top left on the front is top right on the back.)

Square: By a Canadian author Book: Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny Justification: Louise Penny is Canadian

Square: Reread a favorite book Book: The Guest Room by Chris Bohjalian Justification: I don’t reread books. I mean, I guess I do because To Kill A Mockingbird and Pride and Prejudice. But still, I don’t reread. So, instead I read a book by a favorite author and Chris Bohjalian is one of my favorites, for sure.

Square: By a small press Book: A Skeptic’s Guide to Writers’ Houses by Anne Trubek. Justification: University of Pennsylvania Press is a small press.

Square: A classic that you should have read in school Book: Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger Justification: It’s a classic, my friends, and I never had to read this one in school.

Square: Cozy Mystery Book: Books Can Be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay Justification: Very cozy indeed.

Square: About art or an artist Book: Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee Justification: The main character is an opera singer.

Square: Nature writing Book: The Round House by Louise Erdrich Justification: Okay, this one is a stretch but I really wanted to read this book and this is the only square I could (sort of) make work. I figure that a reservation in North Dakota counts as nature.

Square: Nonfiction Book: Being Mortal by Atul Gawande Justification: It’s non-fiction.

Square: About royalty (fiction or non) Book: The Royal We by Heather Cocks. Justification: The main character is the Prince of Wales.

Square: Set in a country from which one of your ancestors came Book: On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan. Justification: My mother’s side of the family is English.

Square: Humor or satire. Book: Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris Justification: David Sedaris is funny.

Square: With an alliterative title Book: The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy Reichert. Justification: Lots of C’s.

Square: Free square Book: Miller’s Valley by Anna Quindlen. Justification: I could put anything here!

Square: Re-read an assigned book you hated in school Book: The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway. Justification: I hated it with a passion when I read this in high school. I just wanted him to catch that damn fish so that the book would be over.

Square: Set in the place where you live Book: Dark Tide by Stephen Puleo Justification: It’s about the Great Molasses Flood that happened in Boston in 1919.

Square: With a main character over 60. Book: Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman Justification: Britt-Marie is 63.

Square: Hated by someone you know. Book: My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult Justification: I have a friend who hates anything written by Jodi Picoult.

Square: An audibook Book: LaRose by Louise Erdrich Justification: Ummm. I listened to it? hahaha

Square: Includes recipes but is not a cookbook. Book: My Kitchen Year by Ruth Reichl. Justification: Okay, some people might label this as a cookbook but in my interpretation it’s a memoir.

Square: With a family member in the title. Book: My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman. Justification: A grandmother is a family member. Duh.

Square: By an author who shares your first name Book: With or Without You by Carole Matthews Justification: Do I really have to spell this one out?

Square: With 200 pages or fewer Book: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. Justification: It’s less than 200 pages. It’s also fabulous.

Square: Self published. Book: The Goatmen by Dale Julius. Justification: This is a book that Dale has been working on since 2009 and he’s been bugging me to read it for practically forever. I decided that this bingo square provided the perfect opportunity. I know it’s not published yet so it’s technically not self published. But it’s close enough for me. And also, the book is pretty good and I think he should clean it up and get the darn thing to a publisher.

Square: Part of a series. Book: The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny Justification: It’s part of the Inspector Armand Gamache series. I love them all, by the way.

Square: Set in Africa. Book: Circling the Sun by Paula McLain Justification: It’s set in Africa.

Wow. That’s a lot of links! I feel like it took me as long to write this post as it did to read The Old Man and the Sea! Seriously, though, it’s a pretty great group of books. And I think the secret of my success this time was planning everything I wanted to read in advance. I not only selected a book for each square but I also noted where the book would come from – the library, Overdrive, an audio, etc. It really made it easy to get this cover all.

And now comes the best part. I’m going on vacation and I can read whatever I want!

Can I get a drumroll please? Because I have a B-I-G announcement to make. And it includes 3 of those letters right there.

That’s right. I have my first B-I-N-G-O of the summer.

Woot!

I read, from left to right on that fourth row down:

Square: With a main character over 60. Book: Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman Justification: Britt-Marie is 63.

