Recent Reads

My goal this year is to read a little every day and/or read 30 books. We’re a third of the way through the year and I’ve read 10 so I’m totally on track! Standard disclaimer: there may be spoilers, in case any of these are still on your “to read” list. Also: previous reads.

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
5/5

My opinions about this book changed as I read it, rising and falling with each chapter. I found Victoria so frustrating, and yet I felt such empathy for her at the same time. The hopeful ending left me feeling like there would still be many challenges ahead, but that she was on a path to leading a peaceful and hopefully happy life. The language of flowers that provided the backdrop for the story was also wonderful. I ended up really loving this book and it was my favorite read of the last several months…

Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson
5/5

…until I read Dead Wake, which I devoured. I don’t know how you manage to turn a historical event into a suspenseful page-turner, but Larson did.

I was a little hesitant to start it because really? The Lusitania? It seemed pretty random and far off my normal reading. But I loved Isaac’s Storm (which I picked up years ago because I live near Galveston) so I decided to try this one too…and it did not disappoint! I knew only the very highlights of the story — a German U-boat sank the Lusitania, a passenger liner full of civilians, which was considered unthinkable — and it was great to learn more about a key point in the history of World War I. Larson did an excellent job of switching between the viewpoints of various passengers and crew on the Lusitania, Captain Schweiger on the U-boat, and U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. Although the Wilson romance felt extraneous, I did appreciate the bits of insight into what the U.S. mood was during this time in history as well. As an engineer, I also enjoyed all of the well-researched details Larson included about things like the living conditions on a U-boat, how much time they spent on the surface vs. submerged, how the Lusitania’s design and construction played a part in how quickly it sank, how post-Titanic changes to lifeboats and life jackets were still flawed, and more.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
5/5

I read this 20+ years ago when I was in 9th grade and it’s been on my “to read” list for quite a while so I was very excited to receive it for postal book club. I remember liking it at a high school freshman — one of the very few books I was required to read for school that I actually enjoyed — and was curious to see how I’d feel about it as an adult. I loved it even more this time, and have such a deeper appreciation for it with more life experience (and 3.5 years of parenthood) under my belt.

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty
3/5

I liked the premise of this book, enjoyed how three different stories were woven together, and it was definitely a page-turner. The central conflict left me feeling SO uncomfortable, but I think perhaps that was point — to consider how you might react in a similarly unexpected and unthinkable situation where there seems to be no right answer.

Rebel Queen by Michelle Moran
4/5

I had no idea what to expect from this book (a book club selection) but happily found myself totally fascinated by the story and the culture it presents. The story is loosely based on real life events but is told from the point of view of a fictional woman who comes from poverty to become a member of the queen’s all-female royal guard. Despite the copious amounts of tragedy involved (as one would expect for a novel constructed around the British colonization of India and the subsequent rebellion of the Indian people) this was a very engaging story. I couldn’t put it down.