Summer officially starts tomorrow, so I think it’s safe to say that all vicarious readers are more than likely knee-deep in their seasonal TBR list. Cheers to that! I’m happy to share that I’ve read several books that have been on my radar for a while and they didn’t disappoint. I’ve picked three of my faves to share in this month’s post:
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro: This is a really incredible story, unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Told from the perspective of an artificial friend (AF), we follow an extremely emotionally advanced robot named Klara as she provides companionship to a sick child. Klara is more observant than most human beings and notices even the tiniest details about everyone she interacts with. One of the major questions you’ll ask yourself while reading this book is: can we teach ourselves how to feel certain emotions simply through observing? Another one is: what does it really mean to be human? Themes also include the overall meaning of love, friendship, trust, and companionship. I can’t recommend this one enough.
For fans of Haruki Murakami
The Library Book by Susan Orlean: This was actually my very first Orlean book. A friend of mine recommended it to me years ago and finally, it made its way into my hands. Part memoir, part true-crime story, this book will keep you flipping its pages nonstop from start to finish. Through uncovering what really happened when the Los Angeles Central Library was caught on fire in 1986, Orlean remembers what connected her to libraries during different stages in her life. Something I really enjoyed about this book is that it wasn’t just about the crime itself, but it was also about the character behind the person who set the fire, Harry Peak. We learn more about him and his background through Orlean’s presented research, which allows readers to come to their own conclusions on how he was driven to commit such an act. The Library Book is a tribute to good research, giving us the facts that let us do the analysis.
For fans of Cathy Pickens
Still Points by Barry Lee Swanson: Fans of historical fiction, this is for you! Swanson crafts a beautiful, thought-provoking war-time love story centered on the life of one of his actual family members, Philip Zumwalt. Zumwalt is a vibrant and creative music teacher in a small Illinois town, when he meets Elinor Robinson. The two fall in love, stirring up dreams and big plans for the future. However, plans are put on hold as Zumwalt enlists in the Army Air Force during WWII. It’s incredibly heartbreaking and difficult to read in some places as Zumwalt finds himself in dangerous situations that cause him to question everything he thought he knew. The main themes in this book include sacrifice, love, and honor. If you’re anything like me, you’ll cry at least 7 times while reading it.
For fans of Ariel Lawhorn
So, we have a true-crime story, a historical fiction masterpiece, and a unique tale of love and what it means to be human. Depending on how adventurous I’m feeling, I might dig into a little horror next month. We’ll see!