Whatcha Readin'?

Usually, I read more frivolous and fun books in the summer, and I used to think it was because that’s what I wanted to read, but now I’m beginning to think it’s simply because that’s what’s published and available to me at that time of year. I’m curious, how does it work for you? Do you prefer quick and dirty books, what I call “page turners,” like those by John Grisham, Colleen Hoover, and Emily Henry, or deeply engrossing books, what I call “think traps,” like those by Barbara Kingsolver, Elena Ferrante, and Abraham Verghese? Do your tastes change with the seasons or with the tone of your life?

Despite desperately wanting to dig into my pile of memoirs and craft books this last month, I tried to devour fiction…I must have picked some bad ones, because only two made it to the four and five star list! Of the fifteen books I read in July, only eight were four stars or better. Here they are, in no particular order:

Maame by Jessica George is a medium-to-fast-paced contemporary literary fiction book that’s reflective, humorous, and sad. An emotional and lovely coming-of-age about a woman in England who cares for her ailing father while also trying to branch out into her own life. A truly excellent voice.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman is a medium-paced contemporary fiction that’s funny, emotional, and hopeful. The story of a sheltered woman who reads as though she’s on the spectrum, learning how to exist happily in the world. A truly wonderful book that I have yet to hear a single negative comment on from all the people who’ve also read it. Five Stars, Highly Recommended.

Home Planet by Cheryl-Anne Milsap is a fast-paced collection of Cheryl-Anne’s columns from a Spokane newspaper. At times funny and sweet, each article takes a curious look at some aspect of daily life. Not thick and intense like Ferrante’s Incidental Inventions, these articles are for the everyday person, and they verge on being sentimental, which I’m a sucker for.

Dear Mister Essay Writer Guy by Dinty W Moore is a hilarious and medium-paced collection of essays that’s supposedly famous writers asking Dinty questions about writing that he then answers; it’s all very tongue-in-cheek. Certainly not a craft book, although there is a bit of learning in there certainly.

The Mindful Writer by Dinty W Moore is a fast-paced and reflective essay collection that’s both informative and inspiring. Full of inspiration and a reminder to be present in your writing as much as in the rest of life. An excellent book for the writer in your life.

New Life, No Instructions by Gail Caldwell is a medium-paced memoir about a woman recovering from hip surgery due to undiagnosed polio she had as a child. A truly fascinating book for the medical bits, but also quite lovely for the real point of the book which is watching as a woman learns how to accept assistance and love from her community when she’s always been independent.

The Writer’s Notebook by Tin House is a slow-paced and informative essay collection by famous authors discussing different aspects of craft. Because it’s a collection, there’s a lovely mix of style and voice, but all the essays are written by masters making it truly compelling.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth is the second in the Divergent series and is a YA dystopian adventure that’s medium-to-fast-paced and intense! I didn’t love it as much as the first, but still definitely worth reading, and not just so you can read book three. It stands on its own quite well.

I’m currently at different stages of reading:

-Braving the Wilderness by Brene´ Brown

-The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

-Making Sure It Goes on by Richard Hugo

-Heavy by Kiese Laymon

-The Widow in the Woods by Daisy Luther

-North of Normal by Cea Sunrise Person

-Go Find: My Journey to Find the Lost–and Myself by Susan Purvis

-Four: A Divergent Story Collection by Veronica Roth

Are your tastes in books changing as we head into the last month of summer and the beginning of fall? Are you frustrated by the publishing schedule and its insistence on releasing certain books at certain times of year? Drop me a line and let me know Whatcha Readin’ and whether or not it changes throughout the year, with the weather, or with your life/mood.

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]