What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? Please share! We’d love to know.
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FINISHED:
WAR AND PEACE by Leo Tolstoy—it was worth it!
THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF FIRST LADY FREEMAN by Deesha Philyaw
Texas Book Festival author 2026
This was a dnf for me. It has received rave reviews so this is certainly a me thing. It didn’t work for me because: dysfunctional family, several over-the-top emotional hooks, almost cartoonish characters, a plot I think I figured out about halfway and I didn’t even bother to check. There are some sensitive subjects that are dealt with through the lens of the Megachurch managing media spin. Overall it didn’t pass my most telling test: is there anything here that I care about? My answer sadly is no.
OBSTINATE DAUGHTERS: The Rebels, Writers, and Renegade Women Who Ignited the American Revolution by Denise Kiernan—
Texas Book Festival author 2026
I dnf’d this book but I love it. I think the author was using women from Revolutionary War days to reveal aspects not often included in history books. I will definitely go see her at the book festival and I want to pick this book up at another time when I can enjoy learning about how so many women had an impact during those early times. For now I want to move on and try other books.
MOTHERLAND: A Feminist History if Modern Russia, From Revolution to Autocracy by Julia Ioffe
Texas Book Festival author 2026
This book looks fascinating but it is information rich and over 400 pages. I will come back to it but I don’t want to invest the time as I race to read more book festival authors—dnf for now. Has anyone read this?
THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND: A Road Trip Through U.S. History by Beverly Gage—
Texas Book Festival author 2026
An American history survey course through some specific locations—think history road trip. Covering notable sites around the country including Boston, Little Big Horn, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Chicago’s Pullman neighborhood just to name a few. She moves about chronologically rather than geographically—I’m sure this means multiple trips over several years for her. This was a perfect travel oriented exploration of history for my morning walks.
THE UNDERSTORY by Saneh Sangsuk, translated by Mui Poopoksakul—translated literature from my shelf to fulfill a challenge prompt. The monk, Luang Paw Tien now 93 and 73 years into his monkhood, is telling the children stories from a past that no longer exists. Shining a light on the power of stories and the tradition of storytelling. ~~
NOW READING:
RASPUTIN SWIMS THE POTOMAC by Ben Fountain. Texas Book Festival author 2026
COOL MACHINE by Colson Whitehead, read by Dion Graham— Texas Book Festival author 2026
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VARINA by Charles Frazier. This book was published a few years ago but just now caught my attention. Varina was the young wife of Jefferson Davis. I’m just a wee bit into the story. She tried to escape with her children and others as the war was essentially won by the North; however, she was caught. Currently, she’s living in London and separated from her husband. The children are in schools in the U.S. or Europe. She’s alone. I had to google her out of curiosity and found photos. One surprise was her use of opium. The author suggests this was somewhat normal among women in her circle. I’m unsure how she’ll eventually be portrayed. Victim or not??
EXIT PARTY by Emily St. John Mandel. The main characters live in parallel universes. I was confused at first, but as the story unfolded, I could follow their lives. The book kept my interest, but I can’t rate it 5 stars.
STRANGERS IN TIME by David Baldacci. I like this author so imagined I’d like the story. It’s historical fiction set in London during WWII. The two main characters are children/teens caught up in real issues and find a book shop owner who helps them. They suspect him of being a spy, which adds an element of mystery. Satisfying storyline.
RESET by Kevin Charles - for online discussion. See comments there. BTW, the author “gift wrapped” the book in red tissue, included a Reset bookmark, and signed the title page “May you soul stay forever young.” Nice touches!
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I finished “Buckeye” by Patrick Ryan and really liked how the story picked up around the halfway point. The fact that the book defied genres made sure that you did not know which way it was going to go. Ryan writes his characters as flawed but relatable and I felt bad for each of them as they navigated life. Having two wars as backdrops added to the emotion and I honestly did not know which happy ending I was rooting for. If you have ever struggled to forgive, this novel will hit home.
I am reading The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb now and may have to put a trigger warning on my review for all mothers reading it. To be fair, the flap summary does not reveal too much so I should not either, but many parents cannot handle plots in child dies. The second art in the prison shows signs of redemption and catharsis. I am in awe of how well-written it is but it would be hard for me to sit through the rough scenes in which the guilty party faces his grieving wife and realizing nothing will be the same again.
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Anne, interested in your thoughts on Rasputin Swims the Potomac. I am curious, just got it Kindle and I thought i read it next.
