I finished 14 books this summer and I’m still in the middle of six more. I’m only going to report on the ones I finished though. And they’re in the order I read them!
The Other’s Gold
by Elizabeth Ames: This is really my kind of book—a friendship between four women that starts in college and moves forward from there. Ames does a good job getting the reader (at least this reader) to care about all four characters and feel like we know them. Though I will say that one plot point at 80% of the book made me incredibly squeamish. The characters reacted the same way. It will be hard to get that part out of my mind, not in a good way.
Ask Again, Yes
by Mary Beth Keane: Well-told story about two families connected through proximity, friendship, romance, and tragedy. There’s a thread of sadness to the entire story, but hope, too. I found the characters nuanced and believable. Stayed up until 3:00AM to finish.
Woman Rowing North by Mary Pipher: Even though I’m not quite at the stage of the women in Pipher’s book, I appreciated hearing the perspective of wise women looking back on their lives and even more so living their current “second middle age” to the fullest. Excellent thoughts on friendship, marriage, and work from a point of view we don’t hear from enough.
Kaddish.com
by Nathan Englander: Clever novel following a character doing everything in his power to right an old error. I enjoyed it.
When You Read This
by Mary Adkins: I absolutely loved this book told in emails, texts, and blog posts.
The Farm
by Joanne Ramos: I listened to the audio and it was definitely engrossing. It’s an original story and I did like the book. But I had a hard time feeling attached to any of the characters. The audio narrator was very good.
If, Then 
by Kate Hope Day: Interesting concept in this novel with a Sliding Doors type of plot where several characters can see their alternative lives, which aren’t too different from their regular lives, but different enough to help wonder how their lives might have gone differently. I was confused at times.
Twenty-one Truths About Love
by Matthew Dicks: I got a kick out of this clever novel told in the form of lists. I got a good sense of the story and the voice of the main character even though there was little to no prose. There were times when I craved seeing more of the side characters and their points of view, but that was impossible since the entire story comes through the list-maker. But I still found this a really fun and original read.
Mrs. Everything
by Jennifer Weiner: I listened to this one and often drove out of the way to hear more. That’s my highest compliment for an audiobook. The story was really good. The audio narrators (there were two to represent the two sisters) were excellent voice artists. This was a quality, epic story spanning about six decades (or more?) and covering the tough and limited choices available to women.
Please Send Help
by Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin: This is my year of tons of book that are told in alternate form (letters, emails, lists, etc.) This book falls into the emails and text category. I found it a quick, readable, enjoyable story about two friends newly making their way in the working world. Their friendship felt believable though I’m probably a little old for some aspects of the story and the way the girls talk. I wish that rather than little icons for the texts the authors had chosen to use the characters’ names. Otherwise, was easy to follow.
Save Me The Plums
by Ruth Reichl: Listened to this one and enjoyed it immensely. After it ended I purchased some of Reichl’s older titles.
We Love Anderson Cooper
by R.L. Maizes: This story collection is excellent. I appreciated the writing for its–what I like to call–“non-fussy” style. Maizes reminds me of Phillip Roth, Curtis Sittenfeld, and Elisa Albert mixed into one.
Magical Realism for Non-Believers
by Anika Fajardo: The writing is outstanding–the perfect mix of good story, eloquent at the line level, but not over the top in the descriptions. That’s exactly the kind of prose I prefer.
Thick and Other Essays
by Tressie McMillan Cottom: Powerful essays about being black in academia, beauty, media, and so much more. This collection was very different than the essay collections I’ve read lately. More academic and researched, but still with a personal touch.
I AM STILL READING OR LISTENING TO THE FOLLOWING 6 BOOKS AND INTEND TO FINISH THEM:
- The Book of Delights by Ross Gay
- The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
- Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino
- Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl
- Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano
- Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
FAVORITE NOVEL ON THE SUMMER LIST: Ask Again, Yes
FAVORITE NON-FICTION ON THE SUMMER LIST: Save Me the Plums
My full 2019 reading list is HERE.
What was your favorite summer read?
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7 Responses
Once again, Nina, I’m bowled over by your list. When do you do most of your reading. My To Read list is, not surprisingly, way longer than my Have Read list. Maybe that’s because I’m also trying to finish the draft of my children’s novel! I liked: I Miss You When I Blink. In the middle of The Lost Tribe of Fatherless Girls. Also liked, middle-grade novel, When I Find You Very original.
I read every night for about 30 minutes (sometimes more) and a large chunk of the day on Saturdays.
Favorite read all summer was You Cannot Mess This Up by Amy Weinland Daughters. A forty-something mom of two goes back in time to 1978 and meets her ten yo self. Read from the library and then had to go buy!
Adding to my list!
Thanks again, Nina. Your page is my go-to when I need a new book either for myself or my Mom! I’m totally adding the book that Kristin mentioned above to my list, too.
Julie Jo Severson recently posted..Holy Laughter
I loved Ask Again, Yes, too. My favorite novel this summer was probably City of Girls – so fun. I also loved Celine by Peter Heller and Tidelands by Philippa Gregory (just out). The most powerful nonfiction I’ve read recently was Unfollow – a memoir by a woman who left the Westboro Baptist Church.
I’m once again bowled over by your list. When do you do most of your reading, Nina? My TO Read list keeps growing and is, not surprisingly, much longer than the I’ve Read list. Of course, I am trying to finish writing my own novel this summer, too! I read a lot of nonfiction and memoir which goes faster for me even though I really enjoy a good novel. I liked I Miss You When I Blink. I’m in the middle of The Lost Tribe of Fatherless Girls which is beautifully written and raw, though I can’t say I’m loving it. I finally read, the children’s novel, When I Find You. Very original.