Welcome to Quick Lit, where we share short and sweet reviews of what we’ve been reading lately on (or around) the 15th of the month. This is our longtime practice here in this space; I’m grateful for the opportunity to share a hodge-podge of the books I’ve been reading lately, and I always enjoy seeing how you’re choosing to spend your own precious reading time.
This month I’ve spent most of my reading time vetting forthcoming titles for the Summer Reading Guide: when it comes to April–August 2024 releases, I’ve been reading up a storm! But it’s not time to talk about those yet. I’ve also had the pleasure of revisiting several backlist titles for various projects; I’m grateful for “excuses” to read widely. My audiobook listening is underrepresented this month: you’ll only see one title below, but I’m almost done with three different titles I had hoped to tell you about in March. My typical practice is one audiobook at a time, but between competing priorities and availability issues, this has not been a typical month.
In today’s new edition of Quick Lit two of my books are brand new, publishing just last week (Xochitl Gonzalez’s Anita de Monte Laughs Last) and last month (Anne Lamott’s Somehow: Thoughts on Love). The oldest, Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto, was published in 2001. More recently, we have one October 2023 release (and also my only audiobook this month; that is Alice McDermott’s Absolution) and one 2021 release (Tracey Lange’s We Are The Brennans). We have one memoir/essay collection, a quietly thrilling tale of a hostage crisis, a quietly devastating tale of the Vietnam War, a captivating literary tale of art and revenge, and a juicy, big-hearted family drama. It’s been a good month.
I hope you find something that looks intriguing for your TBR on this list (and in these comments), and I look forward to browsing your recent reads below. Thanks in advance for sharing your short and sweet book reviews with us here!
Welcome to March Quick Lit
Bel Canto
We Are the Brennans
Absolution
Somehow: Thoughts on Love
Anita de Monte Laughs Last
What have YOU been reading lately? Tell us about your recent reads—or share the link to a blog or instagram post about them—in comments.
P.S. That top photo is from the Bardstown Road location of my local indie Carmichael’s Bookstore. I didn’t realize until I edited this photo that one of the staff picks is Delphine de Vigan’s French novel Kids Run the Show. I’m delighted to see it here: we featured it as a spotlight title in our 2023 Fall Book Preview but I haven’t seen it anywhere! Now you know.
67 comments
I didn’t get through too many books this past month for life reasons, but I did have two great audio listens, one middle grade and one nonfiction: https://cocoonofbooks.blogspot.com/2024/03/what-ive-been-reading-lately-quick-lit.html
Bel Canto has been on my list forever! And Absolution sounds like a book I would love.
I read four five-star books this month, including a fun new-to-me (but very old) children’s mystery, a fantastic guide to spiritual formation within families, a comical mystery that won my heart, and a classic that I waited far too long to read. Other books from this month included a touching graphic novel, fast-paced historical nonfiction, and a few books that I would not be quick to recommend.
https://kendranicole.net/quick-lit-march-2024/
You MUST read Bel Canto! It is SO good!
Absolutely agree. I am 81 and have read many, many books! Bel Canto is near the top of my list of favorites.
Wow, that’s quite a recommendation!
Totally agree. One of my all time favorite books!
Bel Canto is one of my top three favorite novels of all time. I re-listened to it a few years ago and it easily maintained its spot. I love it to the moon and back!
March was full of excellent romances and a thriller I read in 24 hours! Come see my thoughts and find out the books here!
https://neverenoughnovels.com/2024/03/14/march-2024-mini-book-reviews/
I read Bel Canto a few years ago.
My recent books:
The Outsider: a life in intrigue, Frederick Forsyth memoir
The Girl in Seat 2A, Diana Wilkinson novel, on Hoopla
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald novel
Enough, Cassidy Hutchinson, memoir
Tom Lake, Ann Patchett novel
A Widow for One Year, John Irving novel
The Great Escape: Nine Jews who fled Hitler and changed the world, Kati Marton nonfiction
So much love for Bel Canto.
Brand new books by Emily Freeman and Sarah Bessey. A riveting novel about women working as bookbinders at the Oxford University Press during World War I. And more goodies …
https://lindastoll.substack.com/p/porch-134-a-very-early-spring-bookbag
I LOVED Bel Canto! Read it with my old book club a good 20 years ago and it still stays with me.
