It has been a long while since I shared a post on everything I’ve been reading lately (check out the last one here)! Since there are so many books to cover, I thought I would group them together based on category so you can more easily scan through and read the reviews you’re most interested in. Hope this gives you some good inspiration for your summer reading list. And be sure to follow me on Goodreads so you can keep up to date with my current reads and to read list!
Historical Fiction – my favorite genre
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This novel follows multiple generations of a Korean family living through war, immigration, poverty, sickness, and injustice, as well as joy, beauty, and success. I loved the character and the pacing of this novel. I couldn’t wait to get back to it and read a few more pages each day. There are very tough subjects covered, and I appreciated how the author showed empathy with each character as they handled their own challenges. It took the perfect amount of time to read and taught me about a completely unknown time in history for Koreans living in Japan.
Bel Canto by ann patchett ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love Ann Patchett, so it’s no surprise that I gave this novel a 5 star rating. It is loosely based on the hostage situation in Lima when the Japanese embassy was overtaken by terrorists, however the novel is focused on the friendships and romances that form over the course of the event. I loved the complications that arose from everyone speaking different languages and the appreciation for music that joined them all together. It’s the perfect novel to make you think, feel, and get transported to another place.
hamnet by maggie o’farrell ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This novel had a very interesting concept – Shakespeare had a son, Hamnet, who died as a young boy. Shakespeare’s most renowned work is called Hamlet. What is the potential connection and motivation behind this work? The first part of the story follows two different timelines. Jumping between Shakespeare meeting his future wife, marrying her, and having their first child, and the demise of Hamnet. I really enjoyed the exploration of sibling relationships, work as a means of fulfillment, and a mother’s love. The second part of the story is about how relationships change after a death in the family and the ways different people “move on.” I would say this is a slow burn, but captivating and well written. Would recommend!
The Song of Achilles by madeline miller ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a beautiful tale of love and war. I enjoyed the fast pace and the perspective of not of the traditional hero, but of his lover. The story is narrated by Patroclus, the companion of Achilles, from their boyhood through their adventures as men. There are themes of greed, and pride, and devotion all against the backdrop of ancient times ruled by gods. It took me a little while to get into the love story side, and by the end I was rooting for them completely and didn’t want the story to end.
History
Making The Met, 1870-2020 Edited by andrea bayer and laura d. corey ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I purchased this book while the Met was still closed because of COVID so I could get a taste of the place I missed so much. Luckily the Met has long since reopened and I’ve enjoyed getting to learn more about the history and importance of different works and decisions the museum has made over the years. It’s been especially fun to see the same names come up in this book as the other one I’m currently reading about Robert Moses. The one thing to think about is that this book was published by the Met, so while they recognize some of their shortcomings throughout the years, overall it is a “congratulations to us on our 150 anniversary” kind of book. I can’t wait to keep it on my coffee table for years to come and enjoy all of the beautiful images and historical stories.
Here Is New York by e. b. white ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This short piece is the perfect thing to read on a spring Sunday in Central Park; which is just what I did! It’s a reflection on life in New York and observations about what the city means to those who live here and those who come from afar. A great, enjoyable taste of the New York of time past and the enduring traits that still exist today.
Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by erik larson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“You don’t pay much attention to the construction of ships?” “No, as long as they float; if they sink, I get out.”
And Captain Turner did find himself needing to get out…I really enjoy Larsen’s writing and found myself craving more and more of this story. The sinking of the Lusitania proved an important event in leading the US to enter WWI, but I was even more interested to learn about the events immediately leading up to the sinking and the experiences of the passengers and crew. This book has great pacing and storytelling, and there were so many interesting facts (loved reading about the love life of President Wilson) and heart wrenching moments. Definitely recommend this book if you like history.
Fiction
What Makes Sammy Run? by Budd Schulberg ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoyed the time period and excitement of “making it” in Hollywood, though that isn’t what this book is truly about. It’s narrated by Al, a pretty nice guy who is a decent writer, who is obsessed with the motivation and choices of Sammy, a young upstart. Through various scenarios and opportunities we get to see how each man handles the options in front of him and learn about the impact of childhood experiences. I’m sure as I reflect further I’ll have even more takeaways, but just finishing it now, I’m most struck with how more achievements are not the key to happiness.
betty by Tiffany McDaniel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This novel is heart breaking and filled with more tragedy than anyone should have to endure. It’s based on a real life story of a half Cherokee girl growing up in a challenging world socially, as well as with a disturbing family history and present. I loved the storytelling and while it was often difficult to read, I also found it was a great opportunity to broaden my understanding and perspective on how others’ lives unfold. It’s not for the faint of heart, but if you’re willing to read upsetting scenes, you’ll be rewarded by the end.
Metropolitan Stories by Christine Coulson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book is everything for a lover of the Met. It is a series of short stories, all set in the museum, and lets you in on the culture and passion of the staff. The stories are fantastical (with moving museum objects and magical light) and a perfect way of seeing the Met and the joy it brings to those who work there. I highly recommend this book, even if you aren’t as obsessed with the Met as I am, as a light escape into the world of art.
