Summer Readings, Thus Far...

It has been a while since I have written about any new additions to the list of those things which qualify as #dbsobsessed! Part of the reason for that is that I have been face first in a book for much of the last few months. Some of the best I have read, which I HIGHLY recommend, are as follows:

• Gone Girl, Sharp Objects & Dark Places - All by Gillian Flynn. Her style of writing and the way she switches to different POVs can take some time to get used to. However, once you do, you are in for a suspenseful and twisted journey that will take you far from where you expected. 
• Bury This by Andrea Portes - In many ways this is the poor man's Flynn book, but still a fun read, in a VERY similar style. So, if you are a Flynn fan, you should enjoy this as well.
• We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson - Each time I describe this book to someone, the only thing I know to say is that I found it to be 'hauntingly beautiful'. The writing is lovely and the story has an eerie quality without trying too hard. I found a very Grey Gardens-esque quality in the characters of the book and felt similarly sympathetic to them.

• The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt - I must admit that I am only currently just over half way finished with this book, that won the Pulitzer for fiction. However, even without having finished yet, I can confidently say that this is one of the best books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The writing is sublime, the characters just the right amount of complicated (without losing the ability to remain realistic), and the storyline takes you on a journey you will thoroughly enjoy. I have spent quite a few nights up past my bedtime on this one. Yes, it is long, but the other reason it is taking a while to read is that this is the type of book you want to spend time with. It is not all that often anymore than a book is so well written that you want to slow down and enjoy the author's well crafted words. Bravo, Donna Tartt.

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