Summer Reading

On a Dollar a Day: One Couple's Unlikely Adventures in Eating in America by Christopher Greenslate and Kerri Leonard - It was interesting. Concerned with rising grocery bills, the duo decide to try feeding themselves on a dollar a day. (You'll have to read to see how that goes.) They also experimented with the USDA's Thrifty Food Plan. I liked it. It gave me a lot to think about. But the male half of the couple is a bit longwinded.

Powder Necklace by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond - This has gotten very good reviews, and I enjoyed it, but I thought it read like a young adult novel. Another novel (also set in Africa and also about a fifteen year old girl) which I enjoyed much more is Purple Hibiscus.

The Last Beach Bungalow and The Threadbare Heart by Jennie Nash - Preferred the former. A good summertime read. The thing about Jennie...we graduated from the same college, and I always like to read things by fellow alums. One of my favorite books ever, Mudbound, was also written by a Wellesley graduate!

Dancing for Degas by Kathryn Wagner - VERY much in the vein of Tracey Chevalier. Enjoyed it!

The Irresistable Henry House by Lisa Grunwald - This is an unusual premise: It's about a guy, Henry House, who started life as the practice baby for a college home ec course. I was a little unsure about it at first, but I ended up really liking it.

Lunch in Paris: a Love Story, with Recipes by Elizabeth Bard - Putting aside my jealousy of yet another young thing's romantic adventures in Europe, this is a good read. And it's not too recipe-y. :)

The Lost Summer of Louise May Alcott by Kelly O'Connor McNees - My favorite of this batch. And it was just selected as one of Oprah's summer reading picks. But don't let that stop you!

Buster Midnight's Cafe by Sandra Dallas - I've so enjoyed a few of Sandra's books (Whiter than Snow, Tallgrass, and Prayers for Sale) I thought I'd see what else she'd written. I had a hard time getting into this one. It's okay, but it doesn't come close to the others.

Maggie-Now by Betty Smith - Okay, how many of you have read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn? I'm sure many of you have. And I'll bet a good number of you have read Joy in the Morning too. But poor Maggie-Now, she seems to get left behind. Don't let this happen! If you liked the others, you'll like this one too.

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake - This book was blurbed by Kathryn Stockett (right on the front cover!) so I had high hopes. Well, I had a lot of trouble getting started, but it turned out to be a worthwhile read.