Welcome to Quick Lit, where we share short and sweet reviews of what we’ve been reading lately on the 15th of the month.
The Summer Reading Guide is here, which means it’s time to catch up on not-so-new titles I’ve been eager to read. This is the time of year when I enthusiastically embrace both backlist selections and bona fide classics—but you know I can’t resist dipping into the new releases as well, as you’ll see below.
I hope you have read some good books lately! Please tell us all about your recent reads in comments.
What I’ve been reading lately: the new and the notable
A Wicked Kind of Husband
I don't read much historical romance, but I am so glad I picked this one up at the urging of my friend Leigh Kramer! The plot revolves a marriage of convenience: Cassandra has seen her husband only once—on their wedding day—and both husband and wife are perfectly pleased with this arrangement. They live separate lives in separate towns, and don't even recognize each other when they meet socially in London. But then they're forced to get to know each other for the sake of appearances, and go from strangers to friends to something more. The stellar sense of humor made for a delightful reading experience; I couldn't get enough of their witty banter. Heads up for some open-door moments. More info →
Words in Deep Blue
I was craving a sweet, fast-reading story so I borrowed this book from my daughter's bookshelf. This book contains so many elements that appeal to both teen and adult readers: friendship, love, loss, and books I must admit it was the books that really caught my eye: the story is set in and around a family-owned bookshop called Howling Books, and its special room called the Letter Library, where patrons exchange messages in the pages of the secondhand books. (Psst—you'll hear me discuss this book in next week's episode of What Should I Read Next!) More info →
Three Hours in Paris
Black says her imagination was captured by a historical moment: in October 1939, Adolf Hitler visited Paris and stayed in the city for a mere three hours. In this novel, Black imagines what might have happened while he was there. To do this, she invents heroine Kate Rees, an American markswoman with a tragic past who is recruited by the Allies for a formidable assignment: to assassinate Hitler while he visits the City of Light. But when the plan goes awry, Kate is suddenly running for her life, with only her wits and her tiny bit of training to rely on. I thoroughly enjoyed this new WWII story; I listened to the audiobook through Libro.fm. More info →
The Ghosts of Eden Park: The Bootleg King, the Women Who Pursued Him, and the Murder That Shocked Jazz-Age America
Since I completed the Summer Reading Guide, I've been catching up on nonfiction I've been putting off. I appropriately picked up this book last fall at Books by the Banks, the Cincinnati literary festival Abbott and I both attended. At the time, I didn't realize the book was set in the area! In this true crime tale, Abbott sets out the story of George Remus, a teetotaler who built a whiskey empire during Prohibition, and was so successful that at one point he controlled 30% of the liquor consumed during that time. I felt like I was reading about a real-life Jay Gatsby. A truth-is-stranger-than-fiction epic from the Jazz Age. More info →
Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor: Being the First Jane Austen Mystery (Being a Jane Austen Mystery Book 1)
A friend gave me this book back in the fall and it was the first novel I turned to when I finished the Summer Reading Guide. The setup is this: the author asserts that she discovered old journals of Jane Austen, in which it is revealed that Austen was once an amateur sleuth (who had a bad habit of stumbling into crime scenes). In this first installment, Jane's dear friend Isobel marries a much older man who tragically dies shortly after their wedding. It is subsequently revealed that his death was not natural, and that his nephew and heir had also engaged the affections of the young widow. I enjoyed encountering familiar Austen themes in this wholly different genre, and the way the author incorporated fragments of her novels in the mystery. This is the first title in a long-running series. More info →
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. 12 feel-good fiction books you can read in an afternoon, and 5 authors worth binge-reading this summer.
108 comments
I’ve read a bunch of hits this past month, including a few upcoming new releases! https://neverenoughnovels.com/2020/05/11/may-2020-book-recommendations/
I just read The Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway. I think I loved it more than I did the first time so long ago as a senior in high school. I even hunted down my senior English teacher and told him so.
I love that beautiful picture of the books in shades of blue!! The Ghosts of Eden Park: added!
Here’s a link to what I’ve been reading lately on my blog Mama Needs A Book!
https://mamaneedsabook.blogspot.com/2020/05/coffee-books-may-2020.html
I read 3 outstanding new books coming out in May…that couldn’t be more different from each other!
https://www.sarahsbookshelves.com/may-2020-books-to-read-and-skip/
This month in THE BOOKBAG we’re talking about old friends!
