Jul 05 2009
Summer Reading Fair
Something about summertime has always meant lots of reading… perhaps it is the leftover summer reading lists from school days or just the final *ahhh* of putting aside textbooks for pleasure reading. I am no longer in school, but this is a habit that I have subconsciously held on to over the years. No doubt the folks at the public library think that I hibernate and only come in for books at the beginning of June…
My reading list has probably quadrupled since I joined GoodReads last year. It is just such a fun way to share reviews 
and to keep up with other readers. If you haven’t checked it out, there is quite a fun community over there – lots of knitters! – and some really thoughtful reviews. You can browse bookshelves, add books to your queue, add reviews, join book “clubs”, contribute to book lists, take quizzes… suffice to say, it is just really fun. If you are interested, you can see my profile here – and feel free to “friend me” if you make an account too! I will share some abbreviated book reviews here, but if you want to read more, please check out the reviews on the website!
- City of Thieves
by David Benioff
A family history. A winter in the depths of war. A journey and task worthy of Odysseus. All the makings for quite a story. It’s no wonder that Benioff has screenwriting on his resume, because this book is just supposed to be a movie. And not in the way that the book was pitched and written just to make it into one – it is just the writing style, and it is completely enjoyable. Two young men, both accused of small crimes by the Leningrad police are given a seemingly impossible task in order to gain their freedom: gather a dozen eggs for the army officer’s daughter’s wedding cake. Of course, finding eggs in war-torn, poverty-stricken, starving Leningrad during the German siege is next to impossible. It is a good story and I just couldn’t put it down. [Goodreads review]
- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
by Mary Ann Shaffer and Ann Barrows
This book is currently making the book club circuit, and enjoying a nice long run near the top of the bestseller list. It isn’t surprising that the book would be so popular – it is a lovely heartwarming story about a group of people who live on the Channel island of Guernsey. The novel is completely epistolary, taking everything from letters, diary entries, and a few “newspaper” accounts. An English author takes interest in the small island and their experiences during occupation during World War II. It is a light read on the surface, but with any novel relating to war, there are deep undercurrents. It was an enjoyable book and a very pleasant way to spend the day at the beach. [Goodreads review]
- Out Stealing Horses
by Per Petterson
This was one of the most lyrically beautiful books that I have read in a long time. It was purely enchanting. It is so hard to believe that it is translated from the original Norwegian when it just flows so naturally. That being said, I felt so mesmerized by the beauty of the language that I felt a little confused with the events in the story… Trond moves deep into the Norwegian forest, seeking a solitary life in his old age. The book centers around Trond’s memories from post-war Norway, specifically the summer of 1948, when he was a young teenager. When he finds out that one of his neighbors in the woods is a person from his past, the memories flow back. The prose is spare and minimalist, much like the setting of the book, but the words are so full of emotion and gravitas. It was truly something to take in. [Goodreads review]
- Monsters of Templeton
by Lauren Groff
The structure of this book was so unique, and a little odd, honestly… but I just. kept. reading. Woke up in the morning and wondered how Willie was doing, like she was a real person…Willie returns to her home town on a very fortuitous day: they day the locals retrieve a “Nessie”-like creature from her town’s well-known lake. This little bit of fantasy has metaphorical meaning with the rest of the book, as Willie researches her family’s history in search of the identity of her father. Quite an interesting debut. The many references to archaeology and archives really hit close to home since I studied archaeology in school and I am now an archivist! [Goodreads review]
- A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World
by Tony Horwitz
This was my third Horwitz book to read, so I guess I am an official fan now… the premise of the book is to fill in the gaps from our primary and secondary educations about how the “New World” or North America and the Caribbean were truly “discovered” and by whom. Horwitz travels extensively and meets all sorts of people who share their anecdotes about the European explorers who came to their area. Some of the books section were very familiar (learned from my recent trip to Jamestown, Virginia) or buried a little in the past (my New Mexico history class in middle school) oe things I never even knew about in the first place (De Soto’s travels throughout the southeast). Other books may have covered the historical bits in a more comprehensive way, but Horwitz’s style and approach seem much more readable and fun! [Goodreads review]
What are you reading this summer?
Thanks for the book suggestions. I, too, love to read and it seems like I have more time in the summer. I’m going to check out the website; I’ve thought about it before but didn’t feel like I had the time. Just what I need, another reason to be on the Web!!
Hi Lolly – I was listening to NPR last weekend and the author of “Olive Kittredege”, Elizabeth Strout came on. The book sounds just wonderful from the interview, and Ms Strout won the 2009 Pulitzer for Fiction, so put that one on your list, too. I know I am.
Lisa: I already have the book on the list! thanks to NPR
and thanks to you for mentioning it!
I love Goodreads!! Out Stealing Horses is definitely on my list for this summer.
Out Stealing Horses was one of my favorite books in years and I also enjoyed Monsters of Templeton. I look forward to reading other books on your list since we seem to have the same taste.