I’m listening to Daniel Nayeri’s The Many Assassinations of Samir the Seller of Dreams, the followup to Everything Sad is (Un)True, which I loved. I got to meet him briefly at the National Book Festival in DC last summer, which happened to fall on my birthday. So I got a birthday hug from Daniel Nayeri! I highly recommend going to the National Book Festival on your birthday. I also highly recommend going to Graceland on your birthday, but that’s a story for another day…
Still haven’t started bel canto ! Will someday
Recent read was the memoir The Salt Path, which I loved mostly though got a little restless toward the end, and just last night started the new Tana French ‘the hunter’
I LOVED the Salt Path! They’re making a movie with Gillian Anderson
I picked Absolution for my book club in February, and loved it. I read it in print, but then refreshed myself with the audiobook (which is not normal for me — I listen to tons of books on audio, but not typically after reading them in print), and I have to say, I did not like it in that format. Maybe it’s just because I had so recently imagined the character’s voices and inflections, but the audio fell flat for me.
Bel Canto is an old favorite, and I look forward to hearing your One Great Book episode about it. I listened to We are the Brennans last year and really enjoyed that one too.
I just finished Rebecca Makkai’s The Great Believers, and it was a gorgeous gut punch, and I knew it would be. Another recent favorite was Adam Gidwitz’s Max in the House of Spies, which I picked up because the children’s book buyer at our local indie was raving about it. A great choice for Middle Grade March.
A gorgeous gut punch… That is the perfect description for this book.
I’ve got three books on my list, one recommended to me by my running partner about finding satisfaction in the second half of life, especially when it comes to work. As we often talk about aging intentionally, it was a really read (and subsequent discussion).
https://carolinestarrrose.com/quick-lit-what-ive-been-reading-lately-34/
Oh , Bel Canto is one of my all-time favorites, and the first Ann Patchett book I read. I just love it.
Here’s what I read last month: https://www.mindjoggle.com/february-2024-book-reviews/
Adding We Are the Brennans to my list! Had me at that fantastic cover and “Irish Catholic”.
Had a good mix of books in February: romance, productivity, middle grade, historical fiction, cookie cookbook, and finally finished a Harry Potter books with my son (took 4 months!) that almost made me cry, even though I had read it countless times before.
February Reading Recap
Currently reading and loving Mercury by Amy Jo Burns. I loved The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown and Family Family by Laurie Frankel! Audiobook Going Zero by Anthony McCarten was a wild ride!
Is the Book of Doors high fantasy or not too much? I have heard great things about it but I’m typically not a fan of fantasy. I can do magical realism. Thanks!
It’s really fun and I, too, am not a fan of fantasy. Think mostly time travel! I think you’ll enjoy it, Stephanie! Let me know!
I need to read Bel Canto. My reading this month has been pretty much taken up by one book. Check out what I have been reading – https://myviewofthehoneypot.blogspot.com/2024/03/what-i-read-march.html
Talking at Night by Claire Daverly
In Memoriam by Alice Winn
The Bear by Andrew Krivak
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
In the school library I’ve been on a The Day the Crayons Quit kick, the kids really like it.
I’ve plowed through the first two Louise Penny books. It felt like a chore. I know people here love her. Is it worth it to try one more? The writing style just leaves me cold, and I don’t really like mysteries, but everyone raves about this series. A little help?
I love the Louise Penny books on audio. The narrator has a great voice and I set my timer to listen for 30 minutes as I drift off to sleep. I like that I “know” the characters from book to book. I do enjoy mysteries. These books kind of remind me of Hallmark mystery movies. Nothing in-depth, just a good time. You might try the audio versions but if you don’t like mysteries these may not be the books for you and that is OK! 🙂
Thanks Lisa..the audiobook suggestion is a good idea.
My idea of a “good” mystery is where the crime or whatever is second to the character in the story (like the Kate Atkinson Jackson Brody series). Maybe Louise is just not my type. 😉
For me, the series hits its stride in book four. It feels like she’s finding her way in the first three. I love so many book 4 onward and would tell people to skip the first three except that there is some very pertinent background character info given in them.
I also feel that characters absolutely become her main focus as the books goes on. In some of the latter ones I don’t even remember what the mystery was😂
She is a very distinct “flavor” of author -don’t feel bad if it’s not for you!
