My father is disappointed when I publish a book review post.
He loves reading my blog, but the book reviews don’t interest him at all. When I thought about posting book reviews more often, and only a few at a time, I realized that every other post would be about books. Dad would not be pleased, so I will continue reviewing and recommending books every other month.
Since my last post at the end of July, I have read or listened to ten books. No one wants to read ten reviews, so here are four, plus four other mini-reviews. Sorry Dad! You’ll have to wait until next week.
Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post. This means I earn a few cents from any purchase you make by clicking through these links.
The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne
Oh, I adored this novel. Not at the beginning, but as I became immersed in the life of Cyril Avery, I fell in love with the storytelling. Cyril is born to a teenage girl in rural Ireland, and adopted by a wealthy couple in Dublin. Each section of the book fast forwards seven years, so we meet Cyril’s mother, then Cyril at seven, fourteen, twenty-one, and so on. His story isn’t necessarily an extraordinary one, but it unfolds magnificently. The writing is fabulous, the characters are magnificent, and it’s just the kind of book that settles into your soul and stays there. If you’re not afraid of a 582-page novel, this one is well worth your time. And if you’re local, I have a hardback copy I’ll happily loan you.
Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family by Amy Ellis Nutt
Nicole was born Wyatt, identical twin brother to Jonas. She always knew she was a girl in a boy’s body, and Becoming Nicole is her story. Actually, it’s her family’s story – how her parents, her brother, and Nicole herself navigated the transformation. It’s all true, and it will make you angry, sad, hopeful, and ultimately inspired. Fun fact (and mild spoiler alert): Nicole is playing a newly introduced superhero on “Supergirl” this season.
Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover (audio)
This memoir was hugely popular earlier this year, and I understand why. Those that live off the grid are often fascinating to those of us who don’t, and Tara’s recounting of her childhood reads like compelling fiction. With no formal education, a mentally unstable father and brother, and a midwife/herbalist mother, Tara manages to get admitted to Brigham Young University at age 17. If even half of what she recounts is true, Tara’s coming of age story is one you won’t soon forget.
The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain
Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC of this novel.
In 1970, Caroline Sears is a pregnant widow, and her baby has a heart defect that cannot be fixed. But…her physicist brother-in-law is actually from the 21st century, and he tells Caroline she can travel to the future to save her baby.
Stay with me if you’re ready to bail. This novel spans genres – it is contemporary fiction with a bit of science fiction thrown in to make a compelling plot. There are no aliens or time machines, and it is an easy, interesting read. You may roll your eyes at the time travel, but consider this: If you were presented with a seemingly unbelievable opportunity to save your unborn child, would you take that chance? Caroline does.
If you’re willing to accept a fantastical element in your novels, I recommend this one. And also this one…
Eternal Life by Dara Horn
Would you want to live forever? Rachel made a bargain to save her son’s life 2000 years ago; she has been immortal since then, and ready to not be. I’m fascinated by books about regular people gifted (or cursed?) with immortality, and this one made for a great book club discussion. Thank you Nina for the recommendation!
Circe by Madeline Miller (audio) and Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (audio)
These novels read like historical fiction, although they are based on Greek mythology. Circe was a goddess, Achilles was a hero, and Odysseus is featured in both novels. No, you do not have to know a thing about Greek mythology to enjoy these books. Yes, I did feel a little smarter after listening.
Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini (audio)
Actual historical fiction, this novel focuses on the title character and her relationship with the complex and maligned Mary Lincoln. Lizzie Keckley was a former slave who became not only Lincoln’s dressmaker, but her confidante and friend. Her memoir destroyed her friendship with her former boss, but hers is a story that deserves to be told.
Want to see all the books I’m reading? Follow me on Goodreads here, but know that I’m a tough rater. A good book is three stars, and that is what I rate most of the books I review. Or check out my index of all the books I’ve reviewed on the blog here.
Happy reading!
Like most people, Educated is on my list!
Happy reading!
I’ve never heard of The Dream Daughter, but I must read it. Sounds fascinating (I like time travel elements – especially within our century). Mrs. Lincon’s Dressmaker sounds good. And I’m very intrigued by your description of Eternal Life.
My book review posts are my least read posts. I love your posts though, you always introduce me to books I haven’t heard of!
All my posts are sparsely read, so I don’t worry about it! I love your book posts too; we have different taste in books so as you said, we introduce each other to brand new reads.
