As summer approaches,
I’ve begun making a list of books I’d like to read this summer. My summer reading list this year is separate from the never-ending list of novels, memoirs,
and biographies that I usually accumulate.
So I read the book synopsis, critics’ and readers’ reviews, as I make up my mind about the book. Often, I will surf through the author’s website.
These are the books on
my summer reading list, so far:
1—The Invention of
Wings by Sue Monk Kidd--This
title kept crossing my path: online book clubs, e-forums. It seems everyone is either reading, or has read,
The Invention of
Wings; so I decided to read it as well. I’ve read the first couple of chapters. To me, the first page is stunning and
beautifully-written.
2—Beautiful Day by Elin
Hildebrand. I’ve read and liked the first chapter. Beautiful
Day is the story of a wedding, a
bride, a groom and the notebook the bride’s late mother left her. This story begins with the bride’s mother’s notes for the wedding preparations,
and details of their lives unfurl. So
I’m pretty sure I’ll get to read it this summer.
3-Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah--This memoir is the
author's vivid recounting of her childhood in Shanghai, China. She had a cruel stepmother, but also had no
family support or encouragement.
Dr. Mah blames Confucius, the
Chinese philosopher, for the cruel treatment girls received in China. In Dr. Mah's case, her mother died while
giving birth to her, so little Adeline's fate was sealed from that moment.
4—The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt--This book is over seven-hundred pages
(rivaling War and
Peace--which is one thousand pages, or more). A few months ago, I read the synopsis and
about 3 chapters of this book. I was
smitten. I decided then that I’d
put The
Goldfinch on my list. And that was before it won a Pulitzer Prize. My hope is that this novel about art,
mystery, and a youngster’s life of hard knocks will sustain me. I just have to remember that I managed to
read War
and Peace, so I can do this!
5—Mastering the Art of French Eating by Ann Mah. I read Mah’s first novel, Kitchen Chinese, and liked it. This, her
second book, is a food memoir on her forays into French food and culture.
I love food memoirs, so this should be a fun read. Check out my review of Kitchen Chinese at
http://www.yreidbooks.blogspot.com/2013/01/in-author-ann-mahs-first-novel-
kitchen.html.
6—Hope Runs by Claire
Diaz-Ortiz--This memoir chronicles Diaz-Ortiz’ trip to Kenya. There she met a young boy nicknamed “Sammy” in an orphanage. Samuel Ikua Gachagua (“Sammy”) is the co-author,
in chapters that alternate. This
memoir--described in the subtitle as a tale of “Redemption”--ought to be a
really interesting and inspirational read.
www.clairediazortiz.com/hope-runs-nonprofit/
7—An American Girl In Italy by Aubrey Dionne. I read the author’s article on the
inspiration for this novel. She herself
travelled through Italy. Since I love
reading travel memoirs and novels set in exotic locations, I look forward to
reading An American Girl In Italy.
8—100 Places Every Woman Should
Go by Stephanie Elizondo
Griest. I loved Griest’s first memoir, Around
the Bloc, in which she chronicles her peripatetic journeys through
Russia, China, and Mexico. 100 Places Every Woman Should Go purports to be a travel guide for any woman
who wants to globetrot. It should be an
informative and fun read! To read my
review of Around the Bloc, go to
http://www.yreidbooks.blogspot.com/2012/10/around-bloc-my-life-in-moscow-beijing_10.html.
9—Ines of the
Soul by Isabel Allende. I’m a fan of Isabel Allende’s writings.
Infused with both reality and magical realism, her work has inspired me. Ines of
the Soul is actually a historical ‘novel’ based on the
life of Ines Suarez, a 19th Century woman who helped found and
colonize Santiago, Chile. Sounds
interesting! www.isabelallende.com
10—Rat Girl: A Memoir by Kristin Hersh. To me, the title alone is intriguing. The book description promises a book about a
life filled with isolation and longing.
Kristin Hersh is a musician, songwriter, and a member of the rock band
Throwing Muses. Rat Girl inspired a
‘musical’ of sorts by the same name.
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_Girl
Bear in mind, this is a
list of my intentions. I’ve no idea what
I’ll have actually read by summer’s end.
--Yolanda A. Reid
