Busy July Days

Hi. Sorry I’ve been missing in action from the blog lately. Summer has been busy. Now the smoke from the British Columbia wildfires has arrived in town so I’m back indoors, trying not to breathe in too many toxins. I am including photos here from the beginning of July before the sky turned gray and when the peony flowers were in bloom. It looked much better then. 

How is everybody’s reading going? I’m sure we all have more than enough to read in our book stacks, but I thought I’d mention several novels releasing this month that are on my radar. I realize the month is already half over but what the heck. It’s never too late to pick up more. Let me know if you have read any of these, or if they seem appealing to you. 

The Paper Palace —  This debut novel looks like a winner of a summer read … set on Cape Cod about a 50-year-old woman at a crossroads over whether to stay with her beloved husband, or pick up with her childhood love whom she would have wound up with if not for a tragic event. Many readers are loving this one. For some reason it reminds me a bit of an old Sissy Spacek / Kevin Kline movie called “Violets Are Blue” from 1986 … which I recall involving similar tough choices that tug at the heartstrings. Does anyone remember it? 

Wayward — After many years of hearing her praise, I still haven’t read a Dana Spiotta novel, so this is my chance. I also like that it’s a novel about motherhood and marriage and a middle-age woman, who attempts to reboot her life after the disastrous Trump election. Uh-oh, we’ve been there! It’s set in Syracuse too. For all those Syracuse fans. The New York Times reviewer really liked this one … but others have been a bit mixed. Still I’m a go.

Razonblade Tears —Ahh the high-octane action plots of S.A. Cosby. I liked his debut crime novel Blacktop Wasteland last summer so I’m pretty sure I’ll like his new one. He sure can write a car chase like a bat out of hell  — though this new one is about two fathers whose murdered sons they team up to avenge. Beware of violence and hold on to your seats.

Intimacies — Oh yeah Kitamura is back. I liked her debut novel A Separation a few years ago though it wasn’t exactly what you thought it’d be, right? Her plots are like meandering psychological meditations. This new one is about a “translator at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, where an unidentified head of state is on trial for atrocities in the months before the Brexit vote.” It’s getting quite the talk — though it’s been mixed too — still I’ll get to it. Did you see it made Obama’s summer list? And what do you think about his reading list?!? 

These three others … are my second tier honorable mentions. 

The Embassy Wife — I’m not too sure, but it looks a bit entertaining. It’s a satire of Americans abroad set in Namibia. 

Count the Ways — Joyce’s domestic novels seem popular around the blogosphere, though I haven’t read one since her 2009 book Labor Day. I almost forgot there was a movie made of the book with Josh Brolin and Kate Winslet. Ha, a bit of a pairing, do you remember it?  

The Startup Wife — I’m hoping this one might be a bit clever and fun … in its skewering of startup culture and workaholism, and apparently it has insights about modern relationships, gender politics, and technology. I haven’t read this author before, but she sure seems to be garnering a bit of praise.

All in all, July releases look good. And now I’ll leave you with a review of what I finished lately.

The Bad Muslim Discount by Syed M. Masood / Doubleday /368 pages

Synopsis: This debut novel, which was on my summer list, alternates chapters between Anvar, who moves with his family at 14 from Pakistan to San Francisco in 1996, and Safwa in Baghdad, whose family endures hardships during the U.S. war in Iraq and years later makes a risky deal to get to the U.S., winding up in San Fran with her repressive father and her arranged suitor.

Both Anvar and Azza (as Safwa changes her name to) are Muslim immigrants who come to navigate the ways of being in the States. Anvar goes to college, where he goes through a bad breakup with his girlfriend Zuha and then becomes a lawyer. Meanwhile Azza tries to get out of her arranged suitor situation. Later the worlds of Anvar and Azza converge in a finale that yields violence and a reckoning in the aftermath of the 2016 election.  

My Thoughts: I liked hearing about the Muslim perspectives in this novel, which I listened to as an audiobook, especially in light of the issues — like the Muslim ban proposed by the Trump administration — during and after the 2016 election. The lead character Anvar is also quite engaging … in his smart-alecky way. He’s a jokester often about his own faith, religion, and how he navigates things in the U.S. … so he’s a bit refreshing. He seems to have his head and heart in the right place … and much of his parts deal with his love life to Zuha and whether he will get her back. 

Though the novel also seemed to have some flaws to me. I thought it tried to cover too much ground and had some jumps in the plot that are far apart and a bit of a stretch in believability, especially that Azza would get together with Anvar directly after she meets him. She seemed more cautious and not exactly like that from what we know of her beforehand. The story also went on too much and tries to resolve a lot. So while I liked parts of it, I didn’t overly love it. Still I think I’m in the minority about this one, which others seemed to really love. 

