Books – Third Quarter Review 2024 – the Summer Edition
Most of this period was back “home” in California, visiting family, staying with my parents in the shadow of my family home where Ex and T2 reside, organizing and packing/repacking in my storage unit. But I found time for my beloved books!
Summer Reading
The sunshine brought out a lot of summer reading and good vibes, despite the proximity to the darkness of past years. Once again, this shows how far I’ve come since the divorce finalized 3 1/2 years ago, and 8 since empty nest coincided with Ex running off with another (T1). 4 1/2 years since I’ve been a nomad, out of the family home. These numbers are important. I was an avid reader since a child. During the separation and divorce years, coinciding with the pandemic, I couldn’t read a book. All focus was gone. Anxiety, panic attacks, court documents. Music was my refuge. Books were a distant memory.
So when I see this year already I have read 35 books… this is a direct correlation to my healing!
Kindle, Audible, Real Books, Oh My!
This quarter was bookended by London life. I always carry a “real” book and/or my Kindle in my big bag I tote around on the Tube, walking, stopping in comfy pubs. Audible is great for my walks and on the long plane journeys when my eyes are tired. I’ve gotten back to reading in bed instead of watching shows. My absolute love of reading is fully back. I love sharing books with friends, and especially my daughter and niece. So fun to discuss after we’ve read the same book.
Here’s the list!
The Classics
- Lady Audley’s Secret, Mary Braddon – spending so much time in London/U.K. I’m really enjoying reading the classics. Always shocking to think these books were written so long ago, and still so relevanat. (purchase here: https://amzn.to/3XAKo90)
- Mansfield Park, Jane Austen – I picked up a few of her books while I had the absolute pleasure of visiting her house in Crowton outside London. What a joy! (purchase here: https://amzn.to/3XZLXPp)
Lighter Fare
- Greenwich Park, Katherine Faulkner – Bought this in a bookstore in….Greenwich! A funky neighborhood south of the Thames in Greater London. Fun to read about places I’ve recently been. A thriller. (purchase here: https://amzn.to/3zxdcay)
- Seven Summers, Paige Toon – purchased this one in Greenwich. A summer read, love story, set in England as well. (purchase here: https://amzn.to/3XVQqlU)
- Book Lovers, Emily Henry – say no more with the title! I share Emily Henry books with my niece and daughter. (to purchase click here: https://amzn.to/4eftqnN)
- Lessons in Chemistry, Bonnie Garmus – my daughter loaned me her precious hard copy and I devoured it poolside LA in about a week. Because it is so unique, it’s one of my favorite reads of the year. (to purchase click on photo below)
Thought Provoking
- James, Percival Everett – I noticed this in a bookstore as one of the Booker Prize Short List. Although it is a challenging read with the dialect, it is so powerful and thought provoking as it’s from the perspective of the slave character Jim. It is a spellbinding adventure tale with James at the forefront, with Huckleberry Finn as his sidekick. (buy here: https://amzn.to/4eFmQqi)
- Anxious Attachment, Jessica Baum (Audible) – this counts as one of my “self help” books. I found the anxious attachment vs. avoidant attachment so relevant post divorce. I have displayed both sides in different relationships including my marriage. (purchase here: https://amzn.to/4dhmYve)
- I Am Yours, Reema Zaman – this is hard to categorize. It’s a memoir, with portions that qualify as “divorce memoir” which I’m always drawn to. Fascinating read, and I give huge props to Reema for her vulnerability and honesty in her writing and sharing her story. (purchase here: https://amzn.to/4eEn40Z)
- Liars, Sarah Manguso (Audible) – This is a raw, searing tale of marriage and motherhood, and the ultimate collapse. From the beginning you feel the impending doom and the free fall towards divorce. I’m still drawn to reading other character’s stories of pain and destruction of marriages, as you don’t feel so alone. This reads like non-fiction, it’s so real. I just fact checked and, no surprise, this was very much a rage filled tale inspired by the author’s recent experience. No wonder that’s why it resonated so clearly with me! (to buy click on photo below)
- Great Second Acts, In Praise of Older Women, Marlene Wagman-Geller – I read one or two every few days. They are historical biographical pieces on older women doing great things. Inspiring! (buy here:https://amzn.to/3XJWnkL)
HAPPY READING!
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