1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
I had read this book before a few years ago, but decided to reread it after Elisabeth and Evan had read it and wanted to watch the movie. To be honest, it was even more powerful the second time around. I just love Zusak's writing style. He writes in a manner that really compliments my imagination. And, I still cried and cried at the end. I knew it was coming, had seen the movie with Evan and Elisabeth a couple days before I actually completed the book, totally remembered the ending, but still cried. It's just one of my favoritest books ever.
2. Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple
I bought this book because I had heard nothing but good things about it. I expected it to be leg-slapping funny, but it wasn't. Instead it was a charming, humorous book that I just couldn't put down. I LOVED Bernadette. I found Audrey to be annoying but hilarious! A great, fun read!
3. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
My dear friend Tawny was reading this book right before she moved and she had her nose in it so often those last few days I knew I'd need to read it. It was soooooo great!!! I love books that inspire you to go do new and great things. Bryson tells his story of deciding to hike the over 2000+ mile Appalachian Train in an informative but conversational tone. In fact, I was laughing out loud at his stories throughout the entire book. This is one I will be pushing on others and an author I will be seeking out more.
4. Dying of the Light by George R. R. Martin
I checked this out from the library because I wanted to read some of Martin's other works. I'm so enraptured with A Song of Ice and Fire series that I wanted to see if I'd enjoy his other work as much. I do! Just like with A Song of Ice and Fire, Martin created another world with just so much depth and detail that you truly have to wonder how many worlds are in that man's head. This book was all outer space and sci-fi, with a lot of suspense and questioning of humanity's nature. It was a really good book.
5. Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan
This book was recommended by a bookie blogger I follow--Anne Bogel from Modern Mrs. Darcy (don't follow her? YOU SHOULD!). Oh my goodness, you guys, this book was fascinating!!! A memoir about Cahalan's terrifying spiral into madness, Cahalan talks the reader through everything that happened in an honest, intelligent way. At times mind boggling-ly frightening, her story is so moving that it must be shared. My favorite book of the month by far!!
6. House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III
Wow. This book was so intense. A very dramatic story about one house being fought over by people drowning in their own dark life situations. I did not like Kathy. At all. (Anyone out there read it and want to talk to me about it, cause seriously, I hated Kathy but could see where others might love her.) There were times I sympathized with her, but at the end (part II) I was done with her.Overall, it was just a heavy, heavy book. One I'm glad I read, but won't pick up again (and won't be seeing the movie).
7. Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism by Scott & Kimberly Hahn
The Hahns are strong leaders of the Catholic Church, but being new to Catholicism, I'd heard of them but had never read any of his work. A friend recommended that I start with his and his wife's conversion story. This book was wonderful. Obviously a religious book (obvs), I loved how they took turns telling their view points of important parts of their lives together. Turns out, Scott Hahn has written like a bajillion non-fiction books and let me tell you, I plan on reading them all!
8. Midwives by Chris Bohjalian
This book has been on my shelves for YEARS and I am so grumpy that I have neglected to read it before now. It was a beautiful read. Bohjalian quietly and poetically unfolds this terrible tragedy using the voice of the daughter Connie, who tells us about her mother Sybil--a midwife who may or may not have accidentally killed the mother of a baby she was delivering. It was just so well written. I loved all the characters, the story, the subtle suspense.
Ok. That's it for August. Please let me know what you've been reading, if you've read any of these (cause you all know I L-O-V-E to talk about what I've read), and what I need to add to my ever growing list!!
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