Short and sweet book reviews of what I've been reading lately
Welcome to Quick Lit, where I share short and sweet reviews of what I’ve been reading lately on (or around) the 15th of the month, and invite you to do the same.
It’s been a good and interesting reading month. I realized a few weeks ago that between new summer 2024 releases and all the reading I’m doing for our upcoming Fall Book Preview, the backlist was seriously underrepresented in my reading selections. The fix is easy enough: I made a conscious effort to mix in some older titles. Two of those are reflected here: Jane Austen’s Persuasion and Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar. Other older titles are still in progress, and I look forward to sharing those next month.
In addition to those forthcoming fall titles, I have been reading a fair number of brand-new releases, like Rufaro Faith Mazarura’s Olympics-themed debut Let the Games Begin and Jessica Joyce’s The Ex Vows, which were both published in July 2024. My newest audiobook, Kara Swisher’s Burn Book, was published in February.
I hope you find something that looks intriguing for your TBR on this list (and in these comments), and I look forward to browsing your recent reads below. Thanks in advance for sharing your short and sweet book reviews with us here!
Welcome to August Quick Lit
This was an interesting change of pace from my usual reading; I picked up the audiobook when our resident spreadsheet whisperer Donna mentioned she was enjoying the audio version. The author hosts a popular podcast and is a longtime tech reporter, but I wasn't familiar with her work when I dove in to her tale—part professional memoir, part recent history—of covering U.S. tech companies beginning in the 1990s. Swisher's breezy style and the breadth of material covered here made this entertaining reading for someone who doesn't pay all that much attention to what's happening in Silicon Valley, but would like to better understand the workings of an industry that affects all of us every day. More info →
I loved Joyce's 2023 romance You, with a View and was delighted to learn she has a new book, just out July 16. This one centers on Eli and Georgia, a couple who met and fell in love when they were teenagers, but who broke up five years ago under painful circumstances. Now they're back in California to celebrate the wedding of their mutual best friend Adam, and for his sake, they've resolved to pretend that everything is fine and they're both at peace with how things ended. But the truth is they never got over each other, and when they're brought back into each other's lives for a week because of the wedding, sparks fly. This was a delightful, smartly-written read with heart and depth; I flew through it. (What a happy coincidence that I read this the same month as Persuasion.) More info →
I so enjoyed rereading this with the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club this month for Austen in August! (Our official schedule has us reading at a leisurely pace and finishing next week, but I got a little ahead of myself and already finished, oops.) Our community manager Ginger persuaded me to try the annotated edition, and I LOVED that nerdy experience. The editor's notes talked about everything from the significance of a family owning a barouche vs a chaise and four to the geography of Lyme and Bath to the underdeveloped plot points Jane Austen likely would have smoothed in edits had her health not deteriorated. Fascinating! More info →
This year I stumbled upon so many references to The Bell Jar in both the fiction and nonfiction I was reading, and while I knew a little about the book from my literary studies I'd never read it in its entirety. This summer I decided to change that, as I knew those references would keep coming and I'd like to understand the full meaning. WOW, it was not what I expected. Why did no one tell me how gorgeous Plath's sentences could be? And how incredibly difficult the content is at times. Perhaps I shouldn't have been surprised, for I knew Plath described her work to her mother like this: "What I’ve done is to throw together events from my own life, fictionalising to add colour – it’s a potboiler really, but I think it will show how isolated a person feels when he is suffering a breakdown." I opted for the audio version; it was great in this format, as read by Maggie Gyllenhaal. More info →
This debut was all about the timing for me: it takes place during the 2024 Olympic summer olympics, though in this fictional version, they take place in Athens. This summer romance features a fan favorite sprinter named Zeke and an ambitious university grad named Olivia who shows up for her summer internship only to discover her position has been eliminated. She's gutted, but when she accepts the offered volunteer position to get the athletes whatever they need, she gets an inside look at what happens in the Olympic Village—and keeps running into the handsome Zeke. The story did not excel on a sentence level, but the setting in the world of the summer Olympics and specifically the Olympic Village was tons of fun for a summer read. More info →
What have YOU been reading lately? Tell us about your recent reads—or share the link to a blog or instagram post about them—in comments.
P.S. I took the top photo at Louisville’s newish romance bookstore A Novel Romance (mentioned in the freshly updated Louisville City Guide), which is where I picked up my copy of Let the Games Begin.
