Happy Tuesday, everyone! I can’t believe it’s already time for another edition of Show Us Your Books. Summer is nearly over and fall is on the way. I can’t say I’m not excited; fall is the best time for curling up with a comfy throw or a chunky cardigan, a cup of tea and a good book. Bring it on, I say! But perhaps I’m getting a bit ahead of myself. Let’s take a quick look at what I read over the past month.
Linkup Guidelines:
This linkup happens the second Tuesday of every month. The next is Tuesday, October 10, 2017.
1. Please visit and comment with both of your hosts, Jana & Steph
2. Please display the button or link back to me and the linkup hosts on your blog post
3. Please visit a few other blogs who've linked up and get some book talk going!
Engrossing Reads
When Dimple Met Rishi - I don’t usually read YA books, but when I do it’s because I heard a great recommendation somewhere; in this case, it was discussed during one of my favorite podcasts, Book Riot’s All the Books. It’s the story of Dimple, a college-minded Indian girl who wants nothing more than to create a life-changing app and meet her idol at a summer program, and Rishi, a romantic Indian boy who thinks it’s his destiny to marry her. It was a funny and enjoyable read that I sped through.
The Summer of Impossible Things - This novel by British author Rowan Coleman is an unexpected love story about a mother and the lengths her daughter will go to bring her back and the true importance of family. It will also mark my first collaboration with my British counterpart, Julie at hungrybookworm.uk, which I’m super excited about! Look out for our cross-posts later this month. 🙂
How to Find Love in a Bookshop - If you’re looking for a cozy book to welcome in autumn, this is it. A book about books (love!), it’s a bit like AJ Fikry meets You’ve Got Mail but is satisfyingly original at the same time. I borrowed it from the library, and I can’t wait to add it to my collection!
The Heart’s Invisible Furies - Of all the engrossing reads this month, this one is miles above the rest. This was a Book of the Month selection from the lovely Liberty Hardy, who I almost never disagree with, and though I was surprised by its heft when I pulled it out of my August package, I’m glad I didn’t hesitate to get started. It captivated me from the first few pages, and even at nearly 600 pages, I couldn’t put it down and finished it in one weekend. This book just became my second 5-star read of the year, and if you only take one recommendation away from this list, make it this one! Seriously.
Passed the Time Just Fine
The Other Einstein - I sometimes struggle with fictionalized novels about real people and events because I just want to know what really happened. Yes, in many cases a biography or memoir will solve that problem, but not much is widely known about Albert Einstein’s first wife, Mileva. Benedict did her best at piecing things together and I definitely enjoyed it, but it mostly just left me with questions.
Goodbye, Vitamin - This BOTM was funny, endearing and relatable. I basically read it in a day, and it led to some delicious 5-minute chocolate cake. Need I say more?
A Wrinkle in Time - I never read this novel as a kid, but with a main character named Meg, I’ve always been intrigued. I’ll admit the upcoming movie was what finally pushed me to pick it up. As a children’s book, it was a very quick read, but wow, was it a lot weirder than I expected. I’m still trying to get my thoughts together before my post later this week.
Practical Magic - Though I’ve watched this movie dozens of times - it’s a go-to around Halloween - I hadn’t read the book until now. I actually saw that Alice Hoffman is publishing a prequel called The Rules of Magic in October and got really excited but thought I’d better read the original novel first. It has added to my already-brewing fall mindset, and I’ll probably have to watch the movie to hold me over another month…
Not Worth It
The Art of Racing in the Rain - My post the other day captured most of how I felt about this novel. For me, it only went downhill from the first chapter, and while I don’t think of any books as a “waste of time,” I really wish I could get back the time I spent on this one. (On the plus side, puppies!)
Did Not Finish
None this month!
Currently Reading
East of Eden - I’m not really into this book yet, but so far, it’s better than the other Steinbeck novels I’ve encountered. I’m just barely 20% in and have read about 8 books since starting it...but people love this book, and so I’m sticking with it.
Kitchens of the Great Midwest - I’m a little over halfway through this, and so far it’s not what I expected at all. I’m not sure yet if that’s a good or bad thing. But it is full of lots of food, so I’m sure it’ll be quite a task picking exactly what to food to pair with it - challenge accepted!
Until next time!
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I am really enjoying your blog which I found through Deanna. Stick with East of Eden, it is my favorite Steinbeck novel. I am traveling to Steinbeck country next week so will be posting from my blog there soon. I am sharing your blog with my book club next month as I think they will really enjoy it as well.
