Recent Reads and Re-Reads...

My reading has been non-stop lately. I can't seem to take a break. As soon as I finish one book, I pick up the next and dive right in. I think its the fact that summer is coming to an end soon that has me trying to squeeze in as many books as possible.  Once Fall begins, time flies by and we are smack dab in the middle of the holiday season. I find that I don't read nearly as much during the holidays - too much going on.  So, for now, I am reading, reading, reading. 

Here are a few of the books I've recently devoured:

The first was a re-read of one of my all-time favorite books - A Confederacy of Dunces.   Yep, I met up with Ignatius J. Reilly once more and walked around New Orleans with him and his hot dog cart. It was pure magic. I must have laughed out loud so many times, that my tear ducts dried up. I swear, that this is one of the only books that has ever made me laugh so much I cried. Its just that damn funny, smart, and captivating.  I loved listening to Mrs. Reilly lament about her son to new friends, Santa and Angelo.  Reading about Ignatius' attempt to take down the Office Manager at Levy Pants was priceless.  And Myrna's letters were the icing on the cake. This is truly one boffo book that I look forward to re-reading again and again. In fact, there's a new hardcover edition coming out in October that I can't wait to buy.  I'm so excited about it, that my valve is closing up - LOL! Read the book and you will know what I mean.

That's a pretty cool cover, eh?  I'm also planning on buying the new hardcover edition of one of my other favorite books, Wide Sargasso Sea.  This one also comes out in October:

Pretty nifty, eh? I've always loved owning multiple copies of my favorite books, so I'm thinking adding this one to my five copies of WSS will round out my collection.  What do you think? Is it weird to own more than one copy of your favorite book? I think its pretty cool. I like having the different editions.  Plus, I only do it for my absolute favorite books.  Hmm...

Since I'm in a re-reading mood, I'm thinking of picking up Beyond the Great Indoors again.  I bought this one on a whim and was so happy that I did.  It is truly one of the BEST impulse buys I have ever made.  I loved it so much that when I heard there was a film version (Elling) I went out and bought it on DVD - it was fantastic! The story is about two outsiders coming to grips with the real world and all it entails. It is such a funny, sweet story that I can't help but smile just thinking of it.

I'm even thinking of re-reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.  Its been ages since I first read it and I feel it calling out to me.  Plus, I recently gobbled up Murakami's amazing short story collection titled Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman.  Once you read a Murakami, you can't help but want another.  And this collection of shorts was classic Murakami.  I just loved his creativity and exploration of loneliness within these stories.  My favorites were: the story about the woman obsessed with buying clothes; the one about the crabs; and the one about the Ice Man. Actually, I also enjoyed the birthday story; the sharpie cakes; and the name-stealing monkey.  So good!!

I also read The Couple Next Door. OMG!! Talk about the perfect summer read.  Chock full of suspense, this one had me on the edge of my seat the whole time.  I started reading it in the morning and didn't stop until I was done.  It was crazy good!  I kept trying to figure out who did what.  And those slow reveals - whoa!  The book is about a couple who returns home from a dinner party over at their neighbor's house.  They go to check on their baby girl and find her MISSING - WTF!!  The big question is: Whodunit!?! 

Another title I tackled was the play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.  How fun was it to be back in the Wizarding world - LOADS!!  I loved this play and getting reunited with some of my favorites characters.  It was truly a fun reading experience.  Plus, I just loved getting to know Albus (Harry's son) and Scorpius (Draco's son) - they are the best BFFs.  As for the stage directions (it is a play), I found them useful in envisioning the story unfold.  Definitely a treat for any HP fan.

I read an ARC of Peter Swanson's latest (it comes out in January 2017) Her Every Fear. Talk about suspense and mystery to the max!!  OMG!! Its about a British woman (Kate) who trades her apartment in London with her cousin (Corbin) who lives in Boston.  Kate has always been anxious, but a horribly, traumatic experience with an ex has left her riddled with nerves.  In a bid to move forward, she agrees to this trade with her cousin.  Unfortunately, once in Boston, things start to get a bit scary for Kate.  This book was so good! Its crazy what Corbin has done in his past and even crazier that Kate gets caught up in it all.  Definitely a must-read for fans of Swanson (The Kind Worth Killing).

And another book that I recently read was Modern Lovers by Emma Straub. 

 My first book by Straub and I loved it. I enjoyed the way it explored relationships, friendships, personal histories, growing up, and living in the now. This was truly great storytelling.  I loved every minute with it.  And, I can't wait to read more of Straub's work.  I'm thinking The Vacationers should be next. 

Not a bad bunch of books, eh? I certainly enjoyed reading them all.  And now I'm off to continue reading Hidden Figures - nonfiction at its best!  Happy reading!!