Review: I think this is the weakest of the 3 of Fredrik Backman’s books that I have read, with A Man Called Ove way in front. I do like his style, though, and the way that Britt-Marie is transformed in this book is reminiscent of Ove. Some of the writing, particularly about sadness and grief, is really really beautiful and there are good life lessons here. Recommended.

Square: Hated by someone you know. Book: My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult Justification: I have a friend who hates anything written by Jodi Picoult.

Review: A bit predictable and contrived but entertaining. I know Picoult is very popular but I don’t think I’ll be rushing to read anything else by her.

Square: An audiobook. Book: LaRose by Louise Erdrich Justification: Ummm. I listened to it? hahaha

Review: How do you fix something that can’t be fixed? How do you repair the damage when you rip someone’s life apart? And how do you being to recover, to come back to a life of hope and love? You do it with compassion and humility, with tradition and unselfishness, with kindness and understanding and maybe even a little help from a whole host of ancestors. I can’t really explain this book more than that but what I can say is READ IT. Right away.

Square: Includes recipes but is not a cookbook. Book: My Kitchen Year by Ruth Reichl. Justification: Okay, some people might label this as a cookbook but in my interpretation it’s a memoir.

Review: I always enjoy anything by Ruth Reichl and this book didn’t disappoint. I love the combination of memoir and recipes and enjoyed hearing how Reichl recovered from the demise of Gourmet.

Square: With a family member in the title. Book: My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman. Justification: A grandmother is a family member. Duh.

Review: A wonderful story with a cast of characters who will make you smile and cry and laugh. There is sorrow but also joy and, ultimately, hope.

I’m closing in on another row and going for a cover-all, ultimately.

How’s your summer reading going?

 

 

A Saturday post is rare for me but today is the first day of Summer Book Bingo 2016 and I wanted to share that information with you so that you can get started on your summer reading.

Here’s my bingo card:

I’m shooting for a cover-all again this year. Who else is in? Get your Bingo card here!

Let’s do a book update, shall we? Because I have been reading. And also because I’ve been at a library conference for the past three days talking about books and reading. A lot. Finally, after 3 days of conference programs and gala dinners and exhibitor halls, my brain? Mush. About all I can muster right now is a list – and a list of books I’ve read lately is just somehow really appropriate right now.

The Midwife’s Revolt by Jodi Daynard, 4 stars
I enjoyed this book for several reasons, including the setting which is local to me, the historical context of the Rev War, and the story itself. It started off quite well, dragged a bit in the middle, but then redeemed itself for the final third. Recommended for those who enjoy historical fiction.

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris, 3 stars
Amusing and clever, often ironic, but not uproariously funny, this is my first book by Sedaris. I’m not sure if I will read more but reading this was still a pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

The Tsar of Love and Techno by Anthony Marra, 5 stars
A collection of short stories yet it reads like a novel because of the brilliant way Mara connects them. Truly, I’m overwhelmed at how beautiful it all is. One of the best books I’ve read in a long time.

Wedding Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke, 2 stars
I used to really enjoy these cozy mysteries but I don’t so much anymore. I don’t know if it’s because my standards are higher or the writing has slipped but the stories are now trite and predictable, the dialogue is simple and full of cliches and the recipes are way too folksy. Still mildly entertaining but I may be done with this series.

10% Happier by Dan Harris, 4 stars
A terrific memoir on Dan Harris’ meditation practice and how it changed his life. There is good, practical advice on how to start meditating and the benefits it can bring into your life.

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon, 4 stars
I read this almost in one sitting as I couldn’t put it down. Yes, it’s another YA novel about a sick teen and a healthy teen falling in love. It’s also so much more and serves as a wonderful reminder to enjoy every single moment.

Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff, 5 stars
I loved this book. It claims to be about marriage – and it is. But it’s also about childhood and how our childhoods make us the adults we come. It’s about love and hate, about not giving up and the reality of being with someone day in and day out. It’s not romanticized or brutalized, it’s just an incredible portrayal of life. At the halfway point I was a little ambivalent but then it all comes together in such a clever way that I zoomed through the second half. Highly recommended for those who enjoy literary fiction.

