Here’s what I’m currently finishing up – sometimes it’s nice to deep dive into crime fiction, particularly with such a well developed collection of intelligence castaways. I can’t claim that it was a total diversion from reality – terrorist plots, intelligence agencies, London – but I’m a big fan of Mick Herron’s work.
I’m about to emerge from the fog of a too-busy spring and early summer at work. I’m ready to beef up my book bag, so I thought I’d share with you what I have on my library list. But I’m also open to suggestions from you all. So spill it. What else should I include?
American Eclipse – a timely read with the solar eclipse coming this August 21st – and we’re RIGHT IN LINE to see it. We need to stop by the Science Center soon to pick up our free viewing glasses.
From the NPR piece I listened too: In his new book, The Potlikker Papers: A Food History of the Modern South, Edge attempts to pay down what he calls “a debt of pleasure to those farmers and cooks who came before me, many of whom have been lost to history.”
Sold. I can’t wait.
The Wonder was recommended to be by several people, and I just noticed it’s been on my virtual library shelf, but not requested, for awhile now. Looking forward to finally reading this one.
I’ve always enjoyed Richard Ford’s writing, but his interview on Fresh Air about this book really spoke to me. I can’t remember who recommended The Awkward Age, but I noticed it was on my virtual shelf so I’ve requested it.
I’ve always been an Alan Alda fan, and as a child of the seventies, I mostly see him in his role on M*A*S*H. But I found myself really engaged in an interview he gave on this book, and could always use help in the area of communicating and relating to others.
Orphan Train is another book that’s been hanging out in my queue. I’ve requested the children’s book of the same title as well.
You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me was another NPR summer book recommendation, and I had Dept. of Speculation before, but couldn’t finish it before it was due back. I’m ready to revisit it again this summer.
E read and loved The Hate U Give, and so now it’s my turn to read it.
And everyone has loved Homegoing, and I’m glad to have some more time to pick it up.
That’s the current list – what are you up to this summer?
Orphan Train is so lovely.
I just picked up “Lincoln in the Bardo” from the library and am SO excited to read it. I hope it’s as good as I’m anticipating it being.
Just finished Option B, really resonated with me, especially as I round the corner to cales birthday.
Option B is a good one to include. I haven’t read it, but have enjoyed listening to her interviews. Thanks for the recs, and for checking in here!
News of the World. Loved it. Started A Rather Haunted Life, the biography of Shirley Jackson. Wonderful. Not enough time to cram in all of these great reads. (Bought/haven’t read Tyson’s Astrophysics for People in a Hurry.)
Ooh, good ones. Thanks.
I’m getting ready to read “Life after Life” which came highly recommended from a good friend (Mick Carlon, author of Riding Duke’s Train, Travels with Louis, and Girl Singer – all fictionalized stories about Jazz greats). I have been putting A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles into the hands of everyone I meet. I loved A Man Called Ove, but I know that’s not new. Still, a great read. Short nonfiction: The Day the World Came to Town. It’s been adapted into a musical. Fantastic read. Ready Player One is another good read, different, but its 80s and 90s pop culture references which are key to the plot kept me hooked. Lauren Wolk, author of Wolf Hollow, has a new book out, Beyond the Bright Sea, which I have on order. All of my reading friends are raving about it. I’ve also been following Subway Book Review on Instagram. So many good recommends that my list is huge…
I appreciate it. And I loved Life After Life. I’ll add those other suggestions to my list.
I’ve been behind in all my reading. Blogs, books and the magazines that I usually tear through as soon as they land in the mailbox have been stacking up for months, creating a fire and tripping hazard in our home.
It has been a crazy busy Spring and a volunteer project that ended up taking far, far more hours than I ever imagined. And we got a dog (a dog!). Oh my, it really is just like having a toddler. Finding time to sneak off with a book has been so very hard the past couple of months.
I’ve been slogging my way through Michael Chabon’s Moonglow. I want to love it, because I’ve loved everything of his I’ve read. But, I don’t. I am not really sure where it is going, and while the writing is good, I’m just not that interested. I am just one of those people who is determined to finish what I start, so I will. This might be the longest it’s taken me to get through a book in years. And before I started Moonglow, I read the newest Anne Patchett, Commonwealth. I liked it much better overall, but the ending seemed abrupt. So I’ve been a little disappointed in my reading the past few months (and usually I’m a 2-4 books a month kind of girl – I just realized I typed few months – I’ve only gotten through 1-1/2 books in the past three months – yikes!).
All of this is to say that I am so happy I took some time to catch up on your blog and find these recommendations. I heard the same interview with Richard Ford, and I believe it was Fresh Air where I heard Alan Alda talk about his book (though it might have been Science Friday). Orphan Train is wonderful – a story that stays with you for sure. I think you’ll love it.
For me, I’m thinking the crime fiction might be the first one I pick up. Doesn’t sound escapist, but does sound absorbing – which is what I need. I have my first kid-free week in 11 years starting Sunday, when my kids head to camp. So many projects in the queue for this week “off”, but I’m also looking forward to some time in the fresh air with a good book. So, thank you for sharing this list!
p.s. My son highly recommends Pax, if you haven’t read it. So that actually might be my next book – perhaps your girls will love it, too.
So good to hear from you. Our springs sound similar. I’m typing this on my phone, so it will be brief. Slow Horses was good, but not a quick read. But I enjoyed it because the characters were really well developed and I liked the premise. Not so escapist when you think about terrorism, London, anti-Muslim, alt-right, etc. sometimes a little too real. There was a book I read earlier this year that I loved. Name is escaping me, but it was about police and spanned three generations of a white family and black family. I loved it. The Turner House and The Mothers are also great.
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Thanks for the suggestions… will look them up!
Found it! Revolver by Duane Swierczynski