Part of my daily self-care process is carving out time in the day to read. I have always been A Reader, I always have a book on the go, and being on vacation is no different. I am a Very Early Riser and so I would sit on the lanai (I love saying the word “lanai”) with my coffee and my fruit, reading as the sky started to brighten. It was a beautiful start to every day on Maui, as I waited for the rest of the family to wake up.
I really noticed that, being on a digital detox, I had a LOT of extra time for reading. I never think I use screens all that much, and then when I don’t use them at all, I find I have huge chunks of time! Therefore, I read a lot of books while I was gone; one was excellent, a few were pretty good and okay, and two were really bad. I still finished them, so I wouldn’t give them a one-star…but it might be close.
Maui Reading
Anna. I am used to reading memoir but it’s been a long time since I read an actual biography. This was an exhaustive look at Anna Wintour, the fashion industry, and Vogue. It showed Wintour as a very complex person, which I enjoyed. She’s not just the devil wearing Prada, people! I really liked the description of the fashion industry as a whole.
Stay Awake. I don’t read thrillers very often, but when I do I enjoy them! Suzanne had recommended this (HI SUZANNE) and it was a diverting read about a woman who wakes up with a bloody knife in her pocket…and she can’t remember anything. Not only that, she can’t remember anything from the part two years! It’s a good reason to practice good sleep hygiene, people! It got a little “explain-y” at the end but very enjoyable.
The Glass Hotel. OMG I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! A woman goes missing from a container ship and a whole lot of people lose big on a Ponzi scheme; these two events are related. Writing it down that sounds boring, honestly, but this book is so good, descriptions don’t do it justice. It’s layered and nuanced and shows how people from all over are connected. It was excellent. Thanks ONCE AGAIN to Suzanne for the great recommendation!
Wrong Place Wrong Time. Is this post dedicated to Suzanne now? Apparently! This was the third book in a row she’s recommended and that I’ve enjoyed! I wasn’t sure because TIME TRAVEL. You all know how I feel about time travel. You don’t? I HATE TIME TRAVEL AS A LITERARY DEVICE. But. BUT! It really works in this book that works backwards from the moment a woman witnesses her son commit a violent crime. This book really is thought provoking – if you could go back and change the future, would you? If you could revisit your past self, what would you do? If you could do that and uncover unsavoury secrets…well, it’s a really fascinating and compelling story. A fast paced thriller.
The Boy In The Striped Pajamas. First of all, I would like to note that this book forced me to break my “never state a negative opinion as a fact” rule. On a superficial level, this book about two boys, exactly the same age, one German and one Polish, is a fable about how we are all the same on the inside. I suppose it’s supposed to be in the vein of and a little child shall teach us. However, this book is really fucking stupid. I suppose the author maybe has never met a nine year old boy? We are to believe that this nine year old German boy in 1943 a) thinks that “heil H****r” is another way to say “good afternoon, b) has never heard of Jewish people, and c) thinks Poland is in Denmark. This character is possibly the stupidest character in the history of books. If the character was four I might believe his fascination with the life of the prisoners in “out-with” but this book is so dumb. If this is meant for children, the author must think children are incapable of sentient thought. The main character feels ENVIOUS towards a child in the “out-with” concentration camp because THERE ARE OTHER CHILDREN THERE TO PLAY WITH WHAT EVEN AM I READING. I can’t, you guys. This is the stupidest book in the history of books.
All You Can Ever Know. I heard about this book on a podcast; sadly, I found the podcast much more compelling than the book itself. That said, it is a fairly interesting memoir about what it means to be adopted, particularly interracially adopted. It’s complicated, sad, and ultimately a lovely testament to family in all iterations, even if I did find it a bit slow.
The Confessions of Frannie Langton. A former slave/ servant is accused of murdering her “employers” (for lack of a better word); this book goes from the sugar plantations of Jamaica, where some incredibly unethical experiments are taking place, to London, where the woman us “given” to the ultimately murdered couple. This dragged so much for me in the middle third, but the first and last were great.
