The High Mountains of Portugal - Yann Martel

This book was really enjoyable. I liked how the stories came together. The setting was very interesting - I know literally nothing about Portugal beyond where it is on the map, so I had no idea what it looked like, and the description was really vivid. 

The Trackers - Charles Frazier (Spoilers?)

What a terrific choice for this month's Book Club! I loved this book. It's basically a film noir in book form (I guess that would make it a livre noir?), so much so that I mentally cast Barbara Stanwyck as Eve and pictured that character as looking like Phyllis Dietrichson from Double Indemnity, one of my favorite movies. The writing is great, the setting is fascinating, I liked the characters even when they were rather unlikable - this was just a great read. Highly recommended. 

The Deerfield Massacre - James L. Swanson

This book's subtitle draws us in and gives us more context: A Surprise Attack, a Forced March, and the Fight for Survival in Early America. I was not familiar with this event in history, and the author has clearly researched it in great detail and used a wide-ranging compilation of sources to paint a picture of colonial America that I don't think we hear or see much about these days. I would love to read more about Eunice Williams (the daughter) - that is a fascinating story in itself. 

Family Lore - Elizabeth Acevedo

July's Book Club choice grabbed me and would not let me go. I was compelled to keep reading and I resented any time I had to stop. OK, there was a bit more "adult content" than I would like, but this book was worth it. I am really looking forward to the discussion! Recommended. 

The Essex Serpent - Sarah Perry

This book was really atmospheric but I am not sure what the point was, in the end. While I enjoyed it, it seemed like it was set up to be a plot-driven story, but turned out to be more of a set of character studies? I did like it though, I liked the characters, and the descriptions were good, so I felt I could picture the setting vividly. 

Reread: Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret - Judy Blume

Saw this book at Dollar Tree, of all places, and thought I'd grab it for $1.25 before their prices keep getting higher and higher, both out of nostalgia for a book I remember reading as a kid, and also to have a copy of a book that is frequently banned and challenged by people who don't think other people deserve to know actual medical information. The funniest thing about that is that this book isn't some explicit description of anything, it's just a story about maturing and etc. But whatever! 

So of course I had to reread it, and it was entertaining as an adult. At my ripe age, part of me thinks anyone WANTING menstruation has something drastically wrong with them, ha ha. But of course I understand that it was (is? I don't know anymore) a sign of "maturity" and etc. I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Margaret's grandmother, even if she is kind of a pain in the neck from time to time. I think there were some interesting lessons in this book. 

Now I am kind of wondering if I should have picked up copies of other Judy Blume books they had.... 

(Starring Sally J. Friedman As Herself, Blubber, Deenie, and maybe 1 other?)

The Curse of Penryth Hall - Jess Armstrong

June's book club choice was... underwhelming. I wanted to like this book but the story was all over the place. And if one more character "wet [his/her] lips" I would have screamed. What does that even mean????? I can't recommend this one. 

The Miniaturist - Jessie Burton

This was a quick read - I basically finished it in 1 day. I enjoyed the story, although some of it was unpleasant, but I am left with a lot of unanswered questions too. Ultimately, I think it's about the power or suggestion, but I don't have a lot of thoughts to back that up. I really wanted to love this one, but I didn't. Not sure what exactly to make of it. 

The Husbands - Holly Gramazio

This was an enjoyable and entertaining Book Club choice.  It was a good "beach read" type of book. It did make me think about how we choose a "partner" to go through life with. 

The Last Ride of the Pony Express - Will Grant

This is an enjoyable non-fiction book about retracing the Pony Express routes. The author has clearly done a lot of research and the writing was good.