* Unearthing old friends from dusty shelves
* Rejoicing over new releases by our beloved Anne … and John Grisham
* Sharing a sweetly hope-filled devotional book for this difficult season
* A little link love
* An invitation to share your favorite reads
http://www.lindastoll.net/2020/05/the-bookbag-old-friends-edition.html
For this month’s Quick Lit post, I’m sharing reviews of an amazing book on faith, two excellent thrillers, a surprisingly deep literary novel, and an essay collection that I related to more than almost anything I’ve ever read. Next up I’m looking forward to digging into some novels from the summer reading guide!
https://kendranicole.net/quick-lit-may-2020-reading-wrap-up-part-two/
What if It’s True sounds amazing! I just ordered a copy.
A Jane Austen mystery sounds like exactly what I need in my life! I’ve found I’m very much in the mood for lighthearted stories and romances recently, but I think there is definitely room for a mystery. Here’s my current books list:
https://readeatrepeat.net/2020/05/15/books-in-progress-what-ive-been-reading-lately-may-2020/
These posts are the highlight of my month! Thank you for hosting them. Please come visit my cozy Burrow to read about some of my favorites in April: https://katiegilley.com/2020/05/05/april-2020-highlights/
Easy reading for me while trying to run a full time job and a kindergarten at home! But I did something I haven’t done for years – started reading though an entire series (Anglican mysteries).
https://susandcook.blogspot.com/2020/05/quicklit-may-2020.html
Kindergarten at home is no joke!
I enjoyed “Unmarriageable” too!
You just filled up my TBR with the summer reading guide and now you’ve added more to my list with “Words in Deep Blue” and “Three Hours in Paris”!!
Here’s what our family has been reading – from “Lovely War” (me) to “The City We Became” (my husband), “Megabat” (readaloud with our kids), and “Up on Bob” (my son to my daughter)
It’s always fun reviewing multiple books for all of us quickly and at once!
https://www.everyoneslibrarian.com/blog/quick-lit-recent-reads-for-may-2020
My reading has been a bit off this season. Hoping the Summer Reading Guide can get me back on track. Here’s what I read in April. https://shannanenjoyslife.com/2020/05/15/quick-lit-next-page-please-april-2020/
Beach Read is high on my TBR – glad it was a fun read
I just finished Tracked in the Whites by Tom Eslick, a mystery that captured New Hampshire for me. Then I picked up, a thriller, The Line Between by Tosca Lee. Wow, it was a very hopeful book to read during this pandemic time.
But if I had known I don’t think I would have read it.
I’ve had a great reading month! I re-read What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty, and liked it better than my first time reading it, probably because I was not rushing to know what happened in the end so could appreciate the nuances of the story and characters. I also read The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali, and loved this bittersweet story. I listened to the audio version of Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson, and it was simply perfect on audio. I’m finishing up What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon, which I picked up because it is a time travel novel, but I’ve been captivated by the beautiful story and I’ve found myself googling and reading about the Irish Easter Rising of 1916 and the 1922 Treaty with Britain that created the Irish state as these are the historical events around which the story is written. Lastly I’m listening to Ford County, narrated by the author John Grisham. It’s a collection of short stories about various characters in Ford County, Mississippi, which is where his first novel, A Time to Kill, was set. Each story is about 50 minutes on audio, so it’s perfect to listen to while I go for my lunchtime walk. Lastly, I’m reading Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church, by Rachel Held Evans. This is her memoir about overcoming doubts and misgivings and her search to understand the church and find hope. She was a brilliant writer, and it’s sad to think that she died last year at such a young age.
Happy Reading!
Ooh I’ve been wanting to re-read What Alice Forgot, but I lent my copy to a friend and can’t get it back because of quarantine.
I read What Alice Forgot and it was just ok. Then I listened to it on Audible narrated by Caroline Lee and it is a hoot! I so enjoyed it!
OOhhhhh… The Ghosts of Eden Park looks so good!!
https://scifantasor.com/2020/05/15/quick-lit-5-what-ive-been-reading/
Words in Deep Blue sounds very cute and is the kind of book that’s been working for me right now. My reading has been mixed–it’s hard to focus–but audiobooks are helping. https://www.mindjoggle.com/may-2020-book-reviews/
Just two books for me since the rest of the book required their own posts. But, I loved both of these books. One was a celebrity memoir on audio and the other a dual narrative that was smart and such a page-turner. http://www.sincerelystacie.com/2020/05/quick-lit-mini-reviews-of-some-recent-reads-may-2020-edition/
Ohhhh, Karen Abbott was at Books by the Banks this year in Cincinnati! How awesome!
