I've been enjoying a change in the weather, and it seems the perfect way to do that is to put on a cozy sweater and curl up with a book. I've read a ton of books since I last posted a book review, and most of them have been kind of "meh". On a scale of one to five, five being the best, most of my reads have been twos or threes. To spare you everything I wasn't thrilled with, I will give you a run down of what I have enjoyed most; my four and five star reads. The stack of books in the picture is of books I have purchased, but not all have been read. If I don't mention something pictured above, it doesn't mean I didn't like it, I just may not have read it yet.
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi was a very ambitious undertaking for an author. The story follows the descendants of two African sisters over eight generations. Starting in the 1700s, one sister marries a wealthy English slave trader and the other sister is captured by a rival tribe and sold into slavery. Each chapter follows the progeny of each of the sisters throughout 300 years of Ghanaian and American history. We move through the Gold Coast of Africa, to Mississippi plantations, the American Civil War, to the Jazz clubs of Harlem. Besides being a fascinating read, I was enlightened to find out that the enslavement of Africans was not completely a white man's crime. Rival tribes provided thousands of individuals to the English and Americans in exchange for goods and other trade. In the 300 years the book covers, we see that there were serious repercussions of slavery on the part of both the slavers and the enslaved. My main criticism of the book is that each chapter seemed far too short. I would read enough to really get interested in the life and times of the character, and the chapter would end and we would be moving on to the next generation. This book has won a slew of prizes the year, well deserved in my opinion. *****
What a gorgeous cover, right? English Animals by Laura Kaye covers a wide range of subject matter. The novel is set in the English countryside in contemporary times. The main character, Mirka is a Slovakian immigrant who is in England to work as a nanny or general household helper. The couple she goes to work for is eccentric, to say the least. The husband Richard, is a taxidermist, and he puts Mirka to work in his studio. The wife runs the house as a sort of bed and breakfast hotel, and Mirka is expected to help out with that as well. Mirka finds herself strongly attracted to both the husband and the wife. The beauty of this book is in the masterful way it is written. English is not Mirka's native language and the book starts out with the narrative sounding as if a non-native is speaking and describing things. As the book progresses, Mirka's command of English improves considerably, and that is reflected in the writing. She also surpasses Richard in the skill of taxidermy, and there is much of interest to be learned on that esoteric subject. The author captures beautifully the nuances of personality in the various characters, and I found the book to be one of the better written ones I have read in some time. *****
Wow. This was some book, based on true events. From the late 1930's all the way up to the 1950's the Tennessee Children's Home Society, under the direction of a woman named Georgia Tann, kidnapped poor children and sold them to wealthy families for great profit. Author Lisa Wingate did her research thoroughly and the result is a gripping novel, Before We Were Yours. The five Foss children live on a river boat with their loving parents and are left alone when their father has to take their mother to the hospital due to complications during the birth of their sixth sibling. While the parents are gone, men board the boat and remove the children, aged 12 through 2 years of age. They are placed in the TCH orphanage and one by one are sold to wealthy individuals who cannot have children of their own. At first they are assured they will be given back to their parents, but as time passes that becomes patently untrue. The story flips back and forth through current times back to 1939 when the horrendous events based at the orphanage took place. This book is about family, about determination and about roots. The fact that events similar to those depicted in the book actually occurred will make your hair stand on end. *****
I listened to the audio version of See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt. I have to say, even though the writing was somewhat repetitive, the author really captured the essence of what might have been going on in the unbalanced mind of infamous Lizzie Borden, acquitted of the brutal ax murder of her father and step mother in 1892. Told from multiple points of view, the story gives us some different (and fictional) perspective on what may have happened on the fateful day of the murders. The author's rendition of events surely did give me something to think about long after the book was finished. ****
If you enjoy a good page turner of a mystery, The Dry by Jane Harper might be for you. Set in current times in Australia, during a terrible drought, a brutal murder takes place in a small town. A former resident of the town, now a police detective in Melbourne, is asked by the family of the accused murderer to return and look into the case. Lots of twists and turns, multiple suspects with motives, terrific character development, and a great writing style make this book a gripping read. *****
Stay With Me by Ayobami Adebayo is the book I am currently reading. I am about half way through, and am really enjoying it. This book was short listed for the Bailey Prize in Literature and attracted my notice when a lot of "BookTubers" (book reviewers on YouTube) were mentioning it. Set in Nigeria in current times, the book is the story of a marriage and the forces that threaten to tear it apart. Yejide and Akin have been married for four years. She runs a beauty salon and her husband is a banker. Yejide has been unable to conceive a child during the course of her marriage, which has become a source of concern. Yejide figures she is young, she hasn't explored all the options of modern science, and that she has plenty of time. Until her husband's family turns up at her door with a woman they introduce as Akin's second wife. Polygamy is a accepted practice in their culture, the young couple had agreed it wasn't for them. Until now. Both Yejide and Akin make some drastic bungles in their attempt to save their marriage and set things right, and the author treats them with sympathy and humor. This book is a debut novel by Adebayo, who is Nigerian. You will gain lots of insight into a culture very different from our own, and be entertained by the good writing and interesting story line. *****
Let me know if you have read any of these books and what you thought of them! Feel free to tell us what you have read and enjoyed recently in the comments. Happy reading everyone!
