Bookish - Summer Reading - Last Call

The last half of the summer was a mixed bag. All of them were good books worth reading but a couple were higher on my list of loves.

loved!

Honestly, every single book I’ve read by Henry has been a delight. This one takes place partially in the Lake District of England, which immediately captured by heart. We hope to visit this part of the world next year. We were supposed to travel there in 2020, but, you know. It’s beautifully written with interesting characters, a bit of a mystery with lovely descriptive language and a page-turner for sure. Would read again.

liked…barely

Well, I usually like or love Benedict’s books but this one left me feeling a little underwhelmed. It is a fascinating story, taking you from 1920’s aristocratic England to ancient Egypt. There’s quite a bit of history lessons in it, politically and archeologically. Maybe it just wasn’t up my street as far as subject matter goes. What I did like, and this is a common theme in her books, is how she features amazing, strong, intelligent women of whom we’ve never heard; a modern-day woman and an ancient Egyptian woman. I’d say it is definitely worth a read but it just wasn’t my favorite Benedict selection. This is her newest novel.

liked…for sure

I saw this book everywhere and it finally got me. I have to admit, the adorable little robins certainly got me. At first glance, I thought it was about a reporter, due to the title. I was a radio reporter in a previous life. But, alas, it was about a different type of correspondent…a letter writer. I wasn’t sure about this one at first. The deeper into the story I traveled, the more I liked it. The main character was, for me, at first glance, unlikable and yet, as her layers peeled back, likable. I liked the themes of strong women, relationships and honest looks at family and friendships. It reminded me of how we truly don’t know what a person has been through in their life to contribute to the person they are now. Grace, forgiveness, mercy and generosity run through this story. I would recommend it.

loved loved loved. loved!!!!

Last but certainly not least….”Land”. Allow me to gush for a bit. Just read it. Seriously, it is so, so, so good! I loved “Hamnet” so I figured I’d at least like O’Farrell’s new novel. Boy, did it fly to the top of my favorite books-of-all-time list. I gained a whole new added appreciation for the Irish and Ireland itself. Their endurance amidst tragedies, heartbreak, famine, poverty, persecution and foreign rule is astounding. The fact that any of them survived and thrived is a miracle. This is a story of family, the decisions humans make and the consequences for better or worse, survival, and the breathtaking land itself. It is beautifully written with a few plot twists one doesn’t see coming. It’s enchanting, sad, deeply moving, joyful, unpredictable and a history lesson of Ireland over the centuries. If you’ve never been to this beautiful island nation, you’ll want to go. If you’ve been, you’ll want to go back. It’s a raw, honest look at brave, persistent, skilled, talented, loving people and those who are callous, entitled, arrogant, selfish and privileged. It’ll be a movie. But just read the book. You won’t regret it.