My last post seemed a little light. I only read 4 books during July. As I was reflecting on the books I read in August, I had an "A-ha" moment. The first book I finished in August was Diana Gabaldon's latest, Written in My Own Heart's Blood, which is the latest in the Outlander series. If you are at all familiar with those, then you know how big they are. This one had over 800 pages. It literally took me all of July & August to read it. Of course, I may have picked up some other books during this time, but that is a big part of why my summer reading was lighter than usual.
The last book in the series came out in 2010! This was way too much time in between novels. I really had difficulties getting into this one because I couldn't remember who everyone was! After the first couple of hundred pages, I did finally get into a rhythm. I enjoyed the book & I was especially pleased with the ending. Supposedly, another book is in the works. Even if it does come to fruition, I may not read it. This ending was satisfying with no cliff hangers (like book 7). I am at peace with the series.
It also occurred to me that earlier this summer, I reread the first Outlander novel in preparation of the new Starz series. I didn't include that in my earlier records. I loved it as much as the first time I read it. And for the record, the show is FABULOUS!!! I'm so glad it's been renewed for a second season!!
I read a couple more of the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl titles for this school year. Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library has been my favorite so far. I sure hope they make a movie of this. It was about a wealthy game designer who invites some students to participate in a live board game in the new library. Very creative & exciting.
Serafina's Promise is a story about a young girl in Haiti told all in verse. It was a very quick read & very well written.
And my final book for this month was Sin in the Second City which took me most of the summer to read. It's a non-fiction book & although well written, I just couldn't read more than a chapter or two in a sitting. It's about the red light district in Chicago in the early 1900's and specifically about 2 sisters who were better madams than most. They treated their girls with respect & dignity.
Looking for some lighter reads for September!
