Hi Friends! Today I’m sharing all the books I read in July and August. It’s been a fun and laidback summer with lots of backyard, inflatable pool days, so I’ve had some time to get in a few good reads.
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett – This is an intimate portrait of two siblings who grow up living a life of luxury but are then thrown out by their stepmother. The story spans 50 years and covers the house they grew up in and the different losses they survive. This wasn’t a crazy, suspenseful page-turner, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It makes you question what you know about forgiveness and your capability to forgive. 4 Stars
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak – This story takes place in Germany during World War II. The plight of the Jews is important to the story, but the main focus is is on one girl, Liesel, and her struggle living in Nazi Germany, how her family takes in and hides a Jew, and above all, it’s about relationships. The book has an interesting format to it, it’s very well written, and it is narrated by Death. I love reading any books about WW2 and have read so many, but this one was different from most. I can see why people love it. I liked it, cared a lot about the characters and cried at the end. 4 Stars
Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier – The famous Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer painted only 35 paintings and one of his most renown is Girl With a Pearl Earring. Nobody knows anything about the subject of this painting, but author Tracy Chevalier attempts to “paint a portrait” of who she thinks the young woman is. Griet is a maid in the 1600s Dutch household of Vermeer and his family. She is quiet and competent and catches the eye of Vermeer. I loved the simplicity of this book, I loved Griet, and I felt longing for more after I finished it. 4.5 Stars
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas – “What’s the point of having a voice if you’re gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn’t be?” This book is about a girl, Starr, who witnesses her friend being shot and killed by a police officer and how she navigates being a voice for a movement while also wanting to protect herself and family from any backlash. Starr is such a likable character and the family relationships she has are all so authentic and believable. This book is so topical to the current climate and ongoing Black Lives Matter movement and it is a must read. It’s an honest account of what is happening every day across the country. 5 Stars
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs – A teen recently loses his eccentric grandfather and seeks answers to questions he has about his grandfather’s life. This leads him to travel to the orphanage where his grandpa grew up, but there is definitely something mysterious going on. This book is so unique and has such a clever premise. It gave me some Harry Potter vibes. The book also has photographs accompanying the story that add another dimension to the reader’s experience. And what’s even cooler is that all the photographs are actual, real photos. I really loved this book. 5 Stars
Hollow City by Ransom Riggs – This is the second book to Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children and it picks up right where the first book left off. It is such a bizarre, supernatural fantasy series and I enjoy it. This book (and the third) also has real, authentic old photos to accompany the story. 4.5 Stars
Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs – This is the third and final book in the Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children series. This last book was probably my least favorite of the three, but overall such an entertaining series 4 Stars
Tales of the Peculiar by Ransom Riggs – I just couldn’t get enough of the Miss Peregrine’s series, so I found this book which is basically a collection of fairytales all about the “Peculiar World.” If you found yourself enjoying the series as much as I did then this is a fun little add-on.
I would love to hear what books you’ve been reading lately and I always welcome any book recs!
XO,
L
