My Leaning Tower of Books

"High summer can be pitiless to the low-spirited."

Dodie Smith
author, I Capture the Castle

So many good books and so little reading time! My nightstand is piled high again with fabulous books.

This is the list of my can't-wait-to-read July/August books. Please check back - I may be adding more!

Gone Girl - Flynn, Gillian (F). A missing wife...an odd-acting husband. This novel had my full attention until long past midnight. It was a thrilling roller coaster and kept me guessing. If anyone tries to spoil the ending - do not listen! This is a perfect group discussion book.

Canada - Ford, Richard (F). After seeing Ford on the Colbert Report, I decided to buy his new book. The plot centers around Dell Parson's story about his parents and their misadventures. I first read Ford's Independence Day (blog post May 27), and discovered that not only does he write well about unlikeable characters, he makes us care about them.  

The English Major - Harrison, Jim (F). A poet and novelist, Harrison is a new author for me. Who could resist this opening line: "It used to be Cliff and Vivian and now it isn't"? 

True Sisters - Dallas, Sandra (F). Blending history with fictional characters, Dallas brings us along on the Mormon trek from Iowa to Utah. Dallas is the queen of historical fiction. Check out her books Prayers for Sale or Persian Pickle Club.  

Beginner's Goodbye - Tyler, Anne (F). Tyler is back! She has long been one of my favorite fiction writers, starting with Earthly Possessions. Some of her recent novels left me less than enthusiastic about recommending them. The story of Aaron Woolcott has changed all that. I spent the weekend wishing I could disappear with the book for "just one more chapter." Another good choice for book groups.  

Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake - Quindlen, Anna (NF). Quindlen has brought us along on her life's journey from young parent to Newsweek columnist. Now, at 60, she is an empty-nester and pondering life's future challenges, while looking back at her life. Quindlen is a gifted writer and the book feels like a conversation with a dear, trusted friend. And in some ways, it is precisely that.    

Let's Pretend This Never Happened - Lawson, Jenny (NF). Don't make my mistake and read this book late at night next to a (sort of) sleeping mate. After a few grumbles from  my husband, I put the book away but kept chuckling to myself about some of Lawson's raw, outlandish writing. Lawson is "The Bloggess." Check it out: http://www.thebloggess.com/

The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt - Morris, Edmund (NF). I'm looking forward to learning more about our 26th president.

Emily, Alone - O'Nan, Stewart (F). I've had this on my to-read list after reading so many glowing reviews. My introduction to O'Nan's writing was The Circus Fire about a devastating fire in Hartford, CT in 1944.  

Stay cool!