Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Mixing it Up: Late June Mini-Reviews

Deciding what to read during a pandemic is not easy. Heavy issue novels just weren't working for me, but neither was anything too fluffy. I seem to have found a nice groove by mixing things up... an audio memoir, a short story collection, a classic, and a beach read.

Let's get right to my late June mini-reviews...




by T Kira Madden, narrated by the author

This beautifully written coming-of-age memoir, told through a series of short vignettes, is brutally honest, raw, gritty, and sad... yet somehow achingly tender, too. It's a memoir of trauma, loneliness, confusion, families, and forgiveness.

Madden grew up in a loving household in Boca Raton, FL, yet her parents continually battled alcohol and drug addiction. She was often left alone to deal with the constant barrage of pressures inflicted upon preteens/teens in our society.

Hearing the author narrate her own story was especially impactful. I'm glad I decided to listen!






You Think It, I'll Say It by Curtis Sittenfeld

I don't read many short story collections, but it may be time to start! This was one of the many books I grabbed off the library shelf just prior to the pandemic shutdown. It took several months to finally read it - wish I'd picked it up in April.

The stories, mostly about relationships, all managed to draw me in immediately. They show average people as they really are... which isn't always flattering. The writing is excellent - sharp and without an unnecessary word. I would be hard pressed to choose a favorite. Now it's time to try one of Sittenfeld's novels. Do you have a favorite to recommend?






Passing by Nella Larsen

This classic novella of the Harlem Renaissance was originally published in 1929.  It's a story of two childhood friends who reunite after many years. Irene is shocked to discover her friend, Clare, has been "passing" as white. Clare misses her old community and is eager to reestablish a connection, but must do so behind her husband's back. Irene, afraid of the consequences of such actions, is reluctant to rekindle their friendship. The conclusion of the book is startling, to say the least.

Larsen's writing seemed ponderous at times, but still completely readable. The reader is allowed into Irene's head enough to make it reminiscent of The Awakening, at least for me. Larsen's autobiographical first novel, Quicksand, is now on my reading list.




28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand

Elin Hilderbrand is the queen of the beach read and, now that summer is here, what better way to round out the month? Her latest novel is a Same Time, Next Year story spanning 27 years, 1993 to 2020. There isn't much more to say other than I loved it.... set aside a sunny weekend and give it a try.




Bring on July!

24 comments:

  1. I'd like to read all of these starting with 28 Summers. I've seen the 1997 Same Time Next Year but not the newer one.

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    1. Vicki - I read 28 Summers most of Saturday and Sunday afternoon... such a relaxing weekend! Haven't seen the newer movie version though.

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  2. Seems that I've seen Curtis Sittenfeld's name everywhere the last four or five years, but I've yet to read anything by her. (I have to admit that I only even recently realized she was a female author.)

    The novel of her's I'm most curious about is "Eligible" because it is said to be "Pride and Prejudice" in a modern setting. I'm a fan of the Jane Austen novel and I have to wonder how she adapted it to fit modern times. That isn't as easy as it sounds, and it doesn't always work well.

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    1. Sam - Eligible is the Sittenfeld novel I'll likely try. I'm a Jane Austen fan, it's ready to go on my kindle, and my daughter loved it. Modern adaptations can be tricky, but Sittenfeld is a very talented writer.

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  3. I heard about Passing awhile ago, and meant to put it on my TBR list, but forgot. It's there now!

    I really liked Hilderbrand's Winter Street series, thanks to your recommendation, and mostly liked Summer of '69, but disliked her ending in which everything was too neatly wrapped up for my taste for realism. That said, I will likely read 28 Summers - just love the setting so much!

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    1. JaneGS - I still have fond memories of tearing through Hilderbrand's entire Winter series the week between Christmas and New Years a few years ago... perfect reading for that time! Something about Summer of '69 kept me from picking it up last year, but her books often hit the right note when I need something light, but not too fluffy. The Perfect Couple was really good, too - a murder mystery involving a wedding party on Nantucket.

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  4. I agree. Pandemic reading is a challenge. During this time, psychological thrillers are doing it for me. Good writing is a must though not just a twisty story line.

    I just finished The Mother In Law, which I need to write the review for. I just picked up The Last Flight which everyone is raving about. My student let me borrow her copy and it's a page turner! Perfect!

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    1. Ti - I'm glad psychological thrillers are working for you! Haven't read any yet this year, but I'm open to recommendations... even older ones. Mixing things up seems to be good for me right now. Maybe a more serious nonfiction soon, too.

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  5. I want to read all of these, especially Passings. I know what you mean about finding the right sort of book right now. Not too heavy, but fluff isn't appealing either. I'm about ready to finish Ann Patchett's State of Wonder which has been an incredible read. It only too me about a decade to finally pull it off my shelf! After that, I'll probably move on to Brown Girl Dreaming and Kingdom of the Blind (Louise Penny). Hope you're having a nice week.

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    1. Les - I remember loving State of Wonder, but think I had an issue with the ending - can't remember exactly what it was though. Brown Girl Dreaming was excellent on audio. It's read by the author. Started The Vanishing Half today and love it so far.

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  6. I am glad you loved Long Live the Tribe. That one really got to me. I just ordered Sittenfeld's Rodham from my local indie. I think she is an amazing writer.

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    1. Judy - I was especially impressed with Madden's ability to recapture her feelings and express them in a way so appropriate to her age at the time. Will look forward to whatever she writes next.

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  7. I have kind of a love/hate relationship with Elin Hilderbrand's books, but I've only heard good things about 28 Summers!

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    1. Angela - I know you're not alone in your feelings about Hilderbrand. I generally enjoy her, especially for one summer weekend a year!

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  8. Glad these books worked for you. It's hard not being too distracted these days. I thought Eligible was a pretty fun Sittenfeld novel / spoof. I listened to it as an audiobook. I haven't tried a Hilderbrand book yet ... but I hear this one is good and not too fluffy. Perfect for the beach! Now if only there was a beach here ...

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    1. Susan - Eligible is on my kindle but as long as the audio is good, I'll try and borrow it from the library to make a read/listen combo. Thanks for the advice!

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  9. Variety in my reading material is what seems to be working for me also. Thanks for sharing - some new to me titles and interesting to read your thoughts. Happy reading in July!

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    1. Jade - It may be because the rest of my life seems pretty monotonous right now, I'm appreciating more variety in my reading. Happy July reading to you, too!

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  10. It has been hard to read during these months and it's taken me a while to get back into a reading groove. All the books you mention sound so good. I'll have to add them to my wishlist.

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    1. Iliana - I didn't read much in late March and April. Glad to be able to concentrate on books again... it's a good escape!

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  11. Nice variety JoAnn. I started the audio of 28 Summers but had just finished Girls of Summer, Thayer and A Week at the Shore, Delinsky so, I just wasn't feeling 28 Summers so I returned the audible and requested the print for perhaps a late summer read.

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    1. Diane - I can see where it would be easy to overdose on summer reads! One per year is usually my limit, but I may make an exception this summer.

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  12. I'm very intrigued by both Passing and Long Live... Sounds like you have figured out a good mix of book types to get lost in. For weeks since the pandemic started, I could barely read but have been doing okay since the past month.

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    1. Athira - I had the same problem at the beginning of the pandemic. Mixing things up and having a variety of different types of books seems to be working well. I'm planning to read Nella Larsen's other novel soon.

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