Dear readers, welcome to Title Talk, 06.2020. Haven’t posted a book review since 02.2020 when I reviewed several children’s books and Long Bright River by Liz Moore. And before that, 10.2019 when I shared my review of The Girls at 17 Swann Street by Yara Zgheib. The books in those posts were selected by my online book club. And both have stayed with me over the months when some days I can’t remember my own name.
When I started writing this blog, I thought it would be mostly book reviews. And maybe some library lesson plans thrown in for good measure. Probably because I originally began blogging to fill the idle hours after retiring from a 25 year career as a librarian. Books had been so much of my life for so long. Funny how the blog morphed into something else – less about books which were once so much a part of my former life. And more about a whole range of things that fills my life these days.
So what books am I sharing for Title Talk 06.2020? Some goodies, to be sure. Have a look.
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Title Talk 06.2020
Have spoken about my online book club several times on the blog. It is probably where I focus most of my lifelong librarian/book lovin’ energies these days. And the reason I read the books in this post in the first place! If you are looking for looking for a low key book club, “Come Read With Me” but just be the perfect fit for you. We will be voting for our July this coming weekend. Let me know if you’re interested in joining the gang.
Recipe for a Perfect Wife by Karma Brown
“[Brown] excels at bringing the complexities of women’s lives to the page, and her latest novel questions how much has really changed for women over the last 60 years. The pacing is brisk, the characters are appealing, and both time lines are equally well realized. Thoughtful, clever, and surprisingly dark.”
—Booklist
Goodreads’ summary:
In this captivating dual narrative novel, a modern-day woman finds inspiration in hidden notes left by her home’s previous owner, a quintessential 1950s housewife. As she discovers remarkable parallels between this woman’s life and her own, it causes her to question the foundation of her own relationship with her husband–and what it means to be a wife fighting for her place in a patriarchal society. [source]
My review:
I gave this book 3 stars on Goodreads but was happy to see that some of the gals in the club awarded it 5 stars. The story compares the lives, marriages and choices of Alice, the present day character, with Nellie living in the 1950s. While I have experienced abuse on a smaller scale to what Nellie falls victim to at the hands of her husband, neither she nor the other main character really moved me.
On the surface, the story line seems like a comparison of the ‘typical’ stay-at-home housewife from 2 very different eras. But as it progresses, Recipe for a Perfect Wife turns darker, delving deeper into relationships, secrets, and society’s expectations for married women. Was surprised that I ‘figured out’ one of the subplots all by myself!!
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
“Serle takes a fairly generic rom-com setup and turns it into something much deeper in this captivating exploration of friendship, loss, and love.” —Booklist
Goodreads’ summary:
Brimming with joy and heartbreak, In Five Years is an unforgettable love story that reminds us of the power of loyalty, friendship, and the unpredictable nature of destiny. [source]
My review:
This book earned 5 shiny stars from me even though the premise is based on the plausibility that one can foresee their future in a dream. I listened to this book on Audible and devoured every word. Probably set some kind of personal best record for finishing an audio book! Where the characters in Recipe fell a little flat with me, Dannie and Bella are my new (make believe) BFFs. Both resonated with me, as I could see a little bit of myself in these 2 very dissimilar young women.
Not a big fan of rom-coms or even love stories over here. Although this book is described as a love story, I loved it because it is so much more. An examination of what makes us who we are. Type A and Type B personalities. Nature versus nurture. Lots to think about, to contemplate as these well developed characters and their relationships with one another unfold.
Truths I Never Told You by Kelly Rimmer
“The back-and-forth between Beth in the 1990s and Grace’s notes from the 1950s creates momentum, and readers of epistolary novels will nod at Grace’s depiction of the lack of choices for women of that time. Contrasting that with the stigma of getting mental health help, which was still strong in the ‘90s, Rimmer paints a picture of women finding their strength then and now.” –Booklist
Goodreads’ summary:
Exploring the expectations society places on women of every generation, Kelly Rimmer explores the profound struggles two women unwittingly share across the decades set within an engrossing family mystery that may unravel everything they believed to be true. [source]
My review:
Although I originally gave this book 4 stars, thinking about it again now has convinced me to up that to 5. So much of this book hit close to home. The adult children in the book having to relocate their elderly parent with dementia. The relationships between siblings wanting what is best for their parent and each other. All of them coming to acknowledge moments in their combined childhood that had been buried and long forgotten, or never clearly understood.
The story bounces between Beth’s life in the 90s and her mother’s life at the time of Beth’s birth, close to 40 years earlier. Rimmer examines an array of ticklish themes such as abortion, abuse, depression, elderly care and a woman’s ‘proper’ place in the home, in society. I think this book will speak equally to the dilemmas and choices facing Baby Boomers as well as Generation X and Millennials. A multi-layered story with a perfect ending.
Your Turn
What are you reading these days? Have you found more time for reading during this crazy Covid crisis? I am not sure I am reading more but I am trying to juggle more than one book at a time. Which proves challenging some days!! Especially when 2 of the 3 books I am reading have a character with the same name. Looking at you, Grace. And Grace. And Grace.
