My Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me

My Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me: A Memoir by Jason B. Rosenthal
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read Jason Rosenthal's book because I loved his late wife, Amy Krouse Rosenthal. The last thing Amy wrote before dying of cancer was a New York Times column titled, "You May Want to Marry My Husband". It was exceptional and so classically Amy.

Jason is not a writer, nor is he an audiobook narrator. That means while there are some beautiful details about he and Amy's marriage and family and some sentiments that made me want to go out and want to live more intentionally, the overall reading experience was a little clunky. I'm glad to have read the book because as I said, Amy Krouse Rosenthal is one of my favorite writers. I'm slowly accumulating her children's books on my boys' shelves just so I can see her name and appreciate the little joys in each day that much more. But I wouldn't really recommend "My Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me" unless you're a high volume reader, you want to read a more light-hearted book on grief and life after loss, and/or you love AKR as much as I do.

Happy reading and happy living--

ps. If you haven't read Amy's essay mentioned above, see the link included below. It's worth reading and rereading.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/03/st...

Malibu Rising

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Malibu Rising is the book of the summer - the setting is perfect for a beach read and the drama will keep you captivated the whole way through (even though Reid gives away the ending in the opening pages of the book).

One of my favorite things about Reid's writing is ability to create vivid characters, and I really liked the Riva siblings. I liked the image of them sitting in the ocean together waiting to catch the perfect wave. I liked that all of their personalities were evident in their approach to surfing, and that though just a background detail, everything you needed to know about each person was captured on that beach.

I only wish I had read Malibu Rising on my favorite pier in Malibu or on my favorite spot of sand in Santa Monica. I can almost hear the waves crashing right now and feel that delightful warmth and stretch of skin on my cheeks as they get kissed from the sun.

Happy reading and happy summer--

ps. 4.5 stars - just shy of five for me, but it may get bumped up in a reread someday.

The Anthropocene Reviewed

The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love John Green. He is a great writer and an even greater human. The Anthropocene Reviewed is his first work of nonfiction. It's not for everyone because he talks about such random things and his world view may not align with yours, but I loved it. I loved how he tied seemingly obscure facts to life and world events. I appreciate his candor about his mental health. I love that Green is tied to Amy Krouse Rosenthal. I finished the book and immediately went back to the introduction again, so that I could better understand what Green was trying to do with his book. I doubt I'll make it through 2021 without picking this book up again.

Happy reading--

ps. It really is not everyone who could tie together a chapter about Diet Dr. Pepper into how the dawning knowledge of the pandemic felt.

pps. I listened to the audiobook, but I also wanted to revisit portions so I would refer to my physical copy (Green is one of the few authors I preorder without knowing what the book is about) over and over again.

ppps. My husband was probably relieved when I finished because of how many dinnertime conversations started with "I was reading that book by John Green, and he said...."

The Nature of the Beast - Round Two

The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

June 2021
Ditto to what I said below. :)

December 2019
This was interesting tale to add to Penny's Gamache series. The "boy who cried wolf" cliche paired with the "nature of the beast" cliche were powerfully woven into a story where past sins were called into the forefront. So often we think that the past doesn't define us, but Penny plays with how the "sins of the fathers" still haunt us today. Plus I'm always up for historical references...this one includes Vietnam, Saddam Hussein, etc. Well told and gripping as always--

Happy reading-

(Book 112 - 2019)

View all my reviews

Band of Sisters

Band of Sisters by Lauren Willig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Band of Sisters had a slow start for me but a great finish. I love reading about women's roles in history, especially when they work together for good. Melinda Gates really is right - when you elevate women, you elevate society. In short, solidly good historical fiction with a great conclusion...also, Julia Whelan reads this book, and she almost never reads a dud.

Happy reading--

Life's Too Short

Life's Too Short by Abby Jimenez
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really liked this book. Great romance but with real issues mixed in - it's definitely "chick lit" and won't appeal to all readers, but my guess is that this is the best Abby Jimenez has written.

Happy reading--

The Long Way Home - Round Two

The Long Way Home by Louise Penny
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Okay - still a weird one, but I wouldn't skip it because it's so important to future character development. Penny still tells a good story. It just doesn't center around the things I like best in the series...and like I've said before Peter Morrow has made me cringe since book one.

On a positive note, I cannot wait to make a trip to the places Penny describes. They sound lovely.

Happy reading--

How the Light Gets In - Round Two

How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book still isn't my favorite of the series but still solidly good. Love Louise Penny!

Happy reading--