The Last of the Summer Reading Booklist

I'm sorry it has taken me so long to get around to talking about the rest of my books on the booklist. If you've been hanging around here for a while, you might remember that this list came together in a few stages from your recommendations. I talked about my choices here and here and then here. And now it's five months later. Egads.

So, I want to mention the rest of the books on the list that I haven't written about yet, because I at least dipped into all of them, and some of them I loved. Some of them I just couldn't get into. Some of them I'll keep and read again. Without further ado:

Thrumpton Hall: A Memoir of Life in My Father's House by Miranda Seymour. Title-craving George FitzRoy Seymour only ever had one true love: an anachronistic house he begged to inherit from a childless aunt and uncle. Passionate about the property since boyhood, Seymour's single-minded determination to put Thrumpton Hall before all else is written about by his daughter with honesty, insightful research, and not a little pain. This book, while not the happiest read in the world, was strangely difficult to put down, but then strangely exhausting and a bit depressing. It depends what you're in the mood for. If nothing else, it is a compelling portrait of an old house against the backdrop of modern England, as well as a daughter's search for explanations.

Step Ball Change and Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray. I put these two together because they have a lot of similarities in my mind, and I loved them both equally. The narrator in each is a sassy, hilarious, thoughtful wife and mother; each story opens on a day where several big things happen at once: her husband loses his job just as her father falls down a flight of stairs and breaks his wrists and has to move in (and her divorced mother already lives there, too); her sister discovers a cheating husband the day her daughter gets engaged to the richest guy in town. There's lots going on, lots of opportunity for humor and tension, and lots of great writing here. I think Jeanne Ray is Ann Patchett's mom, so the good writing gene must run in the family. I'll definitely read her other books. They were just exactly what I was looking for this summer.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley." Rebecca needs no introduction from me, I'm sure. This classic mystery/romance, first published in 1938, is one that I read back in high school, at the urging of my Auntie Georgianne, who said it was her favorite book, and I loved it then. My aunt sadly passed away this summer, and I pulled out the same copy of Rebecca that I'd kept all these years, and spent several quiet days on the porch re-reading it this summer. If you like big English houses (I see a pattern here), mysterious first wives, mousy young brides married to bossy older men, and mean servents, then you'll probably really love this book, too.

Not a Happy Camper: A Memoir by Mindy Schneider. This memoir of several summers at Jewish sleepaway summer camp started out strong and funny, but quickly devolved into labored descriptions of teenage flirtations, and I got bored. The dialogue just didn't ring true for me, and I didn't finish it, though some parts were quite funny.

Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner. Kate Klein is a young mother living in an upscale Connecticut suburb where everything about her is at odds with everything about it. When she stumbles upon the murder of picture-perfect Kitty Cavanaugh, and is shocked to discover she may have a very personal connection to it, she embarks on her own investigation. I loved this. I like all of her feisty, edgy characters and consistently solid writing. I've read several of ther other books and I keep them when finished. I also think the movie version of In Her Shoes is brilliant. One of my favorites.

World of Pies by Karen Stolz. I was trying to remember something about this book, and then I realized that I never read it. Ooops. I forgot about this one.

That was easy.

I should space out and then play dumb more often.

Anybody Out There? by Marion Keyes. I like Marion Keyes's books a lot. I've read several of them. This one was a page-turner — I literally couldn't put it down — until the big twist in the middle, which horrified me to such an extent I literally dropped the book in shock and never picked it up again. And I probably won't. Not a happy book. (Though everyone is saying to keep going with it.)

Od Magic by Patricia McKillip and The Penderwick Chronicles: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall. People love both of these books, and I don't know what my problem is but I couldn't get into them. Yet. I don't know if I just read too late at night or what, because although it seemed like I should love them both, I could not keep the characters straight in my mind, especially the four sisters. I'll surely try these again sometime.

Wow, I think that's it. I have new ones I'll add now, thank goodness! Thanks again for the recommendations — it was a great summer of reading. Yesterday I picked up Heidi and this old one, Black Flower by Jane Abbott, from 1929. I have absolutely no idea what it's about. I'll let you know. Hopefully before April.

"So they made fudge"

Comments

[Susan Marie]

Oh, you book lover, you! This is such an inspiring post.

[Martha]

I am loving the illustrations in Black Flower. It may be worth it to buy the book just for the pictures!!!

[Carrie K]

I love your food blogs and your picture blogs and your rambling blogs but i ESPECIALLY love when you write about books :) Thanks for giving me new ones to add to the stacks :)

[Delilah]

Hi Alicia,
I have taken note of the books that you recommended. I too love Mary Stewart though have never read "Rose Cottage" or "Nine Coaches Waiting". They will be a part of my fall reading. I have just order a kindle and the first book that I will purchase for it is "Dewey". My neighborhood bookclub is reading it for December. I am also re-reading "To Kill A Mockingbird". Thank you for all of your reviews, I found them quite helpful.
Delilah

[Francine]

You should finish the Marion Keyes book, I promise you won't regret it. It totally horrified me too, but it was worth it in the end!

