It’s been almost three months since my last round of book reviews, so it’s time for some more ideas for summer reading! I hope you can find at least one that interests you.
The Shining Girls
Harper, a sociopath (or maybe he’s a psychopath) living in 1932 stumbles on the House. It beckons him to kill the Shining Girls. But the House is a portal, and every time Harper leaves it he enters a year of his choosing. He hunts his Shining Girls across the decades, but Kirby is the one who lives. She will not give up searching for her attacker, and Harper will not give up what he feels is his destiny to find all the Shining Girls.
Beukes describes Harper’s crimes with brutal clarity, and the time travel element gave a typical serial killer plot an intriguing twist. It’s not a sci-fi novel; the explanation for the House was nonexistent. The reader has to be willing to accept the premise and just go with the flow, which is fast and engrossing. This is by no means the perfect novel – character development was often stereotypical or lacking entirely, and the time travel made it challenging to keep everyone straight. But it’s a great summer read or book club pick.
And the Mountains Echoed
Hosseini is an exceptional storyteller; The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns are two of my favorites. This novel starts with the story of a brother, a sister, and a tradegy, and weaves in other related stories until finally returning full circle to the siblings. As with his other books, the characters are primarily Afghans living in their pre-war and then war-torn country. Heart breaking and uplifting, this novel is a must read.
The Silver Star
by Jeannette Walls
In typical Jeannette Walls style, The Silver Star tells the story of two girls and their less than perfectly balanced mother. Mom is a would-be musician battling undiagnosed mental illness, and the girls travel to rural Virginia to live with their long lost uncle. If you enjoyed either of Walls’ other books based on her life, you’ll enjoy this novel. If you’ve never read anything by Walls, this is a quick enjoyable read. But don’t miss The Glass Castle – it’s the best of the bunch.
Goodbye for Now
by Laurie Frankel
Software designer Sam Elling develops a computer program to find his soulmate – and he does. Together, Sam and Meredith create RePose, a program that allows the bereaved to “communicate” with their deceased loved ones via electronic means like email and video chat. It may sound sci-fi, but it’s not. It was thought provoking and emotional, exploring what it means to live, to die, and to love – when are we really gone? A great read.
The next two books I read pre-publication, as part of my new gig on Red Letter Reads. This website is like your own book club, providing reviews for books from a small group of diverse readers. I’m so excited to be one of their newest readers, and the reviews will be up on the website in the next few weeks. Because Red Letter Reads gives a brief plot summary before the reviews, I just jumped right into the review. Click on the titles if you’d like a generic summary from GoodReads.
Save Yourself
by Kelly Braffet (expected publication August 6, 2013)
While the novel starts off slowly, Braffert’s use of alternating chapters to tell Partick’s and Verna’s stories simultaneously soon had me fully invested in both characters. Their layers were peeled back a little at a time, leaving me curious to know more about them and what made them tick. The prose is succinct and harsh at times, which lends to the dark aura of the novel. I was drawn to the sad and downtrodden characters whose very different lives end up colliding in a way I did not expect.
I enjoyed this brooding novel more than I expected I would; it was one of those books that I like more after I finish it and think about it for awhile. I would have liked some of the characters and plot points to be more fully developed, but excessive description and wordiness doesn’t seem to be Braffert’s style. It’s a quick read and would generate some interesting book club discussions.
Approaching the Speed of Light
I read Lustbader’s book Hidden and enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to reading her newest novel. It didn’t disappoint. Her intense and eloquent writing made Jody the most complex, wounded character I have ever connected with in a book. I had a physical reaction while reading; my stomach was in knots at times and I finished with a lump in my throat. Relationships have the power to hurt and destroy, heal and renew – and Lustbader explores this beautifully. Can love heal all wounds, or are some beyond repair? This novel is a heavy (but hopeful) read, and I could not put it down, particularly for the last third of the book.
Did I like it? It’s difficult to say that a book dealing with such painful topics is one I liked, but it is a book that I am so glad I read. It made me think, it made me feel, and it was one of those books you close at the end with a contented sigh.
What’s the best book you’ve read this summer? I’m always looking for suggestions, so please leave a comment if you have a good book to share!
I love being able to count on a smart blog friend with good taste in books to point me in the right direction. Someone just mentioned the Jeanette Walls book to me, so maybe I’ll start there… but I better bookmark this page!
That’s so nice of you to say, Stephanie. Do start with Glass Castle – I highly recommend it!
I’ve never read Jeanette Walls and I need to. Adrienne over at The Mommy Mess just reviewed the Glass Castle. These books are beckoning me!
Yes, yes – read all three, but start with Glass Castle. Amazing story!
Now, I must come back here to find out more about these! Thanks for sharing, and I’m glad to connect with a fellow book lover!!!
My pleasure, Michelle!
I LOVE books Dana, so thanks for the reviews! I’m reading a fun summer book right now by Mary Kay Andrews called Ladies’ Night. I didn’t realize this when I got it, but it’s about a blogger, too! Very cute book.
I’ve been reading some heavy books, so Ladies Night sounds like a good one to throw in there – thanks Shay!
Dana,
I recently downloaded And the Mountains Echoed – Kite Runner is one of my ALL TIME favorite books, ever. Have you ever read The God of Small Things? It’s older now but remains my favorite ever. Like ever ever. It’s amazing.
I haven’t read that – I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation!
