Another fan of Me Before You. Can’t wait to see it as a movie. I’ve been fumbling around with several so so books lately so am glad to see more suggestions here.
I read a book this week that truly was “one of the best books I’ve read in the last six months”, probably even longer. One review described it as “A modern Southern gothic with a feminist edge and the tense pacing of a thriller.”
It was The Unraveling of Mercy Louis by Keija Parssinen. It is set in a Texas refinery town, a town reeling from an explosion, the effects of which are still being felt by the its residents. This haunted, desolate and dying town is looking for a hero, or heroine, in this case, and its hopes are pinned on the high school girls basketball team’s star, Mercy Louis. An exploration of female sexuality runs throughout the story, and is in constant conflict with evangelical grandmothers, purity balls, and the psychological effects on Mercy and her fellow students.
I sometimes felt like I was reading about a different universe, and I guess perhaps, I was. The author draws loosely from The Crucible, starting with the name of her main character. I think what I loved most about the book was Parssinen’s wonderful grasp of language, so beautifully written. It is the kind of book that I could have been quoting passages to someone. 
^ @alwaysamom thanks so much for that review. I read " the Unraveling of Mercy Louis" in a couple days. I think this book would be an excellent selection for book clubs, and can imagine it would provoke some heated discussion.
Sounds good!–just put in a request at the library.
@jaylynn - Just finished Dan Simmons’ zombie story (“This Year’s Class Picture”) and Lauren Beukes’ “The Shining Girls” - both of which you recommended and both of which I really liked. Thanks for the suggestions!
Finally read The Invention of Wings a year after buying it, and really enjoyed it a lot. I should have read it last year. Was surprised the very next day to see mention of Denmark Vesey and his slave rebellion in a local news article about the Charleston shooting, I hadn’t realized that was based in fact. I assume loosely based as is generally the case with fiction, but I enjoyed the book nonetheless. I am on to All The Light We Cannot See. I think since I have not been here for a year, I am a year behind on my book list… Had to pop in for fresh recommendations. I started Transatlantic and got very quickly bored, might come back to it later. I’m feeling a bit adrift as far as books are concerned. :\
The Martian by Andy Weir
The Last Policeman by Ben Winters
The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
@CHD2013 - if you liked “The Last Policeman,” make sure you read the other two books in the trilogy (“Countdown City” and “World of Trouble”). They’re fabulous!
I have to ask…who is buying “Go Set a Watchman” ? My copy is scheduled to be delivered today.
Let us know how it is!!
Yeah - my avatar and I are a little afraid of * Go Set a Watchman. *
I want it to be good and I really want to read it, but I’m also leery about the backstory - did Harper Lee really want it published, and is Atticus Finch a racist?
Although I’m hearing that that last soundbite - “Atticus is a racist” - may be overblown by the media.
^^^ I dropped my library hold on it. I decided to leave well enough alone for now. Reasons: I’d look at it as a sequel and it isn’t. Spoiler! Typed in white - highlight to read: [color=white]I know Jean Louise (no longer Scout) mentions that her father defended Tom Robinson (true) and Robinson was acquitted (um … no).[/color=white] I’d have to stop and go “not a sequel, not a sequel.” I also don’t want any reinterpretations of Atticus - even by Harper Lee. (Oops … not a sequel, not a sequel reminder … not a reinterpretation of Atticus but rather a separate and distinct Atticus.) Off to pull a pillow over my head and ignore what I don’t want to hear.
I’m a little afraid too, @scout59. I’ll be looking at this thread to see what others think before I decide whether to read it. I couldn’t bear to be seriously disappointed in it. Did anyone see the recently updated “American Masters” about Harper Lee on PBS? I’d forgotten what an excellent offering it was, in an excellent series.
One of the best books I’ve read in the last 6 months is Finders Keepers by Stephen King. I was surprised to like it as much as I did, because it was a sort-of sequel to Mr. Mercedes, which I didn’t much enjoy. Finders Keepers is about 2 different people who find the long-hidden works of a reclusive genius novelist, who will certainly make you think of J.D. Salinger.
When I heard that, it took the urgency away for me. Not sure I want to indelibly change the character in my mind.
Wish i could hire someone to go in with a Sharpie and just change all the names so they didn’t have the potential to influence my view of the characters.
A Yale professor recommended this book, not quite light summer reading but I found the free sample very interesting and ordered the book. It’s about expectations of our children and what how familes cope when they aren’t what we expected.
http://www.amazon.com/Far-From-Tree-Children-Identity/dp/0743236726
@frazzled - I wasn’t impressed by Mr. Mercedes, either, so I was hesitant to pick up the new one. I hear that this is to be a trilogy with the same retired detective in all three.
Did you read Revival?
I haven’t read Revival yet. I’d really better get cracking on the August CC selection, Seveneves, so I won’t get to it until after that.
I was surprised that Mr. Mercedes actually won the Edgar. Some parts were terrific - there was one huge twist I never saw coming. But I thought much of the dialog was stilted (and worse). I also thought the characters of Holly and Jerome weren’t well realized. They appear in the last half of Finders Keepers but are much more believable/less irritating in the second book.
I read Mr. Mercedes and like others I felt “meh” about it. I’m picking up Finders Keepers at the library in a few days and am pleased to see the thumbs-up.
frazzled1: Seveneves reads quickly. I worried about its length before starting and then had to slow down so I wouldn’t finish too early. Good book - bet you like it.
I’ll just put it in this thread, one of the best books I’ve read this year was Neal Stephenson’s Seveneves - the CC August bookclub selecton. Even though it is basically hard sci fi, it seems to appeal to a lot of non regular sci fi readers. Plenty of interesting ideas, and what ifs, lots to think about, can’t wait to discuss it. It’s not a perfect book, but so much fun I was perfectly willing to overlook things that didn’t quite work.
@Debruns I loved Far from the Tree. I recommend it to all parents, but especially those who have troubled children.