“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! — When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” -Pride and Prejudice
It’s amazing how much time I discovered when I chose not to watch t.v. Summer 2018 was my summer of reading. I spent many evenings cuddled up on the couch with a library book draped across my lap, sometimes a glass of wine beside me. It was a good summer, one I will look back on and think of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, Jonas and The Giver, and grumpy and endearing Ove. The books I read and the characters I encountered entertained me, gave me hope, and challenged me. Here are my Top 5 Books of Summer:
A Man Called Ove
This novel written by Fredrick Backman was surprisingly emotional for me. Backman tells the story of a grumpy old man who seems to try to make the lives of his neighbors unbearable. As the story unfolds, I was annoyed with Ove and then I cared for him like a pseudo-Grandpa. He was endearing and lovable and as Backman tells pieces of Ove’s backstory, it becomes clear why he has become this grumpy old man. I didn’t think I would like it as much as I did, but it is a terrific read. The movie starring Tom Hanks came out in 2016.
The Giver
A modern classic written in 1993, this book made me think deep thoughts and have a good cry. I read it on our family road trip and I will always remember the VRBO couch I was sitting on when I read:
If he would have stayed, he would have starved in other ways. He would have lived a life hungry for feelings, for color, for love.
Set in a seemingly utopian community where everyone has a place and a purpose and nothing bad ever happens, the main character, Jonas, is selected as the new Receiver of Memory where he meets The Giver. As the story unfolds, Jonas discovers his community isn’t what it seems.
Rereading this book from my childhood was so good for my soul. It’s a quick read and I was rooting for Jonas and Gabriel until the last page.
Firefly Lane
On our road trip I picked up this book at a used book store, knowing nothing but what the back of the book read. I cried my way through this one on our 9 hour trip home from Michigan.
A fictitious novel, Firefly Lane tells the story of two best friends across a lifetime. Kate and Tully meet in middle school and the tale of these two friends gets better as the years trickle on. It reminded me of my own growing up years and made me a bit nostalgic.
If you don’t like to cry, don’t read this because it will happen. Even with the blood shot eyes and mascara stains, it was still worth it.
Pride and Prejudice
This classic by Jane Austen has been read by everyone but me. I started out my summer reading with this one and I believe it is what lighted the fire in me to read. Although I had to think a little more with the language, the characters and storyline made this book incredibly worthwhile.
It was a bit complicated for me to keep everyone straight at first, but after a few chapters I started to put it all together. Pride and Prejudice takes place in the early 1800s and is a heartwarming story of The Bennett family and their five unmarried daughters. I’m not sure I could have loved the protagonist, Elizabeth Bennett, anymore.
I am eager to read more of Austen’s work and have Emma and Mansfield Park on my list.
Educated
I just finished this book and it’s fresh in my mind. Tara Westover grew up in the mountains of Idaho with her survivalist parents. A memoir written by Westover discusses her upbringing and how she went from not having any formal schooling before she went to college to having a PHD in history from Cambridge. Parts of this story are heartbreaking and yet knowing how the story ends gave me hope throughout the book. There are some religious pieces of Tara’s story, but she does an incredible job of navigating that road with respect.
I am a sucker for a good memoir because I love to hear people’s stories and this is right up there with The Glass Castle.
Fall and winter are coming and with it: time. These seasons provide me more minutes to read with less to do outside and although I am a summer-lover, I welcome the change. If you have any must reads, please let me know so I can add them to my list!