Links I Love

 

Happy Sunday everyone!  This upcoming week, I'm visiting family in NY so I likely won't be blogging all that much until we return. I sorely needed this vacation.

• ADHD looks different in women and poses unique health risks. 
• The lessons learned from Twin Peaks.
• The best Heist and con artist books.
• The time Johnny Cash started a prison riot at San Quentin.
• LA Public Library unveils the largest pop up book.
• The best books about understanding American politics. 
• Dr. Fauci's diary entries from the pandemic are released. Guys, that was six years ago already.
• Leila Slimani's interview with Fresh Air.
• Why you wake up earlier as you get older.
• Dolly Parton's favorite books.
• Booker Prize longlist is here. 
• 5 great books inspired by Greek mythology.
• What is weird girl fiction?
• How the rise of Mystery podcasts has fueled the True Crime memoir genre. 
• FIFA couldn't get more sketchy, but apparently it has. And then it was scrapped.
• How do you get out of a reading slump?
• This vitamin deficiency may be why you lose muscle with age. 
• 7 novels set on islands. 
• 6 narrative non-fiction reads that are like fiction.
• The best new cozy fantasy books. 
• The tragedy of loving Sylvia Plath. 
• 8 things every living room had in the 1980's.
• President Obama releases his summer reading list. He always has great selections. 
• Meet the woman stunt performer who doubled Matt Damon in the Odyssey. 
• The 7 most charming Main Streets in the US.
• Books with unreliable narrators. 
• 7 phrases that come from Greek mythology.
• 7 books that imagine what happens after singularity.
• How reading became sexy.
• OMG.
• Another tragic historical event is being resurrected by the Shoshone to educate us. 
• Kirkus' 20 best books to read in August.

I am listening to Judy Blume: a Life and I am LOVING it.  I grew up reading Judy Blume (Are You There God, it's Me, Margaret, and the Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing books - which cracked me up and Blubber).  My only wish is that she had written a book about Margaret going through perimenopause and menopause cause Lord knows her readers need it right now.  I'm finishing up The Strength of the Few by James Islington (book 2 of the Hierarch Trilogy) and plan on reading David Copperfield and Demon Copperhead while on vacay.

Please visit my Pangobooks store. I even have a code you can use.

REVIEW American Rambler: Walking the Trail of Johnny Appleseed by Isaac Fitzgerald

 

This book has been all over the place and seemed interesting, so I grabbed it. I hadn't read Fitzgerald's earlier book, Dirtbag, Massachusetts (although it's on hold for me at the library!). Fitzgerald is obsessed with Johnny Appleseed (whose legal name was John Chapman) and I guess this makes sense since both hail from Leominster, MA. In the process of searching for an American hero, Fitzgerald found himself.

Fitzgerald, I think, was naturally drawn to this hero.  His parents were hikers and storytellers (the best kind of parents I think) and Fitzgerald was also, I suspect, drawn to the roaming of Appleseed given that Fitzgerald himself was unhoused for quite some time. Life was complicated by his mother's mental illness, and his parents' stormy relationship. That being said, I loved this writer's search for himself in his search for the true story of a legend.  He didn't actually WALK it though, buying a better of a car to make it through and catching a ride home when he was in Massachusetts, having been unable to hack the weather. 

The book often digressed, which I enjoyed, but if that would annoy you, I would stay away. I love digressions because I think they show insight into people, but most people don't understandably. I loved reading about the history of the areas, the time periods and the things that Fitzgerald encountered but my absolute FAVORITE parts were the parts where Fitzgerald described meeting and interacting with some good, solid and authentic people along the way. In these interactions, it becomes quickly clear that he's learning about himself and that is beautiful. I enjoyed seeing and experiencing Fitzgerald be pushed beyond his comfort zone. Fitzgerald also has a sense of humor that makes you snort or chuckle so loudly that the people around you look, openly, at you in a funny manner (not even the side eye!!). 

This book is one for the ages and I can't wait to read his first as well as see what he's got coming. 

REVIEW The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

 

I have heard so many good things about this epistolary novel and all of it was well deserved.  The person corresponding is Sybil Van Antwerp, a septuagenarian that has lived a very full and dramatic life. She is a divorcee, sister, mother, friend, lawyer (retired)-and I felt like, initially, I had met a ton of women like her. She came across as privileged with an opinion on EVERYTHING that she would share bluntly no matter whether you asked for it or not. However, I grew to be really fond of her because she was just so....human?  Flawed?  Trying her best and yet failing?  Relatable for sure.  Sybil literally word vomits everything about her life, all of her opinions and her observations, and secrets to whoever she comes across (friends, famous authors, customer service reps - everyone is fair game). 

We learn that she is slowly going blind - which is scary and devastating for her - and she's also getting anonymous letters that are threatening and stalker-ish. Sybil, as a result, is forced to reflect upon a very, very tough and shameful part of her past.  At the same time, she's dealing with a rift with her daughter that is threatening to become permanent. 

There were a lot of things that I adored about this book, but the thing I adored the most was Sybil's (and her friends) ending letters with discussion about what they're reading.  Made me add things to my TBR list to be frank. I loved that this book seemed to excel in conveying that life and all of its calamities are in shades of grey. There is very little that is black and white.  I also really enjoyed the subtleties in how things unfolded. Evans was masterful in this.  I, as a reader, had to really pay attention to figure out what was going on and I am fully intending to read it a second time because I'm fairly certain that I missed stuff the first go around (and I'll do it gladly, this book was that good). It was absolutely delightful to see Sybil begin to open up and confront the painful memories of her past.  She became courageous over the course of the novel, confronting not only past painful issues but current ones too. 

