Caroline Starr Rose

picture book and middle-grade author

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Quick Lit: What I’m Reading

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Here are a few of the books I’ve been reading of late —

To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey

1885 Alaska. Exploration. Nature. Survival. I’m not sure how the publisher classified this book, but I’d call it a documentary novel, with letters, journal entries, maps, photographs, pages from medical journals, and more. There’s definitely an element of the weird and the wonderful. Oh, and there’s bird imagery. This one felt like it was made for me.

Stone Mirrors: The Sculpture and Silence of Edmonia Lewis by Jeannine Atkins

I’ve always admired Jeannie’s work (here’s a great interview she did recently on writing in verse), but this book is exceptional. The language is vigorous, the history compelling, and the descriptions of artmaking spoke straight to my heart.

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger

This story of a tragic summer and how a pastor’s family copes is set in a small midwestern town and is part Stand By Me, part A Prayer for Owen Meany, part Peace Like a River. It reminded me of the Frederich Buechner quote “Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.” While I really enjoyed it, I was sometimes distracted by the number of convenient eavesdropping scenes (perhaps I’m sensitive, as my editor has called me on this?).

Illuminations: A Novel of Hildegard von Bingen by Mary Sharratt

I stumbled onto this novel about the mystic visionary and composer, Hildegarde von Bingen, through my library’s audio book program. Hildegard’s remarkable life included being confined to an anchorage as a child and remaining there for decades. Her story felt familiar, and sure enough, I’d listened to a podcast about her last year. Fascinating!

Insight: Why We’re Not as Self-Aware as We Think, and How Seeing Ourselves Clearly Helps Us Succeed at Work and in Life by Tasha Eurich

I’m an absolute sucker for any book about self reflection and / or the reasons behind the way people behave, so this was un-put-downable material for me. The author defines self-awareness as not only understanding our motives and actions (in other words, internal awareness) but the way others perceive us, too (external awareness). I’ve thought a lot about her suggestion to ask What? rather than Why? when trying to make sense of thoughts, emotions, and actions. (ie – Why don’t I like my job? vs. What can I do to change things?) Why questions keep us stuck. What questions point to new options. Highly recommended.

The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart

A middle-grade novel about a boy whose options have run out, who chooses an outrageous, difficult thing as some measure of control in his didn’t-sign-up-for-this life. It’s brave and raw and real and hopeful. You can’t get much better than that.

What are you reading? I’d love if you’d share below!

 

 

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Filed Under: books and reading

Comments

  1. Sheri Dacon says

    June 15, 2017 at 9:33 am

    I’m fascinated by the Hildegard von Bingen novel!! Just added it to my wish list!

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      June 15, 2017 at 10:17 am

      I cannot stop thinking about it. What an interesting life!

      Reply
    • Laura says

      June 15, 2017 at 11:05 am

      Me too! I love Stuff You Missed in History…so I’ll have to listen to that episode too.

      Reply
      • Caroline says

        June 15, 2017 at 4:45 pm

        Oh my gosh, I love that show.

        Reply
  2. Kailey Vick says

    June 15, 2017 at 10:04 am

    Oooh! I’m adding that Insight book to my list!! That looks wonderful!

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      June 15, 2017 at 10:17 am

      So good. I was just talking about it last night, in fact.

      Reply
    • Laura says

      June 15, 2017 at 11:07 am

      Yes! And Ordinary Grace! You had me at Peace Like a River, Owen Meany, and Stand by Me!

      Reply
      • Caroline says

        June 15, 2017 at 4:45 pm

        I hope you enjoy!

        Reply
  3. Allison says

    June 16, 2017 at 2:05 pm

    The Honest Truth sounds wonderful. I like to read middle grade for that child’s perspective, but I often fall back on old favorites like Ramona and Judy Blume.

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      June 21, 2017 at 6:58 pm

      I just re-read a big pile of Beverly Clearys!

      Reply

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