the july reads, part 2

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, J.K. Rowling
Possibly my favorite book in the series – because it’s the one in which everything breaks wide open, in the breathless last 100 pages or so. Sirius is not who we thought he was – and neither are several other people – and Hermione’s Time-Turner is used to brilliant effect. This is the book I finished sitting at Val’s kitchen table, tearing through it because I could not stop – and then raced down the hall to her room to gush and squeal and beg for the next book.

Cabin: Two Brothers, a Dream, and Five Acres in Maine, Lou Ureneck
A thoughtful meditation on man and nature, brotherhood, working with your hands and your brain (the author is a professor), and the history of an isolated corner of New England. (To review for Shelf Awareness.)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, J.K. Rowling
Fourth in a beloved series (if you haven’t read these yet, what the heck are you waiting for?). Some really clever magical stuff – and some seriously creepy spells/impersonations/Death Eater activity. And, of course, the graveyard scene. Amazing.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, J.K. Rowling
One of the biggest, most complex, most heartbreaking books in the series, and one of my favorites for all those reasons.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, J.K. Rowling
They just keep getting longer – and darker – and more complicated. Though this book gets a much-needed dose of levity from all the snogging/teenage drama going on, and from the escapades of the Quidditch team. The ending just kills me every time.

The Kitchen Daughter, Jael McHenry
I devoured this tale of food and ghosts and family, with its fascinating narrator (Ginny, who takes refuge in the kitchen whenever life becomes too much to handle). The writing is precise and measured, yet delicious, and the characters – even seen through the narrator’s limited perspective – are well drawn. Beautifully done, and full of hope.

The Sharper Your Knife, The Less You Cry, Kathleen Flinn
I read an ARC of Flinn’s second book, The Kitchen Counter Cooking School (out in October) for review. I enjoyed it so much I decided to pick up her memoir of her time at Le Cordon Bleu. Echoes of Julia Child, a sweet love story and some crazy mishaps in the kitchen. And, of course, Paris. Which is always a good idea.

Holiday Dinners with Bradley Ogden, Bradley Ogden
To review for the Shelf. Some creative holiday recipes – for Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year – and some fun twists on familiar ones. Ogden’s not a great writer, but he is a respected chef – though, frankly, his mulled cider, hot chocolate and sangria recipes appealed to me the most.

The Maid: A Novel of Joan of Arc, Kimberly Cutter
A fast-paced, compelling (if often gruesome) tale of Jehanne d’Arc and her triumphs and losses in battle. I remember reading a book called Young Joan, about her early life, as a child, but hadn’t read such a full account of her war activities before. Too much blood for me, really, but definitely a page-turner. (Full review in the Shelf to come.)

Remember Me to Harold Square, Paula Danziger
I read this book as a teen and loved it – and I needed something light after The Maid. The story of Kendra, Oscar and their friend Frank, wandering around New York City in the summer on a “scavenger hunt,” is fun and lighthearted, with a sweet scene or two of first love. (And Oscar, the “bratty” little brother, is in fact highly entertaining.) Good fun.

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