My world has gradually returned to a version of normalcy this week. On Wednesday afternoon, we brought Dad home from rehab. (He promptly had a fall that evening; we always have to have drama in the Geriatric Ward.) So the end of the week has not had the insanity of constant drives and has allowed for a bit of much needed rest. That has also meant that I was able to settle down and finish several books that were in progress.
What I Finished This Week
The Godfather by Mario Puzo. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this American classic despite my initial trepidation. The story of Michael Corleone and the struggles to maintain power within the Five Families in New York was fascinating. I anticipated lots of violence and bloodshed on the page. While it was definitely present, the accounts were not gruesome or overly descriptive. In truth, the violence was used to propel the story telling. I especially found the afterward to be interesting; taken in light of what was happening in American society in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Puzo’s novel holds an important role in the American literary tradition. I now have to find 3 hours in my life to watch the film adaptation. 4.75 stars.
Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist. This week’s audio book was about getting over the perfectionism that plagues so many of our lives and learning to simply be present in the moment. With lots of emphasis on making sure that we are saying “yes” to the right things and managing our professional, personal, and spiritual lives healthily, I found the book incredibly encouraging and challenging. I must admit that this was probably not the best book to listen to in the current season of my life. With everything going on right now, feelings of being overwhelmed are a reality for me. That’s a topic that is very prevalent in Niequist’s writing. It was hard at times to focus in and really hear the message. That doesn’t mean it was not wonderfully written; it just suggests that it wasn’t the right book for this moment. The format (audio) was also not right for me. I plan to keep this book on my TBR so I can pick up a copy of the physical book and really dive into the truths that are there. 3 stars.
Reckless at Heart by Zoe York. The story of Owen and Kerry is a cute novel. Owen is a single father who struggles with relationships after becoming a father as a teenager. Now pregnant herself, Owen’s daughter turns to Kerry to serve as her midwife. Despite their initial feelings toward each other, Owen and Kerry fall in love. However, they both know that the relationship is destined to be only temporary because Kerry desperately wants children of her own; Owen has moved far away from that part of his life and has taken steps to avoid having children again. Both are faced with deciding which is more important — having the person they love or holding on to the dreams they held for their future. Will love win out? 3.75 stars.
What I’m Currently Reading
P.S. I Hate You by Lauren Connolly (p. 50 of 418). In a lot of ways, this books feels very similar in theme to This Book Made Me Think of You that I just finished a few weeks ago. In Connolly’s novel, a brother has passed away. At his memorial service, the deceased has left his sister and best friend with the task of visiting the eight states he didn’t get to during life. Each location is indicated by an envelope with coordinates. Once the pair arrives at the location, they are to open the letter, follow the instructions, and leave a portion of his ashes behind. I just started reading this novel last night, but it is quickly proving to be a very enjoyable read.
The Moon and Sixpence by W. Somerset Maugham (p. 40 of 280). For my next prompt in the summer beach read challenge, I am tasked with reading a classic novel featuring a character with an unusual career. Thanks to an AI search, I found this 1919 novel that features a stockbroker who leaves his life behind to pursue his newly discovered passion as an artist in Paris. (For this musician, a career as a visual artist is FAR from unusual; however, I’m taking the POV of most of society and counting it. Plus, it seems like a situation I would like to explore, so I’m reading the book.) I haven’t encountered Maugham’s writing before and I struggled a bit when I first started reading — because it was an unfamiliar voice. Now I’m finding that the reading is much easier and moves at a relatively easy pace.
Reading for Me 
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