A brief summary of what I’m currently reading or have recently finished, why I read it, and whether I’d recommend it. Although really, it’d have to be truly terrible for me to bother writing about a book I wouldn’t recommend……
When Books Went to War (Molly Guptill Manning) – One of the podcasts I loosely follow (The Literary Life Podcast) puts out an annual reading challenge, and 2021’s included a book about books. I believe it was in the off-and-on year-long discussion about that challenge that I first came across this book. It hits all the “sweet spots” for me: not character-driven, WWII-era, historical, and informative, without being dull or requiring too much brain power. Even better: it was on the library shelf one day when we made a family excursion. The overarching theme could be summarized by an FDR quote: “In this war, we know, books are weapons.” Nazi Germany banned and burned thousands of books because of the “subversive” ideas contained therein, and the US, and Britain as well to some extent, fought back by providing their servicemen with inexpensive paperbacks specially designed to fit in uniform pockets. When Books Went to War explores the changes brought to the publishing industry because of this effort, the books themselves that were read and reread until they had disintegrated, and the impact on those who were serving. If you don’t read anything else I recommend today, read this one.
The Nature of Autumn (Jim Crumley) – Jim Crumley was first introduced to me via another podcast by a small independent publishing house based in London. They did an entire episode on nature writing, and Jim Crumley was their featured guest for that. (Side note: if you already have trouble keeping your to-be-read list under control, I don’t recommend subscribing to podcasts about literature. Every episode adds at least two more to my list, and sometimes five or six; it’s impossible to keep up with that pace, and yet I still listen.) Crumley traverses Scotland and writes about what he sees. The Nature of Autumn is the first in a quartet following the pattern of the seasons. It sounds hokey or strange as I write it, but this is my blog and I’ll sound weird if I want to: his descriptions of landscape and birds and observations, that are impossible to see unless one actually slows down, were a balm to my soul, particularly in the midst of an intensely busy season at work. Read with a map of Scotland close to hand to get the most out of it, unless you’re already familiar with the geography.
The Whispering House (Elizabeth Brooks) – The sole novel on this list (spoiler, as if 86 prior book recommendations, including the two that immediately precede this, are insufficient: I don’t read a ton of fiction), fans of du Maurier’s Rebecca may find a lot to like in this Gothic-esque novel. It’s not really a whodunnit, but there is the element of mystery and intrigue related to a disappearance and death, and it makes the list primarily because I didn’t see the twist coming. Not sure based on my review if it’s worth your time? You can find it featured on yet a third podcast, One Great Book (Volume 5, Book 8; there’s not an episode-specific link).
Quiet: the Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking (Susan Cain) – I’m not sure how or when this first came to my attention, but a trusted friend had also read it and when asked told me that she had found it helpful. It makes a strong case for why introverts are needed and should be more valued than they normally are in a social structure that seems to have been created by and for extroverts. It’s worth reading regardless of which way you lean; I wish more extroverts, especially at my workplace, would read it. The practical ideas for how to make a workplace more comfortable for introverts were especially good to read.
So there you have it: 4 books I’m reading right now or have recently finished. If you’ve read any of these (or decide to after reading this post), drop me a note and let me know what you thought of them! And let me know what you’re reading right now too.