Reading indulgently and irresponsibly.

Summering, and some book reviews.

I haven’t been writing much. Simply because I have been reading much. Which honestly, I’m feeling pretty darn smug about. Sorry but…I’m a reader! Hear me roar!

May and June felt like an absolute whirlwind. Between finishing school, soccer tryouts and a tournament, Skills Camp (think sports VBS), a roadtrip to Redwoods National Park, harvest starting up, and the beginning of the World Cup, I could hardly catch my breath. By the time my calendar turned to July, I had started to feel a sense of panic. It’s already July! And I haven’t even Summered yet!

We were too scheduled. Too steeped in routine. Too (gasp!) BUSY. Emails about next school year were already starting to whirl around. And I was struck— like a slap in the face— with the reality that if I didn’t reach out and grab some Summer, I was going to blink, and these warm, lazy months would be gone.

While we’re still checking all the boxes— swimming lessons, junior golf, and a second soccer tournament on the horizon, this is my actual life, after all— I am determined to squeeze a little Summer into each day. Specifically: time spent reading in a chair outside, or snuggled up with my boys watching the dwindling World Cup games.

I’ve been chatting with a friend lately about releasing the white knuckle grip we sometimes have on life. This thing we do where we falsely believe that if we do things perfectly or “the right way,” we can control our own fates, ensure safety or success, or avoid certain misfortunes or failures. I’ve lived far too long in this manner, sometimes holding on so tightly that I’ve maxed out my nervous system, inhibited my digestion, and handicapped my immunity.

I’m tired. I don’t want to do it anymore. I want to learn to pace myself. I want to ebb and flow. Run and rest. Enjoy routine, with a healthy dose of freedom. I want a clean house, but I also want to leave the clutter and go read a book. Eat healthy, but have a daggone Diet Coke (this is not my particular drug of choice, but a funny and poignant podcast by a friend) once in a while.

All that to say, I’ve been reading indulgently and irresponsibly. My library card is smoking, and my Audible hours, formidable. And without further ado or sermonizing, here are my reviews of said books.

Disclaimer:
First, I refuse to link to Amazon. Yes, I know you can “make money.” Never have I ever made more than like $8. And after a recent trip to return ONE BOOK, where I stood in line for 25 minutes at Staples, I have decided the convenience of Amazon is in fact, a big fat lie. So I’ll be linking the books from my very own local Powell’s Books.

Second, I am offering my opinions of how I enjoyed each book. But I also realize what a massive accomplishment and undertaking it is to write a book in the first place, not to mention have it published. So I want to say with humility that I have the utmost respect for each and every one of these authors, and I mean no disrespect with any critiques of their work.

Beowulf, translation by Burton Raffel

I’ve mentioned the reading group, aptly titled The Fellowship, who I thoroughly enjoyed traveling through Middle Earth with this Spring. We decided to take on Beowulf this Summer, which I was secretly giddy about, as I hadn’t read it since high school. We’re not done, but it’s been super fun to dive back into this story- one of the oldest and earliest works in English. Perhaps it’s because I’ve always been surrounded by boys, but I do love a good hero story.

Middlemarch by George Eliot

I thought I had attempted Middlemarch back in high school or college; likely during my quest to vanquish Rory Gilmore’s Book List. But it turns out I had tried (and abandoned) Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides, and not this novel about life in the English countryside. Quite different, I assure you.

I decided to tackle Middlemarch, largely encouraged by the Diana Barry to my Anne Shirley. A dear friend whose taste I trust implicitly. But I’d be lying if I told you that I didn’t struggle to break the ice on this one. I set it aside for a few weeks, determined I’d warm up my engines with a few easier reads, but growing increasingly guilty every time I glanced at it, abandoned on my nightstand. It was a real slow burn, and not only that, but I couldn’t bring myself to like any of the characters. It reminded me of MadMen in that way. You couldn’t love or hate anyone with full abandon.

On a whim, during the week I was driving my kids back and forth to Skills Camp, I decided to try Middlemarch in audiobook form, and that proved to be the ticket. I’ve got 3-4 chapters left, and while I wouldn’t say I have enjoyed the book per se, the second half of the book sucked me in. A worthy pursuit if you’re looking for a good classic. Audio version highly recommended.

A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin

I was drawn to this book after inhaling The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vols. 1-8 by Beth Brower, in a week’s time. Yes, all 8 books. In one week. Followed by a race through the audio version, immediately after. I didn’t even want to love them, the Enneagram 5 in me resents anything beloved by many, but they’re that good. So, start with those?

This book was recommended online as a similar read to Ms. Lion, and while I really loved the premise— a smart, spunky girl who is forced to turn to fortune hunting to save her family— I felt like the main character wasn’t fleshed out as fully as she needed to be, and therefore I couldn’t root for her as much as I wanted to. And sometimes the circumstances of the story didn’t feel plausible for the time period. Modern sensibilities hoisted upon the Regency era. But it was cute and entertaining.