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Paula says:
I recently finished my Jane Austen project and my favorite book of hers was Persuasion!
I loved The Sound of Music, so I couldn’t wait to read MARIA, the fictionalized bio of Maria von Trapp! Here’s what I said about the book->
https://michelemorin.net/2024/08/07/fresh-view-deepens-beloved-tale/
The untold story of Maria von Trapp’s life may have been too unwieldy for Julie Andrews or Mary Martin to sing about, but, nevertheless, the real Maria’s story deserves to be told, and MARIA is a fresh view that deepens an already beloved tale.
Martha Long says:
You would probably enjoy The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maia von Trapp.
My reading this month was a mixed bag. I read a couple of books from authors whose work I’d previously loved that did not work for me AT ALL. There was also a nonfiction compilation I’d really looked forward to that proved to be my least favorite book of this year. On a positive note, I read a creative and heartwarming middle grade novel, a heart-stopping thriller, a charming memoir, and a book about current parenting trends that is a MUST-READ for anyone who cares about the younger generation.
https://kendranicole.net/quick-lit-august-2024/
Elaine says:
In July, I read “The Briar Club” by Kate Quinn (loved it!), “Family, Family” by Laurie Frankel (great book!), “The Measure” by Nikki Erlick (very creative premise and well done), “The Glassmaker” by Tracy Chevalier (learned a lot about glassmaking), “Happiness Falls” by Angie Kim (dying to discuss this with someone), “The God of the Woods” by Liz Moore (twisty), “The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle Club” by Helen Simonson and “The Cliffs” by J. Courtney Sullivan (meh). I listened to “The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper” (sweet) and “The Diary of a Bookseller” (so much fun!).
Anne Bogel says:
I’m planning on The Briar Club as my next audiobook—glad to hear you loved it!
Kay Harvell says:
Just finished The Briar Club!! So smart, character driven and oh how I loved this book. She weaves historical events seamlessly through out. A boarding house of women who become family. These characters will forever be remembered!
Adrienne Hudson says:
Hello all! I just learned that a group of sharks is called a shiver, which is such a perfect description for sharks. I learned this from a book I am currently reading, ‘Sharks in the Time of Saviors’ by Kawai Strong Washburn. It’s a magical realism story and I am enjoying it so far! I have had a fantastic reading month! Recent reads include:
* The German Wife by Kelly Rimmer (4.5 stars) – tells the story of the German rocket scientists who were brought to the US to work on the space program in 1950, and the tension between the German families and their American neighbors. It provides a perspective that is not seen often – that of German people who were apalled by the Nazi regime but had no practical means to resist. Highly recommend this one…
* The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown (5 stars) – I loved this book which is a blend of fantasy and time travel, with great characters. This would be a wonderful movie or Netflix series…
* Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand (4 stars) – I’m sad that this is her last Nantucket novel. I’ve really enjoyed Hilderbrand’s books which feature recurring characters; it’s sad to say goodbye to people I have read about for years.
* Nineteen Steps by Millie Bobby Brown (4 stars) – this is a historical fiction and romance about life in WWII London, based on the author’s family history. I believe Brown worked with a ghostwriter, and the story is well-written and mirrored so many details that my mother has shared from her own childhood in WWII London.
In addition to the shark book I mentioned earlier, current reads also include The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr (audiobook) which is really good.
Happy Reading!
I’m currently reading Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto which has been on my TBR list for a long time and also listening to Doris Kearns Goodwin’s An Unfinished Love Story which I am LOVING. As a child born in the 60’s I have a special interest in that decade and the first hand accounts of Doris and her husband are fascinating.
Anne Bogel says:
An Unfinished Love Story has been on my nightstand for months now—thanks for the plug!
Allyson says:
I read Bel Canto years ago. Learned last week, that Ann Patchett is releasing an annotated Bel Canto in early November. She has handwritten notes in the margins of the text about her writing decisions in the creation of the book. I want to re-read THAT edition of Bel Canto. It sounds like a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how a novel is constructed.
Julia Reesor says:
I’ve read a few 5 stars books (in my opinion) this month. They are: The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier, The Painter by Peter Heller, The Book of Fire by Christy Lefteri and The Women of Safe Harbour by Bobbi French. I highly recommend all of these. These were all very engaging stories for me and kept me stealing moments between tasks to pick up the book to read more.
Ooof The Book of Fire was so sad, but so well written.