Oh yay, so glad to see you read Becoming Nicole. Fantastic read! As always I’ll be adding most of these to my list 😉
And I’m loving watching Nicole on Supergirl! Her character just came out as transgender, and it’s hard to imagine her as little Wyatt.
I always enjoy your book posts! I wasn’t wild about The Dream Daughter, but I thought the premise was really interesting 🙂
It was, right? Fortunately there are plenty of books for every taste. I just had a friend tease me for recommending a book she ended up hating…I can’t be right 100% of the time!
When I read your reviews, I open up a new tab to my library and find them there! On hold for me right now is “Educated”- I love getting new book ideas from YOU, Dana!
Sorry to your dad, but I’d LOVE more of these posts! lol
Yeah, my dad will just have to deal.
Weird I left a comment, but I don’t see it. This one is a test!
For some reason I had to approve your last comment – that’s why you didn’t see it. But I got it – thanks again for recommending Eternal Life!
So happy you liked Eternal Life!
These look great, Dana! The Dream Daughter sounds a bit like The Time Traveler’s Wife. Have you ever read that? I’m able to accept a little fantastic (The Time Traveler’s Wife is one of my favorite books ever!), so I will have to check this out. A lot of good books here for my book club to use as we select books for the new year. Thanks!
Even though I’m a fan of the single book review post, I understand that you must please the man who is probably your #1 fan! 😉 Good job.
Loved Time Traveler’s Wife! Hated the movie. Dream Daughter is less confusing in terms of time lines, and focuses on the mother-daughter bond instead of husband-wife. I’m glad you find my reviews useful! I enjoy your single book reviews – they are so thoughtful. If I posted more often I would do that, but as it stands every other post would be a book review. My dad wouldn’t be happy.;)
I salute your gift of reading so many books and giving us the synopses that whet our appetite, Dana. I confess that I have fallen woefully behind with my reading. I promise to do better!
I go through fits and starts too, Alison. But I always have a book at the ready when I need one.
I always need your book review posts. I think most of the books I get are between yours and Allie’s (Janine had one recently that I got a few from too). Kenya was asking me about books the other day and we’ve read so many of the same and decided it’s because we both save your posts to get them! Sorry to your dad, but hey, keep them coming please. So from this list, the two I just added to my cart are THE HEART’S INVISIBLE FURIES and THE DREAM DAUGHTER. I have to wait for my audible credits to renew (I hope you’ll still get the credit??). Anyway, thank you! One of my very favorite books ever that I think about all the time is A Man Called Ove and I got that one right here! 🙂
Yay! If you still lived here, I’d give you my copy of Heart’s, but it probably cheaper for you to buy it than it would be for me to send it to you.
The Dream Daughter sounds interesting! I read Necessary Lies by Chamberlain not to long ago and it was good. Straight historical fiction which I love. I’m not a big fan of sci-fi, but the juxtaposition sounds intriguing!
It really was – and I definitely wouldn’t call it sci-fi. Just an interesting twist as a plot device.
I love your book posts and you can tell your dad…Suck it up, this is what my friends wait for!
Can’t wait to read the ones we haven’t read already!
Well, I wont tell him to suck it, but I won’t stop posting about books. 😉
I love your book reviews so keep them coming :)))
Will do, Amy!
I needed this post two days ago. Oh well. Saving for later. I need to spend 2 credits before I cancel audible for a while so I can play catch up with everything I’ve got. I’ll see what’s available with these from the library. I think Educated would have been one that I would have picked from this list.
LOL to your dad. Mine likes me to write about him or Christopher – anything else is boring.
If he reads the comments… Hi Dana’s dad, I really love the book review posts. I depend on them and Dana’s an excellent reviewer 😉
Haha – he did read all the comments, although he wasn’t thrilled I made him look like the bad guy. I told him my friends would understand.
So of course you read or love Tuck Everlasting? I’m more petrified of immortality talk. Maybe that should be a book for me anyway, though.
I don’t know any of these! Yet.
I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow and eating Berger cookies!
I actually have not! I’m familiar with it though. Hope your weekend in MD was great and that you had some Berger cookies!
Ya, I have not read any of these. So, I most definitely happy you posted today (sorry to your dad, but still). That said, I slowed a bit with reading this fall as my workload picked up here considerably in the past few weeks. But that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy reading what you and others have been reading as it gives me the incentive and push to read more again. So thanks for that, as well as giving me some new books to check out, as well 🙂
I love trading book posts with you, Janine. 🙂