July 2020 Reading List

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I listened to this book on Audible and HIGHLY recommend listening to it because it is read by the author and the accents and dialects that he uses really enhance the story. His childhood growing up in South Africa as a biracial child was nothing short of a miracle. He has a huge personality and was notorious for finding mischief which only adds to the effect. His life is at once brilliant and so very basic. He was raised by a strong single mother whose own life was amazing. He found a way to not only survive but thrive in a world that actively tried to kill him. PLEASE listen to this book. It's filled with hope in spite of everything. 

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I needed a fun light read and chose this book because it was on Reese's book club list. I have found that I adore all of her choices. Thanks Reese! This is the story of a woman with a very orderly life that is highly constructed to suit her specific needs and she finds herself grieving the loss of her mother as well as unexpectedly pregnant in her 40's. Her story of discovery, recovery, and ultimately embracing her circumstances was delightful. It's not all fluff, there are some serious topics and revelations that kept me wanting to know more. I do highly recommend this book as a perfect summer read though. 

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After reading Sing, Unburied, Sing (which was probably a favorite of all time for me!) I knew I needed to read more by this author. Her stories take place in deep south Louisiana and Mississippi, right where I grew up. So the landscape and culture are familiar, but the stories are very different from the one I lived. I did feel transported back in time and felt surrounded by things I could easily feel and imagine. For me that is part of the magic of her writing, but I don't think you need to be from the area to embrace the characters and be transformed by the stories. Please ready anything you can from this author. Her storytelling is mesmerizing.

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One of my favorite historical fiction authors does not disappoint in this lovely tale of woman, a house and past lives of both. I enjoyed the story so much and perhaps because I needed an escape, it felt like a sweet dream. I really love the details and the setting of the stories and the connections. If you love historical fiction, read anything by Susanna Kearsley and you won't be disappointed I promise.

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I listened to this book on Audible while driving and really enjoyed the story very much. It was a peek into a family life that had issues and conflict and relationships that were unexpected, interesting and overwhelmingly sad. While I felt great empathy for the characters and their relationships, this book should probably come with several 'trigger warnings'. Some deep issues are dealt with and each of the characters brings their own perspective to the family dynamics. I really enjoyed listening to this book but it was heavy. 

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Read by the author, I think this book is perfect for listening to because it's a story of the author, and when told in her voice, brings a personal touch that really resonates. From the story of how she got her name to the encounters of her everyday life, this book is an interesting peek into the life of someone whose experience has been often ignored. I love reading books that teach me something, and this book teaches in the telling in a way that makes someone else's experience feel personal. I highly recommend this book.

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I listened to this book on Audible and really enjoyed it. I liked that it was fiction and fairy tale combined. The story was fascinating and very different from anything I had ever heard before. While I didn't love it, I am glad I listened to it. It was a bit sad and maybe I'm just not in a good place to listen to sad right now. It was beautifully written and I would definitely read more by this author. 

Enjoy every story!

Diane