Hi. I hope everyone is doing great. August is now upon us, and it already seems to be passing too quickly. We need to hold on to summer. Last weekend I went to the mountains in British Columbia with a few tennis friends and we had fun — despite all the wildfire smoke in the air — with some hikes and tennis doubles. We rode the gondola to the top, which is not exactly my favorite thing since I’m a real chicken when it comes to heights. I’ve always had a terrible phobia for being high off the ground, so basically I had to close my eyes to get up there. Somehow I managed thanks to my friends’ constant chitter-chat and luckily I’m still in one piece.
This weekend I’m flying to California to visit my parents and siblings and hopefully see some beach action too. Woohoo. What novels would you recommend for me to throw into my beach bag?
Granted, I still have much summer reading left on my list to do. But I checked this month’s new releases just to make sure I wasn’t missing anything fantastic. Actually two novels releasing this month (noted below) have already been on my summer reading list so they might be good to pick up now.
- Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy (out Aug. 3) — I really liked McConaghy’s first novel Migrations last year so I’m keen on this one, which is about twin sisters who go to Scotland to lead a team of biologists that are reintroducing fourteen gray wolves into the remote Highlands. Then a farmer is found dead and the townspeople look to blame the wolves, which sends one of the sisters out on a limb to protect them and find out what happened.
- The Guide by Peter Heller (comes out Aug. 24) — I’ve liked Heller’s other outdoorsy novels so I’m game again for this one about a young man (Jack) who is hired by a lodge as a fishing guide for clients in a pristine Colorado canyon. It’s a second chance for Jack whose life has been filled with loss, but then he finds out something about the lodge’s operations that isn’t so good. Uh-oh. Judging by Heller’s other novels, I’m guessing Jack will have to fight for survival in the wilderness … and I’m planning to be right there with him, ha.
Other August releases that might also appeal to me are tennis player Billie Jean King’s autobiography All In (out Aug. 17) about her life story … and Rebecca Donner’s biography of Mildred Harnack called All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days (out Aug. 3). Harnack apparently was an American getting a PhD in Germany in the 1930s when the Nazis rose to power. This true story of her life and the underground resistance group she led in Berlin sound quite incredible. Check these books out if they interest you. And now I’ll leave you with a review of what I finished lately.
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris / Atria / 368 pages / 2021
The first half of this debut novel is darkly funny, scathing in places, and has an interesting and sympathetic protagonist in Nella Rogers, a black editorial assistant working long hours at a renown New York publishing house called Wagner Books. Nella hopes to be promoted to an editor, but after two years there a new black girl (Hazel) arrives at their predominately white workplace and starts getting all the attention. Nella is excited about Hazel being hired to have another black girl in the office, though after awhile she senses something is off about her … and that Hazel is not exactly an ally to Nella in dealing with the office politics going on.
For instance, when Nella tells her boss and a top author that his novel along with the black character in it are full of tropes, Hazel leaves Nella out to dry in front of them… even though she had encouraged Nella to speak her mind and raise the issue. In addition, Nella starts receiving anonymous threatening notes telling her to quit her job and anxiously tries to find out who is doing it.
Towards the end, the novel takes a twist that confused me a bit initially, but later I figured it out. Apparently the author was inspired by the Jordan Peele 2017 movie Get Out. If you liked the fantastical elements of that movie, then this one might also be for you. For me, I liked the novel better before it changes and the characters turn so to speak … but that’s mostly near the end and it adds something jolting to think about.
As a whole, I thought the writing and dialogue were sharp, the tension good, and I was rooting for Nella and her best friend Malaika to figure out what the heck was going on … so I could find out too. The novel’s explorations of racism, black culture, and its rebuke of the white-only world of book publishing are strong stuff. It might not be for everyone, but I’m glad to have found out what all the fuss was about over this debut novel, which I listened to as an audiobook. The audio reader Aja Naomi King does a great job voicing the part of the conflicted Nella and her doubts and vulnerabilities amid her unsettling workplace.
That’s all for now. What about you — have you read any of these books and if so, what did you think?
Glad you braved the gondola, I’m not a fan of heights either but remember peer pressure got me on one in Switzerland when I was young. Both Once There Were Wolves and The Guide are on my TBR list. I hope that you have a nice visit with you family.
Thanks Diane. We’ll have to compare notes on what we think of these new releases. I think my phobia of heights has gotten worse over the years / maybe because I do things like gondolas less. I admire you for getting on that one in Switzerland, gosh! One of the scariest ones I did was the tram in Palm Springs when I was young. It dangles more than a gondola, argh!