I’ve been intrigued by the title, Rasputin Swims the Potomac, so I’m eager to hear if you think it’s worth reading.
@Lana_Maskus and @Carol_N here ya go:
I’m about halfway into Rasputin and it works for me. It skewers everything about the administration. Fountain takes it right to the edge and when I think it might go on for too long he moves in another direction. He never once uses the proper name of the Pres but there is absolutely no doubt who/what he’s talking about. I think it’s about to take a really interesting turn at the halfway point and I can’t wait to see how he’s going to play it out. I think I can say it’s a pretty gleeful takedown and if you are up for that you will likely enjoy it.
BEGINNING MIDDLE END by Valeria Luselli
Enjoyable Read
This is about 4 generations of women focusing on the mother-daughter relationship that is intriguing. After a divorce from an abusive relationship the mother and daughter move to the island of Sicily. The precocious daughter has an unbelievable fantasy imagination that captures the reader’s attention. In the process the story covers the topics of time-traveling, mythology, archaeology and natural disasters. The title of the book becomes clearer the further you read. I loved this book and it definitely deserves to be one of the finalists for fiction in the 2026 National Book award.
SAN QUENTIN EXODUS by Bill Smoot
I am thankful for reviewing the online book discussion because it inspired me to read this book. It is a deep emotional story about a black young man who had potential and promise for a good life in spite of the terrible circumstances he faced. However he was caught in a tragic situation that caused him to be arrested for murder. The book provides an excellent description of the social injustice that occurred in Oakland, California during the 1980’s.
RESET by Kevin Charles
I just finished this book earlier today and have added my comments to the current online book discussion. The story is about a pill that was created for adults to take on their 50th birthday that would take them back to the physical state they were in at 25. The book shows the impact that this rejuvenation of youth among the middle-agers had and especially the impact on the youth graduating from college because of the lack of current employment opportunities. As part of the story one unethical person is motivated to lead a revolution of the youth to take over the country. I highly recommend reviewing the comments on the online book discussion.
It sounds it’s what I need right now!
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Thanks for your comments on the Luiselli book. I’ve had my eye on that one but was undecided. Based on your description it sounds unusual so I think I’ll try it.
I finally finished “Jayber Crow” by Wendell Berry–the print was quite small & the plot meanders back & forth in time and for someone who prefers fast-paced, plot-driven books, this was a real stretch for me. But Berry’s writing is so lyrical I had to push through and I felt like I was living among Jayber & the other residents of Port William. This story has some of the most profound theological writing I’ve come across.
I’m now reading “The Road to Tender Hearts” by Annie Hartnett, which I’m finding to be quite different than Berry’s book but that’s not a bad thing. I suspect there won’t be a “happily ever after” ending either but not everything does.
HI Carol Ann, it doesn’t sound like you will be racing off to read more Wendell Berry but Jayber Crow is just one of several books with these characters set in this agrarian community. Maybe after a break you will be ready to try another some day.
Hi Kim! Reading Katabasis (I already read the Divine Comedy so it’s interesting how this book keeps referring to it), and I’m also reading The Shining by Steven King! I never read it before and didn’t see the movie so it’s very interesting!
Oh, I read one before “Jayber Crow” but the print was larger & it was more of a short story collection (reminded me of Our Town). I suspect I’ll be more apt to read more of Berry’s poetry, who has joined the ranks of Mary Oliver & Ted Kooser, my other favorite poets.
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Oh, The Shining is definitely one of King’s better novels. You’re in for a treat, @Marijana_Bankovic! I remember reading that one in high school and it scared the bejesus out of me. Really good book. The movie is excellent, too!
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I’m reading The Long Walk for our 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die selection, although it was technically due last week, haha. Oops. After that, it’ll be Red Ants, a short story collection by Kimberly Blaeser for review. I don’t generally read short stories, but was intrigued by this one. It’s supposed to be “genre defying,” which is usually right up my alley, and “primarily set in contemporary Indigenous America and Anishinaabe reservation communities (such as in northern Minnesota),” so a culture I know nothing about. It was longlisted for the National Book Award.
I’m on War & Peace’s second epilogue. I’ve been so wrapped up with the novel for so long I’m not sure what I’ll listen to next. I’ve got four Audible credits languishing.
Did you read Angel Down? You know that is my self-declared, best audio narration ever!!!
For me, that award goes to Dermot Crowley for his narration of Niall Williams’ This Is Happiness.
Ok, got it. But at least listen to the sample. Pleeeese 
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