A Special Report for Book Lovers
Greetings to new and returning subscribers! I post slice-of-life blogs on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. If there is a 5th Tuesday, I post a Special Report for Book Lovers. This is it!
My usual routine is to share the five books I’ve enjoyed most in the last several months. And I will do that! But this quarter I will also share something odd – a book I didn’t care for. I do so because it has been shortlisted for the National Book Award! I wonder what that says about my taste in books? Be that as it may, in case you are curious about the other books that were shortlisted, I will fill you in on that.
Just a reminder that I am now an Affiliate Marketer on Amazon. This means my book reviews will include a link to the book on Amazon. If you purchase the book using my link, I will earn a small commission. This is at no additional cost to you. More details here. Thank you for supporting my Book Blog in this manner.
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Here are my five favorite books this quarter:
- The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
- How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
- Prophet Song by Paul Lynch
- The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
- Horse by Geraldine Brooks
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NOTE: Click the “Book Title” to get my review.
Book Title: The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
Brief synopsis: This is the story of a single woman and her magic attic. It spits out a new husband every time the old one goes into it for any reason!
One more thing to say: As the protagonist zipped through dozens of husbands, I thought the writer had written herself into a corner from which she would be unable to extricate herself. I was wrong! There is a very realistic – and satisfying – ending to this fanciful tale.
Learn more about The Husbands on Amazon.
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Book Title: How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
Brief synopsis: Harriet is a retired teacher who runs a book club at a prison where she meets Violet, a convicted felon. From this odd start, friendship blooms.
One more thing to say: I thought this book had such a lovely life lesson that I wrote about it in one of my blogs, The Answers in Life. Read it here. Hint: It’s the small things in life that are important…
Learn more about How to Read a Book on Amazon.
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Book Title: Prophet Song by Paul Lynch
Brief synopsis: In Dublin, in the near future, Eilish’s husband is taken away by the secret police. She should have left the country then, but did not…uh oh!
One more thing to say: This book felt very close to home. Political turmoil is such in the United States that I had to wonder if a similar thing could happen here? And if it did, would I know when to leave and have the courage to do so?
Still another note: This book won the Booker Prize a year ago. To see all six books that were shortlisted for 2023, click here.
Learn more about Prophet Song on Amazon.
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Book Title: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
Brief synopsis: This double mystery follows the disappearances, 14 years apart, of two siblings. The book was on Barack Obama’s 2024 summer reading list.
One more thing to say: Set in the mid 1970s, this book features a female police officer who has just been promoted to “junior investigator.” This was unique for the time. Being the first-woman-anything has its drawbacks and challenges, but oddly, it also had some perks. Beyond that, the female perspective also created a terrific ending.
Learn more about The God of the Woods on Amazon.
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Book Title: Horse by Geraldine Brooks
Brief synopsis: Two story lines – one set in the time of the Civil War, and one set in modern day – show us that slavery may have ended, but racism has not.
One more thing to say: Historical fiction is wonderful because of all there is to learn about the period of time under discussion. In this case, we learn about an amazing race horse, Lexington, and about the artist who painted the horse’s image so masterfully, Thomas J. Scott. See the real painting here.
Learn more about Horse on Amazon.
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As promised, here is the book I did not care for. It went on to be shortlisted for the National Book Award. Sheesh!
Book Title: All Fours by Miranda July
Brief synopsis: A 45-year-old wife and mom vacations alone. Instead of driving cross country as planned, she stops and has an “affair” within an hour of home.
One more thing to say: The graphic and prolific sex scenes – many of them involving same-sex relationships – were over the top for me.
Learn more about All Fours on Amazon.
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Here are the other four novels shortlisted for the National Book Award 2024. I will list how many star ratings each book has on Amazon to give you a feel for the book’s popularity. (All Fours has 6263 star ratings.)
By the way, National Book Award winners will be announced at a November 20th awards ceremony in New York, hosted by Kate McKinnon with musical guest Jon Batiste.
Ghostroots by ‘Pemi Aguda
Star ratings: 39
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Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
Star ratings: 2137
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James by Percival Everett
Star ratings: 23,013
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My Friends by Hisham Mata
Star ratings: 715
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And as always, please tell a friend about my book reviews, blogs, and newsletters, and suggest they join my mailing list.
Thank you!
Lorie
I always order up books from the library from your list! Thanks very much!
Sue
So glad you enjoyed the list. Books are so wonderful…
OK, I want to read them all — including the one you didn’t like. When will I find the time?
Start with one and move on from there!