This post’s title is a play on an Ella Fitzgerald song, for those of you who actually have current musical taste. I’ve been off the grid for a few weeks, at the beach and reading like a fiend. As usual, my reading selections are varied; I’m sure you can find at least one that appeals to you.
However, if none of these books float your boat, check out my comprehensive list by genre of every book I’ve reviewed on Kiss my List right HERE. There is also a link on my sidebar as well if you want to check it out the next time you need a book.
One Plus One by JoJo Moyes
I LOVED Moyes’ Me Before You. I really liked her next book, The Girl You Left Behind. So when I saw that she had a new novel coming out, I requested a free preview copy from Net Galley in exchange for a review.
Each of Moyes’ books is unique, and I love that I never know what to expect from her. One Plus One tells the story of young single mom Jess, working multiple jobs to keep her small family afloat. Ed has no money worries, but he’s facing major legal trouble due to a stupid decision that turned out to be criminal. The two meet and their story begins. It’s not just their story, though. Jess’ two children narrate at times as well, providing different perspectives and fresh voices.
More than her other books, this one reads a bit like a screenplay. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Each character was interesting and real, and their relationships with one another were the heart of the book. What do we do with the hand we are dealt? What can we change by the choices we make? The novel was a quick read that started out a bit slowly, but I eagerly raced through the last one hundred pages.
It won’t tear you up like Me Before You, but One Plus One is definitely a book worth reading this summer.
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
Sarah Grimke is given her own personal slave, Handful, on her eleventh birthday. The novel follows the lives of both girls as they grow into women in early nineteenth century South Carolina. Sarah has ideas and aspirations that are deemed unseemly for women, and Handful has her mother’s fierce determination to be her own person.
I’ve read many novels about slavery, but this is one of my favorites. The women of the Grimke household are the heart of the story, and I was struck (as I often am) by how the circumstances of one’s birth can determine one’s path for a lifetime. Inspired by the life of historic figure Sarah Grimke, Kidd weaves fact into fiction to create a sweeping story of two women’s lives.
Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
This was one of those books that snuck up on me; I liked it until I loved it. It’s a brilliant first novel for Brunt, who creates characters that are so complex and real that I felt like I knew them personally. Technically a coming of age story set in 1987 New York, Tell the Wolves I’m Home is narrated by 14 year old June. June’s uncle Finn is dying from AIDS, and his death devastates his niece. June discovers that Finn is also mourned by Toby, his longtime partner, who June didn’t know existed.
The reader is a witness to June navigating the difficult and confusing relationships in her life – with her parents, her older sister, Finn, and then Toby. She is that quirky girl we all knew (or were) in high school, yet we are allowed to peek into her mind and heart. As a child of the eighties, I remember the beginnings of the AIDS epidemic and the fear surrounding it, and this novel helped me experience it through June’s eyes. It is a quietly strong, lovely, poignant, and thought-provoking book.
Night Film by Marisha Pessl
Cult horror director Stanislas Cordova is a recluse. Journalist Scott McGrath’s career was ruined when he tried to expose him, but now Cordova’s daughter Ashley has been found dead from an apparent suicide.
McGrath can’t leave the tragedy alone, and he embarks on a search for the truth behind Cordova’s mystery. The reader is along for ride, which is fast-paced and full of twists and turns.
This was an unusual novel for me, and that was part of its appeal. I rarely read mysteries or thrillers, but I was intrigued. A hefty book at over 600 pages (on my Nook), I was worried about it maintaining my interest, but it certainly did. The plot kept me guessing, and it balanced on the edge of weirdness without toppling over into too weird. This is not a horror novel, but it is a little creepy. It couldn’t be more different than the other books in this review, but that was why I liked it. If you are looking for something outside of your comfort zone, I recommend giving Night Film a shot.
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
While I enjoyed one other novel by Morton (The Forgotten Garden), I wasn’t very optimistic about this one. It sounded soap opera-y and overly dramatic. I am pleased to report I was very pleasantly surprised. As a teen in the 1960s, Laurel Nicolson secretly witnesses her mother kill a stranger who shows up at their home. Fifty years later, Laurel sets out to learn what truly happened in her mother’s past that made her commit murder. The book hooked me in immediately, and it was the rare story with twists and turns that kept me guessing. If you’re looking for a book that you can get lost in, this is it.
And now for this month’s edition of Literary Junkies…if you’re interested in joining this online book club, let me know. You can participate via this blogging link up and/or our Twitter party every third Tuesday.
