March Books:
Plays Well With Others — I enjoyed this book. It’s not earth-shattering by any stretch, but it’s a fun, easy read that taps into modern motherhood. Even though I am not a mother, I identified with the main character—Annie—and I enjoyed her smart critique of modern motherhood and her willingness to be openhearted and to learn as she goes.
The Dinner List — Rebecca Serle is an author I have recently discovered and fallen in love with. Her books always involve love and relationships (romantic and familial) with a little bit of magical realism that ropes me in. This book is a take on “the dinner list question”: if you could have dinner with any five people, living or dead, who would you choose? Focusing on the main character, Sabrina, and her thirtieth birthday dinner with people from her past, her present, and even Audrey Hepburn, this story is an exploration of how things could go if you could actually have dinner with your five people. Told in present day and in flashbacks, the story moves quickly and I enjoyed it so much. It also had me thinking about the five people I’d choose for my own dinner.
The Science of God — I’ve had this book on my bookshelf for years. I can’t remember what prompted me to buy it but I *think* it was recommended by Philip Yancey in one of his books or maybe in one of his newsletters. Anyway, I finally picked it up and devoured it this month. Written by Gerald L. Schroeder—noted physicist and Biblical scholar—The Science of God discusses the convergence of scientific and Biblical wisdom by comparing key events from the Old Testament (focusing primarily on only the first five books of the OT: the Pentateuch/Torah) with current findings of biochemists, paleontologists, and physicists.
This book was phenomenal! Schroeder argues that the latest science and a close reading of the Bible are not just compatible but are interdependent and necessary. He insists that religious belief is enhanced by open-eyed investigation of the world and that honest science must be humble in the face of life’s extraordinary richness (because of course they are). His words and arguments are engaging and humane, and he seeks to advance the dialogue between scientists and religious believers. Although the book was originally published in 1997, it’s been revised and updated and is still so very relevant!
We All Live Here — As I mentioned in my last “Books” post, I have and will continue to read anything by Jojo Moyes. I loved this book and it’s easily my favorite by this author. It’s wise and messy and full of laughter and a few tears. I love the way it addresses family and forgiveness and moving on after major change.
The Measure (book club | pictured | my March favorite) — I read this book last May, immediately after it was published and I loved it. So I was happy to reread it for the book club I’m in. I couldn’t put this book down—either time! The story is captivating and thought-provoking; timely and so full of love. I don’t want to say anything else except you must read this book!
April Books:
I Have Some Questions For You — This book got so much positive press but to me it was only OK. I read it because I loved, loved, loved the other book I read by Rebecca Makkai in January: The Great Believers. I know some books just “hit” and others don’t. I also know that those that don’t may be better at a later date. So this will likely be one I come back to.
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife (pictured | my April favorite) — This book! I loved this book so much! The story starts with a misunderstanding that ends up being such a blessing to everyone involved. It’s about the family we make along the way and searching for life’s silver linings. It’s funny and feel-good but also touches on grief, forgiveness, and redemption. I lovelovelove this book!
Same As It Ever Was — I really liked this book. But the plot didn’t reel me in; it was more of a slow burn. But the main character—Julia—swung from wholly unlikeable to someone I’d love to have a cup of coffee with, often within the same paragraph. And therein lies the reason I liked this book: because I know I swing between two (often more) extremes myself. Julia was real: in her dysfunction and in her complexity, and I loved the way the author captured such a beautiful character.
The Chicago Manual of Style, edition 18 — This manual has over 1190 pages and I read every single one, over the course of March and April. Ooof! It was as dry as the desert, but I learned so many new things and I was reminded of many others. I’m currently enrolled in the University of Chicago’s Professional Editing Certificate program and the first course focused on reading this manual. I haven’t committed it to memory and I don’t plan to. But I do know that I’ll refer to this manual (and all of the coming updates to it) often. I am “upskilling” and while I’ve already taken on a couple of editing projects, the Chicago certificate will help me as I make editing my full-time career.
Remarkably Bright Creatures (book club) — I read this book in February so I did not reread it for May’s book club. Still such a favorite and everyone in my book club RAVED about this story. It’s just so good!
May Books:
This Changes Everything—I mentioned this book in a post at the very end of April, but I didn’t officially finish it until May second. The author, Tyler Merritt, was already on my radar because I follow him (and relish his words, his faith, and his outlook) on Instagram, but I’d (somehow, dumbly) missed that he’s also a published author.
This book is revelatory! His writing is absolutely stream-of-consciousness, where he inserts song lyrics and random (but not unrelated) factoids throughout. But he always comes back to his point. It’s such a light into this man’s head and heart, and I loved every single word. I have his first book on hold at my library, as an audiobook, and I’ll listen to it as soon as it’s available. Run, don’t walk! And read this book!
Nothing to See Here — I have had this book on my “to read” list for at least three years. I remember seeing it in a book store on a table of new releases, and snapping a photo so I could add it to my list. But when the instructor of my first class for the University of Chicago’s Professional Editing Certificate mentioned it was a recent favorite, I vowed to read it as soon as I could. It’s weird and the premise is wholly unbelievable but the author (Kevin Wilson) is such an excellent writer that he makes the absurd into something wonderful. The book borders on fantasy, given the premise, but Wilson manages to ground the magical in reality so that you just accept it all and willingly suspend any disbelief; buying in to the premise—hook, line, and sinker.
The Silent Patient (pictured | my first May favorite) — This novel was totally engrossing. Once I started it, I had a really tough time doing anything but devouring this story. It’s suspenseful, intense, and so well-written! The best part is the ending, which is a twist I don’t think anyone would see coming.
I Read What You Wrote — I loved this story so much—likely because it was written by a dear friend (and neighbor)! I actually read this book last December, but I re-read it this month because I hosted an author talk with Jill Hales, for some ladies in my building.
Jill’s story is 99% true (with an added character to help drive the plot forward). It’s also heartbreaking and uplifting all at the same time. She wrote this book to honor the memoirs and writings of her mother, and to share what dealing with dementia can look like and all it can entail.
Crying in H Mart (pictured | my second May favorite) — I don’t even know how to describe this book except to say that is absolutely beautiful. Michelle Zauner wrote this candid and moving tribute to her mother and all I could think about was what I also stand to lose at some point.
I loved the way she wove her culture (first generation Korean American) and its food into her writing, the way she talks about her mother, the way she talks about and shows herself dealing with grief, and the joy with which she remembers her mother. I felt like I was in the kitchen with both of them, enjoying the food and the family!
Before We Were Yours (book club) — I hated this book! I forced myself to read it in 2019, believing it would get better. It didn’t. It’s still a story that I think about but not in a good way; it makes me so angry to know this is based on a true story and that the woman the book is based on got away with all of her cruelty!
Given my response to my first read, I refused to re-read it for my book club meeting last month. It’s a best-seller with thousands of rave reviews, but the subjects of kidnapping and coercing children, child trafficking, child neglect, and more made it too much to handle. As a historical fiction book, it’s based on the baseless cruelty and criminal acts of social worker and child trafficker Georgia Tann, who operated the Tennessee Children’s Home Society in Memphis, during the era of “black-market adoptions”. Read at your own risk.