Memorial Day: Reader Suggestions
It’s the unofficial start of summer, tra-la (unless you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, I guess, but that means it’s cozy season for you. Everyone wins!)
Time for a mid-year review:
Let’s please start: grilling corn and stone fruit. Sitting in the garden/yard. Enjoying summer vacations. Anticipating the Olympics (no, I know. It’s so jingoistic and saccharine, I’m embarrassed. And yet, I love them.)
Let’s please stop: permitting the creep of fascism. Gray weather necessitating the same sweater I’ve been wearing since early November. Publishing 600 page books that should have been 380 pages for want of an editor.
Let’s please continue: sharing book ideas with each other.
Which brings us to this week’s traditional Memorial Day theme, “Reader Suggestions!” This is usually amongst my most popular newsletter themes each year, and I’m not surprised. Sharing the books we love and want everyone to read is one of my love languages, and I suspect one of yours.
So read on for the books you, the readers, have loved so far this year. And of course, it wouldn’t be sporting to ask you to do all the work, plus I’ve never stayed out of a book conversation, so - I’m also sharing the books I can’t wait to read this summer. Be part of the fun by leaving your suggestions in the comments!
Reading Suggestions From the Community
From Rachael, who knows stories: “Talking at Night! Don’t be fooled by the cover. It was gorgeous. Normal People vibes.” Friends, I myself did not like Normal People but I’m one of the only ones. But also - YES! Why is everything this cover and font?
Samantha says: “I am not the best reader friend but I’m currently devouring Forever, Interrupted.” I haven’t read this one, but there’s nothing like Taylor Jenkins Reid at her best, amirite? And don’t sell yourself short, Samantha - you’re a great reading friend.
Chanthina read and recommends “Barbarian Days & We Were Never Here”. Memoirs and thrillers, she knows this audience. Also, why have I never read Barbarian Days? Why do I deny myself nice things, as a car salesman asked me this week?
Jacques reports that he’s “been on a little Vonnegut kick. Mother Night is fantastic.” Yes! We like older books here - if we haven’t read them, they’re new to us!
Caroline, who is smart and cultured, suggests “Tom Lake & The Women.” Can I tell you how many people have suggested Tom Lake? Like, all of them. Shameful confession: I find Ann Patchett beautiful but a little forgettable, probably because I’m a hopeless philistine.
You’ll want to trust Amy - she says, “How to Solve Your Own Murder was fun!” and she has very good book taste. Putting this on my list pronto.
Jon is an excellent writer so we should probably trust him when he says, “I just read The Reluctant Fundamentalist and it was quite good.”
Prolific, discerning reader Jeff proactively reached out to say, “Please consider making The Wealth of Shadows your next book. Halfway through in one day and can’t put it down.” Done and done, Jeff!
And lastly … our friend Eve is doing the Lord’s work and counseling us: “Don’t read The Rabbit Hutch. Absolutely zero lambs!”
And As a Bonus: Here Are the Books I Can’t Wait To Read This Summer, Presented Without Context
(In addition to my Sun Valley Writers’ Conference reading list, which, hmm, isn’t going all that well considering I have six weeks left.)
All books link to Bookshop.org, because if I have the option, I try to align with the non-billionaires. Unless said billionaires are Mackenzie Scott or Melinda French Gates because I think they have pretty good ideas and are philanthropic.
Remember to read, like, share and comment! Let’s be reading friends.
P.S. Yes I know this is coming on a Monday instead of a Sunday. I KNOW. But - what do you think - are weekdays or weekends better to receive this? Let me know in the comments.
Have a few to add to my reading list now! As for “600 page books that should have been 380 pages for want of an editor,” I’d like to nominate The Book of Love.