Day: July 13, 2024

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

There has been some hype for this book particularly in the Reading Glasses Slack. The book was perfect timing as I had been contemplating similar themes. The book was also set in June as well. One of my wheelhouses seems to be novels where protagonists tries other or parallel versions of their lives. It lived up to the hype for me. It was darkly funny. I liked Lauren. I found her relatable and all the things she did to try and live with her situation were probably what I would have done. I was emotionally invested with her for that one good romance. I liked the judicious use of her family and friends in the plot. I found the ending satisfying albeit bittersweet. This novel was quite long but it did not drag and I finished it in a couple sittings. The GoodReads rating is surprisingly low given the hype. I can see why it would be too long, overwrought, or strange for others but I had such a good time. It also made me reflect about the choices we make. I genuinely laughed out loud a couple times which is rare. It reminded me how much I hated dating. Fun book. May grab a copy.

Read June 22-23, 2024 on Kobo Libra 2.

The Balcony by Melissa Castrillón

Lovely children’s picture book about a girl who moves from the country to the city and starts gardening on her balcony. As another balcony gardener, I liked the art work.

Read June 25, 2024.

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

Narrated by Juliet Stevenson. Audiobook for about 30%. As always, Stevenson was terrific as a narrator. I still prefer to read print. For many years, I actually thought I had read this book because of the splendid BBC adaptation starring Richard Armitage and Daniel Denby-Ashe. I’ve enjoyed Gaskell before with Cranford and the romance here hooked me. I am very picky about romances. I do not really like most contemporary romance novels, but I seem to appreciate them more in classics and genre fiction. Gaskell was able to write from both lead characters with depth on their opposition and attraction to each other. I think John Thornton is one of the best Victorian romantic male leads. There was a lot of angst and longing and a satisfying ending. I rewatched the mini series, admired the acting, music, and direction once again. The book and the TV series are different. The book does do some things better than the TV script but the production of the series really elevated it. I then read some fanfic as I did not want the story of John and Margaret to be over. Will definitely keep my battered Wordsworth paperback edition and be on the lookout for a hardback in the future.

1.25x. Read June 23-29, 2024.