First, please bear with me… Some of these books I finished darn near a year ago and can’t remotely remember what they were about. I apologize again that it’s been so long since I’ve been on schedule with this blog, but we’re coming back to life, friends.
Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid: My second foray into TJR books, and I loved the setting both time-wise, and in Southern California. Loved that it read almost like an interview-style show. Loved that it made me miss Southern California. One I’ll probably zip through again when I’m in Palm Springs next month.
I’ll Show Myself Out: Essays on Midlife and Motherhood by Jessi Klein: One that I stopped about halfway through. It wasn’t that this was a bad read- quite the opposite- but to me, it was slightly unrelatable. Most of the essays were on motherhood, and I’m just not. However, I do remember thinking of a girlfriend of mine who was pregnant with her second at the time, and reaching out to become a little more involved.
The Celebrants by Stephen Rowley: I’ve come to adore Rowley’s writing. The Guncle and The Guncle Abroad were both adorable. Lily and the Octopus broke my heart. The Celebrants? A beautiful tale of a set of friends who make a funeral pact- celebrating each other in life, rather than after death. May we all be so luck as to have friends like these.
The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides: I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read this one, and every time, it takes me back to seeing the movie for the first time in the late 90’s, Josh Hartnett’s hair. Goodness. Anyway… back to this story in Grosse Point. Focused on a family of five girls who are closed from society from their parents after their youngest sister’s suicide, the story is told by boys in the neighborhood who watch as the girls try to survive.
Abscond by Abraham Verghese: I wish I could tell you what I remember about this one other than that it’s a short novella surrounding a funeral service. I remember finishing and thinking it was sweet… but can’t remember more than that. I may need to revisit.
Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes to A Tribe Called Quest by Hanif Abdurraqib: I’m a music nut. I’ve been a fan of everything from Classic Country to Opera, 80’s Alternative and 60’s Southern California Rock, but Hip Hop? It has my heart. This book explores the large crews that came from funk and soul to creat e anew sounds, with Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, and Tribe on the forefront. It’s incredible to learn how they’ve been a guiding hand in such a huge music movement. (Sidenote: We’ve Got it From Here… still remains in one of my top three albums of all time.)
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett: Another re-read for me, and the first of Ann Patchett’s works I ever read. Following a very blended family over the years, we discover what really happened when one of the sons passed away, and the effect it had on his siblings over the years following.
Tickled Pink: A Comic Novel by Rita Rudner: I may have read this for the first time in college, and still cackle out loud every time. Two girlfriends who are very different in every way prove that the best friendships grow in squiggly lines, not straight ones.
Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff: This has become a book that I read almost every year in Palm Springs. Last year- no joke- I was about 30% of the way through, when a gal rolled up to the pool with her copy. We bonded. One of my top three favorite books, it’s the story of a marriage told in two parts- one from the perspective of each partner. It’s beautiful, it’s heart wrenching, and it’s so beautifully written that it may make you fall for Groff’s writing.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin: Woof. Okay… I tried my best on this one, but didn’t finish. I feel like folks have either loved this, or hated it, and sadly, I fell on the second side.
The Snowbirds: A Novel by Christina Clancy: I picked this one up while in Palm Springs.. A story about Palm Springs. A couple decides to take a winter away in the sunny town, and while there, the husband goes missing. His away-ness forces his wife to reevaluate their life- their marriage and their priorities- before deciding that snowbirding may not be the best solution to life, after all.
It by Stephen King: Too long to review here… Keep an eye out for a deeper dive in October.
What a Way to Go by Bella Mackie: Okay, this one was rather cute. Almost a murder mystery, told from the perspectives of the deceased as well as his family… and even the deceased isn’t quite sure what happened. It was a cute read, and the way it was written made it flow really quickly.
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans: What a brilliant way of writing! Virginia Evans’ book is all written in the form on correspondence; letters, notes, email, etc. and we learn so much about our protagonist, her life, the way she carries herself, put up walls… It’s a goodie, and one I’ll be happy to revisit.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus: Another re-read. Originally recommended by a friend of mine, this was a cute read, but a frustrating one for me. Set in the age where women were expected to be mothers and housewives, our protagonist is viewed as an outcast for her education in chemistry, her unconventional relationship, and her career. Tragedy strikes, as it always does, and she finds a way to build a successful life. For any career-minded woman, this should make you want to celebrate.
Pet Sematary by Stephen King: I don’t know how I made it so long without reading a few of King’s classics. Pet Seminary was always a great watch for me, but reading the book the first time gave me the whoolyboogers. King has a way of writing that can just send a chill up your spine. When reading versus watching, the description of a re-born Gage is just horrifying. But to the movie’s credit, Zelda is still what comes to me in nightmares…
Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come: An Introvert’s Year of Saying Yes by Jessica Pan: Eh. I’m an introvert, and an entire book dedicated to an entire year of getting out of the soft spot we call home was a little more anxiety-inducing than it was probably supposed to be. I’m all for pushing boundaries, and if you’re looking for motivation, this may be a great read.
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote: Another that I’d somehow never read, In Cold Blood had been on my list for quite some time. A non-fiction work of true crime, you can’t argue that Capote wasn’t a wonderful writer- this was what really solidified him in the literary world.
** this post is not sponsored in any way. all thoughts and opinions are my own **
