Although historical fiction is my favorite genre, I haven’t read much of it lately. Really, I haven’t read much fiction at all this summer (not very convenient when you are a regular contributor for a book blog). We’ve been busy, but I’ve also been reading a lot more nonfiction titles because of health issues (I…
Category Archives: 5 Star Reads
Every Natural Fact
Although the general public’s commitment to environmentalism and “going green” may be on the rise, the quantity and quality of many of our family’s interactions with the natural world are challenged by hectic schedules, lack of access, and the call of air conditioning on a hot summer’s afternoon, among countless other factors. To all who…
Finny: A Novel
Finny is a dramatic character-driven novel that follows Delphine “Finny” Short’s life from early childhood well into adulthood. It’s sort of a coming-of-age novel, not ending with young adulthood, but continuing through each phase of Finny’s life. Calling it a dramatic novel doesn’t really do it justice, because it’s funny as well. It’s another of…
The Sky is Everywhere
One day Lennie has a sister, a prominent place in the band as a clarinet player, a best friend – she’s basically a normal 17-year-old girl. The next day her older sister Bailey dies, and it changes everything. The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson is about Lennie’s journey as she is learning to cope…
The Bucolic Plague
When a book causes me to laugh out loud twice — before I even get to page one — I’m pretty sure that I’m going to like it. From the page after the dedication page: “This is a memoir of a certain time in my life. The names of some characters have been changed, and…
Summer at Tiffany
As I mentioned, I received a copy of Summer at Tiffany in our bags that we were given at the Book Blogger Conference in New York. The cover art captured my attention right away and when I flipped the book over to read the back cover, I was sold! Set in New York City in…
Secret Daughter
Shilpi Somaya Gowda’s first book is excellent. I’m already looking forward to her second. Her writing is rich and descriptive and beautiful — yet not overly flowery at all. Secret Daughter is a lovely story that takes place in two countries — U.S. (San Francisco) and India — and spans 25 years. Kavita and Jasu…
Radical Homemakers
Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! What didn’t I love and enjoy about Radical Homemakers: Reclaiming Domesticity from a Consumer Culture!?! This book was penned from my heart and I didn’t even know it! I was pulled into this book on reclaiming the art of homemaking from the get-go: “Ordinarily a calm public speaker, my hands shook…
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