That’s all for now. What about you — have you read any of the novels mentioned above … and if so, what did you think? 

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46 Responses to Busy July Days

  1. I haven’t read any of these yet, but I do have several of them on my reading radar, particularly Wayward. I had dedicated July to reading mysteries and I’m still in the midst of that project. By the end of the month, I may be entirely fed up with mysteries.

    • Susan says:

      Ha Dorothy, I know what you mean. Sometimes if I read too much of any one genre then I get tired of it. Still I hope you’re finding some good mysteries. We will see about Wayward. Enjoy your week.

  2. I bought The Paper Palace recently. It’s gotten a lot of buzz, mostly good! I hope the smoke where you are doesn’t get too bad.

    Check out my weekly wrap-up post HERE! — Diana

    • Susan says:

      Hi Diana, thanks I will check out your wrap-up & site. Yeah it seems Paper Palace is getting much buzz … I hope it’s good. Have a great week.

  3. Diane says:

    Sorry about the unhealthy air from the fires – just terrible.

    Count the Ways, so far in 2021 has been my favorite read. I have The Paper Palace on my TBR list as well. Our reading taste is often similar so I plan to see what the other ones you mentioned are all about.

    Take care and have a good week.

    • Susan says:

      Thanks Diane. Yeah I’m starting to worry if the skies will be grey for the month of August too, yikes. We haven’t had rain lately (like you have) so we need that. I agree our reading tastes are often similar so I’ll be interested to see what you think of Paper Palace …. and I’ll move Count the Ways up the list. I’m checking out Maud Dixon now. Cheers.

  4. Les in OR says:

    Summer is such a busy time, isn’t it? We’ve been home for almost two weeks and have company arriving tomorrow. A few days after they leave, another set of relatives arrive for a few days. So nice to finally get some visitors!

    Sorry to hear that you are dealing with unhealthy air from the fires. So far, we’ve been pretty lucky. The Bootleg fire (by Sisters, OR) is huge, but we haven’t had much in the way of any wind for quite some time, so no smoky air here.

    My reading has picked up since we got home and I’m on a bit of a roll. Now to stay ahead of the reviews…

    I do remember the movie (and book) Labor Day. I seem to remember there was something about baking a peach pie? I should watch it again since I really enjoyed Winslet in Mare of Easttown.

    • Susan says:

      Ha Lesley. There was a pie scene in Labor Day! The making of peach pie was seduction-inducing apparently, ha funny to remember that.
      Summer seems the busiest. I can’t get on a reading roll … but audios are doable. It’s good you are dodging the smoke (!) — hard to believe with all the fires. Keep to your cove! It’s been grey for about a week here and I’m starting to worry it’ll be grey for the rest of the summer. Hmm. Enjoy your company & relatives …. and keep squeezing in the reads. I’ll be flying to SoCal in early Aug … for about 10 days to see family. Much to do. take care.

      • Les says:

        I’m glad you are going to be able to go back to SoCal to visit your folks. We’ll be in Northern CA about the same time. 🙂

        • Susan says:

          Let’s hope for no fires for our trips! I think it’ll be better there than it is here. I’m looking forward to the beach, ha.

  5. The smoke from the fires is alarming. We’ve had an oddly wet and cool summer. Of course we are still on the light side of hurricane season…

    Thank you for sharing a little about the titles coming out this month. I’d say that Wayward and Paper Palace both sound intriguing enough for me to look for. And I especially thank you for sharing Obama’s reading list. I propose that we see a list of our candidates’ favorite books before we vote next time. It would certainly help me choose.

    I think I will pass on Bad Muslim Discount. At this time in my life, I only want to read the very best books; time is short. I do make exceptions for books set in Paris, however.

    Have a lovely week, Susan.

    • Susan says:

      Ha I like that idea Deb. We should see all candidates’ reading lists … and if there’s no enticing fiction mixed in with the nonfiction on them … then vote them out of office! It’s always interesting to see Obama’s list – he likes fiction and actually reads — which is more than I can say of many of the others.
      We have had a dry hot season here (unusual) so could use your rain & cooler temps for sure. The wildfires are worrisome. And I wonder if we’ll have grey for the rest of the summer? I think it’s okay to skip the Muslim novel … it wasn’t as good as I was hoping from the earlier hype. But still an immigrant story. Cheers.

  6. Those wildfires on the west coast are intense. We’re getting smoke from them all the way out in Colorado. I hope you enjoy your July new releases!

    • Susan says:

      Thanks AJ …. yeah we are totally socked in with smoke today in Alberta .. ugh! I didn’t realize it’s even reaching where you are. Crazy. We could use some rain but none in sight for this week. Hope your area doesn’t get bad …. Enjoy your books too.

