The Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins
Surprise, surprise! When I’m not reading pop science, I’m reading psychological thrillers. This one I kept hearing about through other blogs and recommendations from afar, so I picked it up over the weekend and now I can’t put it down. It’s very similar to Gone Girl in the narration from 3 different characters and 3 very different points of view that seem unreliable and thus, intriguing. It’s a tense thriller with many twists and turns and plenty of dysfunction. I’m thoroughly enjoying it.
Home, by Carson Ellis
And while I was perusing the bookstore, this book caught my eye in the children’s section and I ended up taking it home for the boys. Ellis is an exceptional illustrator who did all the art for the Wildwood series (which I intend to pick up next for out-loud bedtime reading for our older two) — I started to read it and it was a captivating adventure! But back to Home. It’s a simple but beautiful look into what a home can be: mythical, nursery rhyme, under the sea or in a stump.
“Sea homes. Bee homes. / Hollow tree homes.”
“A raccoon lives here. / An artist lives here.”
“This is the home of a Slovakian duchess. / This is the home of a Kenyan blacksmith.”
An imaginative, lovely book that somehow reminds me of a Wes Anderson movie in its visual appeal and imaginative direction. This one inspires the creative mind and opens up the realm of possibilities when it comes to the question, “What makes a home?”
That’s a gorgeous book (the second one). I really enjoyed the first book – although I was also extremely uncomfortable while reading it. I’m starting to realize how uncomfortable I get when I invest myself in a character that keeps making poor choices. I’m the same way with movies too. It’s completely baffling to me, because I feel like I’m not a super judgemental person in real life. (Maybe I secretly am!) But in fiction – I can hardly handle addictive personalities. I haven’t figured out why this is. I’m still drawn to these characters, but I feel like I want to give them a huge shake too. Stop drunk texting!!!
I completely agree, Kristin! I don’t think it’s being judgmental, I think it has to do with our empathy and maybe our mothering instincts!
I finished two really fantastic books in England: The Quick about 19th century vampires in London (I know, I know, but it was a stunning read!) and The Miniaturist. The second of the two I blew through and loved but was disappointed in the ending. I’m now reading a Gillian Flynn that has me really uncomfortable with the subject matter but turning page after page.