Read Any Good Books Lately?

As usual, I have been soaking up the books — because don’t they provide the answer to everything? Songwriting? Music theory? Law of attraction? Manifesting? AI? Chord progressions? I have books on all of those topics from Kindle Unlimited on my Kindle. I get most of my books from the library (I rarely buy books anymore) — both print (and large print LOL) and Kindle. However, when I want some fairly new information on something, I look to Kindle Unlimited. But you really have to be careful in these days of self-publishing, when everyone thinks they can write and publish a book. I look for books with a rating of four stars of more and a decent number of reviews. And if they turn out to be duds, easy to just return them and get something else. There is usually quite a large variety of choices.

But mostly I do read fiction — and mostly newish bestsellers. Here is what I have read lately. As I have told you before, once I read the last page of the book and close it, I rarely remember what it was about even if I really liked it.

The Keeper of Hidden Books by Madeline Martin — I am currently reading this one. It is from 2023 and is another one of the World War II books set in Poland featuring young women. So far, I am really enjoying it. 

Shelter by Harlan Coben — I don’t know where I heard about this one, but I must have heard something because I had to take out an interlibrary loan to find it (I have no idea why; he is a very popular author).  I don’t think I have ever read Coben before, and apparently this was his Young Adult novel debut. I didn’t realize it was Young Adult when I got it, but who cares? It was written in 2011, and I would recommend it. It is a thriller type, which I generally don’t read.

The Storm We Made — This is one of the most anticipated books of this year. It is a historical novel set in World War II Malaysia. It is both a spy story and a love story. Great book.

The Everything Songwriting Book — Well, this is one of my Kindle Unlimited books, as I have been wanting to dig out my old lyrics (from decades and decades ago, when I was a mere child). A very comprehensive book, which made me realize how difficult songwriting is!

Peyton’s Choice by Kimberley Johnson — I read this because Kimberley is an acquaintance of mine. It was written in 2016, and unfortunately, women no longer have the choice that Peyton had. Good book.

Greenwood Encyclopedia of Rock History — Found this one at the library when I was perusing music books. It is a five- or six-volume set. I already read (skimmed) the beginnings of rock and roll through the 50s. I am now reading volume 2, which is my favorite era, the early and mid 60s. I may not read any more of the books, since I am not so into those eras. I guess I could skim them to find out all I don’t know. They are very comprehensive books. Hardcover.

Practical Intuition by Laura Day —  Another of my Kindle Unlimited books, since I am in a intuition, synchronicity, law of attraction, manifestation phase. I remember the book was OK, but even though I recently finished it, I don’t remember a thing!

Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders — Like weird stuff? This book was recommended by a friend who does (so do I). It is a good book but a little hard to read. It is about Abraham Lincoln’s son Willie, who died as a child. It is fiction and the author’s debut novel (2017). The characters are both fictional and invented. The bardo is the state between death and rebirth. Try it. You might like it. 

Oath and Honor by Liz Cheney — Really good book. Well written and easy to read.

Manifesting — I don’t even know the title of this one, but it was another manifesting book. They are all pretty much the same!

The Human Stain by Philip Roth — This book was recommended to me. I have read Roth, and I thought I may have read this one before, but it didn’t seem familiar at all when I read it. Roth is a great writer. This one is about racism and secrets. It is the third book of three in Roth’s American Trilogy.