June felt like I was reading a few easy books just to get me going again, and this July I’ve been reading some books I really loved.
I adjusted where I get my recommendations from: aka… not just BookTok. Primarily, whatever Jenna Bush Hager says to read, I read. If it happens to show up across booktok, then great. Now that I’ve honed my preferences, though, I feel like some of the BookTok/Bookstagram videos are getting closer to my taste. And I’ve been listening to the Books Beach and Beyond podcast that has got me back in my literary mindset.
Real Americans
Obviously, this book is a top book of the year for a reason. And I loved it.
I’m all about the family sagas, and because I had read so much YA nonsense last month, this book was so refreshing. I was like, OH, THIS IS WHAT A GOOD BOOK LOOKS LIKE.
It starts with Lily and Matt, and you fall in love with their love.
I was reading along, wondering how I was only 25% through, and it was going so well, they’re so happy! What was going to happen to make her the single mom from the synopsis?
There’s science, racial discrimination, affirmative action, the tiniest bit of magic, shocking twists, and stories of hardship. What’s nurture vs. nature? How can the world be so small?
Got this one through Book of the Month!
The Half Moon
Almost DNF’d this one, but then I listened to a podcast, and it was recommended/ host was reading it, so I gave it another chance. And I’m glad I did.
Deals with a couple going through money troubles, infertility, aging parents, ALL THE THINGS. And sometimes you just need to start over. And sometimes you just need to listen to your wife!
Ok, that’s all I’m going to say about that, but really a great read.
Listened to this one through Libby
Tough Titties
Well, not sure how I feel about this, even though I’m a Laura Belgray fan (as far as copywriting goes).
It was an interesting look into NYC in the 80s and 90s. Let’s say that lol
This was funny, but not something I would recommend to anyone. It takes her a very long time to find herself (which is the entire point of the book, don’t worry). But I expected a little more growth/ self-reflection. I don’t know. It doesn’t claim that at all, so not sure what I was expecting.
She’s a great writer, and it’s hilarious (definitely not clean, which again is obvious by the title, so I don’t know what I was expecting lol)
Bought it on Kindle
Braving the Wilderness
This is a book I try to read every single year, but I’ve only gotten around to it about 3 times.
It gives me the vocabulary for how I live my life. Some of my favorite quotes:
“We’re going to have to learn how to listen, have hard conversations, look for joy, share pain, ad be more curious than defensive, all while seeking moments of togetherness.”
“Art has the power to render sorrow beautiful, make loneliness a shared experience, and transform despair into hope… The magic of the high lonesome sound is the magic of all art: the ability to both capture our pain and deliver us from it at the same time.”
“For that reason, I think places themselves, not just people, can hold feelings of disconnection too. Sometimes a place can feel lonely because of some sense of a lack of closeness in the relationships that happen in that space. Other times, I think the inability to visualize yourself in connection with people you care about in a particular place makes a space feel lonely on its own.”
“The ability to opt out of suffering and injustice or pretend everything is okay is the core of privilege… A wild heart is awake to the pain in the world, but does not diminish its own pain. A wild heart can beat with graitude and ean in to pure joy without denying the struggle of the world.”
Finally bought the paperback, but I’ve also listened to the audiobook.
The Perfect Couple
I saw the preview for this Elin Hildenbrand book, and downloaded it immediately. I read this one on Spotify premium! But then discovered that I can only read 15 hrs/month… and this book was 12 of them! I was so excited because ALLLLL the books I wanted were on Spotify 😅 it did seem too good to be true.
Ok quickly about the book: I enjoyed the mystery of this, compared to some of Hildenbrand’s other books. But I can never get enough of her descriptions of Nantucket: the food, clothes, locations, and more… always instantly transported and watching things unfold from every perspective is so fun.
Listened on Spotify!
Summer Sisters
Got this one from the library because of the recommendation from Read with Jenna.
Teenagers. I saw the ending coming from a mile away, but I know that teenagers/ 20 somethings often don’t see what’s right in front of them. We can be so close to someone, but also only focused on our own perspective, and our own pain. When the other is desperately trying to open us up. But both sides end up wrong more than not.
Beautiful, accurate, full of teenage hormones.
Read this on Kindle from Libby.
Maine
Wow. I almost DNF’d this because lately I’ve needed more PLOT in my stories (like, is anything going to happen!?), but I can’t stay away from a family saga focused on the grandma/mom/adult daughter connections. And as someone who grew up in the “family lake house” (the deed was actually in my parents name, so not quite) with my Irish Catholic grandma next door, it resonated a bit.
I loved seeing the same events told from each person’s perspective, and reading how good intentions are missed so badly between generations. I think we’ve all lived that moment where one thing was interpreted so differently by the person we were speaking to, or the family member standing near by, so we end up looking selfish and crazy. But really, it was so different in our minds. I don’t even know if communication solves all these problems, but saying things gently would probably help.
Anyway, loved it. Not sure where the recommendation came from? Maybe because I’m on the hold list for The Cliffs (by the same author) and this was available now.
Read this on Kindle from Libby!
Killer Instinct (The Naturals Series, Book #2)
I had this on hold after I read the first one, but it wasn’t as good. Also, I’ve had enough of teen FBI agents. But it’s fun, and it makes me laugh. I will not be reading the rest of the series though. Teenage love triangles and serial killers are just not my thing anymore.
Listened on audio from Libby
Queenie
Another Summer Read with Jenna recommendation that was perfect (except I think most of the story happens in February)
I think I cried walking my dogs and listening to this. Queenie tells a story of a horrible breakup from the love of her life, miscarriage, racism (and not), and all the ways she punished herself for these things.
There’s a lot of sex, but not exactly spicy, just tragic, and it’s interesting how the author demonstrates Queenie disassociating (although due to the audiobook format, I was often confused when there was a time jump). The author really gets in her head in a way I’m not sure I’ve read before.
I also loved how it shows very real racism, and the times Queenie had allies that she was too broken to see.
Friendship saves her, and it was truly a relief when her life moves forward.
Listened on audio from Libby!
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde
Um I loved this book. Thanks, Read with Jenna.
FYI – spicier than I normally read, but also so wholesome??
Every page turn I was expecting something terrible to happen, but it was just so lovely. Don’t get me wrong, things happen, and there are some twists that you’ll probably see coming, but overall it ends well and I loved it.
Read this on Kindle from Libby
Gospel Comes with a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World
Don’t judge me for this one. It’s been sitting on my TBR for years, and I saw it pop up on a Christian must read list… I made my husband listen to it, too, because I have a lot of thoughts I need to process.
Overall, I obviously agree with the radically ordinary hospitality concepts. I believe we should have our homes more open to strangers and loving everyone.
The author is harsh about somethings… and then very open minded about other things. Then randomly talks about Latin grammar. So. It’s odd.
I wish there was more practical tips/guides for it, because the concept is easy to agree with and living it out is a little more difficult.
Bought it through Thriftbooks!
The Reappearance of Rachel Price
I listened to this one – and it’s long. And the ending was exactly what I thought it would be. The most obvious ending.
I waited for new characters to get introduced so something different could happen.
The story is compelling, and I love the characters. But I was waiting for the big twist. And it never came.
Just not a Good Girls Guide to Murder.
Listened on audio from Libby