Also chiming in to recommend that you keep going with Louise Penny. It took me two tries to get past book one. But after the first few books, the characters really soar and the fifth book was a five-star read for me (I’ve read 7 so far). On the other hand, life’s too short to commit to soon-to-be 19 books if not quite right for you.
Life is too short and there are way too many books. I couldn’t get into Louise Penny either and I gave up. You should read what you want to read.
And I love Bel Canto and anything by Ann Patchett!
You discussed two of my favorite authors–Alice McDermott and Ann Patchett! Bel Canto is the only Ann Patchett I have not read and now I know I must remedy that soon.
I’ve been going through a Norwegian literary phase lately and just finished The Bell in the Lake by Lars Mytting and have read the first two of the Roy Jacobsen Barroy Chronicles. I do plan to continue reading what these two authors have had published so far. Such a great way to learn history and geography of this beautiful part of the world.
I also loved Lars Mytting’s The Bell in the Lake and enjoyed the next one in the trilogy Reindeer Hunters
I definitely have Absolution on my TBR!
February was a good reading month for me. I finally read Toni Morrison (Beloved), revisited Sense & Sensibility, loved Hernan Diaz’s Trust, continued my love of Greek myth retellings with Jennifer Saint’s Atalanta, had fun with Gillian McAllister’s Just Another Missing Person and Satoshi Yagisawa’s Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, was one of the only people at book club who didn’t like The Wishing Game, and finished the month by binging Kristin Hannah’s The Women. The standout so far in March has been Nathan Hill’s Wellness.
Full reviews on Instagram @bookscatsandtreats
I just recently read Olga Dies Dreaming and liked it so much I couldn’t wait to get Anita DaMonte Laughs Last. I grabbed it as soon as my library put it out on the new book shelf. Loved it as well.
Also really liked A Love Song for Ricky Wilde and Martyr.
I LOVED Bel Canto. It was also my first Ann Patchett novel. It’s definitely worth a reread.
I’ve had some great recent reads (My reviews are at https://www.instagram.com/love2read247) :
West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge 4.5* – such a great adventure story that I was completely invested in.
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears – I listened to the audiobook. While I enjoyed the narration, I thought the writing was just “meh”.
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray 4* – I loved learning about Belle da Costa Greene, who I knew nothing about.
After Annie by Anna Quindlen – 5* This will stick me for a long time and will be a favorite of the year.
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera – 4* I read this, but heard that the audiobook is very good. It’s another mystery thriller with a podcast twist and very well done.
The Women by Kristin Hannah – 4.25*
The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan – 4* Historical fiction of London during the WWII Blitz when the community library gets moved to the underground tube.
Hi! Have you read other Anna Quindlen books? If so which of her books would you recommend I start with? I have heard great things about her writing and have read a few articles written by her.
I’ve been contemplating lately several authors whose non-fiction/essays I like better than their fiction, and all three appear in Anne’s quick lit today. (And, crazily, they share variations on their first name.) Anyway, Ann Patchett, Anne Lamott, and Anna Quindlen all have published non-fiction that I love, love, love. Anna Quindlen’s Living Out Loud is a collection of her New York Times columns Life in the Thirties, about life with her husband and young children, and New York, and journalism, and life. I also love her more recent memoir, Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake, because it was about life with her husband, their grown children, and aging and life. I haven’t warmed up to much of her fiction, though I am thinking about After Annie. I liked One True Thing the best of her novels that I have read. Note that all of Quindlen’s novels that I am aware of deal with difficult things.
I just finished After Annie, and while it was difficult and sad just after my mother passed away, I really liked how the characters were built. I am more of a fan of Anna Quindlen’s nonfiction, loved Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake the most. One of her more recent fiction ones (can’t remember the title, possibly Miller’s Valley) was very depressing.
I just got into The Underground Library, and it’s hard to put down. I really like multiple viewpoint stories.
Now it looks as though I should add Bel Canto to my TBR list.
Bel Canto has been on my by TBR for soooo long. I think it’s time to finally pick it up.
This is what I’ve been reading lately: https://forthejoyofbooks.com/quick-lit-february-2024/
I love Ann Patchett, but Bel Canto kind of dragged for me and I think when I read years ago, I DNFd pretty far into it.
