Somehow August is already here and I don’t know if I think it’s too soon or what took so long. I’ve really lost the ability to process time. Also, apparently to dress myself as I went half a day with a tee shirt on backwards. Sigh.
The good news is that my July reading went well, even if it was different from my usual fare. Nonfiction came on strong. This month looks to be fiction forward with several books from authors I love.
(for a more in-depth synopsis of each book, click on title link to go to Goodreads)
In case you hadn’t noticed, my kryptonite is novels about books, libraries, book stores. This makes The Lions of Fifth Avenue an easy choice. It’s about the early years of the library when the superintendent actually had an apartment IN. THE. BUILDING. on Fifth Avenue. The novel has a split timeline that in the early 1900s focuses on Laura, his wife, a theft of rare books and then the early 1990s when her granddaughter gets a job as a curator at the library.
The Boys Club sounds like the kind of reading candy I love—engaging without making my brain work too hard. Alex is a bright, ambitious young lawyer who goes to work in the testosterone fueled department of a large NYC law firm. She’s a rising star until she starts to question the price of success. This sounds good unless it’s a female version of the Firm.
In The Weekend four lifelong friends now in their later years gather at the beach house of one of their group who has recently died. It won’t go well (because where’s the story in that?), but giving my longing to see old friends I’m anxious to read it. I’m ready for mature women sharing their experiences and exploring what’s kept them together as well as buried hurts.
I can’t tell if A Saint from Texas is going to be a light satire about wealth or something heavier. Twin sisters (which seems to be a huge thing in fiction this year) choose paths that split them apart in every way. One, achieves social prominence in Paris, while the other becomes a nun in Colombia. I freely admit, the cover is 75% of the reason I want to read this book. LOVE a good cover.
I’m hesitant about A Traveler at the Gates of Wisdom. John Boyne’s novel The Heart’s Invisible Furies was a favorite, but I didn’t love his last book. This is about a family but crosses a span of 2,000 years. What I’ve heard so far is it reads as stories loosely connected—which reminds me of David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas. A book I loved, but that took a lot of concentration to read so I’m not sure I’m up for it now. Fingers crossed!
I’m listening to The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander and it has been a painful education in the systemic racism that began shortly after institutionalized slavery ended. So much I don’t know and was never taught in school, but need to know now.
Lawrence Osborne’s The Forgiven was one of the most atmospheric cultural novels of the Middle East I’ve ever read.The Glass Kingdom is set in Bangkok where one woman hopes to escape a past that includes a suitcase of stolen money. If it’s Osborne at his best it will be dark, but addictive reading.
David Joy writes Southern literature based on the harsh realities of lost industries and hope amidst a burgeoning drug problem. Not happy, but the kind of reading that is absorbing because the writing is so evocative. When These Mountains Burn is about the father of a dead addict, another addict, and a lawman—all on a collision path in the face of a merciless epidemic.
That’s all the reading I have planned.
It’s not a big deal and there’s nothing wrong, but I’m going to take a bit of a break for a little while. I may post, but it will be sporadic. Writing reviews means sitting at my computer and that’s becoming increasingly unhealthy. The internet beckons and hours later I’m doomscrolling and feeling a choking terror over what’s happening in America. I need to step back and find ways to actively respond. I’ll still be reading because it’s my best escape, but I may not be here as much. Thank you for understanding and I hope you and your families are all safe and healthy.
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Yes, we all need to ‘disconnect’ in order to ‘reconnect’ at some stage. Enjoy your break, and the quiet, unpressured reading time it offers.
Thank you!I have gotten other things done that I meant to do but put off so it feels good. Plus, I’ve read some great books that I want to share so I’m sure I’ll be back with at least one review a week soon.
Hi Catherine,
Thank you for this wonderful website – full of terrific, thoughtful reviews and wonderful ideas for books to be added to the TBR list! You have helped me get through this pandemic by focusing on reading good books. I hope you are well and that your stepping back will just be for a short time. Take care and all the very best, Linda (a reader in Canada).
Thank you so much! You made me tear up. This is exactly why I have the blog. If only I had more self-control when I was at my computer and didn’t check the news compulsively!
I have several friends in different regions of Canada and was hoping to get to see them this year. Now, thanks to the complete failure of our government with COVID your borders are closed to us! I imagine they’ll stay that way for awhile- through 2020, because if he wins again there’s going to be a rush of us trying to escape.
We have much in common this month. I think You’ll enjoy The Boys’ Club…definitely easy reading. I’ll be eager to chat with you about the Boyne book. I still have a third to go on it. Finally, I’ve never read Osborne before, but have a copy of The Glass Kingdom. Right now it sounds rather heavy, bur Hopefully I’ll get in the right head space soon. Have a great week, Catherine!
I’m loving The Boys’ Club even though it makes me feel tired and hung over after reading it. I have a vague memory of being that young and able to party or work all night and continue the next day.
Let me vet The Glass Kingdom for you! I’d rather have you read his debut The Forgiven- maybe later this year when you do backlist reading. It is outstanding.
I’m always intrigued by a new Boyne, hmm, I’ll look into it! I also listened to The New Jim Crow. Whew. That’s the sort of book that should be taught in schools.
Yes and it’s appalling that it doesn’t even happen in colleges! It’s disgusting how entitled and ignorant we’ve all been for far too long.
Catherine, I’m glad you’re giving yourself the grace to step back for a bit. It’s a difficult, messy time for everyone. I’ll miss your posts, but knowing that you’re taking care of yourself makes the wait for your return easier.
Thank you!I’ve had a good week of getting lots of things accomplished around the house and staying away from the news. Also, some good reading so I’m sure I’ll have at least one review next week.
Thank you so much for being a long time supporter!
I never post but do love reading your blog. You do what you need. Hopefully you’re back when ready! Thank you!!
Thank you! I’m glad you were able to figure out the subscribing problem- so happy you enjoy the reviews.
Wow – you have a great memory!
I always remember when I gain a new reader! So happy you’re here.
August is a good time to take a blog break. Everyone needs some summer down time. Of these books, I also picked The Glass Kingdom in my picks for August reads … so I’m curious to read this author! He sounds good. But first I’m finishing a few booklist books … take care.
It’s odd, how I don’t miss it, but then I do! It’s the being at a computer and not having the discipline to ignore news sites that is hard.
Are you still in CA? Are you able to have any vacation fun at all?
Yep I’m still in Calif. visiting family and leave on Monday back to Canada. But Sunday (on my last day) we are going to the Beach and the water should feel fantastic since the inland areas will be 100 degrees, ouch. It’s been great seeing my folks & my L.A. brother, so I can’t complain too much though also stressful figuring out my parents’ care. sigh. Thank goodness for the Kamala news yesterday …. the Dems are pumped up! And so am I. Let’s Go and Win this thing! turn this country around!
Glad you’re having a bit of relaxation- not easy to find in America these days. But YES to Kamala. I feel hopeful and energized for the first time in a long time.