Let’s go to the bookies! (that was supposed to sound like “let’s go to the movies” but didn’t quite work.)
Ohhhhhh, you guys. These three. These three books. Man oh man. Geez, Louise. Good golly, Miss Molly. Hold me, Rhonda. Help me, Susan. Stop it, Sally.
I can chill.
All three vastly different, but equally touching and beautiful and sad and heartbreaking and frustrating and yes I say all this every time I post books. But it’s true. Why are authors so good?
Let’s get into it, hun.
OMG. I’m starting with the darkest and deepest so that we can crawl our way out from these depths of despair. (name that movie) This book was a DOOOOOOOOZY. And anyone who’s read it is sitting there with eyebrows raised, a half smile and a viciously violent head nod.
That poor kid! The entire time I read this book I was equal parts worn out AND touched. This is the thing, it’s this kid whose entrance to existence is dramatic and traumatic. And from there, it just goes downhill. Sounds depressing, right?
IT IS. But also . . . beautiful? I’m not selling this well, I realize.
His journey through life, losing his mom, his brutal navigation through foster care homes, his friends, his foes, his loves, his loss. It’s all so much. The thing is, it’s so beautifully and gut-wrenchingly written, you’re just lost in it with him. You’re taking the punches. You’re finding hope for tomorrow. You’re simply exhausted. I’ll tell you now, it’s HARD to get through. But it’s worth it.
My friend Ashlee and I talk about “important books.” Like, we read mysteries and thrillers and beach reads and a little fluff. But the “important books” are necessary, too. THIS IS THAT. (I’m screaming it.)
It’s a long and tough road, but 100 billion percent worth it. You’ll be so incredibly thankful for your life. Yet you may relate in little or big slivers. I need you to read it.
Read it!
WOW. 1920s Mississippi. Two teenage girls, one white, one Black, bonded together forever over an unspeakable tragedy. It’s powerful, I tell you. Obviously a very close look at racism in the south during that time period, but it’s also a vivid story of female friendship, no matter your background.
It’s another deep read, but not quite Demon dark. (see, we’re crawling our way out!) The book toggles back and forth from each girl’s point of view, sharing her background, her story, and the exact moments leading up to how they meet, and why they meet. It is insane. And then, once they meet, they have to figure out how to keep the secrets they share, navigating their way forward the best they know how. Until someone finds out something. IT IS INTENSE.
A little bit of Crawdad vibes with the swamp and Natchez Trace imagery. Also there’s a mule and a wagon, so.
READ THIS.
Oh, Elin. You forever have my heart.
She is simply unmatched when it comes to blending conversational dialogue with detail and depth. Anytime Elin describes a setting, you are THERE. She spares no expense when it comes to getting the imagery just right. The characters, their nuances, the drama, the light, the food, the scandal, the audacity of some of these people! I love her so much. (also, she’s a sandwich lover like me, so I always appreciate her descriptions of delicious sandwiches.)
Her (so-called) final Nantucket novel ends with an absolute bang. She brings back recurring characters through the years, rotating them in and out, reminding us of all the drama we’ve experienced with them. But she brings in a new couple that at first feels impressive and cool, but shortly brings upheaval to the harmony of Nantucket. And it is JUICY.
If you have read Swan Song, tell me which party you’d most like to attend. The pink and white, the 4th of July boat party, the Oriental day drinking soiree, or the garden hot tub party? I’m dying to know. And then guess mine! (don’t tell them, Mindy.)
Also I teared up at the end. What a way to bring it all full circle. Bravo, Elin!
Read this right this freaking second.
And that’s it for now! I have a delicious stack ahead of me, which I’ll post soon in Stories.
What’s on your nightstand?
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