I feel like I am back in the reading game. I read eight books and most of them had an unusually high rating. This is when it reading is fun. I would have liked to read so much more but work got in the way. And something that was making itself clear again: I read more if I have the books in digital form on my kindle. It is just so much easier.
Signal Fire by Dani Shapiro | ★★★★☆
Book Blurb: Signal Fires opens on a summer night in 1985. Three teenagers have been drinking. One of them gets behind the wheel of a car, and, in an instant, everything on Division Street changes. Each of their lives, and that of Ben Wilf, a young doctor who arrives on the scene, is shattered. For the Wilf family, the circumstances of that fatal accident will become the deepest kind of secret, one so dangerous it can never be spoken.
First Sentence: It is nothing, really, or might be nothing, or ought to be nothing as he leans his head forward to press the tip of his cigarette to the car’s lighter. | Und eigentlich ist es ein Klacks oder müsste ein Klacks sein oder sollte ein Klacks sein, als er den Kopf vorbeugt und die Spitze seiner Zigarette in den Zigarettenanzünder drückt.
What I thought: This was a nice read. A little different. I am glad I read it as paperback because the timeline jumps a lot and I had to go back and see where I was at. Nothing is in order. That makes for an interesting read since you get foreshadowing as well as recaps. Also the translation was well done. And the cover is a runner up for my favorite this year. I loved the kid Waldo with his view on the world. I liked old Ben. The chapters about Mimi feel so raw. I didn’t like the Shenkman dad but even with him I had a bit of sympathy. Well done.
Curious count: not counted since read in German
Characters: Wilf Family – Ben, Mimi, Sarah, Theo & Shenkman Family – Waldo, Alice, father
Setting: Avalon, New York, Los Angeles
Medium: eBook through Kindle unlimited, library | audiobook through library | paperback | hardcover
Original Language and Title: English
Publications: German title “Leuchtfeuer”
Recommend to: Everyone loving a
Author’s Origin: born in New York City, U.S.A. | April 10th, 1960
Heard of/Recommended by: gifted through our bookclubs Secret Santa
Die Phantasie der Schildkröte by Judith Pinnow | ★★★★☆
Book Blurb: Edith is in her mid-forties and lives alone in a small apartment in Cologne. Her life follows a very rigid routine. During the day she works at an insurance company; in the evenings she watches TV. Aside from her mother, whom she dutifully visits once a month to be criticized by her, she has hardly any social contacts. That changes when she gets stuck in an elevator with a ten-year-old girl. The little girl starts a clever game with her—the beginning of a very unusual friendship.
First Sentence: Mein Gefühl sagte mir schon den ganzen Morgen, dass irgendetwas i der Luft lag. | All morning, I had a feeling that something was in the air.
What I thought: This was a refreshing different read. I loved the friendship of these very different two characters. I loved how other people were drawn into their games and with them the social circle grew. Again this was a book with a wide rage of age groups interacting and getting to know each other.
Curious count: 5
Characters: Edith – 40 year lady, Schneewittchen – 10 year old girl,
Setting: Cologne
Medium: eBook through Kindle unlimited
Original Language and Title: German
Publications: no translations found
Recommend to: Everyone loving feel good stories that has a deeper layer.
Author’s Origin: born in Tübingen, Germany | March 11th, 1973
Gib mir mal die Hautfarbe by Olaolu Fajembola and Tebogo Nimindé-Dundadengar | ★★★★☆
Book Blurb: There’s no place for racism in my family—almost all parents agree on that. But how can we actively address prejudice in parenting—or prevent it from arising in the first place? With plenty of background information, examples, and checklists, Olaolu Fajembola and Tebogo Nimindé-Dundadengar help us identify and overcome pitfalls. Which words are hurtful? What symbolism is hidden in children’s songs, books, and games? As a white person, where do I myself act in a racist way, even if I don’t mean to? As a BIPoC, how can I protect and encourage my child? Our children’s innate curiosity and strong sense of justice are the perfect foundation for showing them that while not all children are the same, they are all of equal value.
First Sentence: Wir schreiben das Jahr 1985. | The year is 1985.
What I thought: I found this book very interesting and educating. While I will never need to raise children it is still good to know a few things in case I come across something that needs addressing. I did like the hands on approach the useful tipps and the extensive list of recommended books.