I haven’t read any of these yet. The Shining Girls sounds right up my alley, but all of them sound great. I have read The Glass Castle – amazing! I love your honest reviews!
oh and as for good books this summer I have read and loved Divergent and The Midwife’s Revolt. I am almost done with Along the Watchtower…pretty good! And I am halfway through 11/22/63. It is great! different from the normal Stephen King!
Glad the reviews are helpful, Alexa. I loved Divergent and 11/22/63 too. Just looked up the Midwife’s Revolt – I enjoy historical fiction from a woman’s perspective, so I’ll have to check it out!
I enjoyed both of Walls books but haven’t read this one yet.
My summer favorites so far are:
A Bride for All Seasons–mail order bride collection by four different authors.
The Cat That God Sent
The Testing
Thanks for the suggestions – I will check them out!
I love reading book reviews and finding books to add to my Amazon wish list! Just finished And the Mountains Echoed and liked it. I marvel at what a great writer he is. I’m going to have to check out Silver Star. For some reason I’ve been avoiding it but I guess I’ll give in.
Have you read Walls’ other books? I’d read those first if you haven’t – they are a bit better than Silver Star. I do book reviews every few months, so check back for the next round! And check out Red Letter Reads – it really is a great resource.
great books babe…I will check out Silver Star and GoodBye for Now….thanks babe!!!!
I love finding a good book and truly enjoying it…Hope my library has these on CD….fingers crossed
Maybe – I’ve never listened to a book on CD. I just reserve it as soon as I read about it, so I’m at the beginning of the waiting list.
Loved The Silver Star and Goodbye for Now sounds intriguing, as does Save Yourself!
Three vastly different books, but all good. I like to mix it up 🙂
Whoa, checking the library ASAP for all of these. Especially “Goodbye for Now.” Wow.
That book was a pleasant surprise for me – wasn’t sure I would like it but I did. Love when that happens!
I adore Jeanette Wall’s ‘The Glass Castle’. In fact, it’s on my list of Top 10 favorites. I still use the quote her father had told her about ‘Whoever coined the phrase you have to play the cards life dealt you was most definitely a piss poor bluffer.’ That’s probably not verbatim, but I guess you get the point. Thanks for all the other reading reviews. Reading is one of my favorite passions.
That’s a great quote, Donetta. I hope you find at least one good book out of the bunch to try!
Am headed off to order a couple of these right now!! They sound so good…I love book reviews! :)-Ashley
Me too – I always have to have a new book waiting in the wings. Happy reading, Ashley!
Oh my lordy lord, I loved The Glass Castle! I just finished Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn (I also read Gone Girl and Dark Places, which were both great). It was such a great book, I want to keep the momentum going. I’m reading The Fault in Our Stars next, totally prepared to ball my eyes out, and then I am definitely going to read The Silver Star!
I haven’t read Dark Places yet, but I liked the other two Gillian Flynn books. Read Half Broke Horses by Walls too – it’s technically fiction, but it’s the story of her maternal grandmother – you’ll understand a lot more about her mother once you read it.
Great reviews! I pinned this because I’m always looking for new books/authors to try!!
Thanks!
I’m currently reading Gone Girl – I rarely read books when they are trendy – just when they sound good and I get to them!
Sometimes I am disappointed in the trendy books – there is so much hype and my expectations are so high. The Hosseini book was an exception; I just think everything he writes is brilliant.
I can’t wait to read the new Hosseini — I absolutely fell in love with his other books. Thanks for introducing those last two novels. I love discovering new authors!
My pleasure!
Wow, thanks I was looking for some new reads. One of my recent favorites was the Law of Gravity. It was beyond well-written I found myself rooting for everyone in the story and stayed up to 1am finishing it (always a good sign!)
Ooh – that looks good – I just checked it out on GoodReads. Another to add to my list!
Oh how I wish I had more time to read! When I was single I used to read all the time. My husband is really into movies so I’ve had to compromise and watch movies with him—which isn’t bad, but I never watched movies before. Love Khaled Hosseini. Putting that book on my list. Here are some of my faves on Pinterest http://pinterest.com/cgacad/favorite-books/.
I’ll check your faves out, Catherine – thanks! I can’t remember the last time I watched a movie…
Adding Approaching the Speed of Light to my wish list now! Thanks!!!!
It’s a book that will stick with you for awhile – if you read it, let me know what you think.
O.K. so how do you find time to read all these?!?! I have never been much of a novel reader, but I have read Jeanette Walls before (Glass Castle & Half Broke Horses) and enjoyed them both. Once the kids are back int school, maybe I’ll pick up The Silver Star and give it a try. I have seen it on a few lists lately!
I read on the elliptical, at the pool, while walking the dog, before I go to sleep, waiting for my daughter at practice…I sneak it in whenever I can. I don’t read much non-fiction, so if you have any great reads in that category, let me know!
The Shining Girls and Goodbye For Now have been on my “to-read” list for a while. Time to move them up, I think! Also, I’m so jealous of your Red Letter Reads gig. How fun!
Yes – read them both! I just got a new book to review yesterday – it is the perfect gig for me. You can get on the waiting list to be a reader if you want – check it out on the website. Heading over to check out your list now…
They all sound wonderful, especially Goodbye for Now, but just need more time in the day to read. Thank you for sharing though and will definitely have to check that one out, because I just love the concept behind it!
I don’t know how you’d find time to read, Janine – you have to hide in the bathroom! One day…