Kathy Hamilton What I’ve Been Reading Lately is coming to you a little later than usual this month! I have a good excuse though, I have just returned from an (almost) tech-free holiday…but more about that in another post. For now, let’s get down to the good stuff. Here are the books I read in June.
After what felt like a flurry of books in May, I actually only read two books in June. However, they were both big hitters and excellent reads, well worthy of a What I’ve Been Reading Lately post. I love writing these, as I am starting to notice trends in my reading habits, what I appreciate, what I don’t etc. I feel like the following books are perfect examples of what I appreciate in a good book:
In Paris with You by Clementine Beauvais
“Eugene and Tatiana had fallen in love that summer ten years ago. But certain events stopped them from getting to truly know each other and they separated never knowing what could have been. But one busy morning on the Paris metro, Eugene and Tatiana meet again, no longer the same teenagers they once were. What happened during that summer? Does meeting again now change everything? With their lives ahead of them, can Eugene and Tatiana find a way to be together after everything?”
The first book in “What I’ve Been Reading Lately” is actually a modern retelling of the Russian Novel, Eugene Onegin, that transports the action to Paris. A runaway bestseller in France and recently translated into English, this book is a whimsical reminder of the power of first (unrequited) love. Oh yes, it’s also written entirely in verse!
At first, since I haven’t attempted to read any narrative poetry since I studied Chaucer at university, I found the style a little daunting to get into. But I stuck with it and suddenly the book hit its stride and I felt carried away by the pace. I found that it was the perfect way to frame a story about long lost love, life and the choices we make regarding both. It’s also made me tempted to try Russian Literature, which is something I never thought I’d say!
As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning by Laurie Lee
“The young Laurie Lee walks to London. There he makes a living labouring and playing the violin. But, deciding to travel further afield and knowing only the Spanish phrase for ‘Will you please give me a glass of water?’, he heads for Spain. With just a blanket to sleep under and his trusty violin, he spends a year crossing Spain, from Vigo in the north to the southern coast. Only the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War puts an end to his extraordinary peregrinations.”
Ah, here’s an author who’s languished for years on my To Be Read pile. No more, however! I have been truly captivated by As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning by Laurie Lee. He has a way of writing about the mundane acts of life that stir up elemental feelings inside of you. It has an irresistible charm. I can’t quite describe it except to say that this book felt like it came to me at the right time and it will certainly stay with me forever.
If you can’t tell, I loved this book. Perhaps it was because I spent slow afternoons outside in the Belfast Heat Wave reading it. Or maybe it was because I was anticipating my own summer adventure. But I like to think it’s because Laurie Lee’s writing was so wonderfully beautiful and absorbing. If you have never read a memoir (points at self) this might just be the ideal way to do it. A perfect way to finish What I’ve Been Reading Lately don’t you think?
Thoughts on What I’ve Been Reading Lately
Although I only read two books during the month of June, both were experimental in terms of my reading style. I mean, a 300 page novel in verse? That’s also been translated from its original French and owes a heavy debt to Russian Literature? That’s like a checklist of books I usually don’t read! I also tend to avoid memoir, I’m far more interested in fictional lives! But it just goes to show, it does you good to step outside of your comfort zone, you never know what you’ll discover. What’s a book that you didn’t anticipate liking but ended up loving?
