Kind of a slow month. Just 8 books. 2,566 pages. AN average of 83 pages a day. But I haven’t gotten to spend a lot of time by the pool. So there’s that
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi (384 pages). Theo, a distinguished man of 87, arrives in Golden, Georgia, most unexpectedly. He does not appear to know a soul in town. On his first day, he happens into a coffee shop, where portraits are on display. Theo decides to slowly purchase them and bestow them upon the subjects. Theo is a beautiful soul, generous and welcoming. And he slowly creates a family for himself during the year he spends in Golden. It was a sweet and touching story. I finished in 5 days.
The Queen’s Gambit by Walter Tevis (243 pages). I loved the limited series that this book was based on, so decided to give the book a try. Beth Harmon is 8 years old when she is orphaned and sent to a home. The custodian there teaches her chess. And Beth quickly proves to be a prodigy (and also a bit of a druggie thanks to the tranquilizers they are given). At 14, she is adopted by the Wheatleys. Turns out she is adopted so that Mr Wheatley can leave Mrs Wheatley and she will have a companion. Once Mrs Wheatley realizes that Beth is gifted at chess, they begin to travel to tournaments. Because Beth wants to be a grandmaster and a world champion. Along the way, she makes friends with other chess players. And travels the world for tournaments. I liked the book just as much as the series! I finished in 4 days.
The Water is Wide by Pat Conroy (292 pages). I read this for my book club. Pat Conroy was a naive college graduate when he decided to teach on Yamacraw Island (a fictionalized Daufuskie Island) off the coast of South Carolina. His 18 students were all black and not a one of them knew that they lived in the United States of America. Pat decided he was going to teach them, not just the ABC’s but about life. With help from friends, he managed to teach them about classical music, he took them to DC, he even introduced them to Rick or treating. But the old guys in charge didn’t like him and after one year, he was fired. While he fought it, he didn’t win. Pat Conroy is an exquisite writer. And for me, I loved reading about one of the men who came over to meet the children, my family friend Peter Walter. I finished in 3 days.
Lord of the Fly Fest by Goldy Moldavsky (311 pages). Rafi Fransisco is a podcaster who knows she’s found her next big story- proving pop star River Stone murdered his girlfriend before he became famous. And she knows exactly where to do her investigating- the Fly Fest. This highly publicized and exclusive festival is going to be held on a private island. But once Rafi and the other influencers arrive, it’s not what they thought. No villas, no food, no festival. Think Frye Festival meets Lord of the Flies. Except not as good. Rafi is annoying. The influencers are absolute morons. Honestly, the premise was great. The execution? Not so much. I finished in 3 days.
The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer (297 pages). This was a special edition One Upon a Book Club book. All stories are love stories when you love stories. And thus opens the story! Rainy March comes from a long line of book witches. Witches with the unique ability to enter a book when something goes wrong. But there are rules. And the most important one is don’t fall in love with a fictional character. When Rainy and her familiar Koshka get sent into her favorite series to save the Duke of Chicago (a page has gone blank, so they know something is wrong), she ignores all the rules. Because she’s always had a book crush of the Duke (I feel you, girl. Gilbert Blythe for me). Rainy continues her adventures of saving books and being with Duke. Until her grandfather goes missing. And Rainy must track down the March Hare to solve the mystery. This book was so creative, so cute. I really enjoyed it! AND gifties?! Perfect. I finished in 3 days.
By the Book: A Novel of Pros and Cons by Amanda Sellet (374 pages). Mary Porter-Malcolm’s whole world changes when her experimental school closes doors and she has to go to public high school. As a sophomore. With no friends! But Mary has an encyclopedic knowledge of literature. And quickly makes friends by warning Arden, Lydia and Terry about the dangers of a Vronsky, aka heartthrob and cad Alex. The girls begin to establish the Scoundrel Survivor Guide. But real life isn’t literature. And sometimes scoundrels are actually the heroes. I finished in 2 days (yes, finally a pool day)
The Friendship Club by Robyn Carr (303 pages). Marni is a successful chef with her own television program. Her producer Ellen is her best friend of 20 years. Their young intern Sophia is just starting her career in television. And Marni’s daughter Bella is a lawyer and expecting her first child. The women are at different places in their lives. But they are there for each other as their lives change. New relationships begin. Bad relationships end. And through it all, they have their friendship club. It was an easy read. I finished in 3 days.
When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill (362 pages). Alex is 8 years old in the spring of 1955. The spring of the Mass Dragoning. Over six hundred thousand of women literally became dragons, included her beloved aunt Marla. But not her mother. Alex raises her cousin/adopted sister Beatrice. And eventually, after 9 years, the dragons begin to return. It’s a commentary on feminism and civil rights honestly. And a little too heavy handed. But an interest idea. I finished in 6 days.
This month’s favorite was…The Book Witch. Loved the concept, loved the execution.
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