  7. Vicki says:

    Love the photo, it looks like a very peaceful place with a beautiful view!

    Hopefully the fires will be put out and your air will be clean soon.

    I read Labor Day in 2009 and enjoyed it a lot.

    I hope you have a great week!

    • Susan says:

      Thanks Vicki. I could use your Ocean there in Florida about now. We are hoping the air will clear … we’ve been under a smoke / unhealthy air alert for quite a few days. Glad to hear you read & liked Labor Day too … I’ve heard good things about her latest novel. Have a great week.

  8. I’m sorry to hear of the BC fires, I hope they are able to get them under control.
    The Paper Palace and Razor Blades both appeal

    Wishing you a great reading week

    • Susan says:

      Hi Shelleyrae – thanks. The BC fires seem to be a mess right now … we can only hope things gets better. At least July has some good releases! I might be staying inside if the air doesn’t improve. Have a great week there!

  9. I think it’s a wonderful idea to share book lists from political candidates! That can only be interesting. It won’t work very well here in SA though…. Our previous president only had a Gr 4 school level and I really don’t want to try to explain to you how the standard of Gr 4 in the rural schools are here…

    Glad to hear you are enjoying your summer and you have some great reading done and to look forward to.

    Take care!

    Elza Reads

    • Susan says:

      Hi Mareli — yeah wouldn’t it be great if we could see political candidates’ reading beforehand … I’m pretty sure the last US prez didn’t read books. Sorry to hear of your previous prez. I hear there has been unrest in SA … so I hope your area is Okay. I will try to stay up on the news there from the papers online. Stay well!

  10. Heather says:

    So sorry about the fires up there. We’ve been getting a lot of smoke from California fires where I’m at. It only just recently started clearing up.

    The Paper Palace looks pretty good and I have Blacktop Wasteland to read first on my list then will dive into his second book.

    I’ve heard good things about the Muslim Discount. I picked it up recently on a kindle deal. I’ll be interested to see if I feel similarly to you about how things play out. Thanks for sharing!

    I hope you your smoke clears out soon and you have a great week!

    • Susan says:

      Hi Heather – thanks. I’ll be curious what you think of the Muslim Discount novel. Oh gosh the smoke here in Alberta! I hope your area clears. Much to read that’s new out … I think I’m falling behind. I look forward to seeing what you’re reading these days … and will stop by your site soon. Cheers!

  11. Lark says:

    I live in Utah, and we’ve gotten a lot of smoke from the Oregon fires this past week. What a crazy, hot and dry summer we’ve been having. I miss rain! I haven’t read any of the books (or authors) on your list, I do remember that movie, Violets Are Blue, so poignant and bittersweet.

    • Susan says:

      Ha Lark! Glad you recall that movie – Violets Are Blue …. yep it was quite bittersweet … and sad. (Are we dating ourselves?) But I’m not sure The Paper Palace turns out like that. We will see. I miss the rain too … we need it. I hope your area doesn’t get socked in like we are now here. Have a great week.

  12. I just wrote a few sentences about The Paper Palace on my blog today. Good book but, ugh…the ending! Just started Count the Ways and it’s good so far. Bad Muslim Discount has been on my radar since it was released, but I haven’t managed to get to it. Sorry to hear you’re back indoors… the wildfires are heart-breaking.

    • Susan says:

      Hey JoAnn: yeah I’m worried the high level of smoke here might keep us inside a lot for the foreseeable future, ugh! I hope not. I’m glad to hear your thoughts on The Paper Palace … I will stop by to see your review … bad endings can ruin a book ugh! I’d be curious to see what you think of Muslim Discount when you get to it … it was so-so for me. Now I’m on to Maud Dixon and I’m hoping it’ll be a bit fun – we will see. Enjoy your reads.

  13. Jinjer says:

    Ughhh wildfires are the worst!!!

    My reading is going pretty good, thanks. Goodreads says I’m 2 books ahead of schedule, so, woo to the hoo!

    All those books sound good!!!

    • Susan says:

      Hey Jinger — good to hear — your reading is ahead at this point in the year, way to go! I’m a bit behind but I hope to surge later, ha. The smoke is bad here now with no end in sight …. crossing fingers just to be able to see the sky as blue someday … Staying indoors for awhile. Enjoy your week.

  14. Beth F says:

    I didn’t love the Startup Wife — I finished it last week. But that might be because I listened and the audiobook wasn’t all that brilliantly performed.

    • Susan says:

      Hey Beth, thanks for stopping by … and letting me know about The Startup Wife – my expectations will be a bit tempered with that one … but still hope to check it out. I will check out what’s up on your site. Cheers.

