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June 24, 2021

Summer Reads

15 Comments/ 75/ 1

Every once in a while I like to share what I am reading. Today’s that day and I have to start this post off by saying that I read a lot of different types of books. I get a lot free to read for review books so that sometimes stretches my normal genres a bit but that is a good thing.

First up is a book club choice for this month – The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd. I actually listened to the audio book as I was driving to and from Ohio and thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction. Written about young Eliza Lucas Pinckney this book combined history with fiction to present a compelling story of a young girl in the 1730’s and beyond who captured the attention of the country when she successfully grew Indigo on her plantations. This novel was filled with characters that I loved and the author really made history come alive for me. Definitely one for anyone who loves historical fiction.

The Orphan of Salt Winds by Elizabeth Brooks was recommended to me by my favorite independent bookstore, Highland Books, in downtown Brevard. I have never gone wrong with one of their recommendations. This one is an author debut novel that follows the life of Virginia Wrathmell in 1939 as she arrives and lives in a secluded house on a marsh. It is engaging, well written, and a lovely story.

As an Amazon Prime member I get free downloads of books at the beginning of each month. This month I got to choose two so the following ones are my June choices that I have managed to read already. I am a Tess Gerritsen fan (think Rizzoli and Isles) so I loved this book co-authored with Gary Braver. A great murder mystery read with twists and turns as the shortened life of Taryn Moore unfolds for the reader – this is one for your mystery lovers out there. Choose Me by Tess Gerritsen and Gary Braver is one to pick up.

Sometimes you just need a FUN book and this one fit the bill. A perfect “beach read” type of book that had me laughing out loud at times. Think Parent Trap for adults. Kind of. But not. The Seven Day Switch by Kelly Harms will keep you laughing and turning pages as Celeste and Wendy, two totally different types of women, end up switching bodies and lives for seven days. Great book to read when you just need a light and fun book.

I have just started The Last Ordinary Hour by Kathy Izard. I am a huge fan of hers ever since reading her other book The Hundred Story Home which I wrote about here. This book chronicles Kathy’s life following her husband’s unexpected heart attack and diagnosis with Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD). I love her truth, her voice and her willingness to share the really difficult parts of life in an effort to help others find a sense of comfort during times of challenge and fear. I think this will be one of my favorite books of the year.

So that’s what I have been reading. Tell me – what’s on your nightstand right now? What are you reading? Remember that each comment made on any post means a 50 cent donation to our Comments for a Cause – Jubilee Partners.

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book reviews books Choose Me summer reading The Indigo Girl The Last Ordinary Hour The Orphan of Salt Winds The Seven Day Switch
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15 Comments

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  1. reneewilliams7
    June 24, 2021 at 06:34 am

    I am reading the Last Thing that He Told Me. It’s pretty light, definitely a fast read. I just finished the Henna Artist and loved it. I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel. But…I was bad and bought Malibu Rising at Walmart yesterday. I’m just a book junkie!! Lol!!!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      June 24, 2021 at 11:31 am

      I love the light reads–there is definitely a time and place for them and I try to intersperse them . Some of my NetGalley choices are definitely light reads and those are good for right now since we are babysitting. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Sandy Wall
    June 24, 2021 at 07:45 am

    Rereading the James Herriot “All Creatures Great and Small” series. I would like to read some of the books you mentioned today!

    Reply
    1. Darlene
      June 24, 2021 at 07:53 am

      Sandy, I love those books so much! I’ve been to the area in Yorkshire they take place in. Enjoy!

      Reply
    2. Beth Ann Chiles
      June 24, 2021 at 11:29 am

      Oh those are so wonderful. I need to revisit those as well. They were some of my mom’s favorites as well so it seems appropriate to read them again!

      Reply
  3. Darlene
    June 24, 2021 at 07:51 am

    Some great books listed here. I an especially intrigued by the Indigo Girl and have put it on my TBR list. You always recommend great books! I just finished A Ghost and His Gold by Roberta Eaton Cheadle. It is a paranormal/historical book about the Boer wars in South Africa. It was quite good, entertaining but I also learned a lot too. I am now reading A Fortunate Life by A. B. Facey that takes place in Australia, following the life of a young boy through the 20th century. Fascinating. As you can see I like books that take place in various parts of the world. Happy summer reading.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      June 24, 2021 at 11:28 am

      I think you would like The Indigo Girl. I really liked the audio book and may have to go read it in actual print form one day. I have been introduced to a lot of great books through my book club that I never would have read otherwise. I always have a huge stack to be read.

      Reply
      1. Darlene
        June 25, 2021 at 01:15 pm

        I know all about huge stacks of books! I tend to read one book and purchase three more. xo

        Reply
  4. jena c. henry
    June 24, 2021 at 08:07 am

    My kind of post! I picked The Seven Day Switch, too, from Prime. I love Edward Rutherford’s long sagas, and I just finished his latest- China. Also finished a memoir about Chinese immigrants called Beautiful Country.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      June 24, 2021 at 11:26 am

      Oh that memoir sounds really good. I may have to check that out. I have a bunch of NetGalley books to read on my Kindle that I need to get to!

      Reply
  5. Mama's Empty Nest
    June 24, 2021 at 09:18 am

    There are scads of e-books downloaded and waiting for me. Some that I’ve read lately I wasn’t too crazy about. But I just finished a historical novel by Nancy Moser called Washington’s Lady about Martha Washington and am now reading her fictional Just Jane about Jane Austen. What I love most about Moser’s books is she interweaves so many documented factual aspects with her imagined events in these (and lists the true facts in the back of the book) that they read like a biography.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      June 24, 2021 at 11:25 am

      I will have to check her out. I have never heard of her. I am not a huge historical fiction fan but am getting there –Indigo Girl was a really great example of that type of writing. She used documents to build the story and then embellished a bit with her own additions which kind of rounded it out. I am gaining a new appreciation for this type of writing.

      Reply
  6. Minnesota Prairie Roots
    June 24, 2021 at 12:17 pm

    I’m reading a James Patterson and have a stack of other library books to read. Due to the “water line incident,” I’ve had limited time to read. 🙁

    Reply
  7. Shirley Matthews Dunn
    June 24, 2021 at 01:27 pm

    All of these sound good. Right now I am reading From the Foster House to the White House by Terrence K. Williams,

    Reply
  8. Susi
    June 24, 2021 at 06:03 pm

    Thanks for sharing. I’ll earmark the page for when I’m looking for something new to read.

    Reply

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