I'm not going to be giving full reviews here, but I thought I'd give my two cents about some of the books that have been sitting on my bedside table this summer.
The Tender Bar - This was a pick from my book club. (Not my choice.) I would have never picked it up on my own simply because it's sort of "masculine." It's written by a man and pretty much about men and father figures and quite literally, a bar. (As in drinking establishment.) Come to think of it, I can probably tally the women even mentioned in the book on one hand. That said, I sort of loved it. Beautifully written. It's rare that I like a book that I would then recommend to my husband. Great characters.
The Help - My number one book of the summer. (I would say Tender Bar was #2) In contrast, this one is almost exclusively about women. I'm going to go out on a limb here and compare it to To Kill a Mockingbird. It deals with similar racial issues and I think it could become a real classic. I loved these women! I can guarantee you that it will be made into a movie... Who knows... maybe it already is. Read the book first!!
Heart of the Matter - I've read all of Emily Giffin's books... She happens to be a relative of mine. :) This is definitely in the "chic lit" genre. Of her five books I probably like this one the least. I might be biased but I love her writing and think her characters and writing style is better than most chic lit, but I sort of identified with one of that characters in this book, and it wasn't really in a good way. One women is a stay at home home who does just about anything for her kids and loves it and that is sort of cast in a negative light in this book. Boo. I do recommend any of her books if you are looking for a light summer read.
My Name is Memory - This is written by the author of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. It is billed as her first "adult" novel. It is also compared to Twilight. I'm going to guess that is because it involves unrequited love that spans lifetimes and centuries. I really like the concept and liked the characters and overall it kept me really engrossed. The problem? I didn't know it was the first of a series and it is the only one that has been released. It was sort of like all along I'm following the story with bated breath and then I realize that there are only like 15 pages left. Then I think "how the the hell is she going to wrap this up in 15 pages?!" The answer? -- She doesn't. You have to wait for the next book. And it's not coming out any time soon. Double boo. I should have waited for the entire series to be published like Twilight.
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - This one was sort of like The Da Vinci Code for me. Exciting, fast paced, dark, suspenseful. The crazy Norwegian names and placed can trick you up a bit, but if you can get over characters named things like Jorgenvuargd (made that up) you're home free. This one did have quite a bit of grotesque sex crime stuff which I have a hard time reading, but it's definitely one of those you can't put down.
3 comments:
Ive been a reading fool this summer. The Help is next on my list but I definitely will be checking out The Tender Bar. I've considered reading Girl With The Dragon Tattoo but I've heard parts are really awful and I just don't know if I want to read that. One great book I read this summer was Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah. I think you'd like it.
I LOVE, LOVE The Tender Bar. I read it right after it came out. I worked a book signing party for the author and read the book right afterwards. Maybe working in a bar added something to it for me as well and knowing the characters were real. Did you know the author's cousin is a local radio personality?
I keep this on my bookshelf because I know I'll go back to it someday.
Oooh-- Thanks Kristal. I'll look into that one!
And no-- I didn't know there was a St. Louis link to The Tender Bar. Who is it?! --And does he appear in the book? :)
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