Curious count: none tracked since it was on audio
Medium: audiobook through library
Original Language and Title: German
Publications: no translation found
Recommend to: Everyone rating children and wanting to know how to talk about this topic
Author’s Origin: born in Germany | 1980 & born in Botswana | 1981
Additional note: read for the church bulletin
Todestiefe by Bernadette Calonego | ★★★★☆
Book Blurb: The shrill cries of birds, the roaring sea below, a woman standing on the cliffs in the fog. Suddenly, she stumbles into the abyss alongside a horrified birdwatcher. Her body is never found. Did the young mother of two really commit suicide, as the St. John’s police in Newfoundland believe?
First Sentence: Ich kann nicht viel sehen, die Nebelschwaden nehmen mir die Sicht. | I can’t see much; the wisps of fog are blocking my view.
What I thought: I just love these thrillers set in the wilderness of Newfoundland. The nature and surroundings ooze of the pages (at least I believe since I never visited this part of the world). I like the localism she includes, the trails she is hiking. It feels real. The crime scenes are never described gory or bloody. It’s more about solving a mystery. My complain about the last books dated language can not be confirmed here. I like it and it was easy to read.
Curious count: 8
Characters: Calista Gates – special taskforce, Fred – Detective,
Setting: St. John, St. Anthony Newfoundland
Medium: eBook through Kindle unlimited
Original Language and Title: German
Publications: will be translated to English but not yet
Recommend to: Everyone reading the Calista Gates series. But standalone will also work.
Author’s Origin: born in Stans, Switzerland
Tage mit Ida by Heitrud Baier | ★★★✶☆
Book Blurb: Long white hair tied back in a braid, a colorfully patterned shawl, an attentive gaze: When Susanne sees Ida for the first time, she immediately feels a connection. But what the older woman with the strange accent has to say is about to turn Susanne’s life upside down. She claims to be Susanne’s mother’s sister. Yet her mother has never even mentioned the existence of a sister. Is Ida lying? Or has Susanne’s mother been hiding the truth from her for decades?
First Sentence: Noch nie hatte sie eine Frau gesehen, die einen langen weißen Zopf trug. | She had never seen a woman with a long white braid before.
What I thought: I read this author earlier this year and loved the story. So I picked up another one of hers. I liked it also but not as much as the first one. I love the subtle development of the story. The characters are built up, there are layers to explore and the decisions made are not black and white.
Curious count: none found
Characters: Susanne, Martin, Ida
Setting: Kirchheim Germany
Medium: eBook through Kindle unlimited
Original Language and Title: German
Publications: no translation found
Recommend to: Everyone loving a family story with secrets.
Author’s Origin: born in Heilbronn, Germany | August 13th, 1960
Take me with you when you go by David Levithan, Jennifer Niven | ★★★✶☆
Book Blurb: Ezra Ahern wakes up one day to find his older sister, Bea, gone. No note, no sign, nothing but an email address hidden somewhere only he would find it. Ezra never expected to be left behind with their abusive stepfather and their neglectful mother – how is he supposed to navigate life without Bea?
Bea Ahern already knew she needed to get as far away from home as possible. But a message in her inbox changes everything, and she finds herself alone in a new city – without Ez, without a real plan – chasing someone who might not even want to be found.
First Sentence: Dear Bea, I am not mad at you. | Liebe Bea, ich bin nicht wütend auf dich.
What I thought: This was a nice story and I can see that it would resonate a lot with teenagers. Specially when coming from tough homes. I loved the bond between the siblings and how they interacted. I also really liked the way the book was written in just email correspondence. It felt different and fun.
Curious count: 3
Characters: Bea – runaway, Ezra – brother, Joe – Bess boyfriend, Sloane – Beas friend, Darren – stepfather to Bea and Ezra, Terrence – boyfriend to Ezra
Setting: Indiana
Medium: eBook through library
Original Language and Title: English
Publications: German title “Nimm mich mit Dir, wenn Du gehst”
Recommend to: Everyone who loves strong sibling stories.