I’ve been reading “Darcy’s Story”! It’s “Pride and Prejudice” told through Mr. Darcy’s perspective.
https://incessantbookworm.com/2020/05/15/quick-lit-20-what-have-you-been-reading-lately/
I’m not usually one for Jane Austen spin-offs but that sounds like SO much fun. I’ll have to check it out!
I didn’t know about Darcy’s Story! Thanks for sharing that.
(And I’m so glad we got to meet in Cincinnati when we did!)
This month I read the fewest books I’ve read in one month since starting my blog five years ago! The ones I did read were all 4-star reads, though, so not bad: https://cocoonofbooks.blogspot.com/2020/05/what-ive-been-reading-lately-quick-lit.html
As we’ve now passed week #8 of staying at home, I haven’t really found myself reading more than I usually do. What I have been able to do is take advantage of virtual author events, though, which has been fun. Here’s what I’ve been reading lately (and author events I’ve attended): http://www.avikinginla.com/2020/05/what-ive-been-reading-lately-april-2020-virtual-author-events/
I love reading nonfiction where truth is stranger than fiction. The Ghost of Eden Park sounds really interesting. April was a good reading month for me and I read some great books. Right now I seem to be picking up books to read that are a combination of books about WWII and other hard times in history and lighter fun reading. https://fromourbookshelf.com/april-reading/
I’m finding it’s so hard not to have full library access these days. Ebooks and audiobooks make a nice addition to printed books, but, for me, don’t fill the same vacuum.
I started reading The Poisonwood Bible, but am shelving it till later in favor of Tuesdays at the Castle, something lighter I can get through quickly.
Meanwhile, on my blog I took some time to think about why I loved reading Hannah Coulter and made a list of books with those characteristics.
https://purplecrayonyourworld.com/books-like-hannah-coulter/
Agreed on the limited library access! Digital books help but they aren’t the same!
Some of my best reads this year have been stolen from my daughter’s shelf!
Here’s my reads:
http://www.allthebooksihaventread.com/blog-1/2020/5/12/may-show-us-your-books
I highly recommend The Heirloom Garden by Viola Shipman. A lovely, heartwarming read.
I’ve been hooked on new releases- what else is new!? I’ve been gravitating toward thriller and women’s fiction- Pretty Things was a recent favorite.
https://www.tbretc.com/etc/whatireadinapril2020withreviews
Such a fun list! I am adding Words in Deep Blue to my TBR. Happy Friday!
Just finished at This Tender Land and it’s the latest book I want to recommend to everyone, so I was happy to see it made the Summer Reading Guide. Also recently read Everyone Brave is Forgiven. I’m a big fan of Chris Cleave’s work and WWII fiction is my jam. This one did not disappoint! Speaking of which, Three Hours in Paris looks intriguing!
Between Week 8??? of quarantine and a plumbing disaster all I’ve wanted is fluffy escapism lately. Fortunately I discovered Sophie Kinsella a couple weeks ago and I’ve been tearing through the Shopaholic series as fast as they become available on Libby. Definitely not highbrow literature but they hit the spot! Does anyone have some good read-alike suggestions?
Try MC Beaton’s Agatha Raisin series!
Thanks! I’ve seen those on Libby and been interested but I forgot about them! I’ll give them a try!
I’ve read all her books except shopaholic and love them. I’m a huge baby and can’t handle scary books anyway but especially right now need light reads. The hating game was really good. I also like historical fiction (Dragonfly was one of my favorites ever) but of course that’s a little heavier. Love reading these comments.
I’m one of those people who are reading a lot of post apocalypse novels. I read Station Eleven for the second time in April, I’m listening to The Dog Stars, and yesterday I started The End of October by Lawrence Wright that was written just before the pandemic started. I might need to reread The Babysitter Club series soon. 😁
I am loving “pandemic lit” at the moment and am also listening to The Dog Stars. I highly recommend The Lightest Object in the Universe; Blindness; and The Age of Miracles.