Please, drop what you're doing and go get this novel.  It was wonderful. 

Links I love

 

I'm very glad it's Friday. It's been a week.  I have some work stress and am not sleeping well in part due to the stress but also because my shoulder has been hurting me when I'm lying down flat. :(  I wonder if it's inflammation from rowing.  

1. So distressed that you can't think straight? Use these skills.
2. Romance books recommended by NPR staff.
3. This book sounds interesting.
4. Literary Fiction to read with your book club.
5. Why we need more women centric re-telling's of The Odyssey. 
6. 6 must read books that will strengthen your character. 
7. The 2026 First Novel Prize long list has been released!
8. Jimothy is now in Dungeons and Dragons. Here's the story about Jimothy.  Do yourself a favor and Google "jimothy the racoon."  You won't regret it. 
9. The lives of princesses in Egypt. 
10. Inside the campaign that acquitted Karen Read. 
11. Set your crime novels in this city.
12. Rebecca Solnit on the Western Tradition of silencing women. 
13. How the USWMNT staff get their athletes ready for the World Cup.
14. 7 household items every Greek household owned. 

I hope that everyone has a good week.  Please don't forget to visit my Pangobooks store.

REVIEW: The Will of the Many by James Islington

 

If I had to classify this book, I'd classify it as dark academia - it reminded me a lot of Lord of the Flies that meets The Secret Stranger with a bit of Harry Potter thrown in for good measure.  The main character is Vis, a teenage ousted prince whose kingdom has "civilized" (aka invaded and taken over) by The Hierarchy, a Roman/Greek type of society where its members engage in a pyramid structure of "will ceding." The lower classes are at the bottom of the pyramid and they cede their wills to those that occupy the higher levels, with the few at the top getting will from the thousands of people below them. The ones who receive the will receive tremendous physical benefits, but the ones that cede their will suffer terribly in the process.  It's an awful caste system that is reminiscent of apartheid or slavery. Vis, an orphan on top of being ousted, is adopted by a prestigious family and sent to "The Academy" by his adoptive father in order to investigate his adoptive uncle's death.

This lengthy novel is VERY ambitious. There are themes of colonialism and capitalism, nepotism, definitions of family and friends (i.e. how do you define them?), loyalty and revenge.  In spite of taking these own in a heavy handed manner, Islington is subtle in how he presents these, and the book is action packed, making it both exciting and interesting.  I didn't lose interest, that's for sure. Vis, and many of the other characters, are very complex.  Vis especially has to struggle with anger, scars and a strong moral compass that compels him to do the right thing in spite of the odds and pressures being put on him.  I often forgot that he was only 17 in the book (he turns 18 at one point).

There are a lot of training montages in this novel and the vast majority of the book occurs in an academic setting so if that's not your favorite, then stay away. Otherwise, pick this up! I couldn't put it down. 

REVIEW: Marilyn and Her Books: The Literary Life of Marilyn Monroe by Gail Crowther

 

Who knew that Marilyn had approximately 400 books in her personal library that she religiously moved with her to home after home? I certainly didn't know that the perhaps most famous icon of our time was such an avid reader.  And her association with writers certainly didn't stop with the written word - not only did she marry Arthur Miller, but through him and independently she met and interacted with numerous other writers of her time. Gail Crowther in this book delves deeply into Marilyn's personal collection and her impressive program to educate and cultivate her mind after dropping out of high school. She was hungry for knowledge and stopped at nothing to read and she read everything that she could get her hands on. 

Dr. Crowther did an immaculate, well researched deep dive into this topic.  She clearly thoroughly researched her subject and, apparently, had the support of the estate in researching and writing this book.  It contains not only information about her books, but tidbits about her life in the hopes of illuminating readers about who Marilyn was beyond the image that the studios forced her to portray.  Marilyn Monroe was clearly highly intelligent, intellectually curious and, sadly, particularly troubled.  The book itself is a fast and interesting read - it took me 2 to 3 days to read and moved quickly.  

I LOVE reading about and learning about what people read because I believe it offers us insight into them and their personality, interests and values. This book gave me insight into the person behind the facade, making the book a well worth read.  

Links I love

 

This week has been HOT here and we're experiencing yellow skies as a result of the Canadian wildfires.  From an exercise perspective, things are so much better.  I've been getting in regularly to lift 3-4 times a week (for a woman at my age, re-starting to lift helps my bones and making sure I have enough muscle and am not losing any). I've also been rowing on my erg 3-4 times a week and walking with my weighted vest.  I have always been active and being sidelined for a while has been really difficult for my mental health so i'm happy to be back.  I'm hoping to get up North for a few days to do a short hike. 

• Ten Japanese books to read this summer.
• A literary tour through the streets of Prague.
• 6 new novels that re-imagine the Indian family.
• Books if you are a language lover. 
• The best books on Stonehenge.
• Books about people just living. 
• Non Fiction books being loved by NPR staffers right now. 
• How to keep reading if you have a long summer TBR list.
• Are we living through the end of reading?
• Why making friends is so hard as an adult.
• What people are saying about Christopher Nolan's Odyssey. My copy is coming in the mail - I want to read it before I see it.
• What are the Emma Lion books and why are they having a moment?
• Three must read non fiction books for disability awareness month.
• 20 speculative fiction books to get you through 2026.
• 42% of women don't know that they're in peri menopause.
• There's a new Fourth Wing book coming out!
• Marriage and the maiden name. 
• Rhode Island codifies a right to read.
• Cozy horror is a thing.
• The small press books you don't want to miss this summer. 
• The best of modern true crime. 

Please don't forget to visit my Pangobooks store!