Now is the Hour by Tom Spanbauer - I loved, loved, loved this book. It's a pretty straightforward bildungsroman of a young gay man growing up in Idaho in the 60s but the voice is pitch perfect and the characters suck you right in. I was so grateful that it was nice and long because I didn't want it to end. I even re-read parts of it right away.
Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz - This is almost a mystery, with lots of secrets and tension. It's set in a rural area and takes place during and after World War I. If you love dark period pieces about social mores and family secrets, you'll like it.
Amy and Isabelle by Elizabeth Strout - I found this book hard to read, because the central mother daughter relationship is so painful. But the writing is absolutely beautiful and the characters come alive and I ended up loving it.
Oh man, Amy and Isabelle is so heartbreaking. Her others are really lovely, also--Olive Kittridge especially is so exacting and gorgeous and sad.
ReplyDeleteRE: Drowning Ruth, I am reminded of a beautiful heartbreaking memoir, Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain. It takes place in the same time period around WWI, a time so long ago. But it remains timely as a fearless telling of the costs of war. And it tells, perhaps, the most tender love story I've ever read. (Your mother will lend her well-worn copy to you, if you wish.:)
ReplyDeleteOoo, thank you for these read recs! I'm kind of meandering through Great Expectations right now ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the new reads. :) Right now I'm reading The Mysteries of Pittsburgh by Michael Chabon, and I really recommend it.
ReplyDeletegosh, i adore that feeling when you're tearing through a book that you don't want to end!
ReplyDeleteI love that you go to the library too :)
ReplyDeleteI am reading The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides, I really enjoy his writing and ability to write about everything and nothing all at once.
I see people have already commented on this but I really love that these are library books. Thanks for reminding me that I need to visit my library. Loving your blog also.
ReplyDeleteThe very last paragraph of Amy and Isabelle is so beautiful and touching.
ReplyDeletei will put them on my list of books to read x
ReplyDeleteAlthough I also love my local library, I also like to pick up pre-loved books from thrift stores. Drowning Ruth was one of those gems - such a well-written story!
ReplyDeleteBTW, I have been following your blog for a little while now, and I think you are so very talented! It is exciting to see what new project you will come up with next. Thanks for sharing them!
I felt the same about Amy & Isabelle. And would also definitely recommend Olive Kitteridge....
ReplyDeleteGreat recommendations!! I just started The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. So far, so good!
ReplyDeleteI always love a great recommendation
ReplyDeleteI have 'Drowning Ruth' here on my bookshelf, it's a few years since I read it so I might just go and search it out. I love the cover on the top book Rachel, so pretty - I will have to do a google search on it! :)
ReplyDeleteHey, thanks for the tip, I love a great recommendation.
ReplyDeleteWent to the library this past weekend and as usual, couldn't remember anything on the pages long list of books I've been meaning to check out. I was, however, able to recall your rave review of Now is the Hour, and checked it out. Excellent recommendation--it was heartbreaking and funny at the same time. (Thank you!) Also picked up Animal's People by Indra Sinha, which I would recommend as well.
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