Whatcha Readin?

I’m writing this on April 1 which is difficult in a house of young boys who think April Fool’s Day is an excuse to be extremely loud, place whoopee cushions under everyone the moment they turn around, and generally make it impossible to do any reading. Bless their beautiful hearts.

In March I read 25 books, 16 of which were four stars or better:

Someone Else’s Shoes by Jodi Moyes is a medium-paced contemporary fiction that’s not as romance-y (it’s a word) as many of her books but just as funny and emotional as she’s known for being. This one has the fantastic premise of two very different women finding themselves in possession of the others’ shoes and the unexpected friendship that (eventually) follows. A good palate cleanser.

Foster by Claire Keegan is an extremely short, medium-paced book that’s emotional and reflective about an Irish girl who goes to summer on a relative’s farm, not knowing if/when she’ll see her own family again. Phenomenally well written and conveying more emotion in a small space than imaginable. Highly recommend.

Helen Humphreys books are always a quick read, even when they’re slow-paced, and they’re emotional and reflective (my buttons). In March I read: The Lost Garden, Coventry, and The Frozen Thames, these are all historical fiction and excellent.

Winterset Hollow by Jonathan Edward Durham is a dark fantasy book that reminded me of early Stephen King meets Alice in Wonderland. It’s adventurous and mysterious and fast-paced. It’s well outside my normal genre of literature and I had to keep putting it down in a panic then picking it right back up again (TF library has a copy).

Funny Farm by Laurie Zaleski is a memoir about a life built around rescuing animals. The author is inspiring and hopeful, the book is emotional and heart-warming. If you’re both an animal lover and aren’t afraid of a triggering memoir, this book is for you. She’s also fabulous to follow on social media.

Body Language by Nicole Chung and Matt Ortile is a compilation of essays about bodies. It’s a nonfiction, medium-paced book that’s reflective and informative. I liked all but two of the essays which is amazing considering that usually a compilation like this can be a bit tedious.

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy is a memoir that’s fast-paced and despite the cringe title tends to be both funny and horrifically sad. There are way too many trigger warnings for me to even list here and I honestly can’t say that I liked it, more that it was very well-written and fascinatingly miserable.

From Scratch by Tembi Locke is a medium-paced memoir that had me bawling through the entire first half. I tried to watch the first two episodes of the series on Netflix because the author worked on it but it just wasn’t the same. Trigger warning: it is about meeting her husband, his death, and her subsequent grief and learning to live again.

The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama is a nonfiction, medium-paced memoir/self-help book that’s informative and inspiring. I didn’t enjoy it as much as Becoming, but it’s very good and if we run into each other and you’ve read it too, be sure to tell me “heeeeeeey buddy!”

I Can Do It by Louise L. Hay is a nonfiction (although some will debate me on that I’m sure) self-help book about affirmations and how life changing they can be. It’s inspiring and in addition to reading the physical book, I’ve found myself listening to it repeatedly on the free Empower You app.

Joanna Penn writes nonfiction books aimed at helping authors. I read several of her books as they are short and fast and informative/inspiring. The ones I enjoyed most last month: How to Make a Living with Your Writing and Successful Self-Publishing.

A Scatter of Light by Malinda Lo is a contemporary young adult novel that’s medium-paced about a young Asian American woman discovering she’s both gay and an artist. A coming-of-age story that’s emotional and reflective.

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis is a children’s fantasy book that’s fast-paced and adventurous. There are moments of tedium with the older British language, but my seven year old loved it and I enjoyed it as well.

Some of what I’m currently reading:

-The Complete Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron (as part of a group that’s reading a chapter a week and discussing, please join us on Facebook (facebook.com/groups/ 228343856252688) or shoot me an email for a clickable link)

-The Ballad of Frankie Silver by Sharyn McCrumb (for Elks book club)

-Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

Here’s hoping April showers help you enjoy a cup of tea, a good book and May flowers. Drop me a line and let me know whatcha readin’!

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].