Hello to you from the hottest month of the year. I loath August. I am a lover of cold weather and hate to sweat, so I’m generally a less pleasant person during this time of year. Factor in getting back to school, which means less sleep and more stress, and you may as well assume I’m not always in the greatest of moods.
Unless we’re talking about books, which is precisely what we’re doing today. I got through five books last month, and I liked them all! Read on to hear my thoughts about each one.
Before We Were Yours
First up, I listened to Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. I know I’m a little late to this party; everyone’s been telling me to read it. The audiobook was beautifully narrated by two actresses, and I enjoyed hearing the southern accents. I was astounded at the truth to the story. While the main characters were fictional, the subject matter was not. Georgia Tann was a real woman, a monster, who essentially kidnapped poor children and sold them to wealthy families under the guise of adoption through a so-called orphanage. Before you discount this story as too sad, there is much redemption and joy, and I think you’ll like this book.
Verity
Next, I read Verity by Colleen Hoover. One of my book clubs wanted to do a thriller, so we chose this one. Thrill it did! Verity is about a writer, Lowen, who is in desperate need of some money after her mother passes away. She is given the opportunity to complete a series of a beloved author who has suffered a terrible tragedy leaving her unable to finish the series herself. Lowen moves into this author’s house with her and her family and starts to uncover some unsettling, often disturbing, things. It’s not too scary, though it does have several suspenseful situations, and you will fly through it. I’ve only read one other thriller this year (if you can call it that), The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires, so I was due. Also, if you’re in a reading rut, pick up a thriller. They are always quick reads and get you back into a rhythm.
The Four Winds
Then I read The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. In her newest novel, she takes us on a journey with another of her extraordinary female characters, Elsa, through the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. Elsa’s daughter, Loreda, also turns out to be a power player, and I really liked her and appreciated the way Hannah wrote her as a true teenager with angst and hormonal rage. Elsa and Loreda live with their family in Texas and have to make the decision to travel west like so many other people in search of a better life or stay in Texas to ride out the drought and dust storms. I’ve had some time to sit with it and process my thoughts about this story, and I’ve decided I liked it. It is just incredibly sad. Phenomenal story that needs some tissues. If you’re a fan of Kristin Hannah and you haven’t picked this one up yet, do it!
Greenlights
Next, I listened to Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey. This was my other book club pick, and we were told we really needed to listen to it since it’s read by the author. Okay, if you follow me on Instagram, you know my thoughts on this one. I don’t love Matthew McConaughey like most people do. He’s milked the “alright, alright, alright” thing long enough. However….. I quite liked this book. I didn’t always love his voice reading to me (Please hear me when I say not all of it was bad-most of it was quite charming, and I was glad he “acted” his way through them.), but I did love his stories. I laughed a lot. He has some great stories to tell. Remember when he got arrested a while back for playing bongos naked at 2am? THAT story is hysterical! Definitely worth the listen and the free Audible trial I got so that I could listen to it. 🙂
Malibu Rising
Finally, I read Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid. If you’re not privy to this author, I’ve got one of her novels I’ll loan to you. She is a wonderful storyteller. I have yet to be let down by her books. Malibu Rising tells the story of the four Riva siblings. The oldest, Nina, throws a massive party every year, and this year is no different. Things do sort of get out of hand and quite literally go up in flames. One of the great things about Taylor Jenkins Reid is her ability to develop her characters. By the end of the story I felt like I truly knew each one. It was a propulsive read, and I recommend it to everyone.
Well, friends, that’s what I read in July. I’m currently listening to two audiobooks, The Guncle and People We Meet on Vacation. One of these is from the Overdrive app and has a time limit, so I’m listening to two at once. Yikes! I’ve also started At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon, and I love it! I just told Paul this morning that it’s like reading the script of a Hallmark movie. It’s wholesome and funny and charming and an all-around feel good story. I’ll get another Kristin Hannah book from the Overdrive app in about a week or so, The Great Alone. Looking forward to another of her wonderful, though I’m sure sad, stories.
What are you reading?
