I think European countries who up and shut down for a month in July or August have it right. I am worn out, and the busy, back-to-school schedule hasn’t even started yet! July was a doozy, and I feel like I need a solid month to rest up before school (and soccer and baseball) starts.
Even if I can’t make that month of rest happen, I’m glad that I can at least escape into a book, even if it’s a quicker escape than what I need. Here’s my reading round-up for July.
Fiction
Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. Civil Townsend wants nothing more than to give back to the African American community she grew up in, in Montgomery, Alabama. It’s 1973 and she is a new graduate from nursing school, passionate about making a difference in the world. She begins work at the Montgomery Family Planning Clinic, where part of her job as a nurse is to provide birth control to people living in a rural community outside of town. She’s shocked to learn that her newest patients are young girls aged 11 and 13, but because they are Black and poor, they are on the list to receive birth control shots. Civil soon gets involved with the girls and their family, determined to help them lead a better life, but she quickly learns that she’s not the only one who thinks she knows what’s best for them. This was a complex, challenging, and heartbreaking story, but it’s told with so much compassion. I listened to this on audio and was blown away by Lauren Daggett’s talent as a narrator, especially since (I believe) this is her first audiobook. This was unforgettable and moving, and I loved it. My rating: 4.5/5 stars.
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel. If I hadn’t read and loved Station Eleven, also by Emily St. John Mandel, several years ago, I’m not sure I would have picked up this novel that includes time travel, life on a moon colony, and a cast of characters living in different centuries. However, I’m glad that despite the strange setup, I decided to trust the author and just let her take me on a journey. Reading the plot synopsis for this one left me confused and a little wary, so I recommend diving right in and letting Mandel’s writing lead the way. She tells a beautiful story of human connection that manages to feel atmospheric even as it takes (rather large) leaps through time and space. Although I’m having a hard time describing this novel, and an even harder time putting my finger on exactly why I loved it (other than the fantastic writing), I can safely say I recommend this one. My rating: 4.25/5 stars.
Flying Solo by Linda Holmes. Laurie grew up with 4 brothers, and her great-aunt Dot’s house in her hometown in Maine was always a place of refuge when she needed an escape from her loud, boisterous family. After Dot dies, Laurie is the one who winds up clearing out her house, which takes her on an adventure she never expected, involving a potentially valuable wooden duck and a second chance romance with the town librarian. There were certainly elements of romance in this story, but romance wasn’t really the central focus, the way it was in Evvie Drake Starts Over (which I also adored). However, just as with Evvie Drake, Flying Solo was such an enjoyable reading experience. I loved the characters and the zany duck-related caper. It was unexpected and very delightful. My rating: 4.25/5 stars.
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend. Morrigan Crow was born on Eventide, considered the unluckiest day of the year. Because of that, she is considered to be cursed, and anything bad that happens to her family—or even to the town where she lives—is blamed on her. Like all other cursed children, she is slated to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday. However, when that day comes, a mysterious man named Jupiter North saves her from the shadowy hunters on horseback and takes her to a magical city called Nevermoor. She soon learns that she is there as Jupiter’s candidate to join the Wundrous Society, and that she will have to compete with hundreds of other children to get chosen. All the children have been chosen because of a special skill or talent they have, but Morrigan has no clue what hers is, and Jupiter seems to be in no hurry to tell her. We listened to this one on audio on a road trip, and it was absolutely delightful. Unfortunately we didn’t finish it on our trip, but I ended up listening to it myself because I had to find out what happened. This was a fun and fantastical adventure, not something I’d normally be drawn to, but I’m so glad I read it. My rating: 4/5 stars.
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. This is based on the true story of Belle da Costa Greene, whose life is changed when she is hired by J. P. Morgan to be his personal librarian, tasked with curating a collection of valuable books, rare manuscripts, and artwork. As a young woman in a male-dominated world, she shocks and impresses her colleagues and competitors with her knowledge, taste, and negotiating skills. She seems fearless and supremely confident, and yet her outward appearance is hiding a secret. Belle da Costa Greene was born Belle Marion Greener, daughter of the first Black graduate of Harvard. To help her children have the best (and safest) lives possible, Belle’s mother made the decision for them to pass as white. This is the story not only of Belle’s accomplishments as a successful, high profile librarian, but also how she navigated the wealthy art world knowing that the life she built for herself would be lost if her secret got out. I didn’t always agree with the decisions that Belle made, but I think the parts of her I struggled with were the same parts that helped her achieve success. I found Belle’s story fascinating, and what made it even better was getting to hear from one of the authors in our book club meeting. I’m impressed when a historical novel both makes you believe the truth in the story and also want to keep turning the pages. My rating: 4/5 stars.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry. Nora is known for being a take-no-prisoners literary agent, fully committed to her clients and completely devoted to her career. The only person who can penetrate the suit of armor she’s built for herself is her younger sister Libby, who she will drop just about anything for. So when Libby asks Nora to take a vacation with her to a sleepy small town, the setting of a beloved book, Nora can’t say no. While she’s there, Nora keeps running into Charlie, a well-known editor with a reputation for being brooding and grumpy, and who seems completely out of place in the quiet town. Yet despite the initial coldness between the two literary professionals, sparks begin to fly between them as their chance encounters become more frequent. This was a fun romance to escape into, and I enjoyed the numerous bookish references sprinkled throughout. My rating: 3.5/5 stars.
Nonfiction
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb. As a licensed therapist, Lori Gottlieb encounters patients struggling to work through issues and become more self-aware every day. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone gives the reader a fascinating glimpse into those patients’ lives. Yet when her own world is shaken, she is able to offer an even more unique perspective. What happens when the therapist goes to a therapist? Through honest stories of her own growth—painful and slow as it sometimes was—along with an in-depth look at some of the people she helps, Gottlieb explores what it means to be a human in need of help. This was a fascinating read, and I felt invested in the lives of Gottlieb’s patients (and Gottlieb herself!) in a way I often do with a novel, and I had to remind myself that this was nonfiction. I recommend this for anyone who enjoys learning about the human condition and who would appreciate a little “behind the scenes” peek at the therapist’s office. My rating: 4.5/5 stars.
Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings: How to Stop the Fighting and Raise Friends for Life by Laura Markham. Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings is a practical, informative guide for managing sibling conflict. At the foundation of Dr. Markham’s advice is the importance of being a “peaceful parent,” which is essentially valuing the strong emotional connection between a parent and her children rather than the parent trying to have control over the children and their behavior. After establishing why this approach works through research-based evidence (as well as giving concrete examples to try), she dives into the heart of the book—strengthening sibling relationships and managing conflicts. I listened to this on audio but purchased a hard copy right after I finished. After a summer of having both Jona and Violet home, we need all the help we can get in this area, which is why I decided to read this instead of the other parenting-themed book I had planned to read this month. My rating: 4/5 stars.
Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create, and Lead by Tara Mohr. Playing Big is the author’s answer to her experience working with countless women who were playing small in their lives—out of fear, because of the culture we live in, and many other reasons—but who want to play bigger. Instead of a pep talk filled with empowering words but no real action steps, Mohr provides hands-on, practical strategies for learning about what may be holding you back (e.g., reliance on praise and compliments, adherence to a “good girl” culture, having a student mentality, and more) and how to overcome those obstacles. She doesn’t ignore the systemic factors that have made it more challenging for women to succeed, rather, she incorporates those factors into her advice. I found this to be relatable and inspiring, and I loved it. My rating: 4/5 stars.
What have you read lately?
