First, I read Matcha on Monday. This is part of a series of cafe-themed books from a Japanese writer. The narrator’s favorite cafe has a secret Matcha-only day on certain Mondays. The narrator is passionate about smartphone design, and an employee notices and appreciates that passion. There are many intermingled characters who have an introspection that I appreciated. This was a sweet read!

Next, I read Freedom Round the Globe by Sarah Pearsall. This looked at the global reach of the ideas found in the American Revolution. I found it to be very interesting, especially having a long running interest in the Revolution. It was a nuanced and well-researched account.

Next, I have a bunch more ARCs on my plate. These include Bogland, Receipts from the Bookshop, and Naomi Klein’s End Times Facism.

I’m looking forward to reading.

The first book that I finished was called The Children by Melissa Albert. The story follows two estranged siblings that grew up in a tumultuous environment. Their likenesses were used as the main characters in their mother’s popular fantasy novel series growing up, but their actual lives were not nearly as magical. The brother is soon to open an art show entitled “Mother,” and the sister is afraid of what memories he’ll be dredging up.

I also read a sweet romance novel called A Widow’s Charm by Caitlyn Paxson. I enjoyed the story of magical charms, dukes, and lords.

I am now reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami. I really love how Murakami can create otherworldly environments that transcend time and other boundaries.

I started today by making an iced latte with my Nespresso. I read more of The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. I plan on doing some writing, then getting to work.

What do you like to read at the beach?

The story also touches upon the experiences of black people through police harassment and incarceration. It is a beautiful and at times harsh look at food, family, and romantic relationships. I’d definitely recommend this read for the story and great writing. There are threads that anyone can relate to throughout.

At the library this morning, I picked up Seasons of Glass and Iron, a book of short stories by Amal El-Mohtar, which is already pulling me in. I don’t always read short stories, but have enjoyed those by Zadie Smith, Anne Patchett, and Junot Diaz. I am excited to finish these.

What are you reading? Let me know in the comments.

I also went to a used book sale and got Patchett’s short story collection called This is the Story of a Happy Marriage. The stories have all been previously published in other publications and range from writing about marriage and family to passing the LAPD admissions test, a story about her novel being protested at Clemson University, and others. I loved all of them.

I’m continuing to read Septology by Jon Fosse. For my giant stack of used novels, after finishing the Patchett short stories I’ve started Leadership in Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin. I love Goodwin and gain insights into my own life from her writing on history and presidents.

I read a bit of Geraldine Brooks’ People of the Book, which looks at sacred Jewish text from the perspective of a Australian rare book expert. This was such a cool perspective and way to see into the world of antique book studies and book history. I haven’t finished yet but loved it so far. I am also loving Lonesome Dove, a classic western.

Geraldine Brooks in general is a favorite of mine - love her book March, which looks at the March patriarch of Little Women fame.

On my Kindle, I currently have Septology, a highly acclaimed memoir by Jon Fosse. I also have the final book in Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series and the newest Ann Patchett - Whistler. I am looking forward to reading all of these eventually.

I recently read Joyce Vance’s Giving Up is Unforgiveable, her look at combating fascism in America. In a way, the book provided me with a sense of hope and manual for organizing to fight for what you believe in.

Let’s take on another day.

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The book touches on the important connections between memory and one’s social life, as well as aspects of physical health and community.

It was very interesting to think about how social connections can have such an impact on the inner workings of the brain. It was also interesting to think about how understanding this can lead to better treatment of these conditions.

As someone who greatly enjoys reading nonfiction about neuroscience and brain health, I am a huge fan of this read.

I went to New York City over the weekend and bought a new copy of The Count of Monte Cristo, which I hope to read soon. It’s something that I have wanted to tackle for a very long time. I also continue to work on reading Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archives series, and I am currently reading the most recent book in the series.

My library continues to grow, both on Kindle and in my room, and for that, I am glad.

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For nonfiction, I read Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett, a memoir of her relationship with the poet Lucy Grealy. I loved learning about their escapades and careers as writers.

I’ve been enjoying listening to the podcast The Shit No One Tells you About Writing. I’ve gained great tips and insights into the best way to approach my writing.

What are you looking forward to this weekend?

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I also finished A Leopard-Skin Hat, another Booker Prize nominated novel that I really enjoyed. I loved the uppity main character that it followed.

I am now reading Guided: The Secret Path to an Illuminated Life by Laura Lynne Jackson. I really enjoy the tips and narratives outlined so far.

I’ve had a great weekend spent in the pool and am excited to celebrate Father’s Day.

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I made coffee in my Nespresso this morning and I started working on the novel that I have been writing. It is historical fiction about the Revolutionary War. I also recently completed a few great books.

Land by Maggie O’Farrell was particularly beautiful. It looks at a land surveyor in Ireland before, during, and after the famine. I love her writing and this story was perfect.

Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber was a fun fantasy novel about a woman who is told that she will die tomorrow unless she finds something called the “Alchemical Heart”. It had elements of romance, fantasy, and mystery that all came together perfectly. Currently, I am finishing up Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series by reading The Bands of Mourning.

I read an academic look through Toni Morrison’s catalog called “On Morrison.” This was an amazing read, though dense at times. It helped me to better understand Morrison as a person and a writer. She is one of my favorite writers of all time, and this was a great way to learn more about her.

I went to a party that involved reading in the garden (perfect) and got a free copy of Harlan Coben and Reese Witherspoon’s Gone Before Goodbye. I’m excited to begin the medical thriller.

As always, I am drowning in books.

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And for physical library books - I just took out Xiaolu Guo’s Call Me Ishmaelle, a retelling of Moby Dick from a female perspective. I am so excited to start this one. Moby Dick is one of my favorite books and its interesting to turn it on its head. It also serves to critique the sexist flaws found in American history and the history of sailors and explorers.

