Four books - a great start to summer reading!
I started light with a book touted as THE summer read of the year. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry is a will-they-won't-they reminiscent of When Harry Met Sally. It follows the friendship of Alex and Poppy who met in college, find they are from the same area of Indiana, become fast friends and do a summer trip every year without fail. Until they don't because things got weird. Each chapter alternates between past trips (leading up to the last one) and current time. Super cute and cleverly written - a great light read while sipping something cold and refreshing. I do wish there would have been more focus on the destinations as a real escape.
Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano is a bit heavy and I don't want to give too much away, but it is a wonderful journey of a tween finding himself in the absolute worst of circumstances. A touching story that reminded me "family" is what and who you make of it, not just what you were born into.
The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal is a delightful “hometown” read with references to familiar places and things - Red Owl, St Clair Broiler, Vescio’s and Heggie’s Pizza. Lager tells the stories of small town MN sisters, Edith and Helen, Edith’s granddaughter Diana, and beer. I’m not a big beer fan, but this made me want to be one. It mixes heart, grit, chemistry (the science kind) and small town America. Each chapter is labeled with a monetary value - the ebb and flow of money is central to the stories and a fundamental part of Scandinavian / Midwest life. My favorite parts involved "The Grandmas". I listened to the audio version which was expertly read by Judith Ivey. I had to look up if she was from the Midwest because her accent is so good I assume she was (she is from Texas, but when to college in IL), even if she veered into corny Fargo speak every now and again. The end was super satisfying and that's something I can't say as often as I'd like.
Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad is a memoir of Jaouad’s battle with cancer and to the other side - how to create meaning and purpose once you've stared death in the face. A poignant reminder that once you've faced your own mortality it's likely impossible to "go back", hence the title of living in between. The last quarter of the book follows Jaouad as she travels the country by car with her dog visiting those that made a difference during her illness and recovery. It's super detailed so very long.
TBR List
- A Wicked Kind of Husband by Mia Vincy
- Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris
- Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult
- White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
- The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver
- How to Have Impossible Conversations by Boghossian/Lindsay
