the books of summer

Summer means time to sink into luscious, juicy reads – whether I’m savoring them on my daily commute (because I do still have to work), or on my solo lunchtime picnics in the Public Garden, or sprawled out on the couch at home. I adore summer reading. And I’ve found some gems so far this month, including:

The Wilder Life: My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie, Wendy McClure
I adored the Little House books as a child – the same yellow-covered Harper Trophy editions that McClure read and reread. And I loved her tale of visiting Laura’s homeplaces, trying to separate the myths, fictions and facts, and searching for a glimpse into the “Laura World” she’s always loved. I learned a lot about the writing of the series, the TV show, Laura’s life (and her daughter Rose’s), and the various Wilder homesites. Fascinating, funny and quite well done.

Joy for Beginners, Erica Bauermeister
I loved Bauermeister’s debut, The School of Essential Ingredients, so was thrilled when Dawn offered to pass on her ARC of this book to me. And it did not disappoint. To celebrate their friend Kate’s triumph over cancer, six women each take on a life challenge – chosen by Kate. (In turn, she has to go whitewater rafting with her daughter, which terrifies her.) Each woman’s story is uniquely absorbing, full of the evocative sensory details (and love of good food) that permeate Bauermeister’s writing. Love, love, love. (Here’s my review from Shelf Awareness for Readers.)

The Paris Wife, Paula McLain
It’s rare that I love a book while knowing it will end sadly – but this one was so beautifully written, so rich with detail, so full of love and loss and longing, I fell head over heels. I knew enough about the facts of Hemingway’s life to know what was coming – but I loved reading the story of his first marriage from Hadley’s perspective. (And, of course, Jazz Age Paris continues to fascinate me. I mean, I read A Moveable Feast on the train to Paris, once upon a time.) Brilliantly written. Highly recommended.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, J.K. Rowling
Reread in preparation for the eighth movie – and after I finished it, I immediately wanted to go back to Philosopher’s Stone and start the whole series over again. (I may do it yet.) I think this is the best Harry Potter book – the characters, and Ms. Rowling, have grown and matured so much over the length of the series. And while it breaks my heart, it’s action-packed and triumphant and just. so. good.

The Reading Promise: My Father and the Books We Shared, Alice Ozma
A quirky, fun, heartfelt account of a single dad, his geeky second daughter, and their nine-year reading streak. I would have liked to hear more about the specific books they read and their impact on Alice (who was, it appears, kind of an obnoxious kid), but it was sweet to witness their bond deepening over the years of “The Streak,” as they called it. Made me even more eager to read to my own children someday, as my parents read to me.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, J.K. Rowling
After rereading Deathly Hallows (see above), I was irresistibly drawn back to the beginning of the series, the sheer joy of discovering the world of wizardry, the first rumblings of the saga that (for me) really splits wide open at the end of Prisoner of Azkaban. As a stand-alone book, this first one isn’t my favorite, but it lays the groundwork for what’s to come – and it’s amazing to read this one knowing the end of the story.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, J.K. Rowling
A great sequel, and the beginning of Hermione’s willingness to go along with Ron’s and Harry’s harebrained schemes. And, of course, the first real hints of that mysterious connection between Harry and Voldemort – and Harry’s wonderful loyalty to Dumbledore.

The Borrower, Rebecca Makkai
After hearing Makkai read at the Boston Public Library, I bought her debut novel, and read it in less than 24 hours. Compelling, heartwarming, heartbreaking and funny, with a lot of moral ambiguities and many riffs on children’s books (a chapter in the style of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, a Choose Your Own Adventure chapter, etc.), it was great fun to read. I wish the ending had somehow been different – and I wish Lucy, the narrator, had a little more spunk – but overall I loved it. Especially the bookish references sprinkled throughout.

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