Recently I finished reading Station Eleven. It’s probably not the best book to read during a pandemic but it was awesome. I felt so immersed in the book I needed to take breaks and remind myself that it was fiction. It was not a genre I would normally choose. It was on my TBR for a couple of years because of your recommendation. Now I cannot wait to start reading her new book The Glass Hotel.
I read a couple books for the reading challenge: Anna Karenina (a book in translation) and Miracle Creek by Angie Kim (a book nominated for an award in 2020). Miracle Creek actually won the Edgar award for best first novel, and I highly recommend it. It’s a whodunnit legal thriller, and it’s the best book I’ve read in awhile. I’m currently re-reading Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (a re-read), and it’s hilarious. I just finished a couple Elmore Leonard books, Riding the Rap and Raylan (as in Raylan Givens, the main character in the show Justified).
Two of my favorite authors released books this month.
The Water Keeper by Charles Martin and
I’d Give Anything by Marisa de los Santos
I read The Water Keeper in less than 24 hours from the time it arrived on my Kindle. It is not a quick or easy read, but I read it quickly because it was so compelling, filled with characters I wanted to root for, and Martin’s vivid descriptions of Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway. It seems strange to say a novel that deals with the subject of human trafficking is beautifully written, but it is. And it is uplifting. All of Martin’s books carry a thread of redemption and realistic hope throughout, even tho the characters are flawed, imperfect and their situations often messy. The highest praise I can give is book is that when I read the last word I immediately want to start it again. The Water Keeper is that type of book.
I actually finished I’d Give Anything just a few hours ago and am still digesting the story so probably shouldn’t review it just yet. Having read each of de los Santos’ novels, I was not at all surprised to find once again her exquisite prose in this drama of long held truths, or not truths, and their effect on the lives of a group of friends. This book won’t become my favorite by the author (Love Walked In will always have that honor), but goodness it is so worth reading if only for the way her words just sing and shimmer with light, regardless of subject manner, plot or character’s personalities.
I started the month with a fun read, The Honey Don’t t List By Christina Lauren. I wanted something light and easy to get me over a slump and this worked. In fiction I read a story about Hedy Lamar, The Only Woman in the Room. I don’t know what lead me to select this one but I learned about an amazing woman that I never knew anything about. Wanting another light easy read I read The Overdue Life of Amy Byler. I guess I’m just not feeling like getting into anything too challenging at this time. Missing Dorothea Benton Frank so much, I just finished Same Beach Next Year. Her novels are definitely ones I want to savor to keep her alive on my shelves as long as possible.
My reading has been all over the place, from memoir to true crime, which I rarely read. I’ve been welcoming the distraction. https://creatingthislife.com/book-report-quick-reviews-of-what-ive-been-reading-7/
I recently read Listen to the Marriage by John Jay Osborn Jr. which I really enjoyed and thought was such an interesting way to present a story about marriage. I also just finished A Jest of God by Margaret Laurence for the book published the decade you were born (1960s) category on the Reading Challenge. We read Margaret Laurence in high school but I was too young to appreciate her work. And I am currently reading Road Ends by Mary Lawson for my (Zoom) book club meeting on Sunday.
I just read The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep and loved it! Starting on Ruth Galloway series with The Crossong Place.
For some reason, I’m intrigued by that historical romance, witty bantering and I’m far from being a romance open door reader. Let’s see how it goes.
I already bought another Kindle book thanks to your daily email (Love Lettering) but now you’ve got me wanting to go back and grab Words in Blue too!
Here’s my list of recent reads – quarantine choose your own adventure style:
http://www.shealennon.com/2020/05/choose-your-own-adventure-quarantine.html
A worldwide pandemic seems to NOT have affected my reading, ha! I managed to read quite a few books since April 15th, a couple for reviews and plenty just for fun, inclusing Anne’s newest book, which I think is something I need to reread at some point.
While a lot of things are still feeling upside down, I’m so grateful that I’ve found some really great books to take my mind away! From a wonderful new graphic novel, to some fun and frothy fiction, to finally trying Wendell Berry, my shelves have been filled with amazing reads!
http://www.anopenbookblog.com/what-i-read-april-2020/
I finally read The Heart’s Invisible Furies and I actually really liked it! https://haleymefford.com/2020/05/02/reading-recap-april-2020/
I recently finished the YA novel Most Likely by Sarah Watson, which I really enjoyed. https://www.instagram.com/p/CAHH_YdgHSQ/ I’m now reading a literary fiction novel, The Paris Hours by Alex George, which just came out!
