I’ve been reading like a fiend since my last review post – a dozen books and three audiobooks. (Wanna know how? I’ll tell you here.) Coincidentally, my writing has slowed, my lawn looks post-apocalyptic, and my to-do lists are sitting forgotten. But it’s summer, and there are so many books to be read.
Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post. If you buy a book through a title link, I will get a few quarters which I will leave in my car so I can buy lemonade from neighborhood kids. I did that yesterday and their excitement at the sale was worth so much more than the 50 cent price tag.
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann (audio)
This nonfiction account is on Entertainment Weekly’s list of ten best books of the year so far, and it is fascinating. The Osage Indian nation were the richest people in American in the 1920s, after oil was discovered underneath their land. Mollie Burkhardt was an Osage woman whose relatives were dying one by one, and all under suspicious circumstances. It soon became clear that the Osage were being targeted for their land rights, and this book tells the story of the conspiracy and the law men (including J. Edgar Hoover) who brought it to light.
I had to keep reminding myself that this was not a movie script. This all really happened, although it’s almost unbelievable. It’s also a sad commentary on what has been deemed worthy of being included in our history books.
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood
Wavy is eight years old playing mother to her younger brother. Their father is a meth dealer, and their mother is a drug user of precarious mental health. Kellan is one of their father’s guys, but he’s a good guy who grows to care deeply for Wavy. As the only person in her life she can trust, Wavy loves Kellan back.
Sound lovely or creepy? That’s the beauty of this novel. It made me uncomfortable, sad, angry, hopeful – all of those emotions at the same time. I was ultimately satisfied with the ending, although I suspect not everyone is. Wonderfully written, Greenwood’s characters are deeply flawed and deeply human. I loved, loved, loved this book.
This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel
Claude is the youngest of five brothers, and at age five, he knows he wants to be a girl when he grows up. Claude becomes Poppy, and when the family moves to a new town, no one knows Poppy’s secret. Until they do.
I liked so many things about this novel. I imagine it’s a realistic look at what a family goes through when a child is transgender, including parents and siblings. Since the timeframe is only early childhood to pre-adolescence, the story is less about being transgender and more about what it means to be a person, not a boy or girl. I enjoyed how Frankel explored the ways each parent dealt with such a complex issue. She a doctor, grounded in science. He is a storyteller and dreamer, grounded in possibilities. Both are grounded in love for their child.
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
I devoured Michael Crichton’s novels when I was younger, and Dark Matter reminded me of his works. It’s definitely sci-fi, but in a physics kind of way, not an alien kind of way.
Jason could have been a superstar physicist, but instead he chose to get married to the love of his life and have a son. He’s a college professor and family man, until he is kidnapped and drugged – only to wake up in a world in which he is still Jason, but his wife and son are not his wife and son.
I’ll admit I didn’t completely understand the hows behind the science, but it didn’t matter. The novel is a gripping, fascinating ride. I read it in two days, although much of that was while sitting at the MVA waiting for my son to get his learner’s permit.
The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North (audio)
Harry August lives his life, dies, and is born again. Same time, same life. His memories resurface by age three, and he remembers all of the lives he has lived before.
At the end of life #11, a girl comes to him and tells him she needs to send a message. Something has changed, and Harry must try to save the past to prevent a future that cannot happen.
Sounds weird and science fiction-y, right? It’s really not. It’s actually a cool, unique premise, and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Harry make his way through the same life over and over. How fascinating would it be to get a mulligan, or two or three? What would you do differently, or build on from past lives? This was a intriguing and entertaining listen – don’t shy away because it seems out of your box!
I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh
This one was slow to start, but once it got going, I was hooked. I can’t tell you much, but the novel involves a hit and run, a mystery, and a past that’s going to catch up with the main character, Jenna. There are clever plot twists and short chapters, so it’s one of those perfect summer reads. If you take this one on the beach make sure you have a hat and plenty of sunscreen!
*****
At the halfway point of 2017, I’ve read or listened to thirty-five books. Fellow blogger and book lover Nina shares her top picks mid-year, and I’m following suit. If you need more books to read, definitely check out Nina’s pithy book reviews. She has great taste in books, but our picks rarely overlap unless I’ve read something she recommends.
My favorite books of 2017 so far
American’s First Daughter By Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood
This is How it Always Is by Laurie Frankel
I reviewed the first three books in this post, and the last two are reviewed right here. Enjoy your summer reads!
That picture from above must have been from when you were in Lauderdale:)? Believe it or not, I haven’t heard of any of these books. I’ve been chilling with old school beach reads after a very stressful couple of months. And I think I just saw a picture of you in Alaska???? Lucky girl:)!
It was in Fort Lauderdale:) And yes, we were in Alaska too – it’s been a great summer!
I’ve heard amazing things about Dark Matter, but I haven’t read it yet!
It’s a really good read (and fast too)!
I read the summary of All The Dark & Wonderful Things and didn’t think it was a fit for me, but might have to reconsider and give it a try. I Let Go sounds intriguing, too! I just finished Into the Water (same author as The Girl on The Train) and I’m almost finished with The Women in the Castle which I LOVE! I want to hurry and finish, but I also want to keep reading it! 🙂
Ugly and Wonderful Things is a tough read, but I loved it. But you know what you like, so stick with your gut.
