Happy Monday and happy last week of July! Whaaat. I’m hoping August flies by as fast as July did, because that means I’m just that much closer to my MOVE. (It’s all I can think about, honestly.) Last week, I made my first trip to the library since March! I’ll talk about the experience in my next COVID-19 update post, but I’m just so happy to have a whole stack of library books to get through. I didn’t realize how much I missed the crinkle of a hardcover library book until I opened my first one this week, and ahhh, such a delight.
Last week, I finished two books and abandoned one. Let’s discuss!
Down with Love by Kate Meader (★★★★☆)
One-sentence synopsis: Divorce attorney Max and wedding planner Charlie are thrown together when Charlie is hired to plan Max’s brother’s wedding.
What a fun, flirty romance! I really enjoyed my time with this one. I think what I loved most was how distinct Max and Charlie’s voices were. Typically in a romance, there’s not a huge difference in voice between the male and female leads (aside from the male saying “fuck” a lot, which is always a little eye-roll-y). But with this novel, I could truly feel the difference and I really liked it, even though Max was a huge douchebag at the beginning. But he started to endear himself to me as the story progressed and especially when he began to lose his heart to Charlie. Their love story gave me all of the heart-eyes and I couldn’t get enough of this book! Definitely one to add to your list if you’re looking for a fun romance (but be warned: it’s steamy!).
The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes (★★★★☆)
One-sentence synopsis: A story set in the Depression era about a group of women known as the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky who deliver books to rural communities.
Gosh, I loved this book so very much! It was compelling right from the start, but then it hit a point about 150 pages in where I just couldn’t put it down for anything! I found all of the women to be such well-rounded, complex characters and the setting to be so vivid that I felt as if I was riding with these women or inside their library. I loved the emphasis on literature and reading, and how necessary it is for the betterment of society. All in all, a lovely, compelling story that reminded me what a privilege it is to be a reader.
Circe by Madeline Miller (abandoned)
Well, I tried but this book just really wasn’t for me. It was just a little too… weird. I prefer my stories firmly rooted in reality and Greek mythology is certainly not that. I can certainly see why so many people rave about this novel and I really loved Miller’s writing style (I read 125 pages before abandoning it because the writing was so compelling!), but it just wasn’t the right book for my taste. Live and learn!
What I’m Reading This Week
I’m halfway through Woman 99 by Greer Macallister, a historical thriller following a girl who enters a mental health facility hoping to free her sister who was just committed. It’s fantastic so far and considering it draws on what these asylums for women were like back in the late 1800s, also really troubling. I’m also dipping in and out of No Place to Run by Maya Banks, a fast-paced romantic suspense that is keeping me on my toes. Once I finish Woman 99, I’m going to start The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead, which I hear is a really difficult but necessary read. I’ll probably take my time with it, so it’s a good thing that my next romance coming up is Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams—a good palate cleanser!
What are you reading?
I have been thinking about reading Circe. I wonder if it will be to my tastes? We’ll see! I didn’t read Greek mythology when I was in HS. Phil did so I guess we had very different English programs? I think he was in AP english which was not an option in my tiny school. We had no AP whatsoever. I’m glad Paul will go to a larger school with more class offerings! I mean it worked out for me but it is evident that Phil had a very different HS experience with way more depth!
Anyways, back to the topic at hands! I finished Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner over the weekend which I really enjoyed. Her more recent books definitely have way more depth than her previous ones. I mean I enjoyed her previous books, too, but I definitely prefer a little more depth/character development as I”ve gotten older. Now I am reading “Boston Girl” which I am LOVING! I have the hardest time putting it down each night. If I wasn’t so disciplined about my bedtime, I would stay up super late to finish it!
Oh, The Nickel Boys was so powerful. I read it recently and Whitehead’s writing is lovely, even as the subject matter is horrifying to read about. I highly recommend it. I also thought it was a page-turner, so if you’re like me, it will be a quick read that you have a hard time putting down.
I’m reading a Bill Bryson book because I find Bryson to be comfort food. 🙂
See! You should have read Recursion! Ha, I am totally kidding.
What book would you recommend for a first time Jojo Moyes read?
I read the Nickel Boys last year and I can’t wait to read your review of it!
I am still working on Catherine House. I’ve been very social so I haven’t been reading much!
I am so excited for your move! And to hear about your library experience. They gave me books from other libraries yesterday so I wonder if interlibrary loan is back up!
I haven’t read The Giver of Stars yet, but I recently read The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek which was also about the pack horse librarians, and it was INCREDIBLE! Highly recommend.