Happy August and have a wonderful trip! 🙂 The Other Black Girl has been heating up the book charts lately. Sorry the “twist” wasn’t for you. I’m finishing Malibu Rising either today or tomorrow, and then I’ll start The Magician by Colm Toibin, which is one of the most anticipated books of the fall. Enjoy SoCal!
Thanks Carmen, I’m really looking forward to my trip! So what’s the word on Malibu Rising — should I read it or skip it? Some bloggers seem mixed on it. A few have said the characters aren’t likable or the story? Hmm. I hope you enjoy The Magician. Keep me informed about it. I’m glad I finished The Other Black Girl … the author seems talented. I guess I just thought the twist change was a bit confusing and some parts might have flown by me. But I got the gist of it. I’m moving on to Klara and the Sun now. Cheers!
I gave Malibu Rising 4* . No fireworks, but it was entertaining and the pages kept turning. It is the story of four siblings that keep the family from falling apart when the parents are no longer present. It’s not a question of liking or disliking the characters, though they are really flawed, but of how they are able to overcome all that life throws at them.
Thanks Carmen, this helps me in whether to pick it up. I think I’ll still try it but it might not be right away. Glad you finished it and liked it.
That wildfire smoke is really something right now. On our recent road trip, my grandson and I had our view ruined or marred for several of the days we spent in Wyoming, Arizona, Utah, etc. It was particularly bad at the Grand Canyon, and that was a big disappointment to both of us.
Have fun with the rest of your summer…here’s hoping the smoke situation gets better soon.
Hi Sam. Gosh I didn’t realize the smoke was even at the Grand Canyon. That’s terrible, sorry for your vacation trip. Yeah our skies have been gray here with smoke ever since the second week of July. Ugh. We keep hoping for rain. Luckily I’m flying to SoCal tomorrow so I think it’s better there. I have to be a bit careful because of asthma. I’ll stop by your site soon to hear about your trip. Cheers.
In some ways it doesn’t feel like we’ve had a summer, at least here in OR. Lots of very cool temps and overcast/foggy days. September is usually our “2nd summer,” but we’re typically gone in Sept/Oct, so we miss out. I haven’t been in a gondola in a long time (maybe Squaw Valley for skiing) and I’m not sure I’d like to ride in one again. The Palm Springs tram is also very scary! I used to be so fearless… Were you at Whistler? I think I rode in a gondola there, too. Funny about closing your eyes. I do that whenever I’m riding as a passenger in a car with my brother or sister-in-law driving in San Diego. Those locals drive SO fast! And I used to be one, but after 25 years in Nebraska and now on the coast, I don’t spend a lot of time on freeways.
Speaking of California, I hope you have a wonderful trip/visit. We head to CA on Sunday, but we won’t be near the beach this time around.
I’ll be interested to read your review for Once There Were Wolves. I liked Migrations, but I’m not too eager to read her new book. I am interested in Peter Heller’s, though! My sister-in-law read The Other Black Girl and thought it was good, so I’ll probably give it a read. I’m not sure if I’ll look for it in print or listen. I’m currently listening to Anxious People, which is ok, but a little odd. In print, I’m reading Writers & Lovers. I wasn’t sure about it, either, but it picked up at the halfway mark and now I can’t put it down.
Safe travels to you!
Thanks Lesley. The photo of the gondola is taken at a ski resort (more inland) called Kicking Horse near Golden, BC. I have not been to Whistler yet but I hear it’s big. The tram at Palm Springs is truly scary for me but I went on it as a teenager somehow. Where are you going in Calif? Northern? I hope you have a great trip. I’m surprised your Cove has had cool temps this summer … we have been really frying here for over a month without thunderstorms (which is unusual). That’s cool your sis-in-law liked this novel … I liked the main storyline but it gets a bit confusing towards the end. Still the young author seems to have some talent. but not sure if it will be for you. Have a great time in the RV!
We’ll be in Santa Rosa for three days (for my uncle’s memorial). We’ll take our time getting down there, camping along the way.
Our area is always fairly mild, even in the summer. We very rarely hit 80 and I do a happy dance when we’re above 70. We had a slight drizzle today, so everything is damp, but it really doesn’t help the vegetation too much. We need some serious rain. I think we’ve only had about 8″ in the past 6 months, but at least it’s not hot.
Safe travels!
