Summer Selections

Including a call to more diverse reading

When I sent out May’s newsletter, I was planning to focus June’s on fun summer book recommendations but once again, so much has happened. I will cover summer book suggestions— but I can’t overlook what is going on in our nation regarding race relations. So many of our eyes have been opened to ongoing acts of injustice and violence perpetuated on the black community. Finally, it seems, we are ready to recognize that black lives matter.

I am not an expert on anything that is going on, but I want to acknowledge the seismic shifts occurring in our culture right now. This newsletter is about books, and some of my favorite recent reads have been written by black authors. If you are not reading books written by people who don’t look like you or whose life doesn’t look like yours, you are doing yourself a disservice. While reading books won’t end racism, it is definitely a place to start. We gain from black authors who are working hard to educate us. We increase our empathy by reading fictional stories that bring us into the lives of those experiencing racism in our country. There are many book suggestions in the news and on Instagram and do not want to be repetitive. If you want to understand issues of racism (and what antiracism is) just look at the NYT Paperback Nonfiction Best Seller list for the past week:

I am currently listening to “Stamped from the Beginning” by Ibram X Kendi which is free right now on Spotify and “The Very Good Gospel” by Lisa Sharon Harper. This came to me from a sister in Christ who is on the frontlines of anti-racist education.

Another headline that caught my eye, from Cosmopolitan no less, was “Don’t Just Read About Racism – Read Stories About Black People Living”. I could not agree with this more. This is not hard; the options are endless. One of this summer’s most well reviewed books is “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennet. I am on the wait list for “Such A Fun Time” by Kiley Reid - which people have resoundingly enjoyed this year. Both books involve complicated family dynamics and race.

Are you looking for a classic? Try “If Beale Street could Talk” by James Baldwin or “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston. Do you gravitate toward mysteries or historical fiction? Choose “The Cutting Season” by Attica Locke, which takes place on a plantation in current day and in the past. I was moved by Roxanne Gay’s memoir Hunger and The Other Wes Moore” by Wes Moore.

In an effort to lift black voices in the publishing industry. People are being encouraged to purchase two books by black writers this week (June 14-20th) - #blackoutbestsellerlist. I purchased The Vanishing Half and The Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler. This is the sequel to The Parable of the Sower that I read and loved earlier this year.

To provide a fuller context for the Anti-racist lists that are being touted right now, I am including links to an essay by Lauren Michele Jackson written for Vulture pointing out the limitations of such reading. You can read it here: “What is an Anti-Racist Reading List for?” or listen to her thoughts on the Pop Culture Happy Hour Podcast. She gently pushes us to question if just buying a book or reading is enough.

SUMMER READING

While many publishing dates for summer releases were pushed back, three highly anticipated books are available: “Big Summer” by Jennifer Weiner, “Beach Read” by Emily Henry and “The Sea Wife” by Amity Gaige. I enjoyed listening to Weiner discuss her book and writing process on What Should I Read Next (Ep. 234). I read Big Summer and liked the story but didn’t love it. It was a bit light for me (or maybe I am showing my age and it was a bit young for me). As much as I love mysteries, I am more of a “police procedural” kind of gal rather than the “girl next door stumbles on a killer” type. I can’t wait to read The Sea Wife which is described as “a gripping tale of survival at sea.” A small family sets out to recalibrate their life on an ocean voyage but they don’t all return home.

Here are links to two of my favorite Summer Reading Guides that have an abundance of great suggestions:

• Anne Bogel’s definitive Summer Reading Guide lists 30 books. Anne focuses mostly on new releases, but you can go back and look at past years guides if you are concerned about these books being available through your library or in paperback.

• Sarah’s Bookshelves puts together a great guide that also lists over 30 books. Her suggestions includes both recently published and backlist titles.

Reading Summary

So far this year I have read 50 books. I have posted fewer reviews on Instagram, mostly because often what I am reading seems disconnected to larger events going on. Yes, I am reading to escape! I have read a lot of good books but not a ton of great books; I am hesitant to post about books I’m not super enthusiastic about. My favorites so far include The Stationary Store, Writers and Lovers, I Miss You When I Blink, Daring Greatly, Dog Star and a two-book series I discuss below.

The War That Saved My Life is a Newbery Award winning middle grade story that takes place in England during WWII. Our heroin, Ada, is a young girl, who along with her brother are removed from London for safety and must adjust to a new life in the country. Ada suffers from severe club foot and has been abused by her mother much of her life, so in this story, the war is really the back drop. It is much more about resiliance and the work it takes to overcome trauma. Just because she is no longer being hurt doesn’t mean she is suddenly better. I really appreciated the lengths the author went to both educate readers on early events of the war and the impact of trauma on mood and behavior. The sequel, The War I Finally Won picks up where the first book leaves off, but also delves deeper into the deprivation and grief people faced as the war dragged on. It also becomes a wonderful story of found family. I cried reading both of these books and highly recommend them regardless of your age.

Don’t forget I often (but maybe not enough) post book reviews on my Instagram and Facebook accounts. I would love to hear back from any of you about favorite summer reads or books by black authors!