Thursday, July 11, 2019

Adult Summer Reading

Title: A Fall of Marigolds
Author: Susan Meissner
Review: A scarf of marigolds connects Carla, a nurse on Ellis Island in 1911 and Taryn, who works in a fabric store in 2011. Both experienced horrific tragedies but even separated by the years they are joined by love, loss and hope for new beginnings. Really worth the time to read...
Rating: 5

Title: Emily's Vinegar Diet Book
Author: Emily Thacker
Review: In the vast library of diet books this one extols the virtues of vinegar. As a daily tonic with honey and as a fortfied version to be part of your regular food intake. Basic premise, haven't tried it enough to know if it works. But its like every diet; good food in moderation, exercise and limiting fat and sweets.
Rating: 2.5

Title: The White Darkness
Author: David Grann
Review: Polar explorer Henry Worsley follows in the footsteps of his hero Ernest Shackleton. His numerous treks in Antarctica are feats of endurance.  This short audio book really showed what the human mind and body can accomplish.
Rating: 3

Title: My sister, the serial killer
Author: Oyinkar Braithwaite
Review: Quirky story of two sisters, one of whom has boyfriends that mysteriously die. What happens when they both fall for the same guy?  Good premise but the ending was a big letdown
Rating: 2

Title: My Year of Rest and Relaxation
Author: Moshfegh, Ottessa
Review: Well reviewed, well written, but absolutely nonsensical.  A story of a young woman of means who only wants to sleep for a year and the crazy psychiatrist who prescribes her meds.
Rating: 1

Title: We Are Never Meeting In Real Life
Author: Samatha Irby
Review: This collection of essays reveals Irby's considerable talent. The first story, My Bachelorette Application, an homage to her love for the show, had me laughing from the first page, so I was unprepared for the considerable poignancy that flows throughout the book. But her sense of humor helps us deal with the sadness of the serious issues that she discusses, sometimes with excruciating detail.  Although I truly appreciated the author's candor, some readers may find it uncomfortable.
Rating: 4

Title: Small great things
Author: Jodi Picoult
Review: Racism in America. A tough subject but Ms. Picoult handles it in her usual way; from the eyes of her characters. Ruth, an African American nurse is charged with murder of the baby of a white supremacist couple. Well worth the read.
Rating: 4

Title: A Thousand Sundays
Author: Karen Duane Johnson
Review: This book, written by a friend and neighbor, is still in the search for publishing but had opportunity to read it. Good story of a young girl as she finds her emotional self through a few different relationships. Good character development and had a few twists that kept you guessing.  Hope others will soon find it on the library shelves!
Rating: 4


Title: Home
Author: Marilynne Robinson
Review: A richly written Tale of the prodigal son. Laced with scripture and religious notes as Rev. Boughton and his daughter, Glory, welcome home Jack whose past is never completely defined nor is Glory's. But the undercurrent of heartbreak for the past and the future is clear enough.
Rating: 3

Title: Brief Interviews with Hideous Men
Author: David Foster Wallace
Review: Wallace continues to impress me with his observations on life and such strange topics as what a men's room attendant experiences on the job. You always seem to get truth from him even if you don't like it. Thought provoking but at times too repetitive and too involved. Liked his other set of essays better.
Rating: 2.5

Title: Home
Author: Marilynne Robinson
Review: A richly written Tale of the prodigal son. Laced with scripture and religious notes as Rev. Boughton and his daughter, Glory, welcome home Jack whose past is never completely defined nor is Glory's. But the undercurrent of heartbreak for the past and the future is clear enough.
Rating: 3

Title: Brief Interviews with Hideous Men
Author: David Foster Wallace
Review: Wallace continues to impress me with his observations on life and such strange topics as what a men's room attendant experiences on the job. You always seem to get truth from him even if you don't like it. Thought provoking but at times too repetitive and too involved. Liked his other set of essays better.
Rating: 2.5


Title: Twilight saga
Author: Stephanie Meyer
Review: Who doesn't love vampires ?
Isabella Swan falls in love with a killer right at the top of the food chain , but she knows even with the danger of being a human Edward will never hurt her , he will risk his life just to be with a human. Even if that means putting everyone he loves in danger as well.
This is one of 4 books and I must say it kept me on my toes , I cannot wait to read what happens next.
Rating: 4

Title: New Moon
Author: Stephanie Meyer
Review: Vampire love ? Yes please !
The second book of the twilight saga was a bit of a shocker , in Bella's new vampire life Edward is constantly concerned about Bella and to keep her safe at all times , this turns out to be the worst thing possible. Knowing Bella can never be safe in a family full of vampires Edward has to end the epic love story.
Sad , full of ups and downs and definitely a good read !
Rating: 3


Title: Around the World in 80 Dinners
Author: Cheryl & Bill Jamison
Review: The authors apparently couldn't decide what voice they wanted to use, so they split the difference and combined first and third person. I found it utterly annoying. I should have stopped after reading the first chapter- a boring slog through the negotiation of frequent flier miles and the like. Don't bother.
Rating: 1

Title: Dimestore
Author: Lee Smith
Review: I didn't know much Smith until I read this charming book of essays. This simple collection was quite entertaining, if not intellectually stimulating.
Rating: 3

Title: The Elephant in the Room
Author: Tommy Tomlinson
Review: Tomlinson, a finalist for the 2005 Pulitzer in commentary, has written a gruelingly honest and insightful memoir about his lifelong battle with obesity. But it could just as well be a tale of the human condition, using food as a metaphor for (insert struggle here).  I was pleasantly surprised.
Rating: 3

Title: Notes from a Young Black Chef
Author:  Kwame Onwuachi, Joshua David Stein
Review: As in almost all books, there were notable editing errors. But even those could not distract from this wonderful story. I couldn't put it down. I cannot wait to visit Kith and Kin in D.C.
Rating: 5

Title: The Moth Presents Occasional Magic: True Stories about Defying the Impossible
Author: Catherine Burns, editor
Review: Although I absolutely adore The Moth Radio Hour, I was skeptical that a show so dependent on the spoken word (it's taped before live audiences around the world) would be even remotely captivating in print. After all, it seemed that the real joy came from listening to real people tell authentic stories (without notes) about a moment in their lives that truly mattered. But I could not have been more wrong. Amazingly, the directors of the Moth have put together an exquisite collection on paper that entrances and entertains as well as the audio version. I envy you if you haven't read this yet... it's divine.
Rating: 5

Title: The Female Persuasion
Author: Meg Wolitzer
Review: If Wolitzer weren't incredibly talented, it would have been hard to make it to the end of this book. What starts out so promising loses steam somewhere in the middle, becoming repetitive, and I might add, patronizing. Please don't tell me the same thing 50 times. Please don't over explain simple concepts or familiar art. Please get a new editor, MW.
Rating: 3

Title: The Beneficiary: Fortune, Misfortune, and the Story of My Father
Author: Janny Scott
Review: Janny Scott is a wonderful writer & I love her style. But I just wasn't engrossed enough to thoroughly enjoy the narrative of her wealthy forebears. I look forward to her next book, though....
Rating: 3

Title: Kitchen Yarns: Notes on Life, Love, and Food
Author: Ann Hood
Review: Pros: Hood's warmth, honesty, introspection, kindness, and writing style.
Cons: Repetition. Repetition. Repetition.
Rating: 3

Title: Working
Author: Robert Caro
Review: I love Caro's writing style, his work ethic, his integrity, his humility. And, even though I wish that it had included more new information and had been less redundant, there are many subtle lessons to be learned from this short book. I urge everyone who cares about America to pick it up and savor it. Caro is truly an American treasure.
Rating: 4

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