I just finished “The Bar Harbor Home for Famous Writers (and their Muses)” by Terri-Lynne DeFino. I thought it would be a piece of fluff I could finish in a day, but it was much more. This was a story within a story. Literary giant Alfonse Carducci finds a muse in Cecibel, an orderly at the home, and embarks on his last novel, with the help of his closest friends. Alfonse and Cecibel. Aldo and Cecilia. Two compelling stories. Try it.
This past month has been hard for me reading wise. I broke my reader’s block (is that a thing?) with On Turpentine Lane by Elinor Lipman–a fun, breezy novel. Then I read Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. Beautiful, moving, sad in places but oh, so worth it! I’m now reading Inland by Tea Obreht. She has moments in this book that just pull you in and don’t let go! I’m alternating that with chapters from Don’t Overthink It. So incredibly helpful for right now, Anne!
I read 35 books in April, but I need to pick up some of these!
I am so excited about the summer reading guide. Last year one of my favorite books was from the guide – The Gown. My reading has been stalled out. It is so hard to only access the public library only with e-books. I am a browser of the worst kind. check out my favorite true life arm chair adventure picks
http://myviewofthehoneypot.blogspot.com/2020/05/thinking-about-summer-reading.html
Hi Anne — I was so interested in Words in Deep Blue but when I went on Amazon to check it out further, I read a review that said it contained a lot of swearing, esp. the “F” word (and this is a YA novel). I find this very annoying and it can even ruin an otherwise great book for me. Would you consider giving a heads up on this in your reviews? And does anyone know if there is a site that gives info on sex and/or language in books? I’ve hunted for it but not found anything. I run a book club with several sensitive readers in it and would love to know about this content before putting a book in for consideration. Thanks so much for your wonderful podcast and website — love them both! 🙂
Commonsensemedia.org : TV, movies, & book reviews, but it’s not exhaustive. I think it depends on readers submitting reviews of books read.
April Wrap Up!
https://readingladies.com/2020/04/30/april-2020-reading-wrap-up/
Being from Cincinnati, I can’t wait to read The Ghosts of Eden Park. Thanks for bringing it to my attention! I’ve also recently finished Lovely War. Such an amazing book that I never would have picked up on my own. Currently reading How to Be a Family and The Worst Hard Time. I’m thinking of doing a book flight and reading The Grapes of Wrath after The Worst Hard Time.
One of my book clubs just finished The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant, a second is reading Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson, and another is discussing Diane Guerrero’s In the Country We Love.
On my own, I’m finishing The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman. Next up…Sue Monk KIdd’s brand new one: The Book of Longings!!!
All good books and all recommended!
I loved The Bookish Life of Nina Hill! Do you have similar recommendations?
Just finished Sue Monk Kidd The book of Longings. It was wonderful. Just started Code Name Helene.I am enjoying.
I’ve been mostly rereading familiar books for comfort, but I’ve read two good books about education, one nonfiction and one fiction.
What I’ve been able to read lately has been Elin Hilderbrand, Louise Penny and Sarah J. Maas 😊 http://www.bornandreadinchicago.com/2020/05/april-book-reviews.html
I just read “The Gentleman” by Forrest Leo. Got it for $1 and was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved it. It’s a Victorian novel originally written as a play about a poet who marries for money, accidently “sells” his wife to the devil, and goes on adventure to get her back after he realizes he really loves her. If you’re a fan of footnotes, this story has plenty worth reading.
Thanks for the great recommendations, Anne! I recently finished Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer, which was perfect for such a time as this! Here’s my review: https://writethemonmyheart.com/2020/04/23/when-life-gets-interruped/
I just started “Sam Houston and The Avengers”. The last books I read were “Murder At An Irish Wedding” and a three part children’s series “Heart-Strings”.
Joan
The Great Believers, Things You Save in a Fire, Dear Edwards, Separation Anxiety, Smacked, Long Live The Tribe of Fatherless Girls. The City We Became , Inside Out, The Only Plane in the Sky.
I am reading Nella Last’s War, an amazing real diary from a 50 year old housewife living in England during World War II. Some of it relates to what we are going through right now, but it also puts our two months of sheltering at home in perspective as Europeans lived with fear, unknown, rations, bombings,etc. for SIX years!
I’ve been drawn in by more YA and middle grade novels. I’ve enjoyed When You Reach Me with its’ sci fi theme, Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes with its’ finding yourself journey, and Code Name Verity with its’ friendship theme.