My Darling, My Hamburger. The upside of this book is that it will take maybe ninety minutes to read. Have you ever read this book? I heard it recently mentioned on a podcast and I recall it vaguely from my youth…it’s kind of weirdly dark and I thought it was not great, Bob. I mean, compared with The Boy In The Striped Pajamas, it’s a Giller Prize winner, but ugh.
Indelible in the Hippocampus: Writings From The Me Too Movement. Woof. This is a collection of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry, and you need to be in a strong state of mind to read this. It is rough, but I think important. However, do take care when reading. Trigger warnings ahoy.
I am going to take this opportunity to shout-out e-readers! I love my new Kobo, which is compatible with the Canadian library system. Since I travelled with only carry-on, this was a perfect way to take multiple books with me.
What have you been reading lately? Any five-stars? Any duds? Tell me everything. xo
Welcome back from your trip! I’ve been reading, but haven’t had much bandwidth for commenting. As always, your posts have been a joy to read.
I’m in the middle of In A New York Minute, which I am loving. I think you read it?
Hope spring is springing up there. I’m starting to see some green here, and I am so happy about that.
I did read it and I LOVED IT!!! What a charming book!
I am so glad that I was able to help you find some books you enjoyed! Thanks so much for the shoutouts!
I love your review of Striped Pajamas — just makes me giggle. I haven’t read it, but I know it has gotten a LOT of praise (and also a lot of criticism). I do enjoy John Boyne though — he’s written some really excellent adult novels that I highly recommend. So maybe in a few years you can bring yourself to give him another chance. (A Ladder to the Sky was one of my favorite reads last year, if not The Favorite! So good!)
I just finished a fun thriller called Never Saw Me Coming, which I will review in a few days. And I am in the middle of The Hours, which is beautifully written but draaaaaaggggggging so much for me. Also in the middle of another Agatha Christie (Third Girl) that is SO unbelievably boring I don’t know if I can finish it. And yes, DNF is the way to go! but also I feel like I have to finish it? How can you not finish a mystery? And I just started The Little Friend by Donna Tartt on audio, but I cannot stand the affect of the narrator so I don’t know if I can go on. Also I’m reading The Butcher by Jennifer Hillier, who is an author I LOVE (Jar of Hearts was SO GOOD) and yet it is really stupid and I don’t know why any of the characters are doing any of the things they are doing.
The Glass Hotel was one of the best books I’ve read this year, so thank you!
I heard Striped Pajamas is a MOVIE and I mean, what.
Stay Awake and WPWT…two great reads!
So good!
OOH, I am adding the Anna Wintour book to my TBR. I am fascinated by her.
I love your book reviews. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas….I am laughing.
She’s such an interesting woman!
This character is possibly the stupidest character in the history of books. Ha ha ha! This read more like an NGS review instead of a measured Nicole review. I LOVED it. Let your anger show!
I think Emily St. John Mandel is amazing. I love all her books. They’re just so thought-provoking and amazing.
I just read The Friend by Sigrid Nunez on Suzanne’s recommendation (naturally) and it was SO GOOD. I think you’d like it. I also read A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher and it was amazing, but I do not think you’d like it (the horror elements do not seem like something you’d enjoy).
You KNOW things have to be offensive when I don’t say “this wasn’t for me” but say “THIS IS STUPID.” I mean. It’s terrible! And I don’t say that lightly!
I read The Friend several years ago on Suzanne’s recommendation as well! I did like it a lot. I would NOT enjoy horror, you are right! So I’ll pass on that!
I should read The Glass Hotel as I’ve read the book that comes before (Station Eleven) and the book that comes after (Sea of Tranquility). I loved the former and liked the latter. In fact, when I was at the library checking out Sea of Tranquility, the librarian was trying to convince me to read Glass Hotel first and I didn’t do it.
I’ve heard only terrible thing about the The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.
The last book I gave 5 stars was Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, which I read a couple months ago, but as I think I’ve mentioned, I can be stingy with the 5-star ratings.
