What You're Reading

Hello, Readers!

Look at all the slips!

Our Summer Reading Club has been going strong since last month. Really strong. We're in the final stretch now, but y'all have been reading voraciously, and claiming those delicious free pizza slices, thanks to the generosity of World Foods.

This means, of course, that we've received an overwhelming amount of book reviews. So today's book recommendations come from you! This is what you're reading and recommending here in the Upper Cumberland.

And as a reminder, our Summer Reading Club runs through the end of the month, so be sure to bring in completed forms to Plenty by the 31st!

Charity says that Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman is a "wonderful, thought provoking novel about a woman trying to fit into a world she doesn't understand" and calls it "hilarious, but heartbreaking." This has been a staff recommendation before but we always love hearing whether or not y'all agree with us.

The "best fiction book I've read in years!" That's what Shelley has to say about The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. It's "the story of packhorse librarians in Kentucky, starring an English transplant bride" that's "all about female friendships and the challenges of depression era life in rural Kentucky."

"Creepy haunting witches, psychological trickery, and things that go bump in the night." That's how Savannah describes Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce. She also says that it's "best read at night!" Respectfully, Savannah, I'd like to disagree. Give me daylight for creepy novels, please.

Hannah Whitten, bestselling author and Plenty favorite, just released the third and final book in her Nightshade Crown trilogy, and Kasey notes that the first book, The Foxglove King, features an "intricate web of politics, religion, and forbidden romance."

Sarah, who has read approximately 438 books so far this summer, highly recommends Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry. She says, "I love Devney as a romance writer; her character development, storytelling, and writing style are amazing! But... her first jump into fantasy has me telling everyone you have to read this!" Duly noted, Sarah.

Brian gives high praise to Leviathan Falls by James S. A. Corey. "Don't hesitate. Read "The Expanse" series now!" And goes on to call it "the best world-building since Dune." See what I mean? Also this has been on my TBR for a while now, so I guess I better bump it up.

I was trying not to double up on reader recommendations but Yasmine has intrigued me with two reviews, saying this about Nicholas Binge's Dissolution: "On the surface this is a time bendy sci-fi thriller. But underneath that is the most beautiful love story." I'd never heard of it. Adding it to the ever-growing TBR.

But then there's The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater. Yasmine says this is "not your run-of-the-mill WWII novel. This character-driven book weaves in magical realism and complicated families into a unique tale." I was already curious after reading the first book of Stiefvater's The Raven Cycle. But now? You guessed it. Adding it to my TBR.

Jennifer recommends A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. "The story of a wealthy Russian aristocrat who is sentenced to house arrest inside a Moscow hotel in 1922. Historical fiction at its best!" And notes that it's now a TV series! So, read the book first!

There's a couple more historical recommendations for you today. First we have a memoir, The Ballerina of Auschwitz by Dr. Edith Eva Eger. This is the young adult adaptation of Dr. Eger's memoir. Dee calls it "a beautiful story of survival and forgiveness."

Then on the fiction side of things — the meticulously researched, based on true events side of things — April raves about Salt to the Sea by another Plenty favorite, Ruta Sepetys. April says it's "such an engaging historical fiction" novel. "The author bought the characters and events to life beautifully."

Juonna recommends Donut Holes for the Soul by Tim Cotton, a retired police detective who "writes about ordinary things but in such a way that it paints beautiful pictures — many laughs and a few tears. Five stars."

We'll end with a couple more nonfiction recommendations. First up, Atomic Habits by James Clear. Amanda says it has "baby step methods on how to create new habits," and "easily applied takeaways."

And then last but not least we have Brené Brown's Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience. Shelley calls it a "fascinating walk through the emotions and related experiences that make us human." Which honestly? A book that connects us as human sounds exactly what we need right now.

This is just a small sampling of what you've been reading. Did I leave out your recommendations? Drop them in the comments. And then be sure to join us on Saturday, August 2nd, for our pizza party! More details will be available soon.

We can't wait to see you all there!