In the Woods, Tana French
I promise, this is the last murder-mystery/psychological thriller for the season! I just finished this one over the weekend, and while I enjoyed Irish novelist Tana French’s writing style and her inclusion of Irish politics throughout the story, I found the ending to be a major let-down. There were some loose ends that were never tied up or even addressed, which I found frustrating since it took me awhile to power through the 430 pages. I would say I was only 50/50 on this book, afraid I can’t really recommend it.
But this post is not all in vain! I wanted to share with you the sweetest little reading nook. The weather has been just gorgeous lately, so the boys have taken to reading in the wheelbarrow in our back yard. I put some blankets and pillows in there to make it super comfy, and they have been taking reading breaks most afternoons when they’re not swinging from ropes and jumping off things!
And now for your thoughts; do you have any good nonfiction recommendations? Or any light-hearted novels? I’m in the mood for something funny and/or pop science if you have any good ones.
I felt the same way about The Likeness. It has such promise with an interesting plot/story line set up yet half of it wasn’t addressed at the end. As well as the great character development which also felt like it fell a little short.
*Into the Woods, whoops!
Two books I just finished reading and loved:
Non-Fiction – The Backyard Parables: Lessons on Gardening, and Life by Margaret Roach
Fiction – Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
ooh – I second t’s vote for Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann. And then get the boys The Man Who Walked Between the Towers. (See here: http://www.thirdstoryies.com/2014/08/07/storytime-the-man-who-walked-between-the-towers/)
And then, watch Man on Wire – http://www.thirdstoryies.com/2010/11/24/man-on-wire/ – with your husband (once screen free week is over!)
Sorry for all the links, I just got excited. Seems like a perfect fit for your wire-walking family.
For pop science, you could try The Good Gut by Justin and Erica Sonnenburg. A more science-y style of writing than Mary Roach, but I thought it was super interesting and easy to read.
I just reviewed a book the other day and thought to myself that your boys would love it. It is “How Your Body Works: The Ultimate Illustrated Guide” by Thomas Canavan. I loved all the pictures and illustrations and I thought the author did a great job of being comprehensive without speaking over children’s heads. My seven year old enjoyed it as much as my thirteen year old.
As for you, I read “Texts From Jane Eyre: And Other Conversations with Your Favorite Literary Characters” by Mallory Ortberg. It was hilarious, ridiculous, and lots of fun- sort of like the literary equivalent of fabulous chocolate: best to be nibbled on throughout the week, avoid gorging it all in one sitting. Also, if you’re looking for a light-hearted mystery, the Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley is lovely, delightful, and extremely well-written. It’s like a breath of fresh air.
I can’t remember if I’ve already pushed this on you and you may have read it already, but “Last Child In The Woods”, is awesome. Also anything, fiction, or non, by Peter Mathiessen. Charlie is currently having his mind blown by Charles C. Mann pre-and-post Columbian America books. I read the first one and it is literally something every American should read. <3
My non-fiction recommendation right now is Citizen by Claudia Rankine. I can’t stop thinking/talking about it. Not science, but political and personal and breathtaking.
The Empathy Exams is supposed to be great non-fiction, though I gave it to my brother without reading it first myself.
My favorite mysteries are the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear–really well done historical fiction set in post-WWI London, and so much more to the books than the mysteries.
I’m currently reading another Kate Atkinson, thanks to your recommendation!
Thanks for all the great suggestions!