I will tell you, though, that The Glass Hotel is NOT a dystopian book – I hear there are some related characters, but it is set in modern, non-dystopian day (as non-dystopian as things are, you know what I mean!)
I enjoyed The Marriage Portrait so I should give Hamnet a try!
Nicole, I’m so glad you liked The Glass Hotel–ESJM writes in such a calm way even when the subject matter is terrifying. And here’s another small vote for her Station Eleven (small only because of your stated dislike of dystopia). And all the yeses to Hamnet! It’s steeped in history even more than The Marriage Portrait.
Hamnet will happen! Station Eleven…probably won’t, to be honest!
I haven’t read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, and thanks to your review, I won’t have to suffer through it! I have a Kindle Oasis, and it’s so nice for reading. It’s light- weight, easy on my eyes (I can make the text nice and big!) and there are no other distractions on it. I’ll be sure to check out the ones that Suzanne recommended to you!
That’s the thing I love the most – I could read outside with sunglasses on, not reading glasses, because I could make the font really big!
Anna sounds like something right up my alley.
I had Sea of Tranquility come in on e-book recently, but I had too many other books to read and didn’t get around to reading it before it automatically returned. Sigh. I LOVED Station Eleven, but haven’t read any other books by St. John, but they get rave reviews. Adding this to my summer reading list.
And I love your morning reading routine. Sounds perfect. Fruit! Warm weather! Vacation! Beaches! <3
It was such a good book, although I do hear it’s very different from her others. For one thing, it is not dystopian! Just so you know going in. Suzanne knows how I feel about dystopian, and she thought I would like this book – she was right!
The best book I’ve read lately is a history about Wicked Women in Ohio. It’s a regional gem, and I adored each of the women who were often madams or murderers. I even found out that I grew up in a small town about half a mile away from one madam’s personal residence– and no one told me. That fact would have spiced up high school history class.
OH REALLY?? That would be spicy information to have! I love reading very regional books, it feels so lovely and homey.
Why is it so much more fun to read reviews of bad books instead of good ones? I have read lots of criticism about The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, and I always assumed that the German boy was about 5 years old. But 9 though! Stay Awake sounds good and I added it to my list for the next time I’m craving a thriller.
NINE YEARS OLD, SARAH. And he had never heard of Jewish people! Or H**ler! In 1943, what the what.
I’m a huge reader, but I don’t take books on vacation. We rarely have down time and reading in the car gives me a headache. But I loved your views! All the books mentioned are new to me. I was cracking up at your description of the Pajama Boy. Sounds very dumb!
Right now, I’m reading Dear Mrs. Bird. I had sworn off WW2 books, but I’m sort of enjoying this one. It is full of British slang and colloquialisms that I’ve never heard, so it’s interesting.
Oh, I really liked Dear Mrs Bird! What a lovely little book that was! It was just a warm hug of a book, I thought.
Yay for the Kobo! I’m glad you are loving it. I got mine when we started traveling for longer periods of time. I hate to say it, but I don’t really enjoy reading paper books anymore. It’s all about the lighting and convenience. My biggest stress was juggling all my library holds. I read 25 books Jan-March while away and all were ebooks. I read The Glass Hotel (loved) and Wrong Place Wrong Time (liked). Will add Anna & Stay Awake to my list. Your review of Striped PJ’s made me laugh. I do love John Boyne – his adult books are some of my top faves. The Echo Chamber, The Absolutist & All the Broken Places in the past few months and enjoyed all of them.
I liked The Heart’s Invisible Furies, thought The Echo Chamber was okay, but boy, did I hate Striped Pajamas. Maybe I’ll read more by him, but I do tend to prefer women writers. We’ll see! The Kobo is SO great for travel! I really like it.
I fear you might have read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas because I talked about the sequel to that book this spring. Sorry! I actually really liked The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I read it probably 15 years ago so I think the age of the child didn’t raise any eyebrows since I was childless. I might not notice even if I read it now honestly… but I can see how that would ruin the book for you!
