One of the great things of being on the road this summer was I got to read a ton of books (it’s true! Not just news and politics!)! Ever the English major, I love me a book report; but as a reader, I’m not a fan of knowing too much before I open the cover.
Here’s my summer reading list with NO SPOILERS but what I’m hoping is just enough to tell you if you want to put it on hold at the library for yourself.
Push Off From Here by Laura McKowen
Ostensibly about recovery, the nine points in this book apply to most of us in some way. But if you struggle at all with your relationship to substance or any kind of addiction (and honestly, we all have our things), this is an important read.
Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocum
Fascinating and thrilling musical page turner that offers insights into discrimination around race, gender and neurodivergence in the early 20th century and now.
The Importance of Being Furnished: Four Bachelors At Home by R. Tripp Evans
I'm not an art historian, a gay man or a lover of furniture and decorative interiors AND I loved this book. Written with intelligence, clever humor (I mean, the title!!) and an obvious love of the subject, Evans weaves four detailed and delightful tales about these men. Honestly, Evans’ writing is so good — I wish other nonfiction writers would take note! Yes yes yes, the main characters are all entitled, sexist, rich, white men but they all were also breaking the norms of their day in one way or another. Their idiosyncrasies are at once endearing and exasperating, their excesses both fascinating and flabbergasting. And yet just under the surface of their flamboyance, we see the isolation, rejection, and pain of being gay (and different) in their families and societies. It's just good: the coffee table book you didn't know you needed.
Come Together by Emily Nagoski
An insightful look into sex in a long term relationship that covers everything from why (and if) sex is important to what we want when we want sex (a question that prompted rich conversation in my own relationship). Nagoski looks at trauma, healing, the gender binary (and the mess it makes), pleasure and magic (really? Yeah, kinda really.). Nagoski has, for me, the perfect blend of science delivered with lightness, inclusivity and humor.
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
Framed by descriptions of short stories, this love story of a curmudgeonly book store owner on a New England island is tender and sweet. Great dialog and some unexpected twists made it a delightful read. Especially recommended for writers and book and short story lovers.
You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith
A tender and honest story of the end of a marriage and in particular, the marital gender differences in even modern, progressive families. Written in short, almost prose poetry chapters, Smith unfolds the undoing of her relationship like gently pulling the petals from a flower.
A strange and sexy experiment which explores what happens when an almost middle-aged woman almost in menopause goes on an almost-road trip and has an almost-affair. She delves into luxury and pleasure, aging and libido, bioidentical hormones, strength training (for both external and internal motivations), variations on monogamy in marriage, fetal-maternal hemorrhage, parenting a non-binary child, and lots and lots of sex.
Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Already There by Tali Sharot and Cass R. Sunstein
An exploration of various aspects of habituation and dishabituation, how they work in our brains and how to use them to enhance our lives. To be honest, the book wasn't what I'd expected, but it was full of interesting science about habituation and dishabituation.
If you’d like to get a sampling of the ideas in the book you can also listen to this interview on the Ten Percent Happier podcast with co-author Tali Sharot!
The Bookbinder by Pip Williams
Twin sisters Peggy & Maude work in the Oxford Press bindery during WWI. It is a story of longing for what society prohibits, about love in wartime, about duty and work and failure. It's about finding another way. Particularly interesting to read about suffragettes in the midst of a woman's run for president. Who says we can't?
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store: A Novel by James McBride
The story of a Jewish theater owner and his wife in early 20th Century Pennsylvania - navigating antisemitism, racism, sexism, ableism, all the-isms. NOTE: I was excited to read this book on the recommendation of lots of people. I waited for weeks for it at the library. But I struggled with all the characters and the rambling writing style. I was about 1/3 of the way through and I lost access to the book in a Kindle snafu! If you read this, did you love it or not and what did you love or not?
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
A braided novel of a group of gay men in Chicago in 1985-1992 during the AIDS epidemic and the surviving characters in 2015 in Paris. Beautifully written with complex characters, it is a story about messy relationships and devastating grief in both blood and chosen families. NOTE: I was living in Boston during the AIDS crisis and felt Makkai captured the feeling of community fear, rage and support. If you remember this time, where were you? What stands out for you?
Harlem Shuffle by Colton Whitehead
Raymond Carney sells furniture in Harlem. Most of it is not stolen. Set in late 50s - 60s New York City, this fast-paced story offers both Harlem history and the struggles of a mostly not-crooked guy. Genius writing! No wonder Whitehead won the Pulitzer … twice. I haven’t finished it yet so TELL ME NOTHING about the last third!
Your turn! What did you read this summer that you recommend (or not)? Please leave a comment below and please support your local booksellers and libraries!