My reading continued to be erratic the last couple of months. I think this has a lot to do with the fact that I don’t have specific reading challenges to keep me focused in the same way as last year. And it’s been a busy last few months.

I continue to read my way around the world (albeit slowly, see my progress) and to check off prompts for my Nordic Literature Reading Challenge (also slowly, see my progress). Luckily, once again, the school where I work has presented a summer reading challenge for faculty and staff and I am dedicated to completing it. The reading period is from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend. I’ve already checked off a couple of prompts for that which is satisfying.

What have you been reading lately?

The Wedding People by Alison Espach (2024)
Narrated by Helen Laser

I judged this book by its cover (thought it might be about drunk people at a wedding) and put it off for a long time. Finally, after repeatedly hearing rave reviews, I picked it up on a whim. I was greatly surprised by how different it was than I expected and how much I enjoyed it. Phoebe finds herself to be the only guest at a grand hotel in Newport, Rhode Island, who is not a part of the group there for a weeklong wedding celebration. Everyone assumes she’s part of the wedding group, even the bride. However, the bride soon learns about Phoebe’s imminent plans and this begins an unexpected friendship. The story had humor and heart. It was predictable in the grand scheme of things, but that didn’t bother me at all because it was all about the journey of getting there. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Night of the Scourge by Lars Mytting (2023)
Translated from the Norwegian by Deborah Dawkin (2025)

This is the final installment in the Norwegian Sister Bells Trilogy, a historical fiction series which takes place in a fictional remote village over a period of about 100 years starting in 1879. The last installment follows the descendants of earlier characters through World War II and the Nazi occupation. Having grandparents who were about the same age as the main character, I greatly appreciated the insight into how Norwegians lived during that time. Some became actively involved in the Resistance; others collaborated with the Germans; and many just tried to balance the fine line in between. The book was long and slow to get going which hindered my progress and enjoyment to begin with, but overall, it was a satisfying end to the trilogy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

• Nordic Literature Reading Challenge: Historical Fiction (Norway)
• Read Around the World: Western Europe (Norway)
• Read my own shelf: Gifted

The Bones Beneath My Skin by T. J. Klune (2018)
Narrated by Kirt Graves

I have mixed thoughts about this one. I wouldn’t quite call this the “spine-tingling thriller” that the description states. It was, however, certainly a “strange story.” It was a mix of genres – all of them outside my normal comfort zones. I was aware of the sci-fi/fantasy element, but I was surprised by the romance and paranormal elements. It’s about an unexpected trio who have quite the adventure together, and their relationships was what I enjoyed the most. My favorite character was Art, the eccentric and precocious 10-year-old girl who is the glue that keeps Alex and Nate together through the story. Alex is devoted to keeping Art safe no matter what, and Nate, who is grieving after the tragic loss of his parents and job, is drawn into their drama. It was a book very different from my usual reading experience and made for an interesting book club discussion. ⭐️⭐⭐️

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (2024)
Narrated by George Weightman and Katie Leung

I knew going in that this book was outside my comfort zone with its time travel element, but the blurb and then accolades (a book on Barack Obama’s Summer 2024 Reading List and a Modern Mrs Darcy minimalist pick in Summer Reading Guide 2024) convinced me to give it a try. Unfortunately, it was not for me. Even though I had a physical copy, I chose to listen to it. Part of my dissatisfaction might be that I chose the wrong format for me because I had a hard time keeping track of the five expat characters. The story was certainly original but not particularly hilarious as the description promised. The time travel element was too tough for me to wrap my head around. At the end, I didn’t really understand what had happened. As I told a friend after I’d finished it, I was not smart enough for that book. Obviously, I am of the minority opinion.  ⭐️⭐️

• Summer Reading Challenge: A genre outside my comfort zone; A book from any summer reading list
• Read my own shelf: BOTM selection

Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe (2024)

I needed something back in my comfort zone after the previous paranormal and time travel books, so I picked this out of my list of unread ebooks. I was at first turned off by the affair-resulting-in-pregnancy between Margo and her college professor, and then I was dubious about her choice to start an OnlyFans account to earn money as a sex worker. But over time, I grew to admire Margo for how smart and determined she was to become financially independent and how she handled her relationships with her mother, estranged father, and the world in general. It was a welcomed return to realistic fiction, very contemporary which was fresh. And it was set in LA County which was a bonus. I look forward to seeing the adaptation filmed on the college campus mentioned in the book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• Summer Reading Challenge: A book with an adaptation; A book set in California
• Read my own shelf: Purchase

What have you been reading lately?

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