1. What are you reading? Tell us about it! I read three books at the beach last week, so I’m on a hiatus while I catch up on things at home. I do have Diana Galbadon’s newest novel waiting for me, but once I start I will neglect everything else in my life!
2. Do you find yourself reading more of a particular genre during the heat of summer? Not really – I rarely go for “beach reads.” I do my reading in the air conditioning anyway, so the temperature is irrelevant to me.
3. Who are your favorite book villains (either to love or to hate?) I can’t think of any off the top of my head. I appreciate a character who I have strong feelings for, whether they are positive or negative. If I could take or leave a person in a novel, I have difficulty becoming invested in his or her story. A weakly developed character is a literary death knell for me.
4. If you could choose one author’s writing powers to harness, who would you choose and why? That’s a tough one. The first author that comes to mind is Wally Lamb. His novels are so engrossing and powerful. His words create living, breathing characters who are so uniquely human and flawed, and I think that is an amazing gift.
5. Do you read one book at a time, or read multiple books at once? I almost always read one book at a time; that’s all my brain can handle.
6. What are some of your favorite non-fiction books? Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore (both reviewed HERE), and Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs.
There’s still plenty of summer left – what are you reading?
i love everything about this post. that graphic you created is amazing!!!
Thanks, Catherine! I think it helps to have the books on there for social media posting – here’s hoping!
Wow! Thanks for introducing me to all these new authors (I think- can you also introduce me to a formula for adding more hours to my day?) Glad you were able to enjoy some books on your vacation- I did too, although I started three- two non-fiction and one YA – and have finished none. Multitasking definitely isn’t working, but I can’t read non-fiction only. I have to temper it with a good story. I’m reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, Escaping into the Open: The Art of Writing True, and I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You. (young YA). I like the idea of book reviews organized by genre and will have to check out your link.
Good luck on recovering from vacation – I’m working on that too!
I haven’t heard of any of the ones you mentioned; I will check them out. And if you have any suggestions for organizing the reviews further, let me know. Most are lumped into “Contemporary Fiction,” but I can’t think of a way to categorize all of them more specifically.
Great List.
The Invention of Wings is on my list.
I’m listening to THE STORY TELLER and reading The Rosie Project at the moment.
My fave. author at the moment is Gillian Flynn.
xx
Wow – those are two very different books you are reading/listening to right now. But both really good. I like Gillian Flynn too. I actually liked Sharp Objects more than Gone Girl. Haven’t read Dark Places yet, but I just requested it from the library.
I’ve wanted to read Tell the Wolves I’m Home- thanks for the reminder!
You are welcome – I hope you enjoy it!
I just got The Invention of Wings, and I can’t wait to read it!
You’ll love it – enjoy!
YES to Tell The Wolves I Am Home. I cried. 🙂 Great list!
Thanks Allison! I cried a little too. She just captured the essence of a teenage girl – an amazing debut novel.
Great list! I’m currently reading a lot of children’s books (to my kids…and therefore I’m reading by osmosis). Your list is a great starting point for me to get on the ball with my own personal reading.
Glad to hear it, Prelaysa – check out the full list under the “book reviews” heading. Hope you get some time to read for yourself soon!
I read something else by Sue Monk Kid and really liked it although now I can’t remember what it was. Doh. Great list Dana, and thanks for sharing! Which beach did you go to? AAhhhh reading at the beach. I remember those days. Now I do not relax at the beach. At all. One day though…
Secret Life of Bees? We went to Duck in the Outer Banks of NC – love it. And yes, one day you will relax. I do now, and it is divine.
I’m working on Water for Elephants. Course, by working on I mean “It’s sitting on my coffee table collecting dust.” Thankfully, I only started it a few days ago but I got lazy and haven’t picked it up since. Oops.
The book I read before that was The Fault in Our Stars. Loved it! For me it wasn’t quite the tear jerker it was for others but I did tear up a little.
I loved it too! Can’t bring myself to see the movie yet, although Gwen saw it and didn’t cry like she did when she read the book. Twice.
Ohhh, thanks for the recommendations. Need to load up my Kindle before my next business trip. Those long flights to California are perfect for catching up on reading!
I bet they are! I read a few books during our 15 hour drive to Disney in the spring. Thank goodness I can read in the car!
I have so many books on my TBR right now, it’s ridiculous, but the one I’m most stoked about is MOBY. I went to her book signing a couple of weeks ago. She’s brilliant. But this is not news to you. I go on vacation next week, and it’s coming with me.
