Whatcha Readin'?

When we look outside and see snow on the surrounding mountains, my husband’s first thought is, “did we buck enough wood?” while my first thought is, “do we have enough books?”

Out of the 13 books I finished in October, I only gave six of them four stars or better. Here they are, in no particular order.

The Surgeon’s Daughter by Audrey Blake is the second book in her series, the first being The Girl in His Shadow. These are historical fiction, fast paced, and roughly 390 pages apiece. They tell of a time when very few women were doctors, and most of those only in Europe. The author does a very good job tying up loose ends, continuing character development from one book to the next, and leaving you eager for the next in the series. Definitely good entertainment for cold winter days and currently available on Libby, a free app that helps organize your library books, with quite the waitlist.

If you’re a Fredrik Backman fan, I recently read Beartown for the Elks Book Club, and found that I enjoyed it much more after the rousing discussion we had about it. It’s the first in a series, and I’ve been attempting to get the rest on ThriftBooks with no luck. If you’re like me, you might not have picked this one up despite enjoying his other novels like A Man Called Ove, because this one purports to be about hockey. Let me assure you that while the sport is very much in the book, it’s not at all what the book is about, and you need know nothing about hockey to enjoy the book. Like his other books, Beartown is a look at society, at our beliefs and the changing relationships between people. Trigger warning: the book contains a rape scene, although it is not intensely graphic. Currently available on Libby as both an eBook and an audiobook both with a rather long waitlist.

If you’re a fan of short stories, I’ve read Alice Munro’s Too Much Happiness, which won the Man Booker in 2009. While I wasn’t particularly enthralled by the title story, the others really pulled me in. Her writing, much like Elizabeth Strout who’s currently my favorite author, is very character focused and driven. I love the occasional descriptive sentence that makes you feel like you know that character inside and out, or could be them. Ever since COVID, I find it much easier to stay focused through a short story. This title is immediately available on Libby as an eBook.

I have to confess I’ve found myself reading romances. I never thought I’d be the type, but here we are. After an extensive waiting period for the eBook, I read Beach Read by Emily Henry on Libby. It’s emotional, lighthearted, medium paced, and roughly 350 pages. I think I particularly enjoyed this book because it’s about two authors falling for each other and gives a bit of the behind-the-scenes look at the frustrations of writerhood. It’s realistic while improbable and thoroughly romantic, if not a bit contrived as I find all romances to be. In other words, the perfect quick winter read to keep you warm.

If you’ve young ones in your home, or you enjoy YA books as I do, I highly recommend The Mapmaker Chronicles by A.L. Tait, of which we read the first, Race to the End of the World, for our homeschool book club. Very fast paced, adventurous, and a good mix of history and fantasy. Roughly 230 pages, if you’re looking for a good box set for a holiday gift or to keep your bookish 10- to 12-year-old engrossed indoors. Not currently available on Libby, but the second and third books are available at Thompson Falls Public Library.

Finally, another YA recommendation, this one for 10- to 13-year-olds, is The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had by Kristin Levine. Medium paced and reflective, this historical fiction book is a coming-of-age story about the friends we choose and the choices we make. I’m a sucker for a good coming of age story. This is immediately available on Libby as both an eBook and an audiobook.

I am actively reading the following now:

-Dear Life by Alice Munro

-West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge (the Elks Book Club November selection)

-Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

-English Creek by Ivan Doig

-War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

-A random selection of other books that I pick up here and there when there’s a spare five minutes.

So…whatcha readin’? Drop me a line and let me know. The only thing better than a list of books you’ve read is a long list of books you want to read.

Sunday Dutro is an avid reader and eBook convert living in Thompson Falls with her beautiful family and an enormous “to be read” pile. Reach her at [email protected].