  15. Jen Mullen says:

    So many of these books sound appealing and some new-to-me authors. The wildfires are tragic and a major concern in so many ways. Stay inside as much as possible to avoid the smoke!

    • Susan says:

      Yeah Jen …. the smoke here has been so bad it gives me a headache. We have all the windows closed and I’m mostly staying in. Not sure if it will go away this summer or if August will improve. Cross fingers it does. At least July’s new novels look good! Enjoy your books.

  16. Ti says:

    I’m reading the Maynard book now. I had hoped to finish it this weekend but the stress of my son’s move left me distracted. Will try to get to it today. I picked up The Paper Palace. I have been enjoying the Reese picks. They aren’t always super deep or discussable but usually a good read.

    • Susan says:

      Hi Ti, Glad you have those 2 books. They should be good. I’m a bit distracted too. Too much smoke & they’re paving our back alley — too much noise & distractions, and not much air. I hope your son is back on his way now. Have a good week.

  17. Sarah says:

    Ah! More good books to read — just when I’m feeling good about powering through my huge pile. Thanks for all the good suggestions and for your peony photo. Hang in there with the smoke & heat. We’re counting our blessings in foggy SF but know our luck can’t last….The beach will be fun!

    • Susan says:

      Hey thanks. Looking forward to the beach. Weird that I need to fly to L.A. so I can breathe the air. Things are socked in grey here … and we are on week#2 of it. Not sure it will improve. But at least I have plenty to read. Still I’m distracted so reading has been slow. I’m glad you have cooler /clearer conditions there. See you soon!

  18. I also just finished Bad Muslim Discount! I liked it, but didn’t love it as well. I have Razorblade Tears on my TBR shelf and am looking forward to reading it.

    I am so sorry you are dealing with toxic air and I know how that is. So far (fingers crossed) we’ve escaped fires and excruciating heat this season.

    • Susan says:

      Hi Helen: good to know you had a similar reaction to Bad Muslim Discount. I wasn’t sure if it was just me or what. But I thought it got a bit crazy.
      Razorblade will likely have much action to it. I’m hoping it will be good.
      Good to know you are clear of fires & smoke there. It’s sad summer has gotten like this … perpetually gray here. We will wait for a thunderstorm … sometime. Enjoy your week.

  19. iliana says:

    It’s terrible to see those fires. Have things gotten any better yet?
    Some of your books on your radar are also on mine. I really would like to read Intimacies and Embassy Wife – mainly for the settings as I’d love to do a bit of armchair travel at least for now. Hope you are reading some good books!

    • Susan says:

      Hi thanks Iliana …. I think July & August look to be smoky where we are in Alberta …. 233 wildfires are now burning in British Columbia and much of the smoke comes this way, sigh. Cross your fingers for rain.
      Armchair traveling is always good ha … and these books hopefully will be good for that. Enjoy your reads.

  20. stargazer says:

    Sorry to hear about the wildfires, hope the situation will improve soon. I did see Obama’s reading list. Not sure what to think of it, the two books I’ve read from it (When We Cease to Understand the World and Klara and the Sun) didn’t impress me that much. I’ve heard a lot about The Startup Wife and would love to hear what you think about it.

    • Susan says:

      Hi Stargazer … I haven’t gotten to The Startup Wife yet … but I hope to by the end of summer. I’m glad for your thoughts on Klara and the Sun … I also have that on my summer list … but it’s too bad you weren’t too impressed by it, darn. Is it too robotic — so to speak? I have liked two of Ishiguro’s other novels. Thanks for stopping by! Cheers.

  21. Athira says:

    The Startup Wife sounds very interesting! Now that I’m working in a very new startup, maybe it’s the right book to read at the right time, no? Plus, I’m dying to read Tahmima Anam.

    Hope your days are going well. Sorry that the smoke has arrived there and you have to be mostly indoors. It’s been distressing reading about the wildfires out west.

    • Susan says:

      Athira : you’re the perfect blogger to review The Startup Wife .. since you’re working at a startup. I would love to know your thoughts on it. I’m curious about it. And yeah the wildfires in the West have sure put a damper on summer days … we will see if this smoke continues throughout all of August … sigh. Luckily I’m flying to California to see family soon and will be at the beach! Woohoo. Have a great week.

  22. I’ve heard many good things about Razorblade Tears – it’s on my TBR list for sure. The author was interviewed on the NYT Book Review podcast and I really enjoyed listening to it. I haven’t read his first book but that sounds really good too.

    • Susan says:

      Hi Rachel, yes I also listened to the interview with S.A. Cosby on the NYT’s book podcast and I thought the author sounded great. I liked his first book which was definitely action-packed. So I suspect his new novel will be too. I plan to get to it. It’s a crime novel so beware of that. I hope you enjoy it. Cheers.

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