An Inconvenient Letter by Julie Wright

Tell me you’re trying to fill an Emma M. Lion sized hole without telling me. That’s how I ended up reading the former, and this “Proper Romance” by Julie Wright. I really wanted to love this one. In fact, I enjoyed the heck out of it. Right up until the last ten pages, where it turned into a bad Hallmark movie.

This story had such promise. Main character Marietta has a crush on her best friend’s brother, and *maybe* even writes him secret love notes, never intending they see the light of day. But when they’re accidentally dropped into the mail, she is forced to strike a bargain with her crush’s cousin in order to buy his silence, and prevent the letters from reaching their intended. With great characters, hilarious mishaps, Austen-esque verbal sparring, and just the right amount of dire circumstances, the story tantalizingly builds tension as the truth begins to unfold. But the final 10 pages of the book— the long-awaited reveal and resolution— feels rushed and far too cliche and shallow. Quite disproportionate to all the excellent build up.

I probably wouldn’t read it again, but I might be tempted to try rewriting the ending.

The Awakening of Miss Prim by Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera

After finishing the two previous books, I felt like I’d somehow ended up lost in the frilly, pink Romance section of Barnes and Noble against my will. But this beautifully deep, perfectly quirky book brought me right back down to earth.

Prudencia Prim lives up her name. She is expertly educated, efficient and exacting. When she uncharacteristically quits her job in the city and accepts a post as a personal librarian in a quirky little town in the French countryside, her sense of order begins to unravel. In the very best way. With a hint of The Sound of Music, a touch of Gilmore Girls, and flush with literary references, this book captivated me. I quickly ordered my own copy so I can dog ear and underline its poetical, poignant truths. Highly recommend.

Miss Buncle’s Book by D.E. Stevenson.

I took this recommendation from Sarah McKenzie’s Read Aloud Revival Booklist. Never have I ever been disappointed by Sarah. This book was a marvel!

A woman writing a book, about a woman writing a book, about a woman writing a book. No seriously! Masterfully done. Character driven versus plot driven. Dozens of storylines woven into one hilarious, charming, and truthful commentary on humans. And all the silly ways we are. The main character isn’t really main character-y, as is her way, and leaves room for everyone to tell their own story. This book is FUNNY. So clever. Sharply truthful about human nature, and yet full of grace for us all. I’ve already checked out the rest of the series from the library, and can’t wait to spend more time with Barbara Buncle & Co.

The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray

I’d be lying if I told you that I didn’t feel a little weird reading this book. Even my son, upon grabbing it for me from the library desk, said, “Murder Mom? That’s not like you.” He’s right! Never do I ever read murder books. I’m a ‘fraidy cat with an overactive imagination, after all. But the reviews for this one totally piqued my interest. I mean, what Austen fan can resist the thought of ALL her characters together in ONE BOOK!?

Confessedly, I did feel a little disloyal to dear old Jane; I imagine she’d roll over in her grave if she could see her restrained British heroines in these salacious circumstances. However, I suppose this is where the term guilty pleasure comes in, because I did indeed somewhat guiltily enjoy this story. A perfect combination of Austen and Clue, I found it scratched my Regency itch, while also taking some unexpected twists and turns.

It did feel like it ran a bit long in the middle of the book, slowing down the building of tension before the big reveal. But other than that, it was just a fun story, and a perfect “Beach Read.”

A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

I still have about 100 pages left to go in this one, but I feel confident enough about the writing style to make some comments. This was an impulse buy, added to my cart to reach the free shipping threshold for some lightbulbs. Always a good reason to buy a book. Ha! Since we will be studying American History in school this year, I thought it might be fun to whet my appetite on this story, primarily set in the Revolutionary Era.

This book is kind of a hybrid. Marketed as historical fiction, it reads more like an autobiography, written in first person. Which is interesting, because you rarely have context for what’s going on in the larger world, outside of what the narrator chooses to share. The authors specify that most of their research was taken from Abigail Adams’ letters, and yet, clearly intended for a more modern audience, Abigail rarely gets particularly deep. It’s a very interesting book. Good, but not great. I’ve enjoyed the history, learning about the grit and determination of the Adams family, and the perspective on different famous people and events, but I wouldn’t call it compelling per se. Worth a read though, especially for a history buff.

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What are you reading this Summer!?

Will you leave a comment below, I’d LOVE to know. Any recommendations? Must-reads!? Classics? Please share!

And now friends, it’s time for me to get back to my reading! A Founding Mother and Middlemarch need finishing, and before me sits a fresh stack of library books. A hot cup of tea (cool and cloudy here today), some fresh baked chocolate chip cookies, and a quiet afternoon reading at home with my boys.

It is Summer, after all.