Author’s Origin: born in Short Hills, U.S.A. | September 7th, 1972 | born in Charlott, U.S.A | May 14th, 1968
Read Around the World: Logged for XXXX in my Read Around the World Challenge
Additional note: Read for church bulletin.
Gegen den Wind by Sanni Beucke | ★★★☆☆
Book Blurb: Sanni Beucke shares her love for the sea and the incredible feeling of boundless freedom that comes with sailing. Following her Olympic triumph, she is seeking a new challenge: As an offshore sailor, she wants to take on the elements on the high seas and has set her sights on competing in the world’s toughest sailing race, the Vendeé Globe. In the 2023 Ocean Race, she embarks on this adventure as a member of Team Holcim PRB and even celebrates a spectacular stage victory in Cape Town. Her future is shaped by her fascination with the endless expanse of the ocean. This is where she feels free.
First Sentence: Es ist ein Irrsinn allein um die Welt segeln zu wollen. | It’s sheer madness to even want to sail around the world.
What I thought: This was so interesting. I have never really been interesting in Sailing much so it was very informative and eyeopening how much thought and strategy goes in. I liked the openess with which she shared defeats and depressive episodes, the struggle for athletes to compete during Covid and the joy of experiencing the olympic spirit that was not granted. I learnt a lot. Like she is the only professional female sailor who can live from it in Germany.
Curious count: not done since it was on audio
Medium: audiobook through library
Original Language and Title: German
Publications: no translation found
Recommend to: Everyone fascinated about sailing and athletic autobiographies
Author’s Origin: born in Kiel, Germany | June 11th, 1991
Laws of Love and Logic by Debra Curtis | ★★✶☆☆
Book Blurb: In the serene town of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Lily Webb is deeply in love with a charismatic boy, a college-bound quarterback whose spectacular athletic talents are matched only by his fierce devotion. But their dreams of a life together are cut short one night in 1977 when his passionate protectiveness leads to an irrevocable choice—one which tears them apart and leads Lily down a path of heartbreak from which she may never recover.
First Sentence: Early fall. Leaves of gold on the birch shimmered when the wind picked up.
What I thought: Ahh this hurts my heart to say but this book was boring. I don’t particular enjoyed the story. It was a slow read which is fine in general but I had a hard time staying in the story. The main character was just so vanilla and not her own person. And she continuously lived in the past and everything was happy and rosy there. She griefed a past love while living with her husband. It just didn’t feel right and I can’t relate. I loved that the book tried to incorporate Catholic religion and science. I liked the setting of the book on the island and old monastery (a real place the author actually lives). I probably just finished the book because it was bookclub book and we had the chance to talk to the author. And this is why it hurts me because Debra Curtis is amazing. Such an interesting, intellectual and curious person. I loved the chat with her.
Curious count: 9
Characters: Lily – wife to Marshall, Jane – math prodigy & sister to Lily, boy – past love interest to Lily
Setting: Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Ithaca, New York
Medium: paperback
Original Language and Title: English
Publications: German title “Die Gesetze von Liebe und Logik”
Recommend to: If you are into slow reads with many (scientific) layers give it a go.
Author’s Origin: born in Portsmouth, U.S.A. | 1963
Heard of/Recommended by: Heybooklovers book club
Book Stats for July
Books I couldn’t finish
Keeping track of the books that weren’t right for me. This month it was:
- A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeski – finished at 29%; it was boring somehow and not well written
- Nimm die Alpen weg by Ralph Tharayil – stopped 12%; weird collection of poem like chapters that gnade no sense and didn’t spark any emotion
- Das kann uns keiner nehmen by Matthias Politycki – stopped at 6%; I have a feeling this will be some weird male novel I won’t enjoy and reviews confirmed it.
- Clouds of shifting light by Carolanne Wright – stopped at 39%; endless descriptions of landscapes she didn’t enjoy and a grumpiness and negativity I don’t want to read about
New books on the shelves
Always buying books even though I am trying to reduce my TBR pile. Here is this month purchases. Please hold me accountable and ask if I read them or just piled them up.
- Songlines by Bruce Chatwin – needed this one for our church book club.
How is your reading going? Does your reading change in summer month? Any high rated books you’d like to recommend to me? How many books have you recently DNFed? Latest new book on your shelf? And what is your book club currently reading?
