Summer Reads II

I read so many great books this summer!!! One of my favorite parts of summer is to sit down with a great book and not feel one bit guilty about it!

Little Mercies by Heather Gudenkauf

Gudenkauf is great at writing stories that pull at your heartstrings. This one doesn’t disappoint. Ellen is an overworked, exhausted, harried mother of three. One day while in the midst of a work crisis, she forgets something most precious to her and the repercussions will be devastating to her and her family. While Ellen is dealing with her crisis, her mother befriends a lost little girls named Jenny who is very far from home. Gudenkauf weaves both of these major plot lines together brilliantly and they come together perfectly at the end of the novel. I wasn’t able to put it down. You will find yourself yelling at the book to try and prevent events from happening!!

The Stories We Tell Patti Callahan Henry

This was a quick and enjoyable read. Eve and Cooper Morrison are a power couple in their Savannah community. Eve owns and runs her own printing business with two of her dear friends. Cooper is involved in a terrible accident with Eve’s sister, Willa, and their seemingly perfect life starts to unravel. There is nothing earth-shattering in this book, it’s pretty predictable, but it was a very enjoyable read. Eve’s printing business was fascinating to read about and I really wanted to order the greeting cards she speaks of throughout the book!!

Cop Town by Karin Slaughter

Karin Slaughter should just write a book every second of every day…that’s how much I love her writing! This is not part of her series with Will Trent and Sarah but a stand-alone novel that was amazing! It’s set in the 70s as two female police officers are trying to make their way in a male-dominated world. I find it fascinating to read about badass women trying to make it in a world that doesn’t want them there. It’s a wonderful read.

Fly Away by Kristin Hannah

This is Hannah’s sequel to Firefly Lane. Kate has died from cancer and her family has fallen apart. Kate’s best friend, Tully, has become an addict who can’t leave the house. Kate’s husband is trying his best to function without his better half but not doing very well at all. Their daughter, Marah, has completely gone off the deep end. Will they be able to overcome this insurmountable loss? I love Hannah’s books and this one did not disappoint. It’s a quick, heartfelt, heartwarming book.

Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo

I’m sure most of you have read this already, but I am late to the game. This is the memoir of four-year-old Colton Burpo’s visit to heaven during a near-death experience. It’s hard not to believe in Heaven after reading this book. The part where Colton meets his sister in Heaven made me cry like a baby. His mom had a miscarriage, which he knew nothing about, and this was that sister that he met in Heaven. Man, oh man, I hope it’s true! This book sure makes you think. 

Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

I would have loved this book if it was around 200 pages long. The fact that it is almost 800 pages almost kept me from finishing it. The story was really unique and interesting, but it felt like it dragged on and on. Maybe I’m just not meant for critically acclaimed books because everyone loved this one, and it’s up for a Pulitzer, but I didn’t really like it. Theo is a 13-year-old boy who has just lost his mother in a terrible accident. The story follows his struggle to make his way in the world without his anchor, his mother. The plot is very interesting but I just felt that it was way too long.

Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight

I loved, loved, loved this book! I couldn’t put it down! The plot is unique and timely, the characters are well-developed and it’s a fast read. All of my favorite things in a book. Kate is a single mother to Amelia, a high schooler, struggling to find time for her high-powered career as an attorney and for Amelia. She is in the middle of a very important meeting when she gets a call from Amelia’s school that Amelia has been suspended. What happens next causes Kate to “reconstruct” Amelia’s existence and examine her own life as well. It’s a great read!!!

What have you read lately?