The Age of Innocence by edith wharton ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This novel was even better the second time around. The sumptuous descriptions of food, powerful observations of society, and frustrated love all make this a compelling read. The novel follows Newland, Ellen, and May in a love triangle that never really progressed to what modern readers would see as scandalous. However, for the time it is a commentary on how rules and expectations can influence our lives and how the slightest deviation can be impactful.
the finisher by David Baldacci ⭐️⭐️⭐️
My mother loaned me this book that is popular with her grammar school students. It’s been so long since I read YA and it was fun to jump into an adventure story that was quick and action packed. While it’s not a novel I’d recommend to my peers, I can see why children would love it!
beloved by Toni Morrison ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a story of horrors – slavery, murder, abuse, ghosts. The subjects are challenging, but incredibly important to consider and think about. I gave this three stars because it had a disjointed feel and pacing. While parts were made more compelling by the jumping around and lack of punctuation, there were more that caused more confusion than impact.
All We Ever Wanted by emily giffin ⭐️⭐️
There was a lot going on in the book. Sexually explicit photos without permission, divorce, class tensions, commentary on therapy, suicide attempt, and slight political leanings. The characters were somewhat shallow and expected. A rich, right leaning husband who wants to make problems disappear with money. A beautiful and righteous, left leaning wife who is the moral winner of the story. I think if just a few topics were focused on and the characters weren’t so predictable it would have made for a much better and more meaningful story.
Personal Development
10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works–A True Story by Dan Harris ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Striving is fine, as long as it’s tempered by the realization that, in an entropic universe, the final outcome is out of your control. If you don’t waste your energy on variables you cannot influence, you can focus much more effectively on those you can. When you are wisely ambitious, you do everything you can to succeed, but you are not attached to the outcome—so that if you fail, you will be maximally resilient, able to get up, dust yourself off, and get back in the fray. That, to use a loaded term, is enlightened self-interest.”
This is the perfect summary of what I got out of Harris’s book. He takes us on a compelling, interesting, funny journey to understand how he started out as a skeptical worrier and developed into a mindful, balanced professional (most of the time). There was a lot more about his career in broadcasting than I was expecting, and I really enjoyed that because I was able to relate to the feelings of ambition and constant striving that he described. There are tons of takeaways from this book, and I will most often think of the need to respond versus react and to detach from outcomes.
Big Money Energy: How to Rule at Work, Dominate at Life, and Make Millions by Ryan Serhant ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received this book after attending a virtual event through work. The author brings you through his journey to change his mindset and unlock his success with hard work and dedication. My main takeaways are to be incredibly protective of your time (from yourself and others) and to have confidence in yourself. This confidence will be evident to others and allow you to access greater opportunities. I gave it three stars because the advice wasn’t anything new and the writing was just ok. You can tell the author is passionate about the subject and it was a quick read that gave me more to think about with time management.
The Best Damn Sales Book Ever: 16 Rock-Solid Rules for Achieving Sales Success! By Warren Greshes ⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Being a salesperson is the best job there is. It is one of the few professions in which you can work for someone else and still be working for yourself. It is also one of the only professions where you can work for someone else, make as much money as you want, and not have to beg the boss for a raise.”
I love the way this book opens! Because I am a salesperson and love what I do, I completely agree that it’s the best job, but this quote sums it up perfectly. This book goes over the fundamentals of having and acting on a solid plan. I found that many of the points were a good reminder, but didn’t find myself having any big revelations. I also think there could have been more examples of goal setting and plans that could have provided inspiration and clarity to the ideas of the author. Overall, this book definitely encouraged me to revisit my sales (and life) plan and to ensure that I am engaging in activity everyday that’s getting me closer to my goals.
Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book is a compilation of letters written to an advice columnist and her responses. The letters dealt with love, loss, abuse, fear, and figuring out who you are. The author did a great job of balancing advice with stories of her own life. I gave it three stars because I felt upset reading most of the book. While it dealt with important topics, there was so much sadness and tragedy and I don’t think I was in the right place to fully appreciate it – I just felt brought down. The rating is more so an indicator that I wouldn’t recommend the book more so than a commentary on the value of the book itself.
Selling 101: What Every Successful Sales Professional Needs to Know by Zig Ziglar ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I learned principles from Zig Ziglar in my sales courses at school and he teaches some great fundamentals. His four step process (Need Analysis, Need Awareness, Need Solution, and Need Satisfaction) provides a useful outline to think about how you can lead prospects through the buying cycle. I appreciate that this book is concise and to the point. It was not quite the best fit for me because the examples were outdated and simplistic, so it did not give me new ideas for the complex sales environment I find myself in today.
Romance – aka palate cleansers
Surprise Me by sophie kinsella ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a fun book that I needed to read after so many deep/depressing books in a row. The premise of the novel is that a young couple finds out they will most likely live and be together for another 60+ years. Their ensuing reactions lead to excitement, misunderstandings, and drama that will keep you guessing. It’s a great commentary on the value of always looking at your partner with fresh eyes and to continue your sense of curiosity about one another.
My Not So Perfect Life by sophie kinsella ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a light, fun read. I needed something to distract from some recent stress and this did the trick! The novel follows Katie, a girl from the country that wants to make it in the big city of London, and her relationship with her boss who lives a seemingly perfect life. There’s romance, humor, drama, and a lightheartedness throughout.
What have you been reading this summer? Any recommendations?
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