Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver
Picking up where The Bean Trees left off, an Indian Child Welfare lawyer in the Cherokee Nation, has discovered Turtle’s identity and knows Taylor’s adoption was not a legal one. I loved this story of Taylor’s devotion to her daughter, as well as the importance of adopted children knowing their history and heritage. Furthermore, it was so exciting to attend the Knitrino Literary Society at the end of July and meet Barbara Kingsolver in person and hear her talk about this work!
Read via: home library
By the Fire We Carry by Rebecca Nagle
Journalist and member of the Cherokee Nation, Nagle was in conversation with Barbara Kingsolver during the Knitrino Literary Retreat, which inspired me to pick up her book, as well. Even though I live in the Cherokee Nation, Nagle’s insights were concise and inspiring as she delves into U.S. history as it pertains to the forced removal of Native peoples and the recent history of the McGirt decision, which found that Native reservations were never disestablished by Congress. A local, timely, and well written book, written by an expert on this subject matter.
Read via: Libby audio
Selected by my neighbor Karla for our August book club, I heartily enjoyed this mystery that unfolds throughout the story of brave and persevering Elsie (Mabel), who faces truly atrocious situations in the past, mainly at the whim of her father. The way her neighbors come to look out for one another, especially young and precocious Persephone, made for a great book club discussion.
Read via: Kindle
The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston
Amid her grief, horticulturist Sophie takes a temporary position at Lilymore House in Maine, where she discovers a hidden garden behind a blue door that only appears to her during golden hour. Inside the garden is the the owner’s handsome grandson, who has already arrived for Lilymore’s bicentennial – two months in the future. Poston’s A Novel Love Story was one of my favorites read in 2024, so if you are new to her writing, I would recommend starting there.
Read via: Libby audio
Don’t Let That Hold You Back by Annie F. Downs
Anchored by New Testament scriptures John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (NIV 1984), and Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (NIV 1984), Annie takes readers with her on a journey to analyze why we are held back from living a full and joyful life and how to overcome these obstacles with Jesus’ help. As always, her writing is filled with a sense of friendship, encouragement, and hope. Look for this on September 15!
My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Christian Publishing/WaterBrook for access to the digital ARC.
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
Late one evening, Carl’s ex-girlfriend’s pedigree show cat Princess Donut hops out of the bedroom window, which results in his salvation after his apartment complex, and all other structures around the world, collapse in an apocalyptic event. An underground portal opens, giving them the opportunity to literally fight for their lives in a video-game style competition, as galaxies of alien creatures watch, vote, and support this unlikely duo. Wild, silly, irreverent, and violent, this was the latest read-aloud for my gamer husband and me.
Read via: Libby e-book
The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall
All Gwen MacKinnon knows is that neither of her divorced parents care about her all that much. So, when her great uncle Matthew offers to host her in Boston during the summer, she jumps at the chance for kindness and stability. Little does Gwen know that she comes from a long line of MacKinnon females who have been a human overseer for the Lahdukan, an ancient fairy-like species. This sweet and magical story was a good one to discuss during the recent quarterly Middle Grade March book club.
Read via: public library
Written with his trademark vulnerability and strength, Ogle cleverly intertwines three stories into one: Manny, a skateboarder and lyric writer; Calvin, a burgeoning cartoonist, and Liam, an aspiring physician. Told from each of their viewpoints, this creative story of friendship gives readers a better look at the internal and external struggles some students face that lead to chronic absenteeism. This middle grade mixed media story releases on September 1.
My thanks to NetGalley and W.W. Norton & Company – Norton Young Readers for access to the digital ARC.
Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford
Jennifer Quinn is a British septuagenarian, who loves to bake for her family and friends and enjoys watching Britain Bakes, as does her husband Bernard, albeit surreptitiously. As one season concludes and an announcement is made for bakers to apply for the upcoming season, something stirs in Jennifer’s spirit and she applies, without telling Bernard, to whom she has been married for almost 60 years. I loved this story of finding purpose later in life, allowing past regrets and secrets to come to light, as well as the countless descriptions of yummy desserts. What will make it all the more fun will be discussing this with my neighborhood book club next week!
My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for access to the digital ARC.
What an eclectic reading month August has been! As we turn the page of the calendar to September tomorrow, I’m excited about Fall reads, including finishing Wreck by Catherine Newman, A Season for Falling by Kate O’Shaughnessy, and The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand & Shelby Cunningham. How about you? What’s on your September/Fall TBR?
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