My To-Be-Read Pile Just Ate My Cat!

By Kim

Like many writers (and voracious readers) I have overflowing bookshelves. One particularly crammed shelf holds most books I own that I have yet to read. While it has not literally eaten my cat, if Sassy were to bump it wrong and start an avalanche, she would surely be flattened. This to-be-read mountain does not include those unopened novels already downloaded onto my Nook, much less a wish list long enough to make Santa faint.

I’m envious of my friends who can read freely during the summer. I am lucky to skim a few paragraphs between dance lessons, art lessons, errands, math camp and preparing for a slumber party this weekend. If I do have a brief moment to collapse into my Morris chair and open a book, I’ll be reading to the soundtrack of Teen Beach Movie blaring from another part of the house. For those of you who have not yet heard repetitive earworms like “Surf’s Up” and “Fallin’ for You,” I would be happy to loan you my eight-

year-old for an afternoon.

I’m always curious about what others are reading, or intend to read and so I thought I’d share some titles currently near the top of my list.

I am currently reading Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler. I picked it up because I love artist/muse stories and that particular time period. There are two recent novels about Zelda and since I knew little about her I decided to read this one first, as it focuses on her earlier years and marriage. I’ll read Erika Robuck’s Call Me Zelda next, as it will continue the story and offer a new perspective on a fascinating woman.

Others I intend to read soon:

Becoming Josephine, a novel about Josephine and Napoleon by debut author Heather Webb. Heather wrote a guest post for us a few weeks ago and I have an ARC now. I’ll review it for our blog closer to the release date of December 31, 2013.

Heading Out to Wonderful by Robert Goolrick. Shelf Awareness calls this novel “[an] unforgettable story of lost and displaced souls in search of identity, acceptance and belonging . . . Goolrick (A Reliable Wife) masterfully ratchets up the tension, while evocative sensory detail and spiritual overtones infuse the emotional landscape of a powerful, climactic novel that seeks to define and explore the meaning of love and goodness.” Having read A Reliable Wife, I saw Robert Goolrick’s name on the cover and brought it to the checkout counter without even skimming the jacket to see what the story was about.

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. Library Journal calls this one “a compelling story about loss, adaptability, and courage . . . With compassion and delicacy Kline presents a little-known chapter of American history and draws comparisons with the modern-day foster care system.”  I picked this novel up based on recommendations from other writers and my fascination with the depression era. It also didn’t hurt that part of the novel takes place in Maine, where I grew up.

So what are you reading, or intend to read soon? Please share some titles with us in the comments below  – I’m always looking to add to my stack!