I started watching Remarkably Bright Creatures on Netflix but haven’t finished yet. It is heartwarming and sweet, and I love the setting and aquarium depictions.

So much to read, so much to see. Let’s take it on.

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I am reading Love and Other Monsters by Emily Franklin. It’s a historical fiction novel that looks at a tumultuous summer spent by Mary Shelley, Lord Byron, Shelley’s half sister, and other romantics. Their antics lead to a rift between Shelley and her half sister, Claire, also a budding writer. Her journals from this summer are intriguingly lost, and the author imagines what “tea” they may have contained. Learning about the conflicts between these creatives has been super interesting.

I also recently finished Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash. This was absolutely another tale of tumultuous family dynamics that culminates in a scandal that’s barely believable.

I also am still working on finishing Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archives series. I’ve got a packed weekend of reading and working. Let’s get to it.

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I am currently reading Sue Monk Kidd’s memoir of finding feminism and how it changed her religious perspectives, The Dance of the Dissident Daughter. I really like her book on writing that came out recently, and I am liking this one, too. It is an interesting look at her initial beliefs and how they grew from suppressive Southern churches to an embrace of the “divine feminine.” I thought it was going to be a bit “woo-woo”, but it is well-researched and thought-provoking.

I finished Wally Lamb’s The River is Waiting. It definitely was better as it moved on, but my initial huge dislike of the main character lingered. I would still recommend the book to those who are not afraid to tackle tragedy.

Today I typically organize my schedule and space and then prepare for the week ahead of me. How do you spend your Sundays?

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For physical books, I am reading A Bloodsmoor Romance by Joyce Carol Oates. This is a very out-there look at history, manners, and America through the lens of a fictional family and their daughters as they manage men and society in early America. I really love Oates and she is not afraid to experiment. I also love how she blends history and fiction, particularly New Jersey fiction, being that she is from my home state. Some of my other favorites of hers have been Babysitter and Butcher. The latter looks at an early NJ male psychiatrist whose practice was a front for abuse and experimentation with the bodies of the women he “treated”. It was a dark reminder of true history.

This weekend, I will be taking it easy and going to a good friend’s bridal shower, which I am very excited for.

What are you looking forward to this weekend?

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I just finished one of my NetGalley.com advanced reader copy novels: Selene Shade, Resurrectionist for Hire. It follows a multitude of magical characters including, yes, a woman who can revive people from the dead, as well as a vampire and aura reader, as they battle a mysterious killer. I loved this read and might try the sequel as well. It was capitulating and included a lot of romance, conflict, and intense depictions of a dark and intriguing villain.

On NetGalley, I am also reading Glyph by Ali Smith, a sequel to Gliff, a horsey meditation on modern life. I loved the first and am loving the second as well. Ali Smith’s Seasons series is also a favorite of mine.

I started The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb and am not sure how I feel about it. It’s a devastating story but the narrator is a sad sack. Sometimes I feel that Lamb can be emotionally manipulative, but I’m still reading.

I’m also reading the final book in the Way of Kings series by Brandon Sanderson, Wind and Truth. I am really enjoying this series and it’s given me the energy to tackle the biggest book I have ever read.

I’m looking forward to the weekend already, what about you?

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This morning, I finished Lisa See’s Lady Tan’s Circle of Women. The book is about female doctors and midwives during China’s Ming Dynasty. I continue to love Lisa See’s historical fiction and am excited for her newest release.

I aim to find a copy of the newest release in the On the Calculation of Volume series soon as well. I hope that the series continues to be as thought provoking as it has been.

This weekend has been lovely and I plan on preparing for the week and going grocery shopping today.

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Also on my Kindle is Wind and Truth, the most recent edition in Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archives series. I love this series and where it is going. I’m also working through the Mistborn series.

For paperbacks, I’m reading Stephen King’s Thinner. It’s about a gypsy who curses a man to begin rapidly and unhealthfully losing weight after he hits the Gypsy’s daughter who was jaywalking. I do enjoy King from time to time and am liking this so far.

I also recently completed Doris Kearns Goodwin’s An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the Sixties. This memoir looked at her relationship with her husband and the development of her career as a presidential historian. It followed her relationships with presidents like Lyndon Johnson as well as her personal relationships, and ended sadly after her husband’s death. I love Goodwin, especially Team of Rivals.

I would like to dive into some good ones on my shelf, like Hilary Jordan’s Mudbound and The Family Roe, the history of the actual woman behind Roe V. Wade.

Definitely a weekend of five star reads, and a five star weekend overall.

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In more nonfiction, I read Toni Morrison’s Language is Liberation, quips on the use of language as a tool and means of freeing people. Of course this was great, as is anything Morrison has written.

I finished the third in the Dune series, Children of Dune, and loved it. Especially liked the look at the mysterious clan of women called the Bene Gesserit. Now in continuing my fantasy obsession, I am reading The Alloy of Law, continuing Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series. This is part of the “Wax and Wayne” series, the first in the second part of the Mistborn series. I finished the original trilogy and loved it. Now I’m excited to pick up on a new aspect of it.

So much to do so much to read! I’m drowning in books but I love it.

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I’ve read a lot recently. This includes Julian Barnes Departure(s), a novel that reads like a memoir on writing and when to make a grand exit. The writing was great and the story was exciting and creatively outlined.

I also finished The Complete Patrick Melrose novels by Edward St. Aubyn. Three in a series about a man living amongst British wealth and nobility who copes with trauma by turning to drugs. Beautifully written and sad, I loved this trilogy. Then I read The Garden Against Time: in Search of a Common Paradise. This was Olivia Laing’s take on gardening in fiction and history, and the role that it’s played for many authors.

Possibly, it will inspire me to garden as well.

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