33 responses to “Book Reviews for Spring and Summer”
I listened to “Homegoing” on audible. It was a terrific, if difficult listen. “The Dry” is one of the best books I have read this year.
I listened to “Homegoing” on audible. It was a terrific, if difficult listen. “The Dry” is one of the best books I have read this year.
I listened to “Homegoing” on audible. It was a terrific, if difficult listen. “The Dry” is one of the best books I have read this year.
have not read one of these but have been toying with two of your choices. Thank you so much! I think you convinced me about both of them. I have been reading the Outlander series. They are interesting to say at least.
Have a great weekend!
Mary
have not read one of these but have been toying with two of your choices. Thank you so much! I think you convinced me about both of them. I have been reading the Outlander series. They are interesting to say at least.
Have a great weekend!
Mary
have not read one of these but have been toying with two of your choices. Thank you so much! I think you convinced me about both of them. I have been reading the Outlander series. They are interesting to say at least.
Have a great weekend!
Mary
Your book review come just in the right time. First I’m glad I’m not the only one with some not so great reads in the last month. I’ve took some books from the library hamoe with me and after a few pages I already knew the books were not for me. As you said perhaps two or three stars.
Now I can add some new books to my reading list:-)
Have a wonderful weekend!
Your book review come just in the right time. First I’m glad I’m not the only one with some not so great reads in the last month. I’ve took some books from the library hamoe with me and after a few pages I already knew the books were not for me. As you said perhaps two or three stars.
Now I can add some new books to my reading list:-)
Have a wonderful weekend!
Your book review come just in the right time. First I’m glad I’m not the only one with some not so great reads in the last month. I’ve took some books from the library hamoe with me and after a few pages I already knew the books were not for me. As you said perhaps two or three stars.
Now I can add some new books to my reading list:-)
Have a wonderful weekend!
I always like to see what others are reading. My book tastes lean toward ‘chick’ books & I read Laurie Gelman’s “Class Mom” as soon as it came out. It will remind you of Maria Semple’s writing style in “Where’d You Go, Bernadette?” & if you enjoyed that book you’ll like Gelman’s! I also read Tom Perrotta’s “Mrs. Fletcher” this summer & it didn’t disappoint!
I always like to see what others are reading. My book tastes lean toward ‘chick’ books & I read Laurie Gelman’s “Class Mom” as soon as it came out. It will remind you of Maria Semple’s writing style in “Where’d You Go, Bernadette?” & if you enjoyed that book you’ll like Gelman’s! I also read Tom Perrotta’s “Mrs. Fletcher” this summer & it didn’t disappoint!
I always like to see what others are reading. My book tastes lean toward ‘chick’ books & I read Laurie Gelman’s “Class Mom” as soon as it came out. It will remind you of Maria Semple’s writing style in “Where’d You Go, Bernadette?” & if you enjoyed that book you’ll like Gelman’s! I also read Tom Perrotta’s “Mrs. Fletcher” this summer & it didn’t disappoint!
I read Homegoing this summer,also. Liked the different perspective of slavery. Seemed to be well researched but I felt writing was too choppy making each chapter feel incomplete when moving on to quickly to the next generation. I also read many books that I didn’t like during the summer. When the power switch on my Kindle broke I finally read The Shack. Did not like! I am a Christian but this strange story/presentation really did not really fit with my beliefs. When I finished book I understood why a friend gave me a new copy & so highly recommended and promoted book by giving(not loaning)me a new copy. There is a page in the last of the book that encourages this type of promoting of book & it’s religious propaganda! Sometimes it’s just best not to “discuss” religion or politics even with friends.I plan to read Before We Were Yours sometime soon or a short but very entertaining escape of a fictional quilting mystery. Hope you enjoy a good read this week end!
