Welcome to twitterature, where we share short and sweet reviews of what we’ve been reading lately on the 15th of every month.
What I’ve been reading lately, in a rather lopsided two-part installment. The tail end of my summer reading (new books), and The Spectator Bird, which is more indicative of the flavor of my autumn reading.
THE SPECTATOR BIRD
by Wallace Stegner
I picked this up after reading Stegner’s later novels Crossing to Safety and Angle of Repose. I finished it weeks ago, and I still can’t quite get a handle on it. Maybe that’s because the novel itself asks hard questions, and offers no easy answers. It’s a short read—only 224 pages—but if you’ve never read Stegner, I don’t recommend starting here. Pensive, wistful, thoughtful.
BURNT TOAST MAKES YOU SING GOOD: A MEMOIR OF FOOD & LOVE FROM AN AMERICAN MIDWEST FAMILY
by Kathleen Flinn
This is the story of Flinn’s family of origin, from her parent’s courtship to her own teenage years. I didn’t like it as a memoir: the bumpy writing got in the way of her parent’s story. I was delighted to discover key parts of the story took place in Anna Maria Island, Florida, where my own family vacationed for many years growing up. Despite the book’s shortcomings, give it a shot if you have ties to Michigan, which plays a key role in her family’s heritage.
ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE
by Anthony Doerr
A haunting WWII literary novel that reminded me of Ian McEwan’s Atonement—not necessarily in a good way—and had me scoping Saint-Malo, France on Lonely Planet’s website. Recommended reading for fans of The English Patient and Life After Life (Atkinson, not McCorkle). Intelligent, detailed, literary.
EVERYTHING I NEVER TOLD YOU
by Celeste Ng
“Lydia is dead. But they don’t know this yet.” So begins this psychological drama that deals with love, loss, and a million what ifs. The interesting narrative perspective allows the reader to intimately enter into the mysteries that plagued this Chinese-American family. Don’t read the jacket copy first. The less you know, the better.
GOOD CHEAP EATS: EVERYDAY DINNERS AND FANTASTIC FEASTS FOR $20 OR LESS
by Jessica Fisher
A brand-new cookbook from the author of Not Your Mother’s Make-Ahead and Freeze Cookbook, which I’ve come to rely on for its delicious and trustworthy meals. Easy to follow recipes and tempting photos highlight budget-friendly meals—for weeknights or for company dinners—that sound amazing yet still come in at $10 or less per meal. Easily adaptable for gluten-free, dairy-free, make-ahead, vegetarian, and freezer-friendly options. We’ve already tried a few recipes; my husband’s begging for poblano-chile enchiladas; my kids want the garlicky grilled-cheese.
ASTONISH ME
by Maggie Shipstead
This book, set in the world of professional dance, is unlike anything I’ve never read in form and content. Spanning 30 years, told from 4 different viewpoints, this novel swept me into the world of classical ballet—a world I didn’t know I’d been longing to enter. The Times hated it, but nevermind that. (But a warning: there’s language, and so much cocaine.)
What have you been reading lately?
56 comments
All the Light We Cannot See absolutely floored me. I’m a big fan of WWII fiction, so going in I knew there was a good chance I’d like it, but I hadn’t realized just how much I’d come to love it. Since then I’ve pushed it on pretty much anyone within shouting distance. 🙂 So lovely.
I am two thirds into it and totally enthralled. I am also a sucker for WWII fiction and this one does not disappoint. For such difficult subject matter, the writing is so lyrical.
Yes to the difficult and the lyrical. Such a haunting combination.
Just started and can’t wait to get into it, but want to savor the story because I know it will be great. Suggestions for future reads in same time period needed please….
What a fun list! I have been wanting to read Everything I Never Told You and now I think it’s time. I also couldn’t agree more with what you said about Astonish Me. Who knew that I wanted to read about the world of professional ballet but I loved it!
I only read 3 books last month because we moved, and because all my reading time has been taking up researching pPROM and micro-preemies. But since I’ll be on bedrest and in hospital for (If we’re lucky) several weeks, I need all the book recommendations I can get now!
You moved and you still read three books? I’m impressed! Popping over to your blog to see if you’ve written a pregnancy update. If not, fill me in?
