I failed to write this "column" in April and May. If you have kids in K-12, you know why.
Currently Reading
So Old, So Young, by Grant Grinder: I am about halfway through this book on my Kindle. Elin Hilderbrand blurbed this book, "I will never forget these characters." Well, I will probably forget them, because Grinder describes every Ivy League graduate's friend group in the early 2000's. Personally, I would rather forget them. While I never attended an Ivy League school, these characters were all over the city, in droves, and all of them making the same bad decisions. Wedding season is particularly well described - not that I wanted to re-live it. But, it will be interesting to see where Grinder takes these characters as they reach 42.
Moby Dick, by Herman Melville: Will try and make some head way this summer. I got stuck on the whale descriptions. I might skim (is that heresy?).
Land, by Maggie O'Farrell: Try as I might, I cannot get into this book. O'Farrell's Must be the Place, and I Am, I Am, I Am are two of my favorites. I was truly looking forward to this one, and I find myself skimming through descriptions of maps, wells, and the landscaping of early Ireland. There is little character development. Will I put it down?
Loved
This is Not About Us, by Allegra Goodman: This is a contender for the Best Books list. Exquisite short stories based on family and faith. Not a word out of place.
London Falling, Patrick Madden Keefe: This will be on the Best Books list. Keefe write nonfiction like no other. This story will stay with you.
Boomerang, Robert Bailey: Unusual for me to read a "mainstream thriller" type book, but it was phenomenal. Finished it over spring break and then my husband read it and enjoyed it. Plot driven books are great on planes.
Life & Death & Giants, by Ron Rondo: Family Saga. Fleshed out characters and setting.
Lake Effect, Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney: Love this author. About as good Good Company.
More Than Enough, Anna Quindlen: Always love a NYC, family based, female-driven novel, especially when written by Anna Quindlen.
Yesteryear, Caro Claire Burke: The hot book of the summer. Hot for a reason!
Thoroughly Enjoyed
American Fantasy, Emma Straub: Emma delivers again. I probably won't book a celebrity cruise anytime soon, but I felt like I was on one.
The Marriage Bed, Tommy Hays: Asheville author delivers with a family tragedy with multiple points of view.
What Keeps Us, Jeanine Boulay: My former colleague and friend wrote these short stories about Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn. Learned history I should have known.
Enjoyed too
The Connelly's of County Down, Tracey Lange: Lange's best. Always enjoy her Westchester County settings.
Saoirse, Charleen Hurtubise: Irish artist, family drama, International incident.
The Nest, Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney: Was not sure if this was a re-read for me. I was trying to read all of Sweeney's books after finishing Lake Effect.
The Land in Winter, Andrew Miller: Finalist for this year's Booker Prize (says it all, really).
A Family Matter, Claire Lynch: Wish the characters had been fleshed out more.
This Book Made Me Think of You, Libby Page: Delivers on quaint.
The Goldfinch, Donna Tartt: Long-winded, and correctly described as "Dickinsonion". Read it to say I did.
Meh
Meet the Newmans, Jennifer Niven: Spent most of the book trying to decide whether or not to put it down. A few surprises at the end, otherwise, the plot derails.
The Heart of Winter, Jonathan Evison: The description of a long marriage between members of the Silent Generation. It is set in present day, so the couple is in their nineties, and have lived all of their lives in Washington state. Long winded, but accurate.
Put Down - DNF
Into the Blue, Emma Brodie: Could not get into a voice.
The Shock of Light, Lori Inglis Hall: Too glaringly feminist for this feminist.
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