Books Lighting Me Up
It’s the last Friday of the month and that means it’s time to share what I’m currently reading.
At the end of this post, feel free to add a comment so we can start a fun conversation about the books that are currently illuminating your life.
Let’s get to the good stuff.
Best Adult Fiction (that I reread for the Once-in-a-While Book Club)
Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. Even though this brick of a book tanked my April reading stats, I don’t regret giving it a second glance because I missed so much during the first reading. Originally, I gave it a 4-star rating, because I thought it could use an edit due to its long length, but I think that’s because I was reading several other books simultaneously. Staying immersed in the flow of the story (and keeping track of all the characters) would have been better if I had only read this book. After discussing it with my book club and listening to Verghese speak about the book (on Oprah’s six-part podcast which I found on Spotify and highly recommend), I changed my rating. It’s a 5-star for me now.
I’m curious. Do your book ratings ever change over time?
Best Poetry Book
Poetry Comics by Grant Snider. He has a great Substack that will give you a taste of his writing. Plus, he tells you how to make your own poetry comics HERE. I can’t wait to try some of his suggestions. This book is for kids and adults. I can’t stop reading it!
Best Adult Mystery
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto. This is a tame mystery that didn’t demand a lot of brain cells, but I enjoyed it. It was a good book to read after the Covenant of Water experience. From the publisher: A lonely shopkeeper takes it upon herself to solve a murder in the most peculiar way in this captivating mystery by Jesse Q. Sutanto, bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties.
Best Picture Books
I have three favorites this month and all are worthy additions to your personal library.
Dim Sum Here We Come by Maple Lam. I love this book so much. My husband is Chinese, and I have fond memories of dim sum meals with our family around big restaurant tables. This book captures the essence of family gatherings and yummy food!
Indestructible Tom Crean by Jennifer Thermes. This picture book made me want to read adult books about this amazing explorer! Shackleton and Scott received a lot more attention, but Crean may be the real unsung hero—he spent longer on the ice than either and outlived them both!
We Are Starlings by Robert Furrow and Donna Jo Napoli. Illustrated by Marc Martin. I have always wanted to see a murmuration in the wild! This book is the next best thing. The illustrations are amazing.
Best Writing Book
How to Write a Novel in 20 Pies by Amy Wallen with delicious illustrations and pie recipes by Emil Wilson. This book appeared on my Instagram feed because I’m in the middle of the Poetry Pie Writing Challenge and used #poetrypie. What a happy algorithm accident because this book is a delight with good advice for writing and baking. It’s a fast read with colorful images and a great sense of humor.
Best Substack Newsletter
La Briffe by Ruth Reichl. I’ve loved her writing for years and was excited to discover her Substack newsletter.
She has a new fiction book called The Paris Novel, which will be on my summer reading list. It’s about food, art, and fashion during the 1980’s in Paris. I’m in.
Ruth is also doing a book tour (event details HERE). I’m going to her May 14th event in Long Beach. Hope to see you there.
Currently at the Top of My To Be Read List
A Spell of Good Things by Ayobami Adebayo.
Insert Various Titles Here by Various Authors. I’m busy preparing for Mrs. Tom’s Ultimate Summer Reading Guide (published on June 7th, 2024).
Lorrie’s Little Free Library
For readers living in Palos Verdes, here are the books that will magically appear in my Little Free Library tomorrow morning! Subscribers get to grab them first! Happy reading.
Adult Fiction, Paperback—I LOVE all three of these books!
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. He has a new book called I Cheerfully Refuse which will be in the summer reading guide.
Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Our library is conveniently located on BASSWOOD AVENUE between Silver Spur Elementary and Peninsula High School.
Light’s out. Lorrie’s out.
But before I sign off, I hope you’ll leave a comment about the books that you currently love.