I just read Out Stealing Horses and really loved it too.
Hi Lolly — I’ve been on a little memoir kick. I just finished “Exposed: Confessions of a Wedding Photographer.” I’d heard the author on NPR before learning that she is also a mom at my kids’ school. Very funny, well-written book. I am now reading “Daily Coyote,” which, you might be interested to learn, started as a blog, as did “Julie and Julia,” another one of my favorite memoirs. I also enjoyed “Eat, Pray, Love.” Leslie
Hi Lolly, I admit to being a bit confused, are these your reviews or others? Not that it matters since all I wanted to say is that I loved City of Thieves and that it has led to a major spate of easy to read, though well written books that I’ve been consuming like wildfire: J. Courtney Sullivan’s “Commencement”, Yrsa Sigurdadottir’s “Last Rituals”, and Iain Pears’ “Stone’s Fall” — all of which had their strengths and were enjoyable reads. Now I’m in the midst of “Raven Black” by Ann Cleeves which is very good for a mystery. Waiting is Carlos Ruiz Zafon’s “The Angel Game” (which I am procrastinating about reading as I have such high hopes for this book), “The White Tiger” by Aravind Adiga (2008 Booker Prize Winner), “All Aunt Hagar’s Children” by Edward P. Jones, “The Little Book” by Selden Edwards, “The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo” by Stieg Larsson, “Olive Kitteridge” by Elizabeth Strout (2008 Pulitzer for Fiction), and “A Short History of Women” by Kate Walbert.
And that’s just the short list. Forget even trying to list all the books stacked by my bedside stand and those I’m stalled in the middle of. Now I’m off to your goodreads list to find more recommendations…
P.S. Also loved “Out Stealing Horses,” what a wonderful quiet book. Much in the same vein as “Gilead”.
Anmiryam: these are all my reviews of the books – written by me in the wee hours of the morning… 100%
Great list Lolly! Going to request some from my library right now!
I love epistolary novels – Guernsey is definitely on my list!
What a great round-up of books, Lolly! I’ve been working on a “Summer Reading” post as well – hoping to get it up before I go on vacation later this week.
Guernsey was a charmer – I’ll have to add the others to my “ever growing” list on Goodreads.
I have just completed two of Lisa See’s novels: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and Shanghai Girls. They were wonderful. I have just started Zafon’s The Angel’s Game and hope it is as good as Shadow of the Wind. Love, love, love to read (and knit).
Great selections – my reading list just got a little bit longer! I just finished Three Cups of Tea, and I would strongly recommend it; it’s the story of a man who build schools – mostly for girls – in northern Pakistan and in Afghanistan. It’s very moving.
i am really enjoying goodreads! it’s not only a great place to read reviews and get suggestions on which books to read, but i like that i’m able to keep a list of books i’ve read, too!
Are you really an archivist? That’s so cool–I am getting my library degree and my areas of interest are special collections and archives!
Hi Lolly,
What a great grouping of books! I think your assessment of Petterson’s writing is spot on – Out Stealing Horses actually won the IMPAC Dublin Literary award a year or so ago, which is notable partly because it is one of the only awards that is awarded to both the author, and the translator. We’re not the only ones who noticed the smoothness!
This summer I’m excited to read The Summer Book, by Tove Jannson (another Scandinavian writer), and I recently read and loved The Gathering, by Anne Enright.
And now I’m off to friend you on Goodreads! Love the blog,
andrea
I love to read but do find that knitting takes up what used to be my reading time. Summer holidays pre children were good for getting through loads of books too!
I too have been devouring books. For now, rereading the Harry Potter series. The first time through I was so eager to see what happened I didn’t retain the stories. This time I’m taking my time. Thanks for the reviews!
Also thanks for your post on Lyme’s disease. I have recently been sick (forearm and calf pain and weakness, tingly fingers, fever, headache, dizzy, appetite loss) and my doctor suspects it is either a virus or Lyme’s. I’m getting tested for it and hopefully it is just a virus, but when I was sick I thought of your post and the symptoms made me realize I should ask my doctor instead of ignoring it.
I have been following your blog for quite some time, love your photography and that you are able to photograph your knitting. To now see your book reviews and that you are member of Good Reads is just affirmation that I have been reading your blog because we have so much in common. I will have to read your full reviews on Good Reads. I just got a copy of the Guernsey Society and have been wanting to start. See you on GoodReads and feel free to visit me.
Some day I will have time for lots of reading again! And by reading, I mean books with more than 16 pages, and fewer Steven Kellog illustrations…
[...] and recently decided to read (and re-read) some well-known classics. So when Lolly posted about her summer reading adventure, I thought I would blog and echo some of the same sentiments she shared in her blog entry. [...]
[...] Rainer: Out Stealing Horses (after a review from Lolly Knitting Around) [...]