There are so many writers who I would love to live in their heads. Ken Follett, Gyllian Flynn, Diana, Leah Raeder. I could go on. The power to take a story and make it real in my mind is like a superpower to me.
So when are we going on the beach vacay?
One of these days, Mandi – how awesome would that be? And I think that ability is a superpower too – I’m really in awe of fiction writers. I’m still waiting for that brilliant idea to come to me in my sleep. Waiting, waiting…
Okay so much to say, my favorite topic!
I just bought One Plus One (Me Before You is one of my all time favorites!). I read Tell the Wolves I’m Home this summer. as weel, and had a similar raction. I didn’t like it at first, but somany friends and bloggers endorsed it. By the end, I loved it.
1) AS of this moment I have THREE books going. The House on Mermaid Point by Wendy Wax, The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams, Why We Get Fat by Gary Taubs and Writing Articles About the World Around You by Marcia Yudzin.
2) I think I have reading genre ADD – I read everything, except fantasy and horror – and vampires. I do usually read less nonfiction in the summer, except this summer, ha, ha. When I’m on the beach – literally, I do prefer a beach read. I don’t know why. I like getting lost is a good story, while feeling the sun, listening to the ocean, and inhaling the salt air.
3) I HATED the sister in the Wolves book, until the end. I also detested Budgie Greenwald in A Hundred Summers.
4) There are so many authors I admire. For fiction, I wish I could write like Beatriz Williams. She’s multi-talented. Her books are intriguing and mysterious, romantic, literary, historical and witty. She masterfully interweaves the past and present – I admire Sarah Jio for that as well. I love Jen Lancaster’s humor and Jennifer Wiener’s ability to make unpleasant subjects, and sometimes people, compelling. I love the candid wisdom of Anna Quindlen and the fearless honestly of Glennon Doyle Melton. Finally, I wish I could tell (write) a story like Rob Lowe – I know, right? He’s a wonderful writer.
5) always have multiple books going on. There’s a book on my bedside, one in my purse and I’m always listening to one!
6) I’m really into memoirs right now. These are some of my faves from the last couple years: Bird by Bird by Anne LaMott, The Gift of an Ordinary Day by Katrina Kenison, Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe, Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster, What Remains by Radziwill, Carry On Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton, The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion, and Still Foolin’ ‘Em by Billy Cystal. Okay – I will leave now…
Love that you have so much to say.
1. I’ve never heard of any of them – more to check out!
2. I can relate, except I read fantasy (and vampires!) but I don’t usually read light chick lit.
3. I hated the sister too, but I knew there was more going on with her that made her a bitch.
4. I wish I aged like Rob Lowe! (How’s that for a totally superficial response to your very well thought out comment?)
5. How do you do that? I’m impressed.
6. When I read nonfiction, it generally is a memoir.
Now I am copying your comment into my Evernote so I can refer back to it for book recommendations. You rock, Allie!
Night Film was good but it totally creeped me out at times when I was reading at night and alone. I want to read her other book!
It creeped me out at times too. Her other book looks similarly quirky – I’ll have to add it to my list.
I can’t wait to read the new book from Jojo Moyes – after reading Me Before You, I binge-read all her books and am anxiously awaiting more from her!
That’s why I jumped on this one!
I just finished the invention of wings and loved it too! I’m currently reading “overwhelmed: work, love and play when you don’t have the time.”
Well, that sounds like a book I need to read! I just need to find the time…;)
Oh funny– I have my summer reading post going up tomorrow or Thursday. (Depends on when I have time!) Anyway, Invention of Wings is on my list, too. I really loved it!
Can’t wait to see your list, Nina – you always have good suggestions. When I do these posts I end up with a bunch of new recommendations to add to my to-read list – I love it!
So glad you had a nice, relaxing time at the beach, Dana! I am so, so behind on reading. I am usually drawn to non-fiction but I do love Sue Monk Kidd so will add The Invention of Wings to my kindle. Thanks for the great suggestions!
My pleasure, Mo. I’m sure unpacking has put a damper on your reading – I hope you find some time to do it soon.
I love reading! And I love Jojo Moyes and can’t wait to read her new book.
I recently finished Jennifer Weiner’s newest book, All Fall Down. It was pretty good.
I haven’t read any of hers. But definitely try the new Moyes book – it was one of those books I liked more as it went on, and then even more when I was finished.
I loved the Secret Life of Bees so much. Excited to check out this latest one from Sue Monk Kidd! I’ve also read a lot of novels about slavery, so I’m inspired by the fact that you call this your favorite!