I”m glad you had some winners, though! I did not care for that St. John Mandel book… nor did I care for her latest so I think she’s just not the right author for me!
This just goes to show there is something for everyone and what resonates with one person doesn’t with another!
I think my kids had to read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas for school – which now horrifies me. I wish I’d known so I could’ve told the school that it was a crap book. I think they watched the movie, or had to watch it – at some point a kid was watching that movie on my TV and I caught a few minutes of it. I must send the paragragh review you wrote to Mini. I think she will die laughing. I was cackling. CACKLING and Curly begged to know what was so funny. WHAT AM I EVEN READING . . . ah, so funny.
I just read Hamnet. I cannot believe I read a book that you haven’t read yet. That seems impossible. Well, I can’t wait for you to review it. It is my new ALL -TIME favorite book. So beautifully written. Parts of it made me laugh. Parts are so heart breaking. All the emotions.
I’m currently reading The Soul of America: The Battle for our Better Angels. It is a good book, if you want to read about history, which I do NOT. Most vacations when I was a child was centered around a historic American sight. My dad is a huge history buff, shock. After reading Hamnet, I’m bummed to switch gears like this – but I’m trying to stay on top of my book club list. Who’s idea was this?
Everyone is talking about Hamnet, so I’ll have to give it a go!
I have heard that Striped Pajamas was read in school by a lot of kids – and it’s kind of horrifying to me, to be honest!
It’s irritating when writers writing about historic eras make it all about the dominant culture. When, instead of focussing on the true heroes of the civil rights movement we have to pay attention to some white college girl (cough The Help cough) or some dumb German nine-year-old in the The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I never read that book for just that reason, and now thanks to your review, I never will.
Indelible in the Hippocampus sounds amazing! Those words from Dr. Christine Blassey Ford have never left my head after her testimony. Adding this to my TBR and will likely teach from it too. Thank you so much for this recommendation.
Maya, you’ve put it into words exactly how I felt but couldn’t articulate! I did NOT like The Help at all, but can only remember it vaguely. This is a similar, horrified feeling I had while reading Eat Pray Love. Even thinking of that book makes me so uncomfortable.
Indelible IS amazing. It’s so good. BUT it is a very rough go, and so I really need to put a trigger warning on it. But so very good.
Oh, no! Am I not supposed to like _Eat Pray Love_? It was many years ago and I can’t even remember if I read the book or watched the movie… but I did like it.
Oh my gosh, we are like vacation twins! I am also a reader and a person who gets up early, so I am often the one seeing in the sunrise while other people sleep. It works out good most of the time though, as they can putter around and I can read or go and run and by the time I am done, they have had breakfast and we are ready to go about our day. I just love the early morning birds and light and quiet. It is my therapy!
I won’t lie; aside from Station Eleven, I have not really enjoyed ESJM’s books! I don’t remember loving or hating the Striped PJs but I did just read his latest book, All The Broken Places and I liked it! But…if you did not like PJs, you may not like the new one either. I just DNFed Michael Chabon’s book Telegraph Ave, which I was hopeful about, as I did like some of his early work (Cavalier and Clay) AND this book is set in my neck of the woods (Berkeley/Oakland), but I just couldn’t do it. In fact, I was hiking and it was my only option as an audiobook and I chose to listen to nothing because it just was not drawing me in.
I love love love the early mornings! So peaceful and lovely. When I’m somewhere hot, it’s also nice to get some exercise in before everyone else is ready to get on with the day – I live in such a cold climate that I’m unused to exercise in warm ones, so I like to get out and about as early as possible!
Wow, that is quite a review of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas! Ha ha… I’ll definitely skip that one.
i also really like Wrong Place Wrong Time, and I know I read My Darling My Hamburger a long time ago, but I can’t remember anything about it. The Glass Hotel sounds good- I haven’t read any of her books, and I probably should get started.
Now I want to go to Hawaii with a stack of books and read on the lanai!
