a lifestyle blog for book lovers

Quick Lit July 2017

Like many devoted Austen fans, I approach most modern Jane Austen adaptations with a combination of enthusiasm and dread—I WANT it to be wonderful, but what if it's terrible? Readers, this new take on Sense and Sensibility was so much fun. In this novel, two broke adult sisters and their sweet little sister flee expensive San Francisco to set up a new tea shop in Austin, Texas. The bones of Austen's original are visible, but Lodge doesn't hew too closely to the original, to her credit. I spent a happy afternoon devouring this book.
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I bought this on a whim and it was packed with solid tips on developing and maintaining mental strength, and contained lots of food for thought about my own thought patterns, habits, and routines. From the publisher: "Everyone knows that regular exercise and weight training lead to physical strength. But how do we strengthen ourselves mentally for the truly tough times? Or as psychotherapist Amy Morin asks, what should we avoid when we encounter adversity? With Morin's specific tips, exercises, and troubleshooting advice, it is possible to drastically improve the quality of your life."
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Honeyman's at times painful but ultimately feel-good debut has already been nominated for several notable awards: the 2018 Bailey’s Prize Longlist, 2018 Costa Debut Novel Award, 2018 RUSA Women’s Fiction Shortlist. I really enjoyed this story about an isolated young woman who is drawn into the world again, decidedly against her will, in the spirit of A Man Called Ove. Take note: the reviews are mixed, but it's got great book club potential. And Reese Witherspoon already owns the film rights.
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Gail Godwin is the author of two books I love and have read numerous times each: Father Melancholy's Daughter and Evensong. Her newest was engaging and easy to keep reading, and her strong female character—this time an aging alcoholic artist who unexpectedly becomes an adoptive parent—kept me turning the pages.
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The critics are raving. The prose was lovely, the premise intriguing, and the story obviously crafted with care. (I would LOVE to hear your thoughts if you read this one!)
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