Wednesday, June 28, 2017

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

Marin stays alone in her college dorm over winter break because she doesn't want to go home to San Francisco and be reminded of the losses that she carries. Her friend, Mabel, flies out to check on her. Over the the course of several days, what happened back at home is slowly revealed.

Short and clever with emotional punch. Family, loss, and who becomes family to us when we don't have any.

Monday, June 26, 2017

Always by Sarah Jio

I can always count on Sarah Jio's books to be fast and un-put-down-able. They can be kinda cheesy and predictable as well, but when I'm just looking for a fast, engaging story, sometimes I can put that all aside.

Kailey is out to dinner with her fiance, Ryan, at a fancy Seattle restaurant. As she's leaving, she gives her leftovers to a homeless man sitting outside who she then recognizes as her ex-boyfriend who had suddenly disappeared years ago.

A great book to curl up with on the couch, or to read by the pool.

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han

The final book in the To All the Boys I've Loved Before series. It's been awhile since I read the last one in this series, so my memory was sorta foggy about what the story was about, but it didn't take long for me to remember Lara Jean and her sisters, Margot and Kitty.

Always and Forever, Lara Jean is about Lara Jean's senior year in high school. So prom, college application and acceptances, and whether or not to break up with her high school boyfriend.

This was a walk down memory lane in terms of re-living high school, so although the book was highly readable and moved along quickly, my internal angst level rose as the story went on, hahahha.

Monday, June 19, 2017

Still: Notes on a Mid-Faith Crisis by Lauren Winner

I read this back in 2012 (you can read my review here). I'm not sure why I read it again, because I didn't really like it the first time. Ah well, sometimes you feel like a nut.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Woman No. 17 by Edan Lepucki

Lady is separated from her husband, so she hires a nanny to care for her youngest.

Ugh, ugh, ugh. I didn't like any of the characters and none of them really changed or evolved throughout the book. Ugh.

Monday, June 12, 2017

Trajectory: Stories by Richard Russo

I pretty much read anything that Richard Russo writes. This is a collection of four stories. Nothing I'm gonna rave about, but this gave me some solid reading time this week.

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Madeline Finn and the Library Dog by Lisa Papp

Maybe you've caught on that I love pets and I love reading! So thank you to Grace for recommending Madeline Finn and the Library Dog to me! Grace has a super smart daughter who, even before she was a year old, knew how to properly turn the pages of a book. I think she'll be a reader just like her parents! Also, thanks to Grace for reassuring me that the dog does not die in this book. In her words, there is "no death in the book (except of illiteracy)!"

Madeline Finn doesn't like reading and hates reading out loud. That is, until she meets Bonnie, a big, fluffy white dog at the library who listens to Madeline as she reads. Now, reading isn't so bad with this big, patient, understanding dog at her side!

Monday, June 5, 2017

At Home in the World: Reflections on Belonging While Wandering the Globe by Tsh Oxenreider

I just started listing to Tsh's podcast, The Simple Show (thanks to Amy for the recommendation!), and so far I've liked it. Her book was recently published, and she read the Introduction on her podcast. I reserved the book at the library after hearing the Introduction.

Her family travels the world for nine months, and I think this book might inspire you to dream about doing the same!

I liked this book enough for the inspirational quality. However, I think it would have been even more enjoyable had it been longer, more detailed about the practical preparation and logistics of traveling, and if some chapters and paragraphs didn't seem to end so abruptly. I was also curious about reading how the trip changed her heart and her family's sense of connection to each other and to the world.