Hugs and kisses,
I’m currently reading two or three books too but thankfully they don’t have any of the same character names. These all sound pretty good. I’ve been reading anywhere from 8-10 books a month and try to touch on a variety of genres.
Wow wow wow!! I struggle to read 2 books a month. Bless your heart. I need to expand my reading to include some biographies or autobiographies and some nonfiction.
I loved all three of these!
Have you read Beach Read? Really enjoying that one.
I just finished Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. I read it for one of my book clubs without knowing who Trevor Noah is. I learned a lot about post-Apartheid South Africa. I was able to see parallels between Post-Apartheid SA and Post-Emancipation USA. Abolishing Apartheid did not level the playing field. Whites were still privileged.
I read Recipe for a Perfect Wife and met Karma Brown at a Writers’ Breakfast. I did not become engaged in reading the novel. Yesterday, I had a Zoom Book Club and an outside
book club. We’re considering Barbara Kingsolver’s Unsheltered for our next book. I’ve read it but her books have many different levels to explore.
Interesting that you didn’t enjoy Recipe for a Perfect Wife much either. I rarely figure things out but did on that one. And didn’t care for either character. Will look into Unsheltered. Thank you for the comment and visit.
Since the beginning of May, I have listened to “Rabbit: A Memoir” by Patricia Williams (tough story, but great to listen to) and “Educated” by Tara Westover. I read 2 books- “The Last Time I Lied” by Riley Sager and “The Girl in Cabin 13” by A.J. Rivers. Both were suspense/mystery type books-I liked both of those too. Just started “The Guest List” by Lucy Foley-a suspense/mystery book that takes place on an island off the coast of Ireland. 🙂 I have stacks of books that I have saved for retirement and am finally getting to read some of them! So far, retirement has been great!
So nice to see what you are reading! And so glad you are loving retirement. I just finished “Educated” and liked it. Will check out “Rabbit”. I have a print copy of “The Guest List” but haven’t started it yet.
I’m glad you really enjoyed most of these! And I find myself reworking star ratings after the fact sometimes too – you just have to let books sink in more, you know?
I am reading a lot. When things first shut down, I couldn’t focus as much, but I got my groove back and I’m thankful I have the time and ability to read as much as I can since I’m really trying to focus on books I’ve owned for awhile! Plus, it’s a good escape and outlet.
-Lauren
So glad you are reading (and swimming) so much these days. Always enjoy your reviews.
Hi, Leslie – Thank you for these reviews. I LOVE discussing books and always wat to know what others are reading. I have now added ‘Truths I Never Told You’ to my list.
I recently finished Tessa McWatt’s ‘Shame on Me’. McWatt is an intimate writer. Reading her memoir was like having a deep and meaningful conversation with a good friend. Thought-provoking and informative, Highly recommended, especially if wanting to delve into books that have much to say about racism.
Thank you for sharing McWatt’s book in your comment. I will investigate it.
I, too, thought I would have more book related content on my blog when I first started. I mean, I knew the blog would be about homesteading, but I thought the librarian in me would read and review books on the regular. It’s funny how the blogs tend to morph into other things we didn’t know we needed in our lives!
You are such an inspiration to me! I must share more books on the blog and write a review of them. I just finished “The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek” and can’t wait to discuss it in July!
xoxo
I am about half-way through The Book Woman” – when will you be discussing?
I have In Five Years on my list & on hold at the library – glad you liked that one!
Yes, please try In Five Years. So. Good.
I keep seeing people mention they’ve read In Five Yeas, I’m going to add it to my Goodreads list now. The Recipe for a Perfect Wife sounds interesting, too… yes, so much has changed for women… and it still is changing!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
LOVED In Five Years. And really have enjoyed Beach Read. You might like it for the summer!
Each of these sounds right up my alley. I’ve just finished a non-fiction audiobook – Phosphoressence by Julia Baird. It’s about those moments of light and joy that help you through the dark. I’m re-reading a classic at the moment – John Galsworthy’s The Forsyte Saga.
I was interested in Phosphoressence when you mentioned it on your blog. Will check it out!
I really must remember to jump over to your bookclub on FB – the choices are usually ones I’d enjoy.
Come join us!!
Leslie, I enjoy reading reviews by real people that I know. I have recently found out how book reviews are helpful and important to the writer and the reader. I always read, and I have opinions and share them with my friends. I have only started writing reviews. Funny about the “Graces.” Lately I am reading a lot of non-fiction elibrary books during the middle of the night when I cannot sleep. I find I read fiction on camping trips. I have bookmarked your post for book suggestions. Thank you!
Thank you! I am sorry, first of all, that you are having sleepless nights. I do about twice a week. Should try reading when I can’t sleep but I usually just roll around and worry. Funny how you read fiction on camping trips!!
I’m adding Truths I Never Told You to my library list. I love books that bounce back and forth from past to present!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Yay, I really enjoyed it! Hope you will too.
I always love reading your reviews! You do a really nice job of explaining why or why you didn’t like a book. The second 2 books sound SO good! I need to check them out on amazon now!
Thank you!! Hope you will check out In Five Years and Beach Read!