Saturday, August 8, 2009

Summer Reading

I wanted to share a couple of good books I have read in the past week or so. You might have already read them because they have been out for some time now. I usually take my time getting books, sharing with family and friends, yard sales, etc. Both of these two books deal with women and how life treats them and the obstacles they have to deal with to become the women they truly are.


The first book The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls is a memoir of her early life. Hopefully she will have a lot more to say. It is a very good read. Hard in some places. When my mother gave it to me she said I am not sure if you will want to read this it is hard. I am glad I did. Jeanette tells us the story of growing up with nomadic, artistic parents and her siblings. Life is full of dreams, despair, and disappointment and delusions. It is a wonderful read. Gritty, tough, kind, an ironic. I have heard Paramount is going/ maybe they have made a movie of this.



The second book Prodigal Summer is wonderful. It has been awhile since I read a book that I could feel and smell the imagery so well. Barbara Kingsolver is a southern writer who brings the woods to life. This is the story of three women who lives intertwine. Each one overcoming obstacles to find out who they are and what is important to them. The science of animal attraction is particularly powerful. I really enjoyed this book and was sad when it was over I wanted it to go on and on. What are ya'll reading? Any suggestions?

8 comments:

Jamie said...

I am reading "Into That Silent Sea: Trailblazers of the Space Era, 1961-1965" by Francis French and Colin Burges (nerdy:)and "Dreamcatchers" by Stephen King (scary). LOL!! They are both really good. Let me look through my bookshelves and I will get back to you with suggestions:) Love, Jamie

Bea said...

Haven't read the first one but have the second and thoroughly enjoyed it. But, then I love any B. Kingsolver writes. The Bean Tree is an all time favorite of mine. :)Bea

ooglebloops said...

Just picked up the first one in the thrift store !! We will have to compare notes!! :>)

Sharon said...

Hi ELizabeth!

Read both of these and loved them both. I thought Glass Castles was fascinating, couldn't put it down even with the hard parts. Same with Kingsolver, I love her writing. Excellent choices to share.

PS The little girl turned 2 is mighty CUTE!

Anonymous said...

I must get back into reading. Enough excuses. I will comitt to myself to purchase a random book this week and read.

Lorrie Grainger Abdo said...

Regretfully, I've not had a great summer read yet. I've tried several but nothing really great. I read The Glass Castle last fall and thought it was really well done: a super depressing topic done in such a way that kept you thinking but not totally depleted at the end.

Some of my favs from the last year or so are: The Time Traveller's Wife, Water for Elephants, Bluebeard, The Pleasure of My Company, People of the Book, and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society.

Joan said...

I'm reading Drood, which is a fictional novel about Charles Dickens. I love novels set in that time period. At over 700 pages, it's going to take me awhile to finish!

Patti Edmon Artist said...

I've read Prodigal Summer, and heard about/seen the memoir in several places - time to get with it!