Oh, that might just keep me on the lookout for Astonish Me. I love glimpses into other worlds like that. Thanks, Anne!
I keep seeing recommendations for All The Light We Cannot See. I might have to add it to my list now!
I’m also quite intrigued by the Good, Cheap Eats book. Can’t find it at the library, but maybe I’ll get myself off to a book store one of these days…
Good Cheap Eats doesn’t come out till the 23rd. Keep checking!
i read all the light we cannot see this summer and LOVED it. i told everyone i know to read it. it’s so… enchanting. and yesterday, i finished everything i never told you. also good, but in a different way. it’s not my usual read at all but it was still good.
Would love to hear more. I think Everything I Never Told You would make an excellent book club pick—there’s so much to talk about there!
Just added Astonish Me to my list. I love ballet books! Have you ever read Rumer Godden’s A Candle for St. Jude? Dated, but lovely.
I haven’t; thanks for the recommendation!
Thanks to you, I just picked up a Wallace Stegner (it’s somewhere in the piles of thrift store books I’ve been hoarding for winter). I’m looking forward to it!
I’d love to hear which one, and what you think of it.
It’s Angle of Repose, and I seriously am not sure which pile it landed in. Which makes me sound like a hoarder, and I swear I’m not! I’m just looking for the perfect opportunity to re-arrange all my book shelves so I can dust them. I swear, really!
I found some new blogs to follow via this 🙂
Yay!
I loved All The Light We Cannot See. It may be one of my favorite books ever. I didn’t think I cared about ballet. But, Astonish Me pulled me and surprised me. I’ve added Everything I Never Told You to my TBR list. Thanks, Anne! Right now, I’m reading The Time In-Between. It’s hard to put down. Since it’s so lengthy, it may be some time before I start a new book.
I’m reading The Wishing Thread by Lisa Van Allen. Cute book about sisters, magic and the allure of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, NY. Also plugging along on Stephen Kong’s 11/22/1963.
My daughter starts ballet next week — something I know nothing about. Maybe I should read Astonish Me as background info.
If you read Astonish Me before she starts you might not want to send her after all!
Have you read, “And Ladies of the Club”? That spans decades and decades from I think 10-20 different viewpoints, took the author 20 years to write, and she was said to have written parts of herself into each character? All that, plus it’s a great book. Makes me want to pick it up again and read Astonish Me too.
No, I haven’t—thanks for the recommendation.
I really enjoyed All The Light We Cannot See, but for some reason could not get into Astonish Me. I’m not sure why, but I had a hard time getting to know (and thus care about) the characters.
Interesting. Now that you mention it, I started Astonish Me not long after I saw a mini-documentary on the NYC ballet that features extensive interviews with the dancers, and detailed explanations about what it means to be a corps dancer, soloist, principal, etc. I leaned on that information heavily as I was reading, and wonder how much of a difference that made in the way I experienced the novel.
But then again, I can totally see lots of readers hating Astonish Me, documentary or no documentary. 🙂
Ok, totally added like 4 new books to my amazon cart. 🙂 And this is why I love the 15th of every month.
Happy reading!
Oh, and thanks for the Anne Lamott recommendation a few blogs ago; I found Travelling Mercies recently at a thrift store, and she’s become a favorite already. I laughed over “The Hair” chapter (although it was titled “Sisters”), because I felt that she might have been writing it about me. Good reading.
I want to re-read that one—it’s been too long! Glad you enjoyed it.
I only have one chapter left, and I’m feeling very sad about it.
You’ve convinced me to give Maggie Shipstead another shot. I didn’t care for Seating Arrangements, not at all, but I’m kinda curious about ballet + cocaine. 😉
Ha! Now you’re making me second-guess myself: I’m curious about Seating Arrangements after reading Astonish Me. 🙂
I liked her writing style in Seating Arrangements, but the story was just eh.
Have you read Mao’s Last Dancer? I recently read it and really enjoyed it! I then coerced my husband into watching the movie with me (it’s on Netflix- at least in Canada), and we both really liked it….
Wish I knew how to link up. I have a book blog that I just started. Read everyone’s suggestions here !! Thanks!
Debi Alexander
http://100bookengagement.blogspot.com