My favorite book so far this years had been Leaving by Roxana Robinson. I am in my 60s and so are the main characters. I think that might be key to appreciate this story.
I reread Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart. It was even grittier and still as good as I remembered it.
Currently reading The Many Lives Of Mama Love.
Worst recent book was First Lie Wins. That was one I should have DNFd, but finished.
Oh, I’m so glad I wasn’t the only one. I did not enjoy Bel Canto. I did finish it but should have stopped earlier. For some reason it was boring to me
I’m so relieved to see these comments – I thought I was the only person in the world for whom Bel Canto was just a non-event. I actually found it laughable. Maybe because I grew up as a singer, and the idea that there is something so special about being a soprano that it could spare your life is so utterly laughable. There are always a few books that everyone loves, and you don’t, I guess. (Next up on my list – Hello, Beautiful. Wow I hated that one.)
Funny, either people LOVE Bel Canto, or they haven’t read it (YET!) No middle ground! I’m in the LOVED BEL CANTO category, it’s powerful and mind-blowing! And I need to RE-READ it!! It’s been a few years.
I’m reading My Murder by Katie Williams (entertaining and different) while at the same time working my way thru The Warmth of Other Suns. As Anne says, our non-fiction will wait patiently for us! But I was just majorly blown away in sadness by Migrations, written by Charlotte McConaghy….wow, what a book!
Okay I’ll be the outlier! I’ve read Bel Canto and liked it well enough until the ending, which ruined the book for me (same with State of Wonder).
Thanks for sharing these titles, Anne. I’ll add “We Are the Brennans” to my list. And Anne Lamott has a new book? Yay!!!
I finally read Killers of the Flower Moon, and recommend it! Also, I recommend some great relationship books here, plus a fiction favorite, The House in the Cerulean Sea.
See my 7 recommended books here:
https://lisanotes.com/books-i-recommend-february-2024/
Just read The Foundling by Ann Leary. It was an excellent book loosely based on true events involving the practice of eugenics in the early 1900s.
Thanks for the heads up on the new Anne Lamott!
I loved Jessica Hooten Wilson’s behind the scenes look at Flannery O’Connor’s unfinished novel!
https://michelemorin.net/2024/03/13/time-bound-short-sighted-need-god-vision/
I still have We Are the Brennans waiting on my shelf but I just added Absolution. That one sounds perfect for my reading tastes.
This month I only have 3 books to share. I’ve only been home a week since taking a 2-week trip with my mom and sister and since it has been spring break and our daughter is home from college, she is getting all my attention. I have so much catching up to do though!
This month includes a Bible study, a young adult on audio recommended by
Anne numerous times, and I finally read Tom Lake! https://www.sincerelystacie.com/2024/03/quick-lit-march-2024-edition/
My February reading wrap up…
https://readingladies.com/2024/02/29/february-2024-reading-wrap-up-februaryreadingwrapup-booktwitter-bookworm-amreading-bookblogger/
I just finished Absolution and Tom Lake. Tom Lake was definitely my favorite. I am reading my the Nazi Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch, a true story of an assassination attempt by Nazis on FDR, Churchill, and Stalin. It’s very good and reads like a novel.
We Are The Brennans sounds great! I’ve been into family stories here lately.
Here’s what I’ve been reading: https://readeatrepeat.net/2024/03/14/books-in-progress-march-2024/
I just started The Hunter by Tana French. I am a big fan of her work and liked the Searcher though it was a slower paced novel compared to her other works. I didn’t have as much of a thriller vibe as her previous books. I’m looking forward to seeing what she does with this story line of a retired Chicago cop in the Irish countryside. Anyone else starting this one? Would love to discuss!
Oh, yay! I thought Anne Lamott’s new book wasn’t coming out until April! I’m going to run down to my local bookstore and get it this afternoon.
I just recently finished Bel Canto. It was my first Ann Patchett novel. I loved it! It was a riveting story full of interesting characters.
Other recent reads include Lovely War by Julie Berry and Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal.
Books 13-20 of 2024: https://thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com/2024/03/reading-update.html
So many good books already this year! My favorite read lately was a little book I picked up at Tattered Covers in the Denver airport, “Orbital,” by Samantha Harvey. I’m telling everyone about it, it’s a brilliant work of fiction about the individual lives of the crew of the International Space Station.