Uh oh, I don’t want to set the bar too high and disappoint! But I liked the focus on the female relationships. Let me know what you think when you read it!
You just reminded me to put Jojo Moyes “One Plus One” on hold at the library! Thank you! I have that on hold, as well as Jennifer Weiner’s new one, Emily Giffin’s new one, Elin Hilderbrand’s new one, and Jonathan Troppers’ “This Is Where I Leave You.”
I’m currently reading, “I Shall Be Near To You”
That’s on my list to read- looks good. And This Is Where I Leave You – I think you’ll really like that one. Happy reading!
I’ve just added greatly to my reading list. Thanks for that.
Never understood the obsession with “beach reads.” Books are books. Read them everywhere. Get so wrapped up in the story you aren’t aware what the temperature is.
Exactly! Well said, Tracie. I don’t switch genres because of where I am. Although I may not have read a real tearjerker at the beach, with seven kids running around distracting me from a good cry.
The Invention of Wings sounds really interesting… I desperately need to dive into a good book! I’ll def check some of these out!
I need a new one too – I get antsy when I’m not reading a book. Hope you find one that you can get lost it, Caroline!
I typically only read one book at a time as well. It’s all I can handle. Great answers!
Thanks Logan!
I hope you had a great vacation Dana! Glad you are back now!
Thanks, Ana Lynn. Vacation was great, but now I need a vacation from my vacation!
Was everyone on their best behavior and watching what they said around you in fear it would end up in the blog? Ha! I hope you had a great vacation. Thanks for the recommendations.
No – I’d only post about vacation if I blogged anonymously! Well, I may post, but I will restrain myself. I’m sure you have plenty of time to read this summer – miss you, beach bum!
Thanks for the recommendations. Tell the Wolves I’m Home I’ve never heard of. Sounds interesting. Eighties were my heyday too. I’ll be sure to check it out. Right now I’m reading Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson which I think treads that line well between literary and accessible.
I’ve heard of that but haven’t read it – I’ll check it out. Tell the Wolves I’m Home is one I read a review about somewhere, otherwise I probably wouldn’t have picked it up. But I’m so glad I did. If you read it, let me know what you think!
Well I missed you but I’m glad you were able to take a break! All of those books look so good. So completely different from one another, but each has a very interesting plot. I’m adding some of these to my list! 🙂
I missed you guys too, and I’m so behind at catching up with everyone. I’m glad you can find a few of these books to try – there is definitely a variety!
I am so thankful you wrote this post. I’ve been trying to beef up my to read list because I often get stuck trying to figure out what to read!
Right now, Malone and I are reading Charlie and The Chocolate Factory together out lout, but I’m not reading anything on my own. We need to make a trip to the library and then I need to set aside some time in my day to settle in with a book!
Yes, you do! Although Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is an excellent book. 🙂
I have not read any of these yet, but definitely going to add a few of your picks here to my own list. You know I loved Me Before You, so I am in need of a need book by JoJo Moyes, so thanks for sharing this one here today with me 🙂
My pleasure, Janine. I think you’d really like The Secret Keeper too. Enjoy!
Welcome back! I am stuck on the House of Night series (vampires). Then I was thinking of checking out The Partials. Someone recommended it while I was reading the Divergent series. One day I will grow up and stop reading the young adult books 🙂
I love YA books too, Tara. I haven’t heard of the two you mentioned, but I just looked up House of Night on Goodreads. Eleven books? Sounds addicting to me. I’m tempted…
Thank you for this! I’m leaving for a little vacation with the fan on Wed and I needed some new titles! I’m currently reading “Born To Run” (shocking!) after meeting with the people from Health Warrior. Long story (no pun intended) but it has a lot to do with their company and chia seeds. It’s actually a great read!!
A book about chia seeds – I’ll take your word for it. 🙂 Have a great vacation and let me know if you read anything else fabulous!
Great list, Dana! I’ve read The Invention of Wings and The Secret Keeper, and Tell The Wolves I’m Hone is next on my reading list. Right now, I’m reading Jim Gaffigan’s Dad Is Fat, and I just finished The Paris Wife. I just got a Kindle, so I have a dozen books waiting to be read! (can you tell books really excite me?)
They excite me too, Alison! I liked the Paris Wife, but I haven’t read Dad is Fat. Isn’t it the best feeling to have a bunch of books waiting for you? I need to get to the library asap, or starting shopping at the Nook store!