So funny story about this. I sat down to write a book post, decided to combine my September and October reads from forever ago, began to make the collage — and then just had a nagging feeling that I’d already done this. I checked my drafts, and sure enough I started this post way back in the fall but never finished it!
So here’s to finishing things. Happy Friday!
The fall felt busy, and my reading slowed down a little as I got caught in some larger, longer books, like Seabiscuit and God’s Hotel. (The same is true now, but I’m reading a 500-page tome, so I’ll blame it on that!) I mixed up the fall reading with some fun, light stuff, though — as always!
*****
Jojo Moyes
I was so excited about this follow-up to Moyes’ dazzling Me Before You (soon to be a movie!). But this novel was disappointing, especially after her last several novels, all vibrant bestsellers. It felt forced and too long, and I had a hard time caring about the characters, their troubles, and even their choices. Oh well, sequels must be so hard to write.
3 stars
*****
Barbara Reich
Best to get this book when you’re ready to march around your house and do what she says, as it is basically an embellished, very helpful list of how to organize each part of your home at a time. Not exactly inspirational or bedtime reading, though. I found it a little too specific and less inspirational, so I still prefer The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up over this one.
3 stars
*****
Mindy Kaling
Silly and honest, light and fun. Her insights into Hollywood were more interesting to me now that I live close to L.A., and I read this book around the time Elliott and I spent a day there for a promotional dinner for his book. She describes a lot of her career track, which is fascinating, as well as many quirks and expectations of the film industry. Hard not to love Mindy!
3 stars
*****
Rachel Macy Stafford
Not what I expected! Not as much practical advice, mostly stream-of-consciousness meditations on how much the author would have missed had she not stopped, put down her phone, and forgotten her to do list for a while. I would have liked it better if she’d incorporated more stories from other women, or had mentioned her husband more than twice, and had made the book about half as long. Still, lots of wisdom.
3 stars
*****
Diane Chamberlain
Touching story of adoption and healing after a childhood tragedy. Molly Arnette lives in San Diego and has a perfect life, but the story of why she ran away from her childhood home will come back to haunt her when she prepares to adopt her first child. The story was well-told, but the writing style and coming-of-age angle didn’t strike a deep chord with me.
3 stars
*****
Victoria Sweet
I read this in anticipation of our trip to San Francisco, as it is the story of an SF “almshouse,” or long-term rehabilitation hospital for patients who have no other place to go. I loved the anecdotes of “slow medicine” (like slow food) that is gives people time to heal, even if it takes years. I’ve experienced some of that as a nurse, even in the ICU. For those with any interest in urban medicine, this is a beautiful and thoughtful memoir.
4 stars
*****
Lauren Hillenbrand
Slow in parts, but still masterfully written by Lauren Hillenbrand, author of Unbroken. The writer plunges deep into the backgrounds of the famous little racehorse, his owner, his trainer, and his jockey, before unspooling their story of a few losses, many more victories, and some amazing comebacks. I read this book while Elliott and I were hiking in Yosemite for six days, and it will forever remind me of that time!
4 stars
*****
Elin Hilderbrand
Easy reading and hard to put down, and the characters feel like people you know, even if they’re not the most admirable of folks. Readers be warned that this is your typical beach novel, and so the characters’ moral choices may not sit well with many readers. On the positive side, the book is set in Nantucket — always a lovely place to visit, if only through the pages of a breezy novel!
3 stars
*****
What have you been reading lately that you’d recommend? I think I need something light that I can’t put down; I’ve been reading too many WWII novels lately. I just finished reading all the Molly (American Girl) books to Lena, and even those were WWII!
Have a wonderful weekend! xoxo
Just read “A Man Called Ove,” by Fridrik Backman–loved it. I think you will also.
You’re the second person who has recommended that to me! I just put it on hold at the library. It looks wonderful.
You continue to inspire me with your reading! Love the reviews; bite sized bits of insight, like little chocolates just out of my reach.
I got a love of it from you! Thank you for teaching all your children to love good books.
I always appreciate the recommendations I get here! :) “Ove” is definitely worth reading (so glad you’re reading “All the Light,” too! Excellent book!)! One of my faves so far this year! Also, fun fact – Laura Hillenbrand stumbled across a brief mention of Zamperini while reading old newspapers in research for “Seabiscuit.” She made a mental note to come back and research him further and thus we have “Unbroken.”
Ha, I was caught in a WWII reading cycle last year and needed a break from it, too. Wonderful books (including All the Light), but so heavy and sad. I took a break with Harry Potter, so I could stay a little ahead of the curve with Elise’s reading!