I recently read Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave (author of Little Bee). It's a beautifully written story of the entangled lives of the three main characters during WWII in London. They attempt in different ways to lend themselves to the war effort, only to find the realities in stark contrast to their initial visions. Chris Cleave's writing is very raw and graphic, which you know if you read LB, and completely draws you into the story. Apparently the story is loosely based on letters written between Cleave's grandparents during the war, which offers a unique perspective into history.
My sister recommended Kitchens of the Great Midwest, and I l-o-v-e-d it. Set primarily between parts of Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin that I know well, I was an instant fan. The story is about a young woman, Eva, who inherits (?) - develops (?) - an unrivaled palate and becomes a world class chef. Her journey to this point, though, involves many bumps in the road - some minor, some tragic - and both her soul and culinary expertise are shaped by people along the way. I loved the characters in this book, and the way it felt a little bit like coming full circle by the end ... even with an ending I didn't quite anticipate. Great summer read.
On that note, over the weekend a friend texted for light summer book recs. Usually I have a running list, but found myself with nothing to offer her. So I hit up HPB and purchased The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion, which I'd read about in a magazine and seems like the perfect easy and enjoyable summertime read. I also bought the newish Judy Blume, In the Unlikely Event. It's been on my list for a while, and I'm looking forward to starting it.
What are you reading this summer?
