This week’s knitting was a brief interlude from sleeve knitting, because I finally got some Winston Measurements from my daughter! So before he grows any more, I picked up his Avery 2.0 Vest! The front is done, and the back is almost done! Which means I will just have to join the shoulders, seam the sides, and add a wee bit of sleeve/neck edging and it can be on its way to Michigan so it can get some wear this fall/winter! And once that is done, it will be all sleeves, all the time, promise! Ha!
This week, I am sharing my top five books of the summer… and picking just five has been so.hard! I read so many good books! And although SAH Bingo started way back on April 1st, my time frame starts June 1st and ends August 31st. All books here got a 5-star rating and they are books I have not stopped thinking about since I read them because the best books stay with you…amirite?
I had never read George Eliot’s Mill on the Floss (you can read my review here) and after immersing myself in 19th century life in England, I am so very glad I picked up this book. It is a book that I continue to think about, especially Maggie and her life. And while I do not live in England, nor is it the 19th century…it is easy to draw parallels with life for women today in this book. Also, it was marvelous to “escape” to England and settle in to the community on the Floss for a few hours each day, because this book was a very good reminder of how books can take us on a journey, even when we cannot go anywhere! If you have not read Mill on the Floss, I highly recommend it!
I simply adore Louise Erdrich, and The Night Watchman (my review here) did not disappoint. It is based on her grandfather’s life and I love, love, love Louise’s characters so much. They are so interesting and memorable! I knew absolutely nothing about the 1953 Indian Emancipation Act, but Louise piqued my curiosity to learn more after reading her book. It is no surprise that, as a nation, we have a long history of taking advantage of just about everyone – including Native Americans. This was a book that I simply could not put down, and loved Louise reading to me! I highly recommend any of Louise’s books, but this one especially!
This summer I tried to “read outside of my comfort zone” and pick up books I might normally pass by for a mystery… I had never read anything by Zora Neale Hurston and that is a sad thing to confess. Their Eyes Were Watching God (my review here) was the perfect introduction to this prolific author! This book takes you back to the 30’s and immerses you in the life of Janie Crawford. Hurston does a magnificent job of clearly showing you Janie’s world and all its faults through her eyes. Her writing is lyrical, almost poetic, and listening to Ruby Dee read the story was exactly perfect! I highly recommend this book!
What would any summer be without reading any Ian McEwan? Boring, I think… horribly boring! The Innocent (my review here) is a quick read… only 242 pages, but those pages are just packed full of twists, turns, and all the unexpected! And don’t let the title fool you, the characters are absolutely not innocent at all! The story revolves around post-WWII Germany, with Berlin being newly divided. There is a bit of espionage and some highly dysfunctional characters! And the ending… oh boy!
Finally, with a book I just finished under the wire, Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man (my review here). Another book I am ashamed to admit I had never even considered reading. The nameless narrator – the invisible man – tells a story that could be about life today, although this book was written in the 50’s. It is a compelling story, and it felt so real. I truly could not stop listening – a key factor in my deciding how “good” a book is, well this one was even better. Again, I highly recommend this book… the audio version especially, Joe Morton’s narration is excellent!
So there you have it, five books you should absolutely consider reading this fall!
And that is all I have for this week! I will be back next week in time for Unraveled Wednesday. As always, if you wrote a post, please leave your link below and thank you!
Oh goodness, I haven’t read ANY of the books you shared in today’s post. Thank you for all of the recommendations!
Winston’s vest is adorable. Eek!!
Winston’s vest is darling and that yarn is lovely! It’s wonderful to imagine knitwear knit with much love keeping him warm this fall and winter. And your books! I somehow missed that Ian McEwan had a new book so I’m going to place a hold for The Innocent and I may attempt The Mill on the Floss. Thanks for your always stellar recommendations!
Oh gosh! What an adorable vest. Love the yarn. I remember reading The Invisible Man in high school. I’v never read anything by Nora Zeale Hurston, but will loook for that one and also George Elliott! Thank you.
Zora Neale…not Nora Zeale!
I haven’t read any of these, but I think I need to put them all on my TBR list (which isn’t ever going to get any shorter thanks to wonderful reader friends)!
That little vest! So sweet! 🙂
I was planning a trip to my library and now I have 5 books to look for when I get there. Thanks for the rave reviews!
Oh we’re going to need to see Winston in that vest! Thanks for the books too…always something good from you!
What an adorable, perfectly seasonal little vest in the works! I have a book question and I can’t remember how far back you posted on it: Ten Thousand Doors… Do you highly recommend? Thx:)
Yes! 10 Thousand times yes 🙂
Mill on the Floss is my favorite George Eliot book and I’ve read them all – even Middlemarch!
oh I’m so glad you have Winston’s measurements … he NEEDS that vest this fall! and the books. wow! I think that Ian McEwan is a new title for me! I love his books and have a few that I’m looking forward to. A new-to-me author on my summer top 5 is James McBride and I finally read Salvage the Bones (brutal, but necessary, and also a good pairing – at least for me – with Their Eyes Were Watching God). Here’s to another fantastic season of books and reading!
The little vest will be darling on that sweet boy. I imagine he can use some warmth in a Michigan winter. No need to promise to return to sleeves here – Knit what you love at any one moment.
so excited that you are knitting for W. How sweet and what a fast satisfying knit to have on the needles.
Ian McEwan is one of my favorite authors — how did I miss The Innocent? Thanks, I will request it from the library.