What I've Read So Far - June 2019
As usual, I've been spending a good part of this year writing, not reading. That's what happens when you hold yourself to releasing a new novel every December! But reading is important, too. I've managed to get through a few books since the beginning of the year. Here's what I've read so far:
Hurt by the people closest to her, Julia decided long ago love isn’t worth the pain. When she meets Will, she fights her attraction to him, unwilling to risk her heart, but is unable to resist their passionate connection – until a ghost from Will’s past surfaces and forces them apart. Two hearts shattered, Julia and Will’s paths diverge – until fate steps in one sunny September morning, offering them a second chance at true love. But is love enough? Can they break free of their painful past and allow their love to take flight?This was a fine first effort by a local (Rhode Island) author. Looking forward to reading more from her.
Robin— twenty-five, lonely, aimless— is drifting through summer in Providence. It’s the worst recession in generations, but she’s got bigger problems. For starters, her father is losing his mind to dementia. (He also might be falling love, which is nice, but begs the question: is it adultery if you can’t remember you’re married?) There's more, a lot more, and I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Multiple typos distracted me, and I do wish the author had hired a professional copy editor, but the story is very, very good.
Berlin, 1939. Before everything changed, Hannah Rosenthal lived a charmed life. But now the streets of Berlin are draped in ominous flags; her family’s fine possessions are hauled away; and they are no longer welcome in the places they once considered home. A glimmer of hope appears in the shape of the St. Louis, a transatlantic ocean liner promising Jews safe passage to Cuba. At first, the liner feels like a luxury, but as they travel, the circumstances of war change, and the ship that was to be their salvation seems likely to become their doom.This book was released in October 2016, and I'd heard a lot about it. It's well worth your time, especially if you're a fan of WWII fiction. I was drawn in to the dual story lines, and the fact that this is based on true events was all I needed. Wonderful!
Wife. Mother. Breadwinner. Penelope Ruiz-Kar is doing it all—and barely keeping it together. Meanwhile, her best friend, Jenny Sweet, appears to be sailing through life. As close as the two women are, Jenny’s passionate marriage, pristine house, and ultra-polite child stand in stark contrast to Penelope’s underemployed husband, Sanjay, their unruly brood, and the daily grind she calls a career.The title alone grabbed me (right??), and the story inside held me captive. Loved it, all of it. I don't want to give anything away, but this book grabs you early and keeps you reading.
Behind the brightly colored doors of Miller's Avenue live people with very complicated lives...Do they ever! From possibly my new favorite author (it's pronounced "Ro-SHEEN") comes one of her earlier books. I just couldn't get enough of these characters and can't wait to read more from Roisin.
Finally! My husband gave me this book for Christmas and I just finished it this past weekend. It's easy to set aside and easy to pick back up. Kudos to this remarkable, brilliant woman for her honesty and inspiration.And what I'm in the middle of now:
My good friend Lisa Valentino of Ink Fish Books recommended this book, and I just started it yesterday. Read the first hundred pages without taking a break. Yes, it's that good. And how about that gorgeous cover?! So, how about you? Summer's here - what's on your must-read list?