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Summer reading is about to give way to autumn reading. I've been busy preparing for the school year, but since so many things are cancelled (like our Disney Annual Passes), I've been able to squeeze in some extra reading time. My last Library Bag post was June, but never fear, we've been keeping our dear librarians busy.
I'm curious: how is your library currently operating? Are things "back to normal"? Is your library even open yet? Can you place holds? Inter-library Loans? Pay fines? We have reduced hours, a three day holding period for returns, most (but not all) branches are open, limited resources, and large sections of the library are blocked off from patrons. However, I did just get an email that fines will be re-instated for overdue books starting Monday, so I wonder if other things will be returning to normal operations.
My husband recently introduced me to the writings of Brandon Sanderson. As soon as he finished reading Skyward he told me that he thought it might be one that I would enjoy. Thirty-six hours and over 500 pages later . . . well, he was right. Of course, I devoured the squeal, Starsight immediately afterwards. I was more than a little disappointed to learn that the third book isn't due to come out until Spring of 2021.
Lucy Foley's telling of this tale is masterful. I saw someone say it was better as a retelling of "Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie than the original story. I was dubious, because Christie is in a league of her own; however, I must say, it is very good. It's a twisting whodunit, while also being a who's-going-to-get-it. It's an incredibly entertaining thriller. (It's definitely a grown up book though, with very adult themes and probably could use some trigger warning labels.)
Secrets of a Charmed Life and A Fall of Marigolds
With its vivid characters and gripping story this is an engaging read. A modern day American scholar interviews an elderly woman about her WWII memories. Most of the book is the story of Emmy trying to find her place in a torn apart world. (I may have geeked out a bit when Susan Meissner commented on my Instagram post!)
If you follow me on IG, then you might have seen another Meissner book, A Fall of Marigolds. This book had me in tears. For whatever reason, this book was hard to pick up, but once I did I couldn't put it down. It also had a modern and a historical story line: one character from 1911 who lost a loved one in the tragic Triangle Park fire; the second character is from modern times and lost someone in the horrific 9/11 attacks. It's all tied together by a marigold scarf. While I thought both books were good, I think Marigolds is a bit better: the intertwining stories were more developed.
That's all for now, the children are going to go wild if we don't go swimming right this minute. Ah, summer! (And spring, and fall, and even winter . . . we live in Florida.)
What have you been reading lately?
