Read More Fiction (30 of 40)

As a kid, I loved to get lost in books. I spent many summer days stretched out with nothing on my hands other than time and pages to turn. Other times, I would run near-scalding baths and submerge myself in imagination until the water became cold. There is nothing quite like a good book, one that seems to read itself and that calls to you like an unfinished project demanding your attention. 

I feel similarly about open boxes of cookies, but that's another story altogether. 

My love for fiction took a backseat in early adulthood. Probably pretty normal, considering raising young children leaves little consistent time for age-appropriate literary adventures. Don't get it wrong, the kids and I would visit the library and come home with dozens of storybooks. We'd hold up on the couch for a super fun first few days. Then we'd forget about them and about returning them in a timely fashion. I don't want to brag, but I once racked up $150 worth of late fees. It takes a special kind talent to make a free resource insanely expensive. #unicorn

Lack of opportunity wasn't the only thing keeping me from reading for entertainment in those years, though. My belief system at the time also left me feeling the need for constant improvement. If I were to read, I told myself, I should be reading the bible. If I wasn't reading that, then I should be reading something about being a better parent, or improving my marriage. There was an ever-present nagging to be doing more. I should-ed the joy right out of reading.

When Cash was in early elementary school, I decided to preview Harry Potter to see if he would like the series. It was a rare opportunity: to be in my thirties having never read the books or seen the movies and, miraculously, to have somehow missed every bit of spoiler information in regards to the series. Almost immediately, I found myself all in. I devoured the books, one after the other and I was at times intrigued, comforted, transported, thrilled and devastated. More than that, though, my love for reading was reignited.

In the couple years since I've been done with school, I have made an effort to expand my time in books, wanting to spend less of my life mindlessly scrolling and more of it sparked in imagination. Much like my synopsis of movies to see in a lifetime, I'm including a run-down of some of the more memorable recent reads below.

The Book of Longings, Sue Monk Kidd: A truly beautiful read about the wife of Jesus, a unique take on the strength and bond of women and of the humanity of Christ. 

Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens: Part coming-of-age, part crime-drama, part lesson on self-reliance. All in all enjoyable.

The Signature of All Things, Elizabeth Gilbert: This one was highly reviewed and, although I enjoyed it, I wasn’t rushing home to read it. 

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Gail Honeyman: A paradoxically light read on the impacts trauma.

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, Stuart Turton: Brilliant mystery told through the various perspectives of the individual characters.

Where’d You Go, Bernadette? Maria Semple: A quick read highlighting the power of miscommunication and the fact that it’s never too late to live a big life.

Still Lives, Maria Hummel: Art and murder…a perfect compliment to my crime podcast phase.

The Guest List and The Hunting Party, Lucy Foley: Enjoyable thriller reads that kept me up at night…from interest, not from fear.

A Dark, Dark Wood; The Woman in Cabin 9; The Lying Game, all by Ruth Ware and all truly entertaining. The Lying Game was my favorite, though.

My latest trip to my local library’s book sale, afforded me a couple new novels to add to the list…and for the low, low price of $0.50! Clearly I can’t be trusted to rent books so it’s best to make the smaller investment up front. So far, The Last Mrs. Parrish by Lynne and Valerie Constantine and The Midnight Library by Matt Haig are worthy of mentions here as well.

P.S. If you’re wondering how I manage to generally pick books that I end up enjoying, I largely rely on Reese’s Book Club for inspiration. I haven’t been disappointed yet.