Breathe in the Fresh Air and.... Read! The April Summer Casual Suggested Outdoor Reading List
In the mood for some quiet and a deep read on the patio? The following books are sure to get you thinking. So, get yourself a tall glass of cold lemonade or a nice seltzer, a tasty snack and set yourself up on your favorite outdoor chair. Enjoy the "me" time!
If you are a Lisbeth Salander fan you will not be disappointed with this continuance of the Millenium series by Steig Larsson. David Lagercrantz brings Salander and Blomkvist in a tale involving industrial espionage, murder and "a ruthless world of cyber criminals" (Source: Amazon.com). The novel leaves no details hanging and is as thrilling as the previous three books.
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This book is so good it's difficult to write a perfect account of it. Here's Amazon's write up. "Born a generation apart and with very different ideas about love and family, Mariam and Laila are two women brought jarringly together by war, by loss and by fate. As they endure the ever escalating dangers around them-in their home as well as in the streets of Kabul-they come to form a bond that makes them both sisters and mother-daughter to each other, and that will ultimately alter the course not just of their own lives but of the next generation."
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Written over 25 years ago, "The House on Mango Street" still resonates today. Written by Esperanza Cordero the book takes you through a series of emotions and highs and lows through the eyes of a young Latina girl growing up in Chicago. She has a vision for herself like no other and it's up to her to make her life happen.
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Fredrik Backman’s novel about the angry old man next door is a thoughtful exploration of the profound impact one life has on countless others. Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove’s mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents’ association to their very foundations. (Booklist, starred review via Amazon.com).
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From the Booker Prize-winning author of A Handmaid's Tale comes a breathtaking novel about a woman grappling with the tangled knot of her life. Disturbing, hilarious, and compassionate, Cat’s Eye is the story of Elaine Risley, a controversial painter who returns to Toronto, the city of her youth, for a retrospective of her art. Engulfed by vivid images of the past, she reminisces about a trio of girls who initiated her into the fierce politics of childhood and its secret world of friendship, longing, and betrayal. Elaine must come to terms with her own identity as a daughter, an artist, and a woman - but above all she must seek release from her haunting memories. (Source: Amazon)
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If you find that your mind is cluttered and you want to learn how to clear your thoughts this book is an excellent read. Bhante Henepola Gunaratana has written a essential read on how to practice mindfulness and meditation everyday. The book provides excellent instruction as well as an understanding of the difficulties in learning how to meditate. For many people this book has been life changing.
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"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". Everyone knows the Golden Rule. Through the endearing discussions of a grandfather and his grandson this book explores the various origins of this famous rule. Beautifully illustrated. Great for all ages but written specifically for K-5.