Lololol My Darling My Hamburger is both ridiculous and super dark! There’s a whole abortion storyline that gets really grim.
So, I don’t want to be a nuisance here, but, am professionally a historian, and “Heil Hitler” was in fact a way of saying “good afternoon” in 1943, see the first sentence under “Nazi chants” here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_salute, “it sprouted in mass rallies and regular greetings alike.” That said, I also think it is very unlikely that a 9 year old had never heard of the Jewish people in 1943. That he thought Poland was part of Denmark is somewhat believable, given that education in the Nazi era focused around race and both groups might have been judged “Aryan” or “White European.”
I’m not sticking up for the book in general, which I haven’t read, but maybe that is some interesting context. I enjoy your book reports!
Thank you, Kay! This gives really great context. I appreciate it!
I loved The Glass Hotel. Actually all of St. John Mandel’s books are good. Sea of Tranquility has a nod to many of the characters in Glass Hotel without being a sequel. I really enjoyed it,
Also, I forgot. The Time Traveler’s Wife was a great book and so is The Jane Austen Project (scientists go back in time to try to save from Jane Austen from the mystery illness she died from). So I guess I AM a time travel fan, despite the fact that I would say that I’m not a fan of sci-fi.
I really loved it as well!
I have read Wrong Place Wrong time and thoroughly enjoyed it! I currently have Stay Awake in my to be read pile, on Suzanne’s recommendation and can’t wait to read it. Bookmarking this post because there are a lot of interesting looking titles in the post and the comments.
I think you’ll like Stay Awake! It’s a Suzanne Book as well!
Pineapple Street is a fun one I just read and I love Hello Beautiful, my current read. I have more to add to my list from this collection. The early morning is the best time to read!
Oooh you’re the second person to recommend Hello Beautiful, and since we are #booktwins, I’m putting it on the list!
Thanks for this! I am going to put Glass Hotel on my reading list. Maybe I’ll listen to it, I am looking for a book to listen to on my morning walks. It is amazing how much time we have when we blow of the electronics? I have missed my blog friends during my unintentional hiatus, but am finding time for other things.
I am looking up and making notes on some of these books.
I used to not like reading on the Kindle but I now prefer it so much more. And a big reason is that I can increase the font! And not have a tired hand holding a big book! I read a lot in bed, too, so the ease of holding a Kindle vs a book that I sometimes drop and have to search for where I was reading is such a big help! And of course, yes, you can carry 20 books with you to vacation and still only have a carry-on! 🙂
The font! It’s what I love too! I can read outside with sunglasses, rather than reading glasses. And you can take so many books with you without taking actual books with you!
Your review of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas made me giggle! I want more snarky reviews like this!! (Have not read the book so cannot give any sort of review!)
Wrong Place, Wrong Time was sooo good. Such a great way to use a time travel plot!
Ugh, it’s not a good book! But I agree about WPWT, I don’t generally like time travel, but I will make an exception!
Suzanne for the win on choosing some good reads for you.
I remember hearing about The Boy in The Striped Pajamas years ago; I thought it was surely a hit; crazy.
Well, it was made into a movie so I think you’re right, it is a hit for some!
I have to see which ESJM book I (finally) got after reading innumerable good reviews. Thanks for contributing to the list – your reviews are always honest and (more importantly) I think we share a lot of the same preferences for reading. Although you read a LOT more than I do… sigh.
But oh, vacation reading. That’s when I just FLY through the books on my iPad. It’s heaven. And your description of your Maui Mornings (sorry, they deserve to be capitalized…) is so appealing, particularly since we got snow here yesterday. 🙂
I never thought I’d love an e-reader, but here we are! So convenient!
So glad to hear you got so much (extra) reading time! You read some great books. I am intrigued by Gillian’s thriller… I “know” Gillian from the good old “VEDA” (vlog every day in August) days and can’t believe she’s a published full-time writer now 🙂
Wow, really? I did not know that at all. How cool!