The first three months of 2024 started off with a bang, at least, as far as reading is concerned. After January, I realized I was on track to read one book a week, on average, so I’ve challenged myself to keep it going. At the end of the first quarter, we were 13 books in, and here’s what we’ve read so far…
That Time I Loved You: Stories, by Carrianne Leung: I first read this collection of short stories poolside in Palm Springs several years ago. Surrounding a summer of suicides in a traditional suburban neighborhoods, stories of the same timeframe and same events are told from the perspectives of several within the community. While it sounds depressing, it’s at times sweet and funny, and very beautifully written.
Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt: Yes, I know I just read this in September, but it’s just so good that I can’t not read it again. Previous notes still stand true; The story is told from two perspectives: the protagonist, a woman named Tova, who works in an aquarium at night, and an octopus who she cares for, named Marcellus. I’m a sucker for details in printing, so was completely charmed by the printing on the pages when Marcellus was talking: sketches of tentacles and ink blotches dotted the pages. The friendship they form is a sweet one, with Tova talking to Marcellus, and through her chatting and his memories of being a free creature, he helps her uncover a mystery that’s haunted her for thirty years. I cried.. It was incredible.
Commonwealth, by Ann Patchett: Another re-read for me (there seem to be a lot of books I want to revisit lately… The first Ann Patchett novel I ever read. To be 100% honest, it was the lovely dustcover that caught my attention. We start with a baby’s Christening, where too much gin in the summer sun leads to an affair, resulting in a mixed family that grows up together over the years. One summer, however, one of the brothers pass, and each sibling holds onto a little resentment of the others for letting it happen. While drifting apart, the siblings find themselves brought back together when it matters.
Falling Up, by Shel Silverstein: A colleague was going through their books to sell and donate, and I spotted this one laying on top of the pile. I hadn’t read Silverstein’s work in a while, and it was a fun break to go through this one over a couple of days.
A Ladder to the Sky, by John Boyne: Ohhhhhh, my goodness. I’ve never hated a character so much in a book I’ve loved so much. Told in three parts and two interludes, we follow the life and career of an ambitious (yet talentless? Maybe?) writer as he builds his fame on the backs of others that he charms, then abandons through the years. Including a *very* disturbing segment between the protagonist and his wife, it’s one that made me want to chuck the book into the fireplace, but at the same time, I couldn’t put it down.
Couples that Work: How Dual-Career Couples Can Thrive in Love and Work, by Jennifer Petriglieri: Another re-read. There’s a theory here that couples go through three transitions in their careers, and given that there are two people in each couple, possibly on two different timelines in their work lives. Petriglieri gives us some guidelines on navigating those timelines together, regardless of whether or not we get there at the same time.
I Feel Bad About My Neck, and Other Thoughts on Being a Woman, by Nora Ephron: I do so love Nora Ephron’s humor, and this collection of her memoirs is no exception. At times laugh-out-loud funny, this is one I go back to when I want a little happy feminine energy. It delivers.
Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, by Stephen King: Like anyone else, I’ve watched Shawshank Redemption a hundred times over, but until this year, I’d never read the novella. I was pleasantly surprised that the movie and book are so similar; I’m used to movies completely screwing up the book. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that in this case, the theatrical version and the original were pretty darn close! If you love the movie, read the novella.
Harry Potter (all of them), by J.K. Rowling: I have no idea what someone could possibly say about the Harry Potter series that everyone doesn’t already know. I made it through the first five before the end of March, and knocked out the remaining two the first week of April. I love these so much. Call them silly, call them young-adult… whatever. The fantasy world that’s been created here is fantastic, and will probably remain so forever.
** this post is not sponsored in any way. all thoughts and opinions are my own **
