The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (#0) by Suzanne Collins – I’ve had this on one of my many TBR shelves and when a friend handed me the new one I knew I should read this one first. I liked understanding more about Coriolanus Snow. I was intrigued by Lucy Gray Baird’s character, a whimsical love interest for the Snow.
Still Me (Me Before You series, #3) by Jojo Moyes- I just loved Louisa Clark’s characters and her struggles with a long distance relationship and the agony of working for people who are friendly but definitely not your friends. I’m sad to say good-bye to these characters.
Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar (elementary fiction)-I read this to 5th graders this year. I thought it had an interesting story line and had a lot to say about friendship but more importantly how we are tending to our environment. The fuzzy mud in the book is toxic and made by a chemical company attempting to make a fuel alternative.
Sunrise on the Reaping (#0.5) by Suzanne Collins – I loved this one! I read it quickly, Haymitch was one of my favorite characters so I enjoyed hearing his story, including the addition of Maysilee, a connection to Lucy Gray. Collins’ created such an amazing cast of characters throughout the Hunger Games series.
We Solve Murders (#1) by Richard Osman: Steve and Amy Wheeler are a entertaining duo. Steve, a retired officer, is Amy’s father-in-law and Amy is a private security bodyguard in charge of a celebrity author who has had death threats. As the three of them cross the globe to solve a mystery we are both scared and entertained.
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller: This story was such an interesting twist on relationships. Elle and her best friend Jonas spent summers together in a group of cabins near Cape Cod. Elle has an unusual and tragic childhood as her mom shuttles them between various unhealthy relationships. Eventually she leaves for London, meets her husband, and returns home only to be constantly pulled back to one tragic summer. Sometimes a first love is not meant to be left behind.
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey: I was able to get my hands on a secondhand hardcover copy of this book awhile ago. And while I enjoyed looking at the pictures and the style of the book ultimately I ended up listening to this on audio; I mean, come on, listening to Matthew’s voice as I did errands was alright, alright, alright. I loved his stories even though the first part featuring their did shock me a bit. The book made me curious about all his work and I watched Dazed and Confused to get a look at his first movie role.
I started this post at the beginning of June and literally got distracted by summer things like sleeping in, sunshine, and the lake. I went to the protest on Saturday and keep wondering what we can do to keep that momentum going. How do we impeach him and get him and Vance out of office…? Honestly we need a do-over.
What I’m reading now: reread of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt for book club, The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln (graphic novel for school), and The Anxious Generation by Jonathon Haidt.
I’m not great about finishing nonfiction but I heard a tip on Annie’s podcast, What Should I Read Next? She suggests reading nonfiction in the morning; giving it a separate time helps. I’m going to try this over the summer. I can sip my morning tea and read.
Keep the faith, keep reading, and enjoy the sunshine.
Peaceful Reader 