Fellow readers, this year has been full of brand-new motherhood for me, and I have let blogging take a sabbatical so that I could focus on my sweet baby and little family. I do not regret that choice for a moment, yet I have found myself missing writing here more and more as the weeks (and months) have passed.
This time, I’m just going to review a few of the books and/or series that I have read since my January post – books that I can enthusiastically recommend. My plan for the next while is to write shorter posts so that I am actually publishing posts, rather than having multiple partly-written posts languish in my drafts section (as there currently are!).
Fiction
This post may contain affiliate links to bookstores, which means, at no extra cost to you, I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links. Please read full disclosure for more information.
The Rosie Project (Don Tillman #1) by Graeme Simsion
If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know that some of my most enjoyable reads come from narrators with unique, often quirky viewpoints. By way of example Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine comes to mind. In this case, Don Tillman is a man who, possibly unbeknownst to him, is on the Asperger’s end of the autism spectrum. His perspective on social norms is fascinating and his interpretation often funny – mostly because his literal take does make some sense.
When Don decides that it is time to find a wife, he begins The Wife Project to systematically find himself a woman perfectly suited for himself. Enter Rosie, a grad student who was sent to get some advice for her own project from Professor Tillman, and, through a misunderstanding, finds herself part of the The Wife Project. Though there is a fair a bit of cussing from the female protagonist, the story itself is sweet, amusing, hopeful, and heartfelt. There are a few different story lines weaving together which add just the right amount of complexity and interest. I recommend it for those who want a feel-good story, a touch of romance, and plenty of humor.
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
I picked this up on a recommendation from my sister. I always love recs from people who know my reading tastes, as they tend to hit the spot. A.J. Fikry has lost his sense of purpose and desire to live after the loss of his wife, yet he finds himself with a bookstore to manage, one of his prized possessions stolen, and a two year-old girl left on his doorstep.
While some critics of the book lament how all the loose ends are neatly tied up and how it’s not the most cerebral book out there, I enjoyed this book with all of its literary references, the sweet (if predictable) romance, and the bit of mystery added by his stolen book and the abandoned toddler.
Content caveats: expletives, suicide and suicidal ideation, loss of a loved one, marital infidelity
The Age of Myth (#1 in series) by Michael J. Sullivan
This was my first series by Michael J. Sullivan, and it likely won’t be the last. I discovered this series after reading Nolyn, which is set several hundred years later in the same world. I was curious about the characters of legend mentioned in the book, so I decided to read about them in Age of Myth.
Persephone is a wise and courageous woman. Because of her integrity and grit, she gathers around her others who are just as committed to saving mankind and bringing peace between themselves and the Fhrey. The world-building is well-done, the characters are singular, and the plot lines complex enough to keep one’s interest throughout the long books. If you’re looking for another great fantasy series that is generally clean and hopeful, this one’s for you!
Middle Grade Fiction
Astrid the Unstoppable by Maria Parr
Described by other reviewers as a mix of Anne of Green Gables and Heidi, this kids read caught my attention. Astrid is, indeed, a spunky, lovable, force to be reckoned with like Anne, while being part of similar events like Heidi. While the similarities to Heidi were quite overt, I still enjoyed Astrid’s well-intentioned meddling, her joy, and her guts to do things that scare her. Wholeheartedly recommended as both a read-aloud for kids or a feel-good story for adults!
What have you been reading lately? I always love suggestions in the comments, and others can benefit from your book recommendations too!
Other posts you might like:
Favorite books of 2023
Wholesome Books for Preteens
Fables, Folklore, and Fairytales: 10 Retellings
a Look at a Book 
Leave a comment