I didn’t know what to think about Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami. It’s spare style and mysterious storyline drew me right in, though, and, despite it’s thick size, it was a quick and engaging read. However, the ending was a complete letdown. I felt so hopeful about what was to come, yet my questions were left unanswered and I was simply unhappy about my effort and investment. Looking for a positive and wonderful next read. Any suggestions??

I was so excited to find Ruby by Cynthia Bond at the Kill Devil Hills library while we were on Spring Break. It had been on my “to read” list for a long time. I only had a few days to read it, though, so I tried to power through. It is one of the most depressing books I have read in a long time and not at all what I should have been reading on vacation. While I can see why people found this book to be unforgettable and moving, I just found it dark and distressing.

After eagerly anticipating reading The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton and waiting for a long time for it to be available from the library, I was quite disappointed by it. The story was interesting but nothing was fully fleshed out and the characters weren’t deep enough for me to really care about them or what was happening to them. Midway though, I was tempted to abandon the book because the pace became so very slow. While I pushed through, I can honestly say that I am sad I wasted the time on this one.

I was so excited when I got the library notice that The Magician’s Lie by Greer Macallister was ready to be picked up. I have read wonderful things about it from multiple sources. And, it didn’t disappoint. I loved hearing the illusionist’s story from her perspective and the interweaving of the present day storyline with the police officer. However, while it reminded me of Water for Elephants and The Night Circus, it wasn’t nearly as good as either of those. It was compelling, though, and a good whodunit. You should pick it if you are looking for something quick and engaging.

I chose Christoper Scotton’s The Secret Wisdom of the Earth based on a review on Oprah’s website about best new books to read. It was a slow starter and quite long, so, while I enjoyed it, I did think about giving up as it plodded along. I think too many of the books I have been reading of late have been such page turners, that a quieter book was hard for me to get into. About 3/4 of the way in, however, the book picked up the pace significantly and I could not put it down. It is a wonderful, multi-layered story about a boy and his grieving parents who returns to his mother’s childhood home to heal. In the healing, the boy grows up and his family makes changes and moves forward. I do think the beginning could have been condensed a bit to make way for the more engaging parts toward the end, but I appreciated the quiet the author achieved in the way he approached the story. This is definitely worth grabbing and enjoying!

Sadly, I could not wait to finish Find Me by Laura Van Den Berg. I couldn’t get into the characters and only wanted to know how it was going to end. I almost abandoned it several times, but it was so short, I figured I could finish it quickly. I cannot recommend this dystopian read.

I have had About Alice by Calvin Trillin on the shelf for a long time. It’s such a slim volume that I am not sure why I have not read it before now. But, in hopes of culling the bookshelf, I have turned, of late, to items that have been there for far too long and have been superseded over and over by library or Kindle choices. What a lovely and spare tribute to a seemingly wonderful woman. And what a delightful and sad read. Absolutely worth reading.

Don’t Try to Find Me by Holly Brown is another Advanced Readers Edition that I have had for quite a while. I believe I received it from Harper Collins and I am certain I should have read it and commented on it before now. It was a good quick read, a bit suspenseful, and interesting until the end. The premise is that a 14 year old girl runs away and her parents try to find her. Secrets come out, of course, and you wait to find out if she will come back (you know she’s alive because 1/2 of the book is told from her point of view) and whether it will make or break the relationship her parents have. I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t incredible. Certainly a nice diversion on an unexpected snow day.

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan was another recommendation by my famous friend who is featured in Elin Hillenbrand books. The cover alone makes you want to read this book. It’s so luxurious. Even though I became a little tired of reading about entitled ridiculously wealthy people, overall, I enjoyed this frivolous read. I might even read Kwan’s next book, China Rich Girlfriend.