H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald, 4 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir in which Helen Macdonald shares her experiences training a goshawk after the unexpected death of her father. While I found some of the parts about T.H. White tedious, I was inspired and moved by the raw grief Macdonald expressed and the way she connected with her hawk Mabel as a way of coming to terms with life, death, and the beauty of the world.

Flight of Dreams by Ariel Lawhon, 2 stars
I thought this book had great potential – who isn’t curious about the Hindenburg disaster? But it fell flat for me. Characters I couldn’t keep track of, plots I didn’t really care about, and conspiracies I couldn’t make sense of. Your mileage may vary but for me this was a non starter.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, 5 stars
This is the best book I’ve read in ages and I want to hand it to everyone I know and say, here! read this! right now! It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and you will fall in love with Ove and all of his people. And his cat.

Splinters of Light by Rachael Herron, 5 stars
A sad book about a heartbreaking disease – and yet – it’s a hopeful book, too. Rachael Herron has this way of showing us that life is full of all kinds of things, some good and some terrible, but that ultimately hope is what comes through. I loved this book and recommend it without reservation.

Still Life with Breadcrumbs by Anna Quindlen, 4 stars
Another winner by Anna Quindlen, especially appealing to me since the main character is a photographer. The story of how she changes and becomes someone very different yet more authentic than ever is something I could truly relate to. The various characters feel like real friends and the overriding feeling of hope in spite of life’s tragedies is lovely.

The Heretic’s Daughter by Kathleen Kent, 2 stars
This historical novel set in and around Salem in the 1600s gets off to a slow start and, while it gets better, it’s never gripping the way it could be. I found it tiresome albeit historically accurate.

Brooklyn by Colm Toibin, 2 stars
In a very rare occurrence, I must say that the movie was better than the book. The characters have no depth and the story is told in a very simplistic manner. Watch the movie – which is fantastic – and don’t waste your time with the book.

The Children Act by Ian McEwan, 4 stars
A wonderfully quiet book, simple on the surface but with so much going on underneath that you can’t help but be moved by the story and characters. Highly recommended.

The Night Sister by Jennifer McMahon, 3 stars
Creepy and suspenseful, this audio-book did not disappoint. While I didn’t love it as much as McMahon’s Winter People, I definitely enjoyed this book, which is sort of a cross between two movies: I Know What You Did Last Summer and The Grudge. Recommended for those who enjoy this genre.

Ruby by Cynthia Bond, 5 stars
A difficult read due to the intense subject matter but so worth it because of the extraordinary writing. The author truly captures the ability human beings have to hurt one another, both physically and emotionally, but at the same time she shows us what can happen when we love one another deeply. While the characters lives are full of pain and darkness the book ultimately shows the triumph of love and goodness over hatred and evil. Reminiscent of The Color Purple and Beloved, this is a must read.

The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler, 3 stars
A modern day librarian receives a centuries old book and sets about figuring out how it’s connected to his family. Full of curses and magic, tarot cards and carnival acts, mermaids and floods, it’s a terrific and compelling story that I couldn’t put down.

Two if by Sea by Jacquelyn Mitchard, 4 stars
I read this book for the Mass Library Association conference and, as part of that, I participated in a book discussion with the author. After reflecting on the story and hearing Mitchard talk about the book and her process of writing it I have to say that I really enjoyed it. The characters are strong and I was unable to predict the ending, something that is unusual for me. The suspenseful parts kept me engaged and I’d recommend this to anyone.

A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny, 4 stars
Louise Penny never disappoints, this is another wonderful Armand Gamache mystery.

I hope you find something on that list that you’d like to read.

I’ve been on a mad reading tear the last few weeks because I was horrified to discover that I had fallen behind on my 2016 reading challenge. Now that I’m on track again it occurs to me that I could take this opportunity to fill you in on the books I’ve finished recently.  There are 15 so far for 2016 and I have listed them below, along with the number of stars I gave them and my Goodreads review.

