Summer In Books

August 2, 2015

Summer In Books




I like to read year round but quieter summer days mean I have few more spare moments to catch on my reading.
You can usually find me reading novels, but every now and again I try to spice in a little non fiction. I've noticed that when I do it's usually food related. Shocking right?
Anyways, I thought it might be fun to share a few books I've read recently, all of which will keep you happy and none of which will embarrass you if someone asks, “What’re you reading?
All are available for Kindle, tablet, and should be out in paperback by now. They are in no particular order beyond the way I found them on my Kindle.

I loved Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, a book about the end of the world as we know. After a pandemic flu exterminates 99% of the global population, the survivors have to start from scratch to rebuild the civilization. The story jumps back and forth between the time before and after the collapse.
Though I'm definitely not huge on Sci-Fi novels, this one is light on the science and heavy on the philosophy.

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste NG was one of those books that I just couldn't put down. A powerful novel that explores alienation, achievement, race, gender, family, and identity.
The story which takes place in the late 70s, begins with the death of the oldest daughter of a Chinese-American family. The death drives the narrative, and yet, this story is bigger, grander than this central mystery. The author delves into the lives of each family member and by the end of the book, the reader is fully in sympathy with all the characters.
I adored Celeste NG’s storytelling skills, she is such a beautiful writer. I’m sure you’ll do too.

I first got into reading Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee because I loved To Kill A Mockingbird. I was not disappointed.
It’s a brilliantly written southern novel about a young woman who discovers that her father - who she taught was a God - is really not.
A book about change, and about how difficult it is to get people to let go their identities and move forward into the future.

I really enjoyed Brain Maker by David Perlmutter.
A book that explains the potent interplay between intestinal microbes and the brain.
The author describes how the microbiomes develop from birth and evolve based on lifestyle choices. How it can become sick, and how nurturing gut health and fortify your brain .
With simple dietary recommendation, Brain Maker opens the door to unprecedented brain healthy potential.

These are my recommendations, I’d love to hear yours. Don’t be shy.

18 comments:

  1. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/25/opinion/joe-nocera-the-watchman-fraud.html?_r=0 I found this to ring true and I wouldn't read it to ruin "to kill a mockingbird". I see that you've kind of read as a totally different novel, which if you do decide to read this book, is the way to go :0

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    1. I've read that piece from the NYT when I had already finished the novel. Though the way the novel was "discovered" sounds shady to say the least I really - let me say that again - I REALLY enjoyed book.

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  2. I LOVE hearing people's book recommendations! I'm currently going through a list of another (beauty) blogger's recs and just finished "Th Glass Castle," currently reading, "The Insanity of God," and I just couldn't get into another one.

    Those above are very good non fiction options. Have you read "Devil at my Heels" by Louis Zamperini or "Unbroken?" What about "The Hiding Place," by Corrie Ten Boom? I feel like you'd enjoy "The Kite Runner." If you haven't read that, you may start there :-)


    Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I loved "The Kite Runner" and I also enjoyed Zamperini's book. I'll definitely check Corrie Ten Boom book then.
      Thanks for all the tips Mallory!

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  3. Love these recommendations, Mike! I bet you had plenty of time to read on the plane as you made your way to Germany (still jealous about that). I actually took your advice way back when you posted something about Stranger On a Train. I grabbed the book on Amazon, and then I promptly put it on the bookshelf. Still haven't read it. I know, I'm a bad Wolf. But my wife and I have been reading our way through the Game of Thrones books lately. We're fans of the show, so the books are even more amazing. Hope Germany is treating you well, man! #WolfpackReads

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    1. You should read "The Girl on The Train" it's such a good book, one of the best ones Ive read this year

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  4. Um... I'm pretty dang excited about Brain Maker. I've been seeing more and more articles/posts about how your gut bacteria influences EVERYTHING. I definitely need to delve deeper into this topic!

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    1. If so, you also need to check Giulia Enders' book "Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body's Most Underrated Organ ", really interesting!

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  5. I love your blog! The photos are incredible, too. I hope you will read & enjoy my novel - BATHING AND THE SINGLE GIRL. www.Bathingbook.com It is a raunchy comedy. https://delightfuldeliciousdelovelyblog.wordpress.com

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    1. I'll definitely check it our Christine, thanks for sharing!

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  6. I haven't done much reading lately, but I just started the book Wheat Belly and it's pretty fascinating so far. I'm making a list of your suggestions for slower days (that are hopefully coming)!

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    1. I really enjoyed "Wheat Belly" but probably I liked "Brain Maker" even more. I'd love to hear your thoughts once you'll read it!

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  7. California
    Novel
    California is a novel by American author Edan Lepucki described as "post-apocalyptic dystopian fiction", in which characters Frida and Cal flee Los Angeles to live in the wilderness of post-apocalyptic California. The novel rose to prominence after Stephen Colbert urged his viewers to pre-order copies of the book from sellers other than Amazon.com – part of an ongoing dispute between the online bookseller and Colbert's own publisher, the Hachette Book Group. On 21 July 2014, Colbert announced that the novel would debut on the The New York Times Best Seller list at number 3.

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    1. That sounds like something I would really enjoy, thanks for the tip Erin!

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  8. Hi Mike, I've almost been afraid to read this book but now will and read it as an entirely new read. Thanks!

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