“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” – Stephen King
Last week I visited Powell’s Books in Portland. Walking through the multiple levels and various genres, I took a deep breath as I eyed rows and rows of books, realizing that each piece of writing could make itself at home with someone. People perused aisles of different rooms that featured specialized genres. I added a few more books to my already growing pile. Here is what I am reading right now:
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
Goldfinch by Donna Tart
How Should a Person Be? by Sheila Heti
Levels of Life by Julian Barnes
Farewell Waltz by Milan Kundera
Would love to hear what you are reading. Share any recommendations you may have in the comment section.
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too.
I enjoyed “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry”. “Goldfinch” is on my to read list. I’ll check the others out…thanks.
The Goldfinch has many admirers. I am curious to know your thoughts once you finish, Susan.
Hi Rudri,
I have read the first two books and enjoyed both of them. I own them (see below).
I just finished We Are Water by Wally Lamb. Personally, I did not like this book. I found the characters stereotyped (and archetypes), the subject matter depressing, and the story contrived.
I was in the middle of The Book Thief, by Markus Suzak, when I had to stop to read the Lamb book for my book club. The Book Thief is amazing. I’m going to buy this one. I usually borrow from the library and if it is really good, I buy it.
I have recently read The Invention of Wings, by Sue Monk Kidd; and Mudbound, by Hillary Jordan. I would recommend both, but I especially like the first one by Sue Monk Kidd. It is a contender for purchase.
I can’t remember the last time you asked this question and I answered it, but I’ll add one more to the list that I read this summer and liked – Orphan Train, by Christina Baker Kline. I also read One Summer: America, 1927, by Bill Bryson. It is a non-fiction and a good read.
Summer blogging has been hit and miss for me. Hopefully, fall will get me back to my normal routine.
Robin
Robin,
Thanks for sharing your book recommendations. The Book Thief has been on my shelf for a year or so. I think I will put it next on my list. I loved Mudbound, especially since I read it after The Help. Some of the same themes are explored, but Jordan’s writing really resonated with me.
Summer always throws my routine out of synch. Hope you get on track once fall hits.
So I’m not much of a reader because my attention span has been dwindled down to barely nothing for over a decade now but lately I’ve actually been reading ‘If I Stay’ -I saw the commercial for the movie and figured ‘eh’ for once let me read the book. It’s actually very good and one I may actually finish, which is rare. 🙂 I will look into some of these once i’m done 🙂 Happy Monday Rudri! -Iva
I’ve seen If I Stay at various bookstores. I am curious of what you think once you finish. Thanks for the rec, Iva.
Hey Rudri … great question and hope to get lots of “good reads” from your initiation.
I am reading:
Act of War by Brad Thor (great contemporary political thriller)
Blueprint Your Best Seller by Stuart Horowicz
Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow (great historical fiction and classic novel from the musical)
ENJOY!!
Trish
Ragtime and Act of War seem like two interesting reads. I will definitely check on both these reads. Thanks, Trish.
I’m reading “All Fall Down” by Jennifer Weiner.
Yesterday I finished “The One And Only” by Emily Giffin. It was splended!
I am glad you enjoyed, The One and Only by Emily Giffin. I bought this book some time ago and want to read it.
I just found your blog through a FB writing group I just joined and it was so funny to see Powell’s as the first image. I live on the Oregon Coast and whenever we venture to Portland I can spend hours in that bookstore. Love it!
Bryn,
Nice to “meet” you. I assume you joined Chaunie’s writing group. It is a great course.
We loved Portland and we road a train to Seattle and admired the Oregon coast. It is beautiful.
I’m having a magical realism phase right now 🙂 In my pile:
The Tiger’s Wife
The Girl in the Flammable Skirt (short story collection)
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
The Girl Who Chased the Moon
I’ve read The Ocean at the End of the Lane, The Girl in the Flammable Skirt and The Tiger’s Wife. We must get together and discuss.
I read Goldfinch…it was unique but looooonnnngggg!!
Did you enjoy it, Tiffany? It is a definite time commitment.
Every now and then I re-read two old favorites… My Mistress’s Sparrow is Dead (short stories, great stuff), and Tropic of Cancer (Henry Miller). Both make me fall in love with writing and language all over again.
I love short story collections, Wolf. I must check out My Mistress’s Sparrow is Dead. The title is intriguing. Thanks.
I’m listening to What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty. And I’m reading Wonder (can’t remember author).
Your list looks good! I liked Harold Fry much better than her more recent one.
Nina,
I have Wonder on my list as well. YA fiction has caught my interest since I read The Fault in Our Stars. I tried audio books at one point in time, but just couldn’t get into it. Maybe it is time to try again.