by Lisa Ridzén, translated by Alice Menzies
Vintage 2025, 320 pages
I had a good cry after finishing this novel. The writing is gorgeous, but the story itself is overwhelmingly sad. The main character Bo is a fragile, elderly man living alone with his big dog, Sixten. He gets by with routine visits from caregivers, while his wife has dementia and lives in a nearby nursing home. Bo's son, Hans, has decided that his father is no longer capable of caring for a dog and plans to find Sixten a new home. The novel is a combination of Bo's account of his current situation and loss of independence interspersed with his memories of earlier days. Short entries from the caregivers' log offer the reader another perspective.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Heart the Lover by Lily King
Grover Press 2025, 256 pages
This short novel reads quickly and effortlessly, and the dialog positively shines! It is both a prequel and sequel to Writers & Lovers, yet definitely stands on its own. It's a novel about love and friendship, and how the choices we made in youth become part of the fabric of our lives. Again, the end left me in tears. I loved this book even more than Writers & Lovers, which I reread last month.
This was a read/listen combination for me and the audiobook narrated by Rebecca Lowman is excellent! I'm looking forward to seeing Lily King at my local indie next month.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol.2 by Beth Brower
Rhysdon Press 2019, 152 pages
I'm reading this delightful series, one book per month over eight months, with a small group from MMD Book Club. It's basically a Victorian soap opera and I've been using them as palate cleansers after heavier reads. Volume 2 was even better than Volume 1 and I can't wait to start Volume 3!
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
In A Distant Valley by Shannon Bowring
Europa Editions 2025, 336 pages
We return to rural northern Maine for the third and final installment of the Dalton series. Once again Shannon Bowring's style and characters are reminiscent of Elizabeth Strout or Richard Russo. I enjoyed one last visit with my old friends and appreciated Bowring's decision to wrap up the series on a hopeful note.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I'm eager to read all of these books, JoAnn! I have When the Cranes Fly South, but none of the others. I see some Christmas gift purchases in my future... :)
ReplyDeleteLes - I've been on a roll with good books lately! Hope Santa comes through for you ;-)
DeleteThe Emma Lion diaries look so interesting. I like the idea of reading them over the course of months. I also like the idea of a lighter read. My head has not been in the right place for darker reads or those with heavier topics.
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I am loving the Emma Lion books! Some of my recent reads have been heavier or sad and they have been the perfect follow-up. They're delightfully funny, especially the dialog. The audios are available on hoopla and are excellent!
DeleteWonderful post. Love hearing about all of these. I plan to read the Bowring, King and Ridzen books. Pleased to hear you liked them all. And perhaps the Lily King novel stood out. Likely will get to it in December. I'm getting a bit weepy just thinking of a these lol. ... which means they're good lit.
ReplyDeleteSusan - I've never cried so much over books as I have in the last few weeks! The Lily King will likely be on my list of favorites at the end of the year.
DeleteAll your reads sound very good stories even though some are sad. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMystica - These have all been great reads, despite the tears!
DeleteWhen the Cranes Fly South wasn't on my radar, but sounds perfect for me, so thanks for posting about it! Now we'll see if I have the patience to wait through the long library queue or break down and buy it on Kindle.....
ReplyDeleteAmy - Cranes was on a recent Indie Next list, then it was prominently displayed at my local store. I figured that was a sign! Hope you like it, too.
DeleteThe Bowring and King book are on my list but I just can't read the book about a man losing his independence and his dog. His dog! I will be crying throughout. It does sound like an excellent novel though.
ReplyDeleteI'm into a nonfiction about art theft now and struggling with a Ford madox Ford classic from my spin. It's boring AF (to me) but people seemed to like it. I've never bailed on a spin before...but I read for enjoyment so...I may ditch it and pick something else off my spin list. I doubt they'd kick me out of the Classics Club.
Tina - Nothing bad happens to the dog in When the Cranes Fly South but the book is overwhelmingly sad. I had to DNF The Good Soldier several years ago... just couldn't get into it. There are still too many other classics I want to read, so no sense in spending time one books I'm not enjoying. They definitely won't kick you out!
DeleteThanks for letting me knkow the dog is ok. Our son has had to reassure us noting happens to the dog in a series he said we'd enjoy. It's a weird apocalyptic show and I worried about the dog.
DeleteWell since the spin number in the classic club picked that Ford book I guess I just won't finish he spin. I decided to start on The Bell Jar by Plath and it was also on my spin list but...not the number they drew.
I'm looking forward to the nonfiction November, even though I participate all year long with Shelleyrae at Book'd Out. Will you be particpating in that nonfiction November event?
Tina - I hope The Bell Jar is a better fit for you. Thanks for reminding me about Nonfiction November!If all goes well, I'll participate in at least a couple of the prompts.
DeleteI LOVED Heart the Lover and after just a few sentences of your review of When the Cranes Fly South, I added that to my TBR list. It sounds like the quietly reflective books that I enjoy.
ReplyDeleteTi - Heart the Lover was just so good!! I was supposed to see Lily Kin last week at our local indie, but it got postponed until next month. I may even reread the book before attending! Hope you enjoy Cranes - just have the tissues ready!
DeleteWe all need good palate-cleansings reads! I am trying to get my hands on the first book in the Beth Brower series--my birthday is rapidly approaching, so maybe!
ReplyDeleteI simply cannot read When the Cranes Fly South for the foreseeable future. I cannot take that level of sadness right now.
It seems like Bowring is on a tear. Didn't her second book just come out (as in within the past year)? I still haven't read it but mean to.
Hope you are enjoying the Fall.
JaneGS - There is a part of me that wishes I had not read Cranes just now. It really is overwhelmingly sad, despite the beautiful writing.
DeleteBowring's second Dalton book came out last spring or summer. She had signed a three book deal with Europa, so this book closes out that contract. I enjoyed my time in "the County."
I was surprised by how much more I enjoyed Brower's second Emma Lion book. Maybe because I'd just finished Cranes and needed a laugh? The first book was good, but others readers have said they get better and better. I got the paperback set for my birthday last summer.
I've added Heart the Lover to my TBR list as I am seeing a bunch of bloggers praising it. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteHelen - I hope Heart the Lover is a big hit for you, too!
DeleteI’m suspicious when a book is too sad: I think I’m being manipulated. I appreciate authors like DIckens who combine maudlin sadness with humor. (But there’s only one Dickens, alas).
ReplyDeleteMae - Then this book will definitely arouse your suspicion! It's one of the saddest books I've ever read. And Dickens is most certainly one of a kind!
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