Hello! So, you may have noticed that I’m a lot more, shall we say, “relaxed” about posting in the summer. (“Lazy” is another way to put it.) It’s just so tough to come home and sit in front of a computer when it’s still light outside. But I’m back now!

Of course, I can’t guarantee that I will post as much as I’d like to this fall. My latest writing class, a fiction workshop, begins tomorrow night. But hopefully I’ll have a little time to share what I’m reading.

Although I wasn’t updating the blog much, I was still reading over the summer. And I’ve stayed plenty busy! I’ve begun creating miniature books–jewelry, magnets, ornaments, and other accessories–and I’ll be listing several other literary items in the next few weeks. Check out my new “Shop” page!

And, while I was in web design mode, I changed the look of this site a bit. What do you think?

OK, back to the books…

Books read in June:

• Gaining Ground by Forrest Pritchard
• Green Girl by Kate Zambreno

Books read in July:

• Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
• Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo
• Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walters
• Hollow City by Ransom Riggs
• Losing It by Cora Carmack

Books read in August:

• Faking It by Cora Carmack
• Running in the Family by Michael Ondaatje

Halfway Through

• Orange Is the New Black by Piper Kerman
• When God Was a Woman by Merlin Stone

What I’m Reading Now:

Love in the Driest Season by Neely Tucker
I actually finished this early last week, but it’s still with me. I loved this book, a literary memoir that explores love, trauma, family, conflict, passion, and much more. I recommend for those interested in journalism, international adoptions, and life in Zimbabwe–plus anyone who loves a good memoir. (And the author is local!) I’ll be discussing this at the next One More Page book club–please join me!

The Ways of the Dead by Neely Tucker
Now that I’ve read Tucker’s memoir, I want to check out his first novel! A murder mystery set in D.C., The Ways of the Dead sounds utterly thrilling. I want to finish it before book club with the author!

Half a King by Joe Abercrombie
Longtime readers should know how much I love Joe Abercrombie, and I can’t wait to read his latest book. This is his first assay into Young Adult, and Publisher’s Weekly called it one of their top 10 best books of summer. I could have told you that if you’d asked, PW. I’ve got nothing but love for Joe.

The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
I’ve been interested in the judicial system and prison reform for a while now, and discussing Orange Is the New Black at the last book club made me want to read about these topics even more. From what I’ve heard, The New Jim Crow is one of the best books on the prison industrial complex. I hope it’s good (and readable)!

Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
There are no words to describe how much I love Roxane Gay. I am a total, unabashed fangirl. Roxane 2016!

If I have time, I’d also like to start The Fever by Megan Abbott and Save the Date by Jen Doll. We’ll see!

Have you read any of these? Which should I pick up first?