I didn’t enjoy Trsnscription or What Alice Forgot as much.
It would be really great if so many people didn’t use this as a way to get traffic to their websites. It’s disheartening to go to the comment section to see what others have been enjoying only to find 30 different blog posts about it, with no other info than “Hey, I loved some books this month, but you have to check my blog to see what they are!” Can’t you just leave the titles of the books?
I’ve been reading a ton of Tessa Dare regency romances and have just started on the Murderbot series by Martha Wells, which is a sci-fi novella series.
I agree. I would love to see titles, rather than links.
With no access to the library, I’ve been reading through the inventory on my bookshelves. I just finished Pachinko – so glad I finally got around to reading it. The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin has an interesting premise that kept me reading, but it ended up feeling a little flat. Still, I’m glad I read it. Daisy Jones and The Six was just OK for me.
I also am discouraged by the links to other blogs.
I actually really enjoy visiting other blogs to see what people are reading. I like the blog links.
I’m reading The Mothers by Britt Bennett and The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (finally, after owning it for nearly 2 decades!). Both are great so far – very well-written!
I read Simon the Fiddler (among with other great books) in April without knowing it would make its way to the summer reading guide!
https://elle-alice.blogspot.com/2020/05/april-book-reviews.html
Elena, I’m so glad you enjoyed Simon!
I just finished “The Library of Legends” by Janie Chang. It was a great read, the characters are likable and the story is a fun mix of myths and historical fiction.
I’ve read some things that were good but not great lately. March and April were almost all 3-4 star reads which was great but I was ready to be wowed. And my May reading has delivered!
I recently finished Beartown by Fredrik Backman and LOVED it! Now I’m reading: Burnout by the Nagoski sisters which I am loving and want to recommend to basically every woman I know; My Favourite Thing is Monsters, a giant graphic novel by Emil Ferris; Kindred by Octavia Butler on audio has been amazing – I don’t usually do sci-fi but this is really more historical fiction than sci fi and it’s riveting! Oh and my partner and I are also listening to the full-cast recording or Charlotte’s Web at bedtime to help us sleep and dream better. Meryl Streep’s narration is delightful and hilarious! My reading life has really picked up this month and I’m stoked!
I loved Beartown, and the sequel, Us Against You, is also fabulous. Highly recommend it!
I’ve been getting through a decent amount of books lately, thanks to digitial ones from the library (someday I’ll be able to pick up my physical holds again!).
Here is my Quick Lit!
I have read listened to several interesting books this past month. Valentine which is the story of how a crime affects the women in a West Texas town. The authors descriptions of the area are very poetic and the stories of the various women heartbreaking. I can’t wait for her next novel. On earth we are briefly gorgeous is the story of trauma and it’s effects on family dynamics. I also read Lady Clementine ,historical fiction. The Only Lady in the Room a surprising historical novel on Hedy LaMarr. I listened to Code Name Helene a must listen to. I would recommend all of them. I love this site
Oops I meant The only woman in the room
I have finished “My Dear Hamilton”,”Jefferson and The Barbary Pirates” and a three book series for children “Heart-Strings. Now I am reading “The Lost Tudor Princess Lady Margaret Douglas”.
Marion
I just finished listening to ‘Monday’s Not Coming’ one of the first books from Sora. Excellent with a twist at the end. I recently listened to ‘The Bookshop on the Corner’, I loved it but it took hours so reading it in an afternoon wouldn’t work for me (referring to the extra link on this post). I’ve been listening to books, which I normally don’t do, but helps me pass the time while making masks. Thanks for all your book ideas!
I read Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Mansion. It was enjoyable, if maybe not memorable? I donated it.
I’m reading Freaks of Mayfair by Benson, your book and Californium by Robert Johnson.
I’ve read The Boys in the Boat this month by Daniel James Brown. Such an inspiring read of resilience, perseverance and determination while also increasing my historical knowledge. I kept reading snippets to my family and then when I had finished reading the book, recommended that they all read it. They said there was no need, I’d pretty much read it all to them anyway!!
I love that book!!! It read as if it was a movie; action-packed, fast-paced, and intriguing history!
I loved Words in Deep Blue! I always recommend it when people are looking for YA books. I am currently reading and loving another YA, A Study in Charlotte.I will definitely be continuing this series!