Sorry to hear about your uncle. I have not been to Santa Rosa but it seems like a nice place. Your cove sounds like it has the perfect temps. I had quite a travel day thru LAX yesterday (big crowds on a Saturday) but I made it & have a rental car — now I’ll be in Redlands some & the OC. It’s great to be back. Just not used to this many people! Enjoy your trip as well.
I thought Get Out was an excellent movie and maybe knowing the connection before reading The Other Black Girl would help.
I hope you have a wonderful visit to So Cal with your family! I’d bring Emily Henry’s “Beach Read.”
Thanks Helen. It should be a blast in SoCal. And thanks for the tip to pick up Emily Henry’s novel … it sounds like a perfect “beach read.” ha. Have a great weekend.
I am not a fan of heights either!
I loved Count the Ways, as I am a Joyce Maynard fan…and this one might have been her best ever.
Enjoy your visit in California. Stay safe from the fires! Of course, you have them where you are, too. We never seem to escape them.
Thanks Laurel. Yeah luckily I seem to be out of the fires so far in SoCal. The skies seem blue here compared to the gray from the smoke up North. I think it’ll be a great trip. And I look forward to the Maynard novel … everyone seems to be loving it. Enjoy your week.
Enjoy your vacation! I would love to get to a beach.
I didn’t care for Other Black Girl. I didn’t get why the author had to weaponize black women’s hair. Plus, why was the even necessary?
I started Wolves and it so good!
Great Catherine …. good to know about Wolves. Perhaps I’ll get it while at the beach. Much to do on the vacation.
You make good points about The Other Black girl. I guess I liked it well enough … but I agree that the story might have been stronger without the big twist change in the plot towards the end. Not sure that was necessary either … as I was enjoying just the plot about Nella before that. Hmm. It seems the author really wanted to jolt readers perhaps. Have a great week. Cheers.
Enjoy these dog days of summer…winter will be upon us soon enough!
I’m looking forward to reading The Guide. I liked The River quite a bit, but didn’t like Celine at all, but I’m thinking The Guide will be more like The river than Celine…hope so anyway.
Enjoy your time in CA and read on!
Thanks Jane. It’s good to be home in Calif., much to do here. I think because of the not so good reviews of Celine … that was the one Peter Heller novel I didn’t read. The rest seem decent adventures. I hope the new one will be good enough. Enjoy your week.
Enjoy your time in California… hard to believe we’re approaching mid-August already. Summers always seem so short! My beach bag recommendation would be Count the Ways by Joyce Maynard. I absolutely loved it and am now officially a fan. Sure hope the smoke doesn’t interfere with your visit.
Hi JoAnn, thanks. Luckily no smoke so far in SoCal … but smoke in parts of Northern Cal I’m sure. It’s great to see the beach & take a dip in the Ocean – feels great! It’s crazy it’s almost mid-August already, time is flying. I’m glad for your Maynard recommendation – I plan to get to it. Have a great week.
I have Once We We’re Wolves to read too.
Have a fabulous time with your family in California
Wishing you a great reading week
Thanks Shelleyrae. It’s great to be visiting with family and back in Calif. again. Much to do on this visit. I know Charlotte McConaghy is an Aussie novelist … so I thought you’d be reading her too. It seems like her new book is getting positive reviews. yay! Have a great week.
I highly recommend The Perfect Family by Robyn Harding, for your beach bag. It comes out tomorrow, 8/10. I could not put the darn thing down.
So you are in California now! Welcome back.
Thanks Ti. Harding’s books are hard to put down! I’ve been a bit at the OC and a bit in Redlands with my parents. I’ll be busy with them for the next while. Good to be back. chat later! Good luck getting ready for your trip east.
Oh I think that view was worth the trip up!
I can’t think of any nice beach reads at the moment – it’s too cold here with us in SA! But do share the books you do pick with us so that I can start saving for summer!
Safe travels and have a good week!
Thanks Mareli. Arrived in California, much to do with my folks. Hot hot here. Don’t have time for beach now but maybe later. Stay bundled there. It’s hard to imagine SA being cold. Enjoy your week.
How did I miss your post? I’m looking forward to reading McConaghy’s new book soon. I did so love her last one. I read The Other Black Girl earlier and sort of liked it although there were things about it that really irritated me. I’m into reading some nonfiction just now but am just about ready to plunge back into the world of fiction where truth is often revealed. Happy reading and stay safe.
Thanks Dorothy, good to hear from you. I’m about at the end of my trip here – fly home tomorrow. I’ve just started Charlotte McConaghy’s new novel … and I’m hopeful about it. I agree with your assessment of the Other Black Girl. Some plus and some minus … but I was glad to get to it. Have a great week.