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This month, I read 5 really good books. They were all books that I couldn't breeze through, full of great writing and were completely immersive stories. They were also longer than the books I've been reading lately. It made me wonder if these authors used the downtime of the pandemic to pen some really excellent reads! Whatever the reason, I can't pick a favorite this month, so you'll just have to read my reviews and decide for yourself. I also have to comment even though I'm not a fan of Good Morning America, they are picking some really good books for their book club! I've already got this month's selection queued up on my Kindle!
Search was such a breath of fresh air after recently reading some really heavy tomes! A UU church begins a search for a new pastor after the current one announces his leave. The story is told in the voice of a local food critic, who is asked to be a member of the search committee. Her perspective was that of a seasoned church member but she also focused on the food that was served at the meetings. The author even included recipes at the end of the book! The committee meetings were, as you might expect, entertaining. I loved the quirky characters that populated the book as well as the entertaining applicants for the ministerial position. A really fun read!
Young women are disappearing from a small Long Island town. Three middle-aged women, who initially find one of the bodies, join forces to bring down the men who are responsible. There are elements of the paranormal, as one of the women can hear the dead girls talking to her. One of the women has been accused of being a witch, but mostly she's just feeling herself after being burned by her male coworkers in her job as an ad executive. Together, the three women embark on a search for the killer. With the exception of very few, the men in The Change are not portrayed in a very kind light. I found this book to be gripping and very entertaining. However, it is very long and I was glad to finally see it come to an end. Could it have been trimmed a bit? I think so, but still it was a good read.
Before you tell me that you don't want to read a book about 3 gamers, hear me out. While yes, gaming figures prominently throughout Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, the story itself is about friendship and growing up while pursuing a common interest. As is typical for young friendships, there are ups and downs and a lot of turmoil as the characters mature. I love a good coming-of-age story and this book checks all the boxes. However, it takes a while to get going and it's a long book, and with the main focus on gaming, I wasn't sure if I would stick with it. I'm so glad I did! Beautiful writing and likable characters certainly helped seal the deal. This book will stick with me for a while as I continue to process it. Expect to see this on many 'best of' lists at the end of the year.
Wow, what a great memoir! Funny, sad, poignant, and bitter, in I'm Glad My Mom Died, the former child star of I, Carly tells all about her pathologic and completely enmeshed relationship with her mother. Years of letting her mother run her life eventually led her down a path of an eating disorder and alcoholism, among other issues. I've never seen I, Carly so I had no idea who McCurdy was. But because she's such a good storyteller, I was completely invested in her story and recovery. She also shares details of the dark side of being a child actor. While I wasn't surprised, it still was so disheartening. Highly recommended.
Trigger warning for graphic description of bulimia and food restriction.
This was a twisty, immersive story! Maybe almost a little too twisty...but well worth the read. A married couple, who have a young daughter and a dog, are living a typical life in London. The husband, an obituary writer, is asked to write an advanced obit for his wife, who is a well-known marine biologist. He uncovers details about her that don't match what he knows. And so the secrets begin. The Love of My Life starts off more like a family drama but morphs into a domestic thriller as the story unfolds. The POV alternates among the characters, which works well with this story. The author deftly handles the elements of mental illness and post-partum depression. It's not a downer at all--there are some humourous moments as well. I loved it--definitely recommend it!
What have you read lately? Are you an e-reader or a real book reader?
Funny, we were just talking about McCurdy's book -- my brother and his daughter were there when we went to see my mom this weekend, both avid readers, and my niece had read that book as well.
ReplyDeleteI will do anything -- Kindle, real book, audiobook (because of all the drives to my mom).
I recently listened to Matthew McConehey's Greenlights. I then read the reviews on Amazon -- people either loved it or hated it. I'm not sure I really loved it, but it was fascinating and entertaining. In fact, I'm listening a second time and that is the first time I've done that!
I totally get why people hated it, too. To say his parents were odd is a mild understatement (as is he).
Anyway, he narrates the book and seriously he could read the telephone book and it would probably sound fascinating!
I haven't done audiobooks yet, but I may just take your recommendation on Matthew's Greenlights!
DeleteI read Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, and loved it as well. I'm just about to finish The Ink Black Heart (Robert Galbraith aka JK Rowling's sixth book in the Cormoran Strike mystery series). I'm loving it so much and it's 1000 pages, so I'll definitely be feeling a little lost when it ends. I need something good- I'm going to look for the Rosie Walsh book. Thanks for the great reviews!
ReplyDeleteI saw that you read Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, which made me want to read it! Wasn't it good?
DeleteGreat reviews~ Love of my life sounds right up my alley and Search sounds different and fun
ReplyDeleteI was pleasantly surprised by Love of My Life. I read Walsh's other book, Ghosted, which was cute!
DeleteI read something on BuzzFeed about Jeanette McCurdy's book. Wow! It definitely sounds like a good read and I'm hope writing the book was very healing for her too.
ReplyDeleteI hope it helped her too.
DeleteWow, that title of Jeanette McCurdy's book sounds so sad! But sounds like a fascinating book. I love reading memoirs and biographies, there's so much to learn from people's life stories.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great recommendations, Wendy!
McCurdy's book was so well written that it actually wasn't sad--and if it wasn't a true story, I'd think it was a parody! Her life was sad, though, but it's great that's she's on her way to recovery.
DeleteThis is one of my favorite posts.
ReplyDeleteI just read Lessons in Chemistry. Did you recommend that book?
I loved Lessons in Chemistry!!! Yes, read it a few months back.
DeleteLove your reviews each month. I'm making my way through Cloud Cuckoo Land which is long (650 pages) and requires a lot of perseverance but I can't wait to see how it all ties together.
ReplyDeleteI've got it on my radar but ugh to the length. It's like an ultra, lol
DeleteI really want to read the Zevin, everyone I know who's read it, from all different walks of life, has enjoyed it, so it's good to see you did, too. Matthew and I are planning to read it together. Search looks like the ideal book for my friend Gill, who has just been through the process of searching for a new vicar for her High Anglican church!
ReplyDeleteI'm anxious to hear what you think of Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow! Search was such a fun read.
DeleteI'm not sure any of those are my cup of tea, perhaps though the last one would be interesting. I'll have to make a note and check it out. Thanks for your reviews.
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking them out.
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