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Wednesday, August 31, 2016

August Reading Receipt

Linking up with Modern Mrs. Darcy.

When I looked back through the pics on my phone at the end of this month, I was stunned to see I had read three books.  I thought it was more like...one.  The fact that I didn't remember tells me something about how busy this month has been.  And even though I didn't remember the number, I do remember the books.

Love That Boy by Ron Fournier
This is the nonfiction story of a White House journalist who wanted to bond with his son, who has Asperger's, through sports.  Unfortunately for Fournier, his son had no interest in sports.  At the urging of his wife, Fournier attempts to forge a bond through their shared love of presidential history. 


I found this to be an honest, bittersweet story of a parent who finds it difficult to bond with his child whom he loves very much.  It also addressed parental expectations in a very real way that I thought was unflinchingly accurate.



The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin
This was the second book I read by Benjamin.  Again she took real people from history (in this case, Anne Morrow Lindbergh and Charles Lindbergh) and imagined their emotional lives based on historical events.  I so enjoy books like this, and this one fit the bill perfectly.  I did not know much about the Lindberghs before reading this.  (I had read Gift From the Sea many years ago and actually had to check the Internet to see if this Anne Morrow Lindbergh was one and the same as the author before I started reading this.)  I knew very basic facts about Charles Lindbergh's historic solo flight.  I had some vague idea that their child was kidnapped but did not know the details and again wasn't even sure these were the same Lindberghs.  I found Anne's deference to Charles throughout this novel infuriating, but that's what makes these types of books so intriguing to me.  I want to know more about why people do the things they do.  I suppose you could argue that Benjamin doesn't really know herself, but I find the notion of what she does in explaining these things fascinating.  I am currently enjoying another of her books.


Rebecca by Daphne du Marnier
This was not a typical choice for me, as I saw it as something similar to Jane Eyre (which is not a favorite of mine).  Instead, I found myself admiring the trailblazer for writers like Gillian Flynn and Mary Kubica, among others.  Rebecca had it all.  It was creepy, suspenseful, and tense.  And a twist?  Indeed.  (And yes, I suppose you could argue that Jane Eyre has all those things too.  I just didn't enjoy it like I enjoyed this.)  If you like modern suspense/thrillers, I suggest you give Rebecca a shot.  I did for $1.99 when it was on sale for Kindle, but you could just check your local library.  Speaking of which, The Friends of the Library big book sale is coming up this Labor Day weekend.  Life is good.

7 comments:

  1. I read and reviewed Rebecca this month as well! I also compared it to Jane Eyre, and I liked Jane Eyre better (though I did highly enjoy Rebecca). I had no idea that Gifts from the Sea was written by Charles Lindbergh's wife. It has been on my TBR forever and now I'm even more motivated to read it.

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    1. If you read it, give The Aviator's Wife a look afterwards. I thought it was really interesting how Anne's life changed after she wrote it.

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  2. I love that you related Rebecca to modern suspense books.... modern thrillers are right up my alley, and I always wanted to read Rebecca but couldn't do Jane Eyre. Thanks for the rec!

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    1. I think you'll really like it. I wasn't expecting to, but It totally drew me in.

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  3. I heard of Rebecca on WSIRN podcast and atleast 4 bloggers have mentioned it in the Quick Lit linkup so far, so I need to get my hands on it soon!

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  4. I keep seeing Rebecca everywhere. Seems like it is time to join the crowd and give it a go. Sounds perfect for Halloween maybe.

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  5. Rebecca was a great read! I really loved it and I'm thinking of rereading it again. And I'm intrigued both by Love that boy and The Aviator's wife - I'll need to check those out! Thanks for the recs :)

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