Dearest Readers,
If you are hopping over here from Michael Ann’s blog at Out and Back, welcome! And if so, you already know that today we are talking books…in particular, those on our summer to-read book shelves. I am going to share what I am reading and hoping to-read to this summer and then I hope you guys will share what you are reading, too.
Actually, I am reading two kinds of books. Some children’s books, primarily those from the Texas Bluebonnet Award 2016-2017 Master List. You can read more about those in a post I will be sharing tomorrow. Same time, same place. Today, I am going to show-n-tell a little about the grown-up books I am reading. Well, not grown-up books but books for grown-ups.
And away we go.
My first grown up book of the summer was The Antelope in the Living Room by (fella Texan) Melanie Shankle.
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Antelope is a kind of follow-up to Nobody’s Cuter Than You, a book I first heard about through Shay Shull on her blog Mix and Match Mama. I reviewed Nobody’s Cuter, here, last summer. Where Nobody’s Cuter is the autobiographical account of the author’s friendship with her BFF (Amy) ‘Gulley’, the theme of The Antelope in the Living Room is Melanie’s relationship with her husband Perry. It is a book of marital wisdom disguised as a funny little memoir. And was given to me by my equally wise BFF Sharon.
I highlighted a grand total of 78 bits of wisdom from within its pages myself. I figure Melanie Shankle has been successfully and happily married once while I have been happily and successfully divorced more than that, so she knows something I don’t. The first highlighted passage states the importance of finding and marrying “someone you’d want next to you in battle, someone who can make you laugh even in the tough times, someone who will encourage you to be the best you can be. Because, apparently, marriage is like being in the army.” {pg 32} All of my husbands have been soldiers, so maybe I started out on the right track but then the trains derailed.
I also made notes about the importance of communication, and asking clarifying questions when communication breaks down, and the realization that there may just be “some things about each other that you’re not meant to share or understand“. {pg 126} And that Cheez-Whiz is not a “viable food ingredient“. {pg 161} Melanie concludes the book by saying about her husband Perry, “Wherever he is. That’s my home.” {pg 182} I can sincerely say that is how I feel about my PC.
You, too, can ‘meet’ Melanie and benefit from her sagacity (now that’s a $10 word that I had to look up). Visit her blog Big Mama, where you can also purchase each of her books, including Sparkly Green Earrings (gotta love some green earrings), which is on my to-read list.
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So what else is on my to-read list? Why thanks for asking!
I just started reading Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain, after seeing the preview for the upcoming movie by the same name to be released on Veteran’s Day, November 11.
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It is the story of a group of soldiers touring the country as heroes after their successful battle against a group of Iraqi insurgents is caught on video by an embedded news team. More soldiers. I do like me a soldier…my soldier, PC. But this isn’t the kind of book I usually read. However, here’s the trailer that prompted me to purchase this book.
Compelling, huh?
Other titles up for consideration this summer include:
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I recently watched and loved the movie “Me Before You” based on the book by the same name by JoJo Moyes. I wish I had known it was a book before I saw the movie. Now I am wanting to read the sequel After You. Before the second movie is released. So, let’s throw it in, too.
If you haven’t seen the movie “Me Before You”, please call in sick from work or home and go see it. Now. That’s a (gentle) order.
Finally, I am turning things over to YOU. It’s your turn. Here it comes…ready? Question of the post: What are you reading/planning to read/finishing up? Please share with us in a comment below. And if you would like to share a review of a favorite read or a review of one we need to avoid at all costs, let me know. Would love to feature you right here!
Please be sure to hop over to the blogs of the other gals sharing their summer book shelves: Joy, Katie, Sheila, Michael Ann and Alison.
Over and out and off to read…
Hugs and kisses,
I love Shay’s recommendations on books, too. I need to finish this marathon book I am reading, so I can get onto some other books! I want to find a couple of books for my Kindle before we leave for Italy… I am hoping to do a lot of reading on the flights!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
I have heard from several people that Furiously Happy is a really good read. I have the sample on my Nook so will be checking it out. Might be something
you could read on your trip. I am so jealous!! We are dying to go to Italy. Maybe next summer. Are you nervous about terrorism and craziness in Europe?
I am having nightmares about it right here in my own bed.
I have read the Antelope in the Living Room and Green Sparkly Earrings is on my TBR list! That movie trailer looks REALLY good! And I have requested Me Before You from the library. I am 41st in line (19 for large print text) so it will be a while yet.. I do want to watch the movie but the book must come first. I haven’t heard of the other three contenders you listed. Thanks for sharing your list!
I should check out more books from the library. Ha! But I am such a slow reader, I would have to renew or return the book and get back on the list
to get it again. I am hurrying as fast as a slow reader can to read Billy Lynne. Surely I can finish it by November. Surely.
I just started Before You and am loving it so far….I also have the first too books on my list! Great post.
Thank you! When do you find time to read? Are you an in bed reader? Early morning reader? I like reading before bed but PC is really on a Modern Family kick and insists on watched not one, but two episodes every night in bed. Interferes with my reading but that show is so funny.
I need to read Billy Lynne’s Long Halftime Walk before the movie comes out in the fall! Looks so good! All of these books look like great reads I need to add to my list!
Jill
Doused In Pink
Had you heard of Billy Lynne before? If I hadn’t seen the preview for the movie, I would have missed the book. Always like to read the book first.
Wow! Of all the books you’ve mentioned, I’ve heard of only one! (Me Before You) The Coconut Cake book immediately snagged my attention because of the title and the cover! Yes, I TOTALLY judge books by their covers! I’m off to find out about it now! Thanks for sharing these books with us!
I judge books by their covers, too. Really who doesn’t? I think good cover art can make even the most mediocre book more tantalizing. The Coconut Cake book
reminded me of my paternal grandmother who baked a mean coconut creme pie. Oh, my mouth is watering. I think you will like Antelope. It is funny but
full of great advice. Let me know if you try it. Thanks for coming out to play with us today!
Forgot to say, there IS something about a man in uniform! My husband served 27 years, and our son is currently serving. I’m not sure about the Billy Lynn story and movie. Sometimes it’s best for me to NOT go there! I’ll have to think about that one! Thanks for sharing it though. I hadn’t heard of it at all. The Antelope in the Living Room looks RIGHT up my alley, so I’ll be scoping that one out, for sure!
I absolutely understand you wondering about seeing Billy Lynne or reading the book. This might not be the perfect time for either. What
branch of the military did your hubby serve in? My PC was is a 23 year Army vet.
Oh man how could I have left off After you!! And Leslie…you must read Me Before You even though you already saw the movie!! It’s great!! Great list! Adding these titles to my list!
Oh, I need to learn to read faster. So many good books. And there’s What Alice Forgot, The Girl on the Train…
I hope to read Me Before You on my next trip. That’s the only chance I have to read these days! Kendall said the book is better than the movie but
that’s how it always goes! Let me know if Melanie S writes another book. I wish we had lived close to each other when our kids were little. What crazy fun road trips we would have dreamed up! We couldve driven the kids backwards in the McDonalds parking lot for old times
sake!
Our road trips would have rivaled Melanie’s and Gulley’s. Love you!
Love this – thanks for the ideas! I’m currently reading The Paris Key – and it’s kind of, meh. Which is probably why I haven’t finished it! Have a great week, lovely lady!
Haven’t heard of The Paris Key. Will check it out. But don’t you hate getting half way through a meh-kinda-book? Do you stop or keep going?