I had a review written for today, but I decided to bump it to tomorrow in favor of sharing what I’m reading.
California by Edan Lepucki – I’m at the beginning of this one but so far I am enjoying it immensely. Something has happened in the world to make a young couple want to abandon everything they have in favor of living in the woods, and then they find out they’re going to be parents. Ooh, what to do now?
The Director by David Ignatius – The Director reminds me of a little of reading Chris Pavone’s The Accident, though it’s not set in the world of books, but in the world of technology. I’m never completely comfortable speculating on ALL that people and governments can do with technology (and that’s only what is publicly known), so I read this with my eyes partially hidden behind my hands. Still it’s a compelling read and it has was already optioned for a movie by Scott Rudin back in January, though it’s just been released.
My Life in Middlemarch by Rebecca Mead – I attended a reading and Q&A of Rebecca Mead’s a couple of months back when she was at The Center for Fiction. I bought a copy and had her sign it, but still I am just starting to read it. When she read, Mead mentioned something that resonated with me. She said that beyond just using books as a means to escape, she wanted to be well-read, which admittedly was probably one of my goals once upon time. At the time I probably thought I knew what that meant, and of course now my thoughts on the matter have completely changed. I am notably less lofty now, but still fascinated by the search for resonance to modern experiences within classic literature. I am looking forward to delving more deeply into Mead’s thoughts and approach to what is supposedly a daunting work of literature. It’s not one I’ve attempted.
Open Road Summer by Emery Lord – One of my friends (also book club member) has been raving about this book since it was first released in April. We are reading it for book club next week, and though I have unsuccessfully been able to get the title right without looking at the book, I am looking forward to it, because I trust her judgement. It’s also always a lot of fum to discuss YA at book club.
The Gone Dead Train by Lisa Turner – What an odd name for a book. I haven’t gotten to the part where the title has been explained so your guess is as good as mine. The book is said to have echoes of Midnight in The Garden of Good and Evil, which I think it an unfair comparison. This is fiction, and though it’s set in the south, has elements of Santeria, and a murder mystery, it doesn’t have the same. So far it’s an interesting detective story in its own right. Plenty of secrets and intrigue.
Bliss House by Laura Benedict – In the grand tradition of haunted house stories, a woman and her daughter attempt to start a new life after tragedy has brought their family to the brink of ruin. They decide to move into an restore an old family estate. Dun, dun, dun! Remind me to never do that if I ever need to take a break from life. Never a good idea. Creepy ghosts, murder, and shadowy shady figures galore.