The Women in the Castle…I’ll check it out. It’s the sign of a great book when you want to finish it, but you don’t want the experience of reading it to end.
My daughter charges a buck for lemonade! She’s a rip-off!!! Well prices are lower in the south, right? Right.
I get so excited for these lists because we have similar reading taste, and our Cape Cod trip is only days away. I’m finishing A Man Called Ove right now.
A buck – wow! Well, the 50 cents cup was only half full. Happy reading on the Cape!
Lots of interesting books here that I’ve never heard of. Thanks for the reviews, and I’m glad you are getting in so much reading. Who cares if the lawn looks post-apocalyptic? Mine does too, post vacation.
Good to know! Hope you had a great week away. Btw, I just thought of you because I was using the word “capital” as in D.C., and I remembered that was how to spell it (instead of ‘capitol’ because of your post! You’re making me smarter, Julia.
Aw, thanks! 🙂
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things was already on my list but you always have such interesting ones I’ve never heard of. That 15 Lives sounds fascinating, as does the nonfiction by Grann.
The Fifteen Lives was on my list for so long, but I don’t remember how it got there. I’m so glad I finally listened to it!
They all look good, but “This is how it always is” and “The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August” really piqued my interest. Good for you that you’re already at 35 books for the year, Dana!
Thanks Alison! Let me know if you read any I reviewed.
~~~~~All the Ugly and Wonderful Things sounds great!
As always, thank you for the recommendations, Dana!
I’m reading The Handmaiden’s Tale.
It is one of the best books I’ve ever read in my life! OMmmmmmmGggg, the writing by Atwood blows my socks off.
x
I read that in high school – it is a great book!
I just downloaded the sample of All the Ugly and Wonderful things – your description is awesome. I read Dark Matter and really enjoyed it. The way he told the story – his writing and the way he did “show, don’t tell” was amazing.
Thanks for the link to me! 🙂
I liked This is How it Always Is as well. Though what an awful title. It’s so forgettable. It almost makes me angry.
Thank you for these recommendations! I have been able to read more recently as Esmé allows me now to do so on my iPhone during our epic evening rocking sessions…something that was never allowed with any regularity before. I’m reading American War right now and really enjoying it. But I had two before that I couldn’t manage to finish. So…I’ll try to grab a couple off this list! Thanks for linking up this week 🙂
Neat!!
I found the, “The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August” intriguing! Gotta check it out.
Since you into reading this summer, Donna. I would absolutely love (Beware: Shameless promotion) it if you could read my recent release, “Breathing Two Worlds” It is a Fiction-Drama that talks about two cultures my protagonist lives and breathes and tries to balance.
xoxo
Side note: Your Kindle font is so tiny. I think if it weren’t for electronic reading, I wouldn’t be in denial about wearing glasses. When Christopher was younger he told me it looked like I was reading a red tag book. I asked him what that was. He said it’s a book for kindergarteners.
Summers are when I get to read more too, some other things fall by the wayside. I need a good audiobook so I can get some cleaning done. I’m currently reading The Shack, motivated by the movie being made. I’ve stopped and started this book so many time over the years. Now I think I’m further in than I’ve ever been. I expect to finish it. I’m a Chip & Joanna Gaines fan so The Magnolia Story is next. I’ll get The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August when I get a new audible credit. I’m taking notes on the others. This time a year I like to be listening to something and reading something else. Other times in the year I’m just listening, so it really makes me happy when I can sit down and read. I may have to try your treadmill reading because popcorn reading isn’t very good for me.
Always love reading about what you’re reading, Dane! I loved This Is How It Always Is. Wasn’t sure if I should read Beartown but if it’s one of your faves I definitely will! Happy summer reading dear friend xxx
So many books to add to my list! I’m especially interested in reading This is How it Always Is. You might find Becoming Nicole interesting (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25893681-becoming-nicole). It’s a nonfiction book about twins, both biologically boys, but one from a very young age identifies as a girl, and her experiences growing up and being transgender.
Btw, I found my last bookclub selections by looking through your big list! And I’m currently reading What She Knew, which sounded familiar and I realized after I checked it out of the library it was also on your list! So you are apparently also subconsciously influencing my book choices 😉
I’ll check out that book – thanks Bev! And at least I’m influencing someone in a positive way;)
Yes! Just when I was starting to worry about what to ready/listen to next, you come to the rescue! There are so many on this list I want to read. I finished The Secret Keeper and absolutely loved it, then there was Into the Water which was another great one and now, I’m reading Every Last Lie by Mary Kubica and it’s not that great…but I HAVE to find out what happened. I know you know that feeling 🙂
Thanks again for all the great recommendations and I hope you continue to have a relaxing summer!
Thanks Allie – you too!
I have slowed up a bit with reading but am trying to decide which book to read next for the plane ride and late nights at Disney next week. I have read a few on your list and by far my favorite was All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood. I read it late last year, but still haven’t found a book to quite compare. I also have I Let You Go and agree with you on your assessment there. I do have This is How it Always Is by Laurie Frankel since Meredith from Mom of the Year recommended it to me and now may have to bump that up after reading your review, too.
It’s a great read, and would be perfect for the plane. And kudos to you if you have energy to read at night after long days at Disney!