The Ex Vows was SO GOOD! I loved this story. Jessica Joyce is an auto-buy author for me now.
Sue T. says:
I found out about Jessica Joyce in an unusual way! My husband plays pickleball with her husband, and last year, he was proudly telling everyone that his wife had published a novel. Since he knows I’m a romance fan, my husband made sure to share the details with me. I really enjoyed both of her books, and I love the fact that her husband is her #1 fan 🙂
Anne Bogel says:
What an amazing way to discover an author’s work! I love this story so much.
I’ve never read The Bell Jar but have also heard it mentioned a lot. Guess I should add that to my audio Libby holds soon! Love all the colors in the bookstore!
I didn’t share my Quick Lit last month so this month has 9 books from a range of genres. One of them was added to my all-time favorites though!
Where the Lost Wander
Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop
The Magic of Sea Glass
The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s Bag
A Red Herring without Mustard
The House in the Cerulean Sea
100 Things to Do in Nashville Before You Die
Gilead
The Lager Queen of Minnesota
https://www.sincerelystacie.com/2024/08/quick-lit-august-2024-edition/
I’ve got a fun mystery I think you recommended, a stellar library find, and a volume in a journal series I reread every ten years. (Yep. I’m hanging out with LM Montgomery again. This is my third time through). Hope you’re well, Anne!
https://carolinestarrrose.com/quick-lit-what-ive-been-reading-lately-37/
Maggie Ostroff says:
I read the bell jar in high school, which led me to her confessional poetry. Plath was the person I studied in my final year in college. She led me to study psychology and opened doors I didn’t know were there.
Melanie says:
I re-read one Austen every February, and I’d definitely have to get the annotated Persuasion when I read that again. I have the annotated version of P&P and love it!
My reads over the last month or so (full reviews on Instagram @bookscatsandtreats):
Pride and Prejudice and Kitties – delightfully ridiculous
The Housekeeper the the Professor – loved, sweet but not saccharine
The God of the Woods – mostly liked, ending was underwhelming
The Island of Missing Trees – Liked the historical elements, not enough character development
The Great Divide – good idea, not great execution, skippable
What Happened to Nina? Gripping, couldn’t stop listening
Dixon Descending – Loved, not getting enough hype
My Brilliant Friend – reread, brilliantly crafted but slow and not always enjoyable to read
The River We Remember – absolutely fantastic!
Christina Liao says:
A friend challenged me to consume media by BIPOC content producers, so I picked up “Five Broken Blades” by Mai Corland. I haven’t finished it yet but am thoroughly enjoying the multi-POV story about five assassins trying to kill the emperor.
Tammy Gonzalez says:
I’ve been reading books set in or related to places I’ll be visiting during an upcoming cross-country AmTrak trip.
California (my home state): The California Trail (for some historical perspective)
Pacific Northwest: The Boys in the Boat, Snow Falling on Cedars, Mink River, Remarkably Bright Creatures
Glacier National Park: The Wild Inside
Minnesota: This Tender Land
Wisconsin: A Sand County Almanac
Maine: The Burgess Boys
On the list: The Jungle (Chicago), Giants in the Earth (Minnesota), Crossing to Safety (Wisconsin/Vermont), Undaunted Courage (Louis & Clark), Ben & Me (Ben Franklin), Just for the Summer (Minnesota), Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (Northwest)
Elizabeth says:
What a great idea—and a great trip!
Tammy Gonzalez says:
It has been tons of fun–and very enlightening. I leave in just under a month!!
ShelliR says:
Giants in the Earth is Dakota territory probably South Dakota not Minnesota. It’s very realistic.
Tammy Gonzalez says:
Thanks for clarifying. I think I’ll still read it. Hopefully I’ll make it to South Dakota one day!
Recovered a little bit from last month’s light total. Really enjoyed most of what I read, which spanned the gamut of genres.
All Creatures Great and Small, James Herriot | 5/5 ⭐️s
The Housemaid, Freida McFadden | 2.5/5⭐️s
Somehow, Anne Lamott | 4/5 ⭐️s
The Day the World Came to Town, Jim DeFede | 4/5 ⭐️s
Fruitful, Melissa Kruger and Megan Hill, eds. | 5/5 ⭐️s
Check out our website for tiny reviews and story summaries:
https://theshoreystories.com
Maria O says:
Just finished listening to All the Colors of the Dark, which I loved! The narrator, Eduardo Ballestrini is my favorite narrator, and the story was wonderfully complex with interesting characters, and deep themes of found-family, love, and trauma. One of my favorite books of the year so far. Also listened to The Half Moon, which I appreciated more than liked.
