You already know I am a reader. I have noticed a couple of things in some of the books I have recently read.
The first is the “rambing, train of thought, many characters, loaded with details” style I have found in more than one book I have recently read — or tried to read. I already talked about The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store in a recent post. That book was written in that style. I didn’t like the long sentences, mentions of so many characters you cannot keep them straight, and the tedious details. However, I think the plot and main characters in that book were good enough to definitely make it worth reading, and I enjoyed it. You don’t need to memorize who every character is or closely read all the detail to follow the story. And it is a good story with good characters.
On the other hand, I did not make it through Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton. Same detailed style, but so boring. However, most people loved it. It has very good reviews on Amazon. I couldn’t tell you what it was about. Totally forgot, and I hardly read any of it.
The other style I have seen recently is bouncing back and forth in time. Many historical fiction books go back and forth from years ago to now, but some books go back and forth weeks or months and by character, and it can get a bit confusing for this old brain. Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult is one of those books, but I liked it anyway. I did skim through many of the parts about beekeeping though. It is primarily a murder story. And I would recommend it.
Some other books I have read recently:
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren: Somewhat predictable romance. Not bad.
Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro is worth reading. And it doesn’t ramble. It is about friendship between generations and how an event can change everything. Recommended.
I thought I would really like The Librarianist by Patrick DeWitt because I like books about libraries and bookstores. It really wasn’t about either. It is about a retired librarian and a senior center. It is an interesting read with quirky characters.
Looking for Jane is a must read – at least for some people. The Janes were a network of women in Chicago who performed safe abortions before Rowe V Wade. This book actually took place in Canada in the 1980s before abortion was legal there.
And that is my book wrap-up — minus some of the quirky nonfiction I read!
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