After You by JoJo Moyes, 4 Stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel to Me Before You. I think that Moyes describes grief in all facets perfectly (what is up with all of the books I’m reading lately with grief themes, though?) and I loved reading about how Lou handled life after Will and all of the blessings and changes that came her way because of him. Moyes now has the perfect set up for another in this series should inspiration strike and I’m sure I’d eagerly read that as well. Recommended for those who enjoyed Me Before You.

The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider, 3 stars
I liked this book very much – right up until the ridiculous reveal near the end. It felt forced and contrived but it honestly didn’t spoil the story for me. I liked that the narrator is a young man as so many YA novels seem to be from the perspective of young women. And I liked that Ezra tried, and sometimes failed, to live his life in a new way. Stereotypes abound but the main characters felt real and I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys YA fiction.

X by Sue Grafton, 4 stars
When I started this book I though, oh ho hum, another Kinsey Millhone story, more of the same. But, you know what? This one is better than the last few and Sue Grafton is definitely not coasting towards the letter Z. Well written, with some of the same characters and settings, but new ones, too, and enough of a mystery to keep me guessing.

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante, 2 stars
It seems like everyone I know that read this book loved it but it left me cold. I found it repetitive and uneventful and I had a hard time keeping track of all the characters. I am slightly curious about what happens in the other books in the series but I can’t picture myself actually reading them.

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews, 4 stars
This book is like a real life version of The Fault in Our Stars, a book that I loved but that has a completely romanticized approach to teenage cancer. In this book, there is still a teenager with cancer but she’s not a saint and neither are her friends. No one has a great epiphany about the meaning of life, no one falls in love and there’s no big tear jerker moment. But it’s great. Sad and funny and definitely recommended.

A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny, 4 stars
While I didn’t love Still Life, the first in this series, I completely fell in love with the community of Three Pines when I read this one. Gamache is wonderful and the setting is beautifully and perfectly described. The mystery itself had me guessing (almost) until the end. Highly recommended for those who enjoy mysteries.

Where They Found Her by Kimberly McCreight, 4 stars
I love when you have a whole day to read and a book that is utterly compelling falls into your lap. Intriguing, fast-paced and unpredictable, I highly recommend this one.

A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson, 4 stars
A companion to Life After Life and, for me anyway, not quite as good but still amazing. Atkinson writes so beautifully and opens up a way for us to think about life in a non-linear way that is eye-opening. Life is truly full of “what ifs” and the only thing that’s real is right now.

The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure, 4 stars
I’m a sucker for any story set during WWII so it’s no surprise that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A little predictable and definitely some stereotyping of characters but a great story nevertheless.

The Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes, 4 stars
This is an awesome book about figuring out who you really are, coming alive by breaking out of your comfort zone, and feeling the sun on your face when it’s your moment to shine. If you happen to love Grey’s Anatomy it’s even better. Highly recommended.

Wreckage by Emily Bleeker, 4 stars
Fast paced and entertaining, a little predictable but I didn’t see the end coming. Recommended for those who like survival stories with a bit of mystery and romance thrown in, too.

600 Hours of Edward by Craig Lancaster, 3 stars
Quite good and rather similar to The Rosie Project. I do sort of feel like Edward’s change is a bit unrealistic but this is entertaining, amusing and heartwarming nevertheless.

The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny, 4 stars
My favorite in this series so far. Such beautiful writing, the setting is idyllic and the descriptions of the food make my mouth water. The main story – another murder in Three Pines – is interesting but what’s truly compelling is the back story about Gamache. How I love that man and all he represents! Highly recommended for lovers of well written mysteries.

The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey, 3 stars
I’m not one to read horror novels (unless it’s Stephen King) and I’m not a big fan of zombie stories but for some reason this book appealed to me. It’s not for the squeamish but it presents a new concept and a ray of hope for the post apocalyptic zombie world and for that reason I enjoyed it.

The Ballad of the Sad Cafe by Carson McCullers, 4 stars
A beautiful collection of short stories. My problem with short stories, though, remains: I’m just getting into it and it ends. Highly recommended.

Have you read anything great lately? Tell me about it!