Also, I read J. Courtney Sullivan’s book, Saints for All Occasions and really liked it.
My last two reads–A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World–dystopian fantasy and The Library of Lost and Found–warm and satisfying. Enjoyed both of them.
I am listening to Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen by Sarah Bird. It is fantastic. Bahni Turpin is doing the vocal and she is so good. I got hooked at about the first 5 minutes of the book. Just so good.
Elizabeth, I really enjoyed listening to that one as well! Great story and I adore Bahni Turpin.
I just finished reading In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan, which was great! An interesting take on portal fantasy and great characters that made me laugh out loud.
I just finished :America’s First Daughter” ,three part “Heart String”,The two part “Dublin Saga”. I just started a 10 part Song Of Arcadia.
Marilyn
Just finished A Gentleman in Moscow and absolutely loved it! What a way with words the author has. I didn’t want it to end, yet needed to see what happened. Rereading some Maeve Binchy, starting with Whitethorn Woods, the kind of reading you can do and feel at peace before sleep. I have also started a Study in Charlotte, and Magpie Murders is in my TBR stack. Our libraries are starting curbside service!!
I’ve had a very varied month, now that I look back at it! Some classics, contemporaries, children’s and comfort reading. 🙂
*The Turn of the Screw – Henry James (a reread of a creepy favourite)
*The Strays – Emily Bitto (an Australian award-winner about Melbourne’s art scene in the 1930s; exquisite!)
*Little Fires Everywhere – Celeste Ng (overrated, now watching the TV series)
*Five Children and It – E. Nesbit (such a rollicking romp of a children’s classic!)
*A Truly Civil Society – Eva Cox (a short collection of lectures about social capital that I picked up a Little Free Library)
*The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry – Gabrielle Zevin (great comfort reading for bookish people!)
*The Divine Wind – Garry Disher (an Australian young adult novella about wartime Broome)
I’m set to finish ‘Ethan Frome’ today; this American classic set in a wintry New England community couldn’t be further from the sunshine of my autumn days in Australia! It’s so full of despair and heartache, but I love it. It’ll be one of those books that I set back on the shelf to reread in a few years. I love those discoveries!
I agree with you about Little Fires Everywhere. I didn’t understand the hype–I thought it was just okay.
Wicked Kind of Husband is on sale cheap with Amazon right now, as is the audio!!
Nonfiction was actually my favorite this month: Deep Work by Cal Newport and The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg.
I also read the Inheritance Cycle tetralogy by Christopher Paolini.
Read my thoughts on these books at https://bealwaysfullofgrace.wordpress.com/2020/05/16/may-2020-what-ive-been-reading-lately/
I’m reading My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg, which is an autobiography in the form of speeches, legal briefs, and other legal writing. I have about ninety pages left and it’s a slog, so I’m also reading The Illuminated Space by Marilyn Freeman, which is a book and multimedia experience from The Third Thing Press.
I’ve had a decent reading month and I’m getting into historical fiction too – lately I’m very much into the French nobility of a few centuries ago. (But that will be in next month’s list)
https://lezendstreepje.be/2020/05/18/quicklit-5-gelezen-in-april/
Not usually a fan of romance but A Wicked Kind of Husband looks interesting. I surprisingly read only two books in April. It was extremely hard to concentrate.
https://susanbowers.typepad.com/in_the_storm/2020/05/what-ive-been-reading-april-2020.html
I’m just finishing Saving My Assassin, by Virginia Prodan. Other audio books on my commute have been: Kisses From Katie (Katie Davis), Don’t Overthink It (Anne Bogel), Ministry of Ordinary Places (Shannan Martin), Simply Tuesday (Emily P. Freedman), and Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert and its sequels Openness Unhindered, The Gospel Comes with a Housekey (Rosaria Butterfield). I’m looking forward to the following: Shirley (Charlotte Bronte), Jesus Feminist (Sarah Bessey), The Hundred-Year Walk (Dawn Anahid Mackeen), and The Entitlement Cure (John Townsend), all of which are provided by the library system.
So many great reads! I loved both of those books by Rosaria Butterfield! I haven’t read Shirley yet, but it’s on my TBR! Kisses From Katie and the follow-up book are two favorites! Linking my April reads, if interested!
Late to this but here is what I read this past month!
https://msburkesbooks.blogspot.com/2020/05/what-ive-been-reading-vol1.html