Hi Beth,
Thanks for stopping by 🙂 Good to know on East of Eden - as I said, I've heard tons of good things, especially recently, so it's keeping me in it. I hope to love it as much as everyone else does!
Will check out your blog - would be interested in seeing your posts about your trip! Thanks for sharing out with your book club too! Any promotion is much appreciated, and I hope they can find some enjoyment out of it as well 🙂
- Megan
Racing in the Rain is actually one of my all-time favorite books so I'm sorry to hear that you didn't like it.
I love Liberty and her enthusiasm about books. I find myself adding a lot of her suggestions to my TBR.
Lots of people LOVE Racing in the Rain, so I actually feel kind of bad about disliking it so much, but not everyone's book taste is the same, and that's fine. If we were all the same, life would be much less interesting 🙂
Liberty is amazing! She gets so excited, and often her picks are really great. She has definitely expanded my TBR list a lot!
How To Find Love In Bookshop and When Dimple Met Rishi both sound like super cute reads! I'm definitely going to have to try and read them soon!
They're adorable. Enjoy! 🙂
It's so interesting that HungryBookworm has a UK counterpart! Did you plan that together or find each other through blogging? I'm so interested to learn more
Hi Morgan! Isn't that interesting? We found each other through a book blogging group we're both in. She doesn't appear to do much with food like I do (her name was more inspired by the book title The Hungry Caterpillar is my understanding), but we've both agreed on a book to read/review and do some cross-blog interaction around that. We'll probably collaborate a few times a year or so. I'm excited - seems like a fun opportunity!
Happy Tuesday to you, even though I am writing this on wednesday, so I guess happy wednesday too !
I am very much looking forward to writing the post and collabing with you, it is my choice next...... now let me see!
Yay! Can't wait 🙂
How to Find Love in a Bookshop sounds like one that I need to read next month!
Yes! You'll love it 🙂 Books about books are so cozy - perfect time of year to check it out!
When Dimple Met Rishi is on my list, so glad you liked it! You totally sold me on How to Find Love in a Bookshop! Sounds fantastic. You've got me intrigued by The Heart’s Invisible Furies but I'm not sure it sounds like my kind of read, but how can I not check it out after that review?! I've never read A Wrinkle in Time either and I want to for the movie but .... eh I don't know. I adore the movie Practical Magic but I've heard the book is quite different. How exciting about the prequel!
I wasn't entirely sure about The Heart's Invisible Furies either, but wow! I just loved it (obviously). It's definitely on the tougher side of subject matter, but I think worth it - quite eye-opening and even unexpectedly funny. He writes such memorable characters and I felt like really captured humanity in this book. If you decide to read it, I'd love to hear what you think!
Practical Magic book and movie are very different, but both good. I'm glad I watched the movie first, honestly, or I may have struggled with the changes they made. Definitely looking forward to the prequel 🙂
Books about books are my favourite! How to Find Love in a Bookshop is so going on my list.
I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
I didn't know you had a UK counterpart. Cool!
How to Find Love in a Bookshop was added to my list - I love books where books/shops/libraries themselves are part of the story.
It was a surprise to me, too, Steph! But I'm excited to see how the collaboration goes. 🙂
So exciting about the UK counterpart - so fun! Love your blog title 🙂
I want to read Practical Magic now, I've seen the movie but it does seem like it would be a wonderful fall read, especially with the prequel coming out!
How to Find Love in a Bookshop sounds so sweet so I am adding that to my TBR!
A Wrinkle in Time was one of my favourite books as a kid, so I am super excited for the movie and definitely planning on a re-read this fall, probably on audio 🙂
Thanks - isn't coming up with a blog title the most agonizing part of creating a blog? I mostly just tried to capture the tie in between food and reading, and hopefully that comes across pretty well 🙂
I probably already said this, but the Practical Magic movie and book are super different yet great in their own ways.
I haven't done this link-up yet but it looks like fun. I may have to try it out next month 🙂
Give it a try! I've definitely enjoyed it the few months I've participated so far.
Here late from SUYB. I haven't read any Hoffman yet, but would like to. Practical Magic is definitely a classic seasonal movie. 🙂 I have When Dimple Met Rishi on hold at the library, I can't wait! XO - Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
Thanks for stopping by, Alexandra! Better late than never 🙂 Let me know how you like When Dimple Met Rishi!