This post makes me wanna be a very bad girl on Amazon!

[Allison]

I learned of Mary Stewart from your summer reading list and read Thornyhold since it was what I found in the used bookshop. I've got my eye out for Rose cottage now.

I also happened to read Od Magic and loved it, though it did take me a bit to get into it. Once I was, I stayed in the chair until I finished it!

Let me re-recommend Georgette Heyer whom I think several of us mentioned back in the summer. Her regency romances are my ultimate summer/escapist reads. (Try Arabella and Venetia first)

[CityGirl]

Love your blog and am trying to spread the gospel of Alicia!

So, you've been tagged!
http://countrygirl-citygirl.blogspot.com/2008/10/meme.html

[Becky]

I read Anybody Out There about a year ago and was, like you, horrified at the twist. I bawled when I read that book. But you should definitely finish it. It gets better, I promise.

And I am going to HAVE to read Rebecca. I think I should wait until it's cold and gloomy outside though, that seems so appropriate.

[Amy]

I agree I would not have gotten into the Penderwicks but we listened to it as a family on a roadtrip. Everyone really enjoyed it - 7 yr old, 10 yr old and parents. I have to admit Jeanne Birdsall writes the best "kids playing soccer ad-hoc" scene EVER. It is a mesmerizing take on how kids think. Check for it near the end of the book. We also liked Penderwicks on Gardam St. (sp?)

Also, just a thank you to you for posting. I'm home sick for a couple of days and it cheers me up to check in on your thoughts and pretty pictures!

[Tricia]

I'm with your other friends: You really should finish "Anybody out there?" It is a truly remarkable story. Tricia

[Robyn]

I just finished "Rebecca" for the first time. Don't know how I missed it before. Loved it.

[Hannah Shaw]

I love your book recommendations! I really enjoyed the Penderwicks and World of Pies. I agree with you about Od Magic, I just couldn't get into it. You have totally peaked my interest about Anybody out there... I think I will be heading to the bookstore! Thank you for such a wonderful post!

[Gloria]

Thank you for the reviews. I love your wit...even describing books :) I will have to read some of these I have not yet!

[Heather]

My sister and I listened to "The Penderwicks" on a road trip also, and I found that the narrator helped with keeping all the girls straight until you learned their personalities.

[Leisl]

Aaaaah! I always enjoy these lists, thank so much Alicia!

I quite liked the Penderwicks, but then again I was just in the mood for a sweet, innocent summery story when I read it, so maybe that makes a difference. I've kept my copy, as I suspect Grumbles will enjoy it in, oh, 9 years...

[Sarah]

Thanks for all the wonderful reviews! I've added a few new ones to my list. Do you use a site like GoodReads to track what you read and what's on your "to read" list? I would love to be able to follow what you're finishing!

[Wendy]

I, too, had trouble keeping the Penderwick sisters straight, but still enjoyed the book. I just finished The Penderwicks on Gardam Street and found it easier to follow who was who in that one.

[hop]

I always love it when you post books, I print it out and go check them all out at the store... I am a book geek (I serioulsy read at least an hour a day and freak out if I don't).

I hope all is well!

[Erica]

i think i shall check out Rebecca :)

[angeljoy]

who cares what Black Flower is about...let's just look at the pictures! Excuse me...the illustrations. They are divine!

[Fer]

I loved 'Anybody out there?'. It's really worth reading past the twist to the end - I promise you won't regret it! :o)

PS. Have you ever read any Georgette Heyer books? They're not too bad for light reading.

[Trying Traditional]

I knew you would love Rebecca from the others you liked. It makes me want to go and read it again and again. I also can not wait to hear what you have to say about Heidi as well.

It has been an odd season at our house where I do not have a book or two going. I find that I really miss time spent reading. It is time to dig in again and we just happen to be going to the library tomorrow :)

[Laura]

Have you read Dear Daddy Long-Legs? I always think of it when someone mentions that they are reading Heidi or Anne of Green Gables for some reason. Also, did you ever see the "sequel" to Heidi--Courage Mountain? I know that it is a movie and book but am not sure if the book was a movie by-product or actually was came before.

[Abbey]

I loved Anybody Out There? Fantastic book..but, yes, def. not a happy one.

Within the first 10 pages I was BAWLING in bed. I woke my husband up I was so upset.

You've got to pick it back up...

Oh...and World of Pies is good! Pick it up!

[The Accidental Housewife]

I just love books. All kinds of books so your reading list will probably get added to my list of books to read. Thank you so much for sharing. Oh and if you aren't already on Goodreads.com go over there and take a look. It is a really easy way to keep track of your library.