Well, third quarter was my worst quarter so far this year. I went from over 50 books in the first quarter, to just over 30 books in the second quarter, and I wrapped up the third quarter with only 21 books.
May the fourth quarter be the one in which I actually read all of the Classic Books I set out to read at the beginning of the year. May the days also be longer and full of time to read. Ha! We’ll see.
Here’s the full breakdown of my third quarter reading:
Adult Fiction
That Kind of Mother by Rumaan Alam
I like books that explore motherhood and this one was well done. It’s an interesting and nuanced look at motherhood, race, and adoption and how the three intersect.
Glass Houses by Louise Penny
I love Louise Penny and I held off reading this one for a long time because I didn’t want to finish all the available books in the series. With the newest one coming out soon, I finally let myself dig in. I loved it!
(It was the first of her books that I listened to on Audio and I kind of wish I’d listened to all of them on audio now.)
Saints for All Occasions by J. Courtney Sullivan
Excellent! An Irish Catholic family drama – wonderful writing and characters. It reminded me a lot of Elizabeth Strout, one of my favorite writers.
The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O’Farrell
My first fiction book by Maggie O’Farrell and I loved it as much as I did her non-fiction. Really, a fantastic read. There are no chapters and although there are three voices in the book, there are no discernible breaks. It takes some getting used to, but I loved this book about family secrets and haunting pasts.
Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella
I needed a light-ish audio book. This fit the bill. It was okay.
The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer
I liked this one more than I thought I was going to. It’s fiction but it’s an overview of the white feminist experience during the nineties and early 21st century.
Can You Keep A Secret by Sophie Kinsella
Another hasty audio book choice. After I finished it, I went on to Goodreads to log it and realized I’d already read it before. So, that’s how memorable it was for me.
Heartburn by Nora Ephron
Recommended by a friend and thoroughly enjoyed. It’s about divorce and it is simultaneously hilarious and heartbreaking.
How to Stop Time by Matt Haig
Nothing happens in this entire book. Snore.
Middle Grade
Shakespeare’s Scribe by Gary Blackwood
This is the second book in a series that we’ve been reading aloud as a family. Really great family read aloud!
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
We listened to this as a family in the car. It’s just as good now as it was when I was a kid.
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place by Mary Rose Wood
I adore this entire series. We read it aloud together – this was my third time reading this book, and the kids second time. This is one of my all time favorite series and it’s especially wonderful read aloud.
We had read the entire series but when the final book in the series was released in July, the kids wanted to reread all the books before we finished the series.
The Hidden Gallery by Mary Rose Wood
Ditto
The Book of Boy by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Loved it. Full review here.
The Mad Wolf’s Daughter by Diane Magras
Probably my favorite book in the third quarter. Full review here.
The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson
It was okay. I liked the homage to the Westing Game, but it felt like an “issues” book. I don’t mind a book tackling issues – most of the best books do, but I don’t want it to feel like an “issues” book. You know what I mean? I want the issues to be a natural part of the story.
The Collectors by Jacqueline West
Wonderful! Full review here.
What Jamie Saw by Carolyn Coman
I picked this up at a used book store because it was a Newbery Book I’d never even heard of (published in 1991). It kind of blew me away. And right from the very first page.
The book opens as Jamie sees his mom’s boyfriend pick up his baby sister and throw her across the room. Luckily the baby is okay and Jamie’s mother gets them out of there. The book is about them putting their lives back together.
It’s a tiny book, just over 100 pages, but it’s powerful. It’s one of the most compelling middle grade books I’ve ever picked up.
Young Adult
My Plain Jane
I loved My Lady Jane so much but this one was a huge flop for me.
Non-Fiction
Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Renni Eddo-Lodge
Great book! Full review here.
Prairie Fires by Caroline Fraser
One of my favorite books of the whole year. And I got to go meet the author, hear her talk about the book, and get my copy signed.
What have you read and loved (or hated) recently? I’d love to hear about it!
Katrina says
I love reading all your reviews! Definitely marking some to read and taking a couple off my list, like “My Plain Jane.” Thanks for that. I think the best book I have read recently was “The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn. I think part of it’s charm was that it is largely set in Europe and I was reading it when I was on that side of the world. I also really love a good mystery as well as historical fiction and this book fit that bill nicely.
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thanks Katrina! I haven’t read the Alice Network yet, but it’s on my list now.
Rose says
Love your recommendations, keep it up!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thanks Rose! I do love talking books.
Kimberly says
Thank you so much for your awesome book reviews. I am always looking for good books for my daughters to read. One of my daughters in particular is an avid reader. We have found some great suggestions on your blog. Keep the book reviews coming!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
I’m so happy these are helpful! Thank you so much for commenting.
Kimberly says
I just saw where you will give book recommendations. I love that! We will definitely use this feature in the future!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Yay!
jane says
Great list! I hope we can get through all your recommendations before the children grow up! We are currently reading the PIppi Longstocking series. Wonderful.