It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? 6-12-23

Currently Reading

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett comes out on August 1st, and is one I’m going to want to buy, just to have around to pick up and read again. Tom Lake is the name of a summer stock theatre town and Lara (Meryl Streep narrates the audio, BTW) is telling the story to her three daughters of her youth as an actor, especially one glorious summer in her twenties – onstage with Peter Duke who became a movie star, of loving and being loved, and of growing up. Emily, Maisie, and Nell, now in their twenties as Lara was then, are all three back home – in a summer bubble of a different sort– working in the family’s cherry orchard while the pandemic surged around them.

Is It Hot in Here? by Zach Zimmerman

In this debut collection of essays, lists, musings, and quips, New York-based comedian Zach Zimmerman delicately walks the fine line between tear-jerking and knee-slapping, and does so with aplomb.

I’ve been saving Is It Hot in Here? by Zach Zimmerman for Pride Month reading. Pride Month is almost halfway through and I’m halfway through the book, so it’s time to finish reading it this week.

If you’re not familiar with stand-up comedian Zach Zimmerman, you can check out some of his comedy routines here: https://www.zach-zimmerman.com/videos.

Recently Read

Montpelier Tomorrow by Marylee MacDonald

A mid-life mom, Colleen Gallagher would do anything to protect her children from harm. When her daughter’s husband falls ill with ALS, Colleen rolls up her sleeves and moves in, juggling the multiple roles of grandma, cook, and caregiver, only to discover that even her superhuman efforts can’t fix what’s wrong.

I received a free reading copy of Montpelier Tomorrow by Marylee MacDonald through LibraryThing.

I had a few different reasons for requesting it and reading it. First, the name of one of Vermont’s few cities in the title gives it a New England connection; second, it’s a novel of family drama, which I like; third, it’s from the perspective of a mother with adult children; and last, the catalyst for the story was the son-in-law’s diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a devastating disease that currently has no cure.

Yet! To help fund research into a cure, visit the ALS Association, ALS One, or one of the other nonprofits with this mission.

Unfortunately, I didn’t connect well with the character of Colleen (and the novel is from her point of view) and the subject/themes of the book are difficult, Montpelier Tomorrow made me think about the different ways people respond in tragic, or potentially tragic, situations and it might work better for a different reader.

Author Marylee Macdonald has also published a memoir and a collection of short stories that I plan to look for.

Recently Listened To

Heather, the Totality by Matthew Weiner

Mark and Karen Breakstone have constructed the idyllic life of wealth and status they always wanted, made complete by their beautiful and extraordinary daughter Heather. But they are still not quite at the top. When the new owners of the penthouse above them begin construction, an unstable stranger penetrates the security of their comfortable lives and threatens to destroy everything they’ve created.

I didn’t like Heather the Totality, and I wasn’t sure why until I saw afterwards that it’s written by the creator of Mad Men, a show I had to stop watching because the humor rubbed me the wrong way. I picked it out looking for something short for a road trip; it’s only two hours long.

As I was listening, it reminded me of The Dinner by Herman Koch – the way the story got darker and the characters more dislikable as it went on. Both novels are short, provocative, and unsettling, but The Dinner slides in like a stiletto blade and Heather the Totality is more like a gut punch.

Currently Listening To

Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

After rocking the cosmos with her deathly debut, Tamsyn Muir continues the story of the penumbral Ninth House in Harrow the Ninth, a mind-twisting puzzle box of mystery, murder, magic, and mayhem. Nothing is as it seems in the halls of the Emperor, and the fate of the galaxy rests on one woman’s shoulders.

Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells

I don’t know why it took me so long to start the Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells! Rogue Protocol is book #3. Kevin R. Free is the perfect narrator.

This post is linked to “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. Check out the link-up party there for more book lists!