Bob says:
I’m reading Doris Kearns Goodwin’s LBJ and the American Dream, the author’s (our most treasured presidential historian) first-hand account of the life of a complex and often misunderstood president. Next up is An Unfinished Love Story by the same author.
Just put The Ex Vows on hold at the library!
I read ALL fiction this month and quite a few recent offerings from auto read authors (Elin Hilderbrand, Katherine Center, Ali Brady). Didn’t get through as many books as I would have liked at the beach but mostly enjoyed what I did read!
July Reading Recap
Margaret says:
I was so happy I picked up Remarkably Bright Creatures, so good. Another winner that I hadn’t heard too much about, but was really moved by, was Swift River by Essie Chambers.
Pam says:
I read The Bookseller by Mark Pryor, Heft by Liz Moore, The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda and I listened to the audio version of Symphony of Secrets by Brendon Slocumb. I liked them all but Heft was my favorite.
Anne Bogel says:
I’m curious about Heft—it’s the only one of Moore’s I haven’t yet read!
Emily VA says:
I’m reading Cat Sebastian’s We Could Be So Good and Brandon Sanderson’s Tress of the Emerald Sea, both of which are delightful in different ways.
I’m very curious about this “Annotated Pride and Prejudice” Anne mentions… is there a link for that?
Deborah C Craytor says:
Sandy Hoenecke says:
August has been a stellar month so far for reading. Here are my 4-5 star reads.
Non-fiction: Facing the Mountain/ Daniel James Brown
General Fiction:
Sandwich/Catherine Newman
How to Age Disgracefully/Clare Pooley
The Wedding People/ Alison Espach
Rom-Com:
A Novel Love Story/Ashley Poston
Under Your Spell/ Lauren Wood
The Rom-Commers/Katherine Center
Scottish Police Procedural: DCI Jack Logan series/JD Kirk
Just plain different:
Sign Here/ Claudia Lux
The Other Valley/ Scott Alexander Howard
Jerri says:
I have been reading The Tree Collectors by Amy Stewart. Thank you Jennifer Rodgers for helping me find this book. The stories are short and so inspiring!!
Michelle Wilson says:
I know I’m kind of a broken record but it’s Women in Translation Month and I have found so many great reads this month!
Pink Slime-Fernanda Trias (from the Spanish) A cli-fi/plague novel that has a lot to say. The author tells an amazing story in less than 200 pages!
A Good Life-Virginie Grimaldi (from the French) This is UpLit about the lives and relationship of 2 sisters. Think Fredrik Backman, Claire Pooley. For being so uplifting, it is full of triggers. Check StoryGraph cause think they give away major plot points.
And for you mystery lovers, try Claudia Pineiro. She is a popular, Chilean writer. Perhaps not a traditional ‘who done it’ but everyone that I have read was interesting and kept me reading.
Claire says:
Oddly, I just watched a movie version of Persuasion this week. It wasn’t the best version but filled me with a desire to re-read the book. (It’s my favorite Austen.) There must be something in the air.
kathy duffy says:
I devoured The Lost Book by Meg Shaeffer and loved it. Currently listening to the Covenant of Water on Audible and The Book of Doors on kindle app. Also read Swiped a thriller that I won on Goodreads that was really very good. Waiting impatiently for God of the Woods….
Mary Lou says:
I recently finished Born of Gilded Mountains by Amanda Dykes. I’ve loved all of her books, but this one really hit me in the feels. It’s about two girls who become pen pals at age 10, and their friendship that endures through many trials and misunderstandings. The prose is so gorgeous. It sounds like poetry at times. The characters are so real. I cared about every one of them, hurt when they hurt, and rejoiced when they rejoiced. I hated to see it end. I wanted to live in those mountains longer. Beautiful book!
Johanna Brown says:
This book may or may not be on everyone’s radar, but the title grabbed me right off the bat! _How to Read a Book_ by Monica Wood is a wonderful story. Heartwarming characters involved in a book club scenario that’s unexpected, love of books and reading, and a bookstore in the plot. If I were rating with stars, this one would be a 5!
Anne Bogel says:
I LOVED this book. (It was a MMD Summer Reading Guide pick this year!)