Also, just finished “How to Say Babylon,” a striking thoughtful memoir by Safiya Sinclair. Enlightening. Also, “Covenant of Water,” by Abraham Verghese. So sorry that one is over, I’ll miss his characters.
I liked Bel Canto until the end…
Here’s what I’ve been reading. I’m trying to keep up with my challenges http://www.allthebooksihaventread.com/blog-1/2024/3/15/show-us-your-books-march-2024
Really enjoyed THE WARM HANDS OF GHOSTS by Katherine Arden – historical fiction with a fantasy/steampunk vibe. I liked it so much I’m checking out Arden’s backlist titles!
Books I’ve read lately:
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy/Megan Brennan 4* a realatively familiar romantic theme in a fantasy like setting.
Yellowface/ RF Kuang 2* I was really disappointed. The best part of the book was learning more about how the publishing world works.
The Skeleton Road/Val McDermid 4* #3 of her Karen Pirie series about a cold case DCI.
The Good Part/Sophie Cousens 4* likeable characters in a genre I love- time travel/roads not taken.
Bel Canto is an all-time favourite for me. I’m definitely going to add Anite de Monte Laughs Last to my TBR! It sounds excellent!!
Hi Lisa, you have a great Winter list! I loved Snow Child and Winter Solstice! I read Song of the Cardinal in February, which I think is a perfect spring book. Spring feels like it starts way earlier here in Texas, so it felt like the right time to read it. It’s by Gene Stratton-Porter. She definitely can evoke an atmospheric feeling following the seasons with there naturalistic background and great writing.
Recent reads:
poetry by Sara Teasdale which I have been really enjoying.
The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai and Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa. I liked these but am not moved to read more.
Please Wait by the Coatroom: Reconsidering Race and Identity in American Art by John Yau – very interesting.
The House of Eve, Sadeqa Johnson | 4/5
Frog and Toad are Friends, Arnold Lobel | 5/5
The Family Under the Bridge, Natalie Savage Carlson | 4/5
Crossing to Safety, Wallace Stegner | 5/5
Mouse Tales, Arnold Lobel | 5/5
Check out our website for tiny reviews and story summaries:
https://theshoreystories.com
I remember ages ago when you mentioned Bel Canto and I still haven’t gotten to it. I feel like it’s had a resurgence lately, or at least I keep seeing it pop up in my life, so I think I need to read it very soon!
2 recent literary-related posts:
January and Feb reads: https://elle-alice.blogspot.com/2024/02/january-and-february-book-reviews.html
Cultivating a Reading Life: https://elle-alice.blogspot.com/2024/02/cultivate-love-for-reading-as-busy-mom.html
I love Ann Patchett with my whole heart ❤️ I should revisit her backlist too! Here’s what I have been reading lately 😊 https://www.instagram.com/p/C4g3MMvvfbK/?igsh=MWdlZHB1dzZrZDF6aw==
In Non-Fiction I read Oath and Honor by Liz Cheney, excellently written not preachy or academic very readable although I found the subject mind-boggling depressing so I had to follow it up with some lighter reading for my poor brain. I read J.D. Robb’s newest Random in Death, Last House by Jessica Shattuck which is just about to be released — a multigenerational tale with our recent history and how it effected multiple generations., Cold People by Tom Rob Smith which was a compulsive page turner — SF category? or environmental?, I listened to A City of Brass on Audible because the book was to huge to carry around and thoroughly enjoyed it. Just bought the second one for Audible as well but haven’t started it yet; A Spindle Splintered which was a fractured fairy tale on Sleeping Beauty which I also thoroughly enjoyed. Lastly, a wonderful children’s picture book that is absolutely AWESOME — A Delicious Story by Barney Salzberg, I no longer have little ones but I want this for myself.
As for Bel Canto, I FINALLY got my hands on it about 2 weeks ago at a Library book sale and it’s about 3 down in the stack so should get to it shortly.
I loved We are the Brennans. Could not get into Bel Canto, but inspired to give it another go. Recent reads- Dinners with Ruth, The Berry Pickers, and Go As A River. Currently reading Happiness Falls.