If someone told me a year ago I’d have to survive for over 50 days without the library, I’d probably start crying immediately. But that’s just where we are, although I do think our local branches are at least making a plan to reopen in the next few weeks. My reading life lately has been more about what I can get my hands on through Kindle Deals, Kindle Unlimited (which I’m trying out), and downloadable audiobooks from the library. So this past month’s book selections have been a little all over the place, a bit like a choose your own adventure, book style.
{if you’re in the mood for…}
A sad, yet beautiful, memoir: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. This memoir by a young neurosurgeon and his experience with terminal cancer may not be everyone’s cup of tea right now, but for me it felt right. Kalanithi’s writing is honest and sincere, and it’s heartbreaking, of course, but the circumstances make it so rather than the way it’s written. My rating: 4/5 stars.
An escape to a different world: Scythe by Neal Shusterman. In this YA novel set in the future, the world has conquered death, disease, war, and hunger. In order to keep the population in check, people are appointed as scythes to selectively kill–and they are the only ones with the power to do so. This is the story of two young people chosen to be a scythe’s apprentices, and their struggle to both physically develop what it takes to kill, and mentally grapple with what being a scythe would mean for them. My rating: 3.5/5 stars.
A deep dive into a problematic religious culture: Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer. I went into this expecting it to focus on Mormon Fundamentalists and their crimes, especially the murders committed by Ron and Dan Lafferty. However, Krakauer went deep into the history of the Mormon faith: its origins and how it has changed under different leaders. I admit that part got a little dry for me. I listened on audio and got a little lost sometimes as Krakauer jumped around in time, but I found much of this book fascinating. My rating: 3.5/5 stars.
Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith
A guide on personality typing: The Enneagram Made Easy by Renee Baron. I love learning about personality types, and the enneagram is my favorite system to delve into. The only other enneagram book I’ve read is The Road Back to You, and while that book helped me solidify my type (I’m a one), I didn’t love the writing. I appreciated that this one was brief and to the point, with helpful bulleted lists and useful tips. I learned a few more insights into my own type, and while I don’t know how set in stone types are at a young age, I discovered that Jona–at least right now–is most definitely a five. My rating: 3.5/5 stars.
The Enneagram Made Easy: Discover the 9 Types of People
A dysfunctional family saga: The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy. I went into this book knowing that it is beloved by so many, yet knowing very little about the actual story. It’s narrated by Tom, who is trying to help his deeply troubled twin sister Savannah by recounting his family’s history to her psychologist. With that setup, we go back and forth in time as Tom shares stories of him, his sister, and their brother Luke’s childhood–a mix of idyllic memories spent in the southern marsh and stories of abuse, tragedy, and suffering. This is normally the kind of family story I can really get wrapped up in, but I couldn’t stand the narrator and that made it more difficult. My rating: 3.5/5 stars.
A contemporary page-turner about people whose issues, while serious, have nothing to do with pandemics: How to Walk Away by Katherine Center. Margaret is terrified of flying, and her soon-to-be-fiance, who happens to be a pilot in training (of course), convinces her face her fears and fly with him. You don’t have to read the plot summary to imagine what happens next. Margaret, who had just landed her dream job and said yes to her boyfriend’s in-flight proposal, is forced to start again. I flew through this one–pun only slightly intended–and although I wouldn’t call it “light,” overall it felt hopeful and sweet despite its tragic beginning. My rating: 3.5/5 stars.
Clearly I’m drawn to more dark and serious reads, but if you’re in the mood for something that feels more heart-warming, try The Lager Queen of Minnesota, Evvie Drake Starts Over, or The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living.
What have you been reading lately?
Linking with Show Us Your Books.
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