Whatcha Readin'?

Anytime we go anywhere my husband laughs at me and asks how many books I’m bringing. It doesn’t matter where we’re going, I always have a minimum of two physical books and one e-book with me. Always. The one time I forgot a book I ended up taking a much needed and very unexpected nap…but I’d rather be reading. People always talk about their summer vacations and all I want to know is if they read any good books. I may have a problem….

I read nine books in July, six of which were four stars or better, and (sadly?) none of which I’d consider a “summer read.” Here they are, in no particular order:

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout is a medium-to-slow-paced literary fiction that’s technically the first in the series of Strout’s books, although Amy & Isabelle occur earlier in the chronological timeline. Emotional and reflective, I’ve been told this book takes a beat to get into, although I fall easily. Strout’s characters are all so human, flawed and hateful and lovable all at the same time. This reads almost like a collection of short stories with the central tie-in being Olive. Strout is one of my all time favorite fiction writers and if you like Olive there’s a sequel, Olive Again, that’s also quite lovely. Not only that but HBO did a mini-series of the book (same title) with Frances McDormand as Olive and I promise you the casting, all of it, could not be any more perfect.

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield is a fast-paced nonfiction book about what stops us from creating. While it’s geared toward writers, I find it applies to anybody feeling stuck in their endeavors, whatever they may be. Reflective and inspiring, it’s an excellent quick read, and a good reference book to have on hand for those moments of slump. Marion Roach Smith refers to it as the book she opens anytime she "thinks about getting up from (her) office chair before the piece is done.”

Another Name for Madness by Marion Roach (Smith) is a slow-to-medium-paced memoir about Alzheimer’s. It’s emotional and reflective and so very sad. Having lost my father to Alzheimer’s complications and my step-father to a dementia-like disease as well, this struck all the cords. If you read Still Alice, a fictional book about a woman with Alzheimer’s and loved it, you may love this as well. Maybe not. It’s intense; heartbreaking on a different level.

The Memoir Project by Marion Roach Smith is a nonfiction memoir/craft self-help book that’s medium-paced and dense with judgment, demands, and technical how-to. I loved it. An absolute powerhouse in the field of memoir, Roach tells you exactly how she works her craft and expects nothing less of the people reading her work. An excellent gift for any writer in your life, but especially for the memoirist. This is the book where she mentions The War of Art, as cited above.

Good Inside by Becky Kennedy is a nonfiction psychology/self-help book for anyone doing the work of parenting/shepherding littles. Informative and medium-paced, I struggled with agreeing with her methods and reasoning, and hating how “simple” she makes it all sound. The “real-life examples” were especially hilarious and far too easy/unrealistic for me to believe, and yet, the meat of what she’s saying is dead on. Anyhow, if you experience daily struggles with your kiddos her basic solution is to stop, connect, carry on. She’s right, and also, it is never that simple with my family.

The Secret of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien is a middle grade fiction/fantasy that’s medium-paced and gripping. It’s about mice and rats who escape a laboratory and try to make a new life for themselves; think My Fair Lady for kids. My seven year old loved it, but it was a bit too much for my four year old. I’d never read the book before but loved the animated movie as a kid. There’s roughly one or two chapters that bog down near the middle, but most chapters end on a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting more.

I’m currently in varying stages of reading:

Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl

Why We Write About Ourselves by Meredith Maran

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

The Situation and the Story by Vivian Gornick

Pigs Might Fly by Dick King-Smith

May your August be filled with excellent books and the time to read them, even if you’re on vacation. Blessings on your bookshelves and suitcases: may they always include exactly what you need in the moment.

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] or sundaydutro.com.