I read Homegoing this summer,also. Liked the different perspective of slavery. Seemed to be well researched but I felt writing was too choppy making each chapter feel incomplete when moving on to quickly to the next generation. I also read many books that I didn’t like during the summer. When the power switch on my Kindle broke I finally read The Shack. Did not like! I am a Christian but this strange story/presentation really did not really fit with my beliefs. When I finished book I understood why a friend gave me a new copy & so highly recommended and promoted book by giving(not loaning)me a new copy. There is a page in the last of the book that encourages this type of promoting of book & it’s religious propaganda! Sometimes it’s just best not to “discuss” religion or politics even with friends.I plan to read Before We Were Yours sometime soon or a short but very entertaining escape of a fictional quilting mystery. Hope you enjoy a good read this week end!
I read Homegoing this summer,also. Liked the different perspective of slavery. Seemed to be well researched but I felt writing was too choppy making each chapter feel incomplete when moving on to quickly to the next generation. I also read many books that I didn’t like during the summer. When the power switch on my Kindle broke I finally read The Shack. Did not like! I am a Christian but this strange story/presentation really did not really fit with my beliefs. When I finished book I understood why a friend gave me a new copy & so highly recommended and promoted book by giving(not loaning)me a new copy. There is a page in the last of the book that encourages this type of promoting of book & it’s religious propaganda! Sometimes it’s just best not to “discuss” religion or politics even with friends.I plan to read Before We Were Yours sometime soon or a short but very entertaining escape of a fictional quilting mystery. Hope you enjoy a good read this week end!
I recently read number 3, 4, and 5 on your list. Before We Were Yours is one of the best books I’ve ever read. Love your book reviews.
I recently read number 3, 4, and 5 on your list. Before We Were Yours is one of the best books I’ve ever read. Love your book reviews.
I recently read number 3, 4, and 5 on your list. Before We Were Yours is one of the best books I’ve ever read. Love your book reviews.
The Dry was excellent! I too have read a lot of “meh” books this year. I personally love post-apocalyptic fiction & I must recommend Joe Hill’s The Fireman. Five stars, one of very few to merit that rating lately! I’ve also recently enjoyed Under the Influence by Joyce Maynard, The Birdwatcher by William Shaw, and Final Girls by Riley Sager.
The Dry was excellent! I too have read a lot of “meh” books this year. I personally love post-apocalyptic fiction & I must recommend Joe Hill’s The Fireman. Five stars, one of very few to merit that rating lately! I’ve also recently enjoyed Under the Influence by Joyce Maynard, The Birdwatcher by William Shaw, and Final Girls by Riley Sager.
The Dry was excellent! I too have read a lot of “meh” books this year. I personally love post-apocalyptic fiction & I must recommend Joe Hill’s The Fireman. Five stars, one of very few to merit that rating lately! I’ve also recently enjoyed Under the Influence by Joyce Maynard, The Birdwatcher by William Shaw, and Final Girls by Riley Sager.
Oh, just thought of one more… The Wind is Not a River, by Brian Payton. A great WW II novel about survival, love, and with a really unique setting — the Aleutian Islands. I recommend it!
Oh, just thought of one more… The Wind is Not a River, by Brian Payton. A great WW II novel about survival, love, and with a really unique setting — the Aleutian Islands. I recommend it!
Oh, just thought of one more… The Wind is Not a River, by Brian Payton. A great WW II novel about survival, love, and with a really unique setting — the Aleutian Islands. I recommend it!
I read the dry, I enjoyed it. I looked at before we were yours, I’m going to put it on my list. I just read the girl with no name and the women in the castle, both good books. Thank you for sharing your reading list.
I read the dry, I enjoyed it. I looked at before we were yours, I’m going to put it on my list. I just read the girl with no name and the women in the castle, both good books. Thank you for sharing your reading list.
I read the dry, I enjoyed it. I looked at before we were yours, I’m going to put it on my list. I just read the girl with no name and the women in the castle, both good books. Thank you for sharing your reading list.
I also read The Violet Girls & The Letter. I highly recommend both books! Thank you Nicole for sharing your book list and reviews of those you have read.
I also read The Violet Girls & The Letter. I highly recommend both books! Thank you Nicole for sharing your book list and reviews of those you have read.
I also read The Violet Girls & The Letter. I highly recommend both books! Thank you Nicole for sharing your book list and reviews of those you have read.
I always enjoy your book reviews and save them to my Pinterest account for the times I need something new to read. I also share your reviews with my sisters as we are all readers.
I always enjoy your book reviews and save them to my Pinterest account for the times I need something new to read. I also share your reviews with my sisters as we are all readers.
I always enjoy your book reviews and save them to my Pinterest account for the times I need something new to read. I also share your reviews with my sisters as we are all readers.