March was a much more normal reading month for me (3 books versus the 6 books last month): a book for each of my book clubs and an audiobook for when I needed a something in my ear. Coincidentally, they all had a common thread, nature, which was perfect since spring is making its appearance in full force these days. Two books involved scientists studying the natural world, and in the third, the protagonist escaped the everyday world by hiding out in nature (literally, in a rye field as a child and in the cemetery as an adult).
Have you read any of these?
Unsheltered: A Novel by Barbara Kingsolver
In this dual narrative novel, the story alternates between two families who live in the same dilapidated house in Vineland, New Jersey, in two different time periods, the 1870s and 2016. Modern-day Willa begins to investigate the house with hopes of finding historical significance in an effort to secure funds to make much-needed repairs. Through her research and the other storyline, we get to know science teacher Thatcher and his neighbor, biologist Mary Treat (actually a real 19th century biologist). It was interesting to learn a bit about the life and times of folk during the years when Charles Darwin’s theories were first being spread as well as seeing the Trump era as a backdrop to a narrative. I enjoyed the book, especially once I got into the second half. It wasn’t a super compelling read, but a thoughtful one with interesting parallels between the two storylines and commentary on society.
Reading Challenges:
- Scandinavian Reading Challenge—n/a
- Reading Women Challenge—A book featuring a woman in science
- Modern Mrs. Darcy Challenge—A book you’ve been meaning to read (#UnreadBOTMChallenge)
Mirror, Shoulder, Signal: A Novel by Dorthe Nors
(Translated from the Danish by Misha Hoekstra)
Sonja, an awkward 40-something translator of violent crime fiction, is still trying to acclimate herself to life in Copenhagen after a childhood in a small, rural town. She struggles with positional vertigo, an estranged relationship with her sister, and late-in-life driving lessons. The book has received many mentions, among them 2017 Man Booker International Shortlist, 2019 Dublin Literature Award Longlist, and 2018 New York Times Notable Book, but unfortunately, I was not a total fan of this one. For those looking for an off-beat character study, this would be a great pick. I was too distracted by the writing style (unrelated clauses in the same sentence) and language (unnecessary vulgarity at times) to fully appreciate the story. It did provide good fodder for our Scandinavian Book Club discussion, though, which is always a plus!
Reading Challenges:
- Scandinavian Reading Challenge—A Scandinavian book published in the last year (English translation in US, June 2018) OR A book set in a Scandinavian capital
- Reading Women Challenge—n/a
- Modern Mrs. Darcy Challenge—A book in translation
Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
(Audiobook Narrated by the Author)
I got so much more than I bargained for with this book. I thought I was just going to read a memoir about a female scientist with Norwegian roots who at one point spent some time working in Norway. What I got instead was a book about a scientist with Norwegian roots she actually related to as well as a deep book about nature and friendship. It was a personal, and at times emotional, look at the trials and tribulations of the scientific research and life of a female scientist. It touched upon professional struggles as well as the mental illness she endured and her uncertainty about motherhood. I chose to listen to the audio version narrated by the author herself. I was a bit turned off at first due to slow narration and there being more science than I expected, but then I turned up the speed to 1.5x and settled in. It became much better very quickly. It was especially satisfying to listen to the book as I walked and ran in my neighborhood when spring was coming in full force. It certainly made me look at my surroundings in a new and deeper way.
Reading Challenges:
- Scandinavian Reading Challenge—A book from a favorite or unread category from last year’s reading challenge (A book about Scandinavians in the USA)
- Reading Women Challenge—A book featuring a woman in science, A book about nature, A book about a woman with mental illness
- Modern Mrs. Darcy Challenge—A book outside your (genre) comfort zone
What have you been reading lately?
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