Somehow amidst all the graduation hoopla the last couple months I listened to so many books. Book club stuff, books that have been on my “wish list” as well as Harry Potter…which was my graduation gift to Lucy. And since summer is here, I thought I’d share some summer book recommendations.
Book Club Books
I love my book club because it diverts me out of reading only books that naturally lure me in. I’m mostly into historical fiction and books that have really beautiful narratives. But it’s always so good for me to branch out and read something different so sometimes I like when other people choose the books. These are our two most recent reads, Both New York Times Bestsellers:
- None of This is True was kind of a creepy thriller that sure kept me interested. This is what Amazon says about it: “This unputdownable psychological thriller by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell follows a woman who finds herself the subject of her own popular true crime podcast.”
- Long Bright River was interesting because it sure took me into the lives of these characters and the opioid crisis. Here’s what Amazon says about this one:
Books that have been on my Wish List
I am so drawn to authors like Ann Patchett. Tom Lake was so well-written and meandered through the life of a woman who had a go at being a well-known actress.
In the end she chose a simple life working on an orchard and motherhood. The book is her narration of her life as told to her adult daughters on the orchard and I really loved it. I think Meryl Streep did an excellent job narrating, too.
The Harry Potter Series
My graduation gift to Lucy was that I was going to read the whole Harry Potter series and I’ve gone hog-wild on it. The Harry Potter series you might ask incredulously? You’ve never read that???
The answer is that I’ve read lots of different parts of those books when I read outloud to my kids back in the day. And I read all of book one. But I’ve never the whole series all the way through. And you guys, THESE BOOKS ARE GOOD! (I know half the world knows this already and I’m late to the bandwagon, but loving these.)
Maybe part of the biggest reason I’m loving them is that Lucy is waiting with baited breath for me to get through them. Honestly, I have to admit she’s pretty excited this idea and keeps asking me where I am so we can talk about it. I love her.
I listened to the first four pretty speedy-quick…
…and I’m ALMOST done with this one, but it’s taking me a while, much to Lucy’s chagrin:
I have to leave this post with some Dumbledore quotes because honestly, that man speaks to me:
“Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it.”
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
“This pain is part of being human. The fact that you can feel pain like this is your greatest strength.”
So much wisdom, so much symbolism with darkness and light, good and evil. I just think J.K. Rowling is pretty awesome.
Books with Pages That I’m Reading
These are the books I’m reading that actually have pages:)
My friend gave me The Let Them Theory and I’m making my way through it. It’s SO GOOD and deserves a post for itself which I’ll have to get to some day. But books with real pages are taking me longer to read these days!
There are so many interesting concepts in that sucker and I love that Dave read it for his book club too. And also that he had our adult single girls listen to the parts about dating and relationships together last time we were all together.
Grace gave me The Color Purple to read for Mother’s Day. Her idea is for us to have our own little book club and she was looking for books with powerful women for us to read together. So she got us each a copy. I’ve always wanted to read this one but I’ve got to admit it’s a little rough so far. Anyone else read this one?
Ok, I’ve got more, but my time to share is up!
I’d love your summer book recommendations, too! I’ll be ready for them speedy quick because Lucy won’t let the grass grow under my feet to finish the last two Harry Potter books!
I’m reading The great Alone” I get lost in Kristen Hannah’s books, they are good!!
That one is on my summer wish list, so I’m so glad for an extra recommendation!
xoxo
I think you and Grace might like “the women” and “the nightingale” by Kristen Hannah! Such incredible women 🙂
I have read both and really liked them too.
I’ll have to suggest them to Grace.
XOXO
Do you like Stephen Fry or Jim Dale more as a narrator for Harry Potter?
Quite honestly I didn’t really notice a difference. Maybe because I’m listening mostly at super high speeds. I think they’re both good! Did you like one more than another?