Hello. How was everyone’s week? We’ve had some nice warm September days here and I was out biking into the countryside and stopped at the village of Longview, population around 297 (give-or-take a few, lol). It’s a nice little place and is known for the oil they found there in 1937, which gave the unemployed something amid the Great Depression. Also apparently Clint Eastwood filmed some of the movie The Unforgiven there in 1991. What I like about it is the hay bales and large ranches and livestock that I see along the way and its views of the front ranges of the Rocky Mountains. The route there offers a rural road for cycling.
Meanwhile in book news, Tina at the blog Turn the Page and I are doing a buddy read of the epistolary novel The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, which is about an avid letter writer in her 70s who has some spunk and is going through some stuff. So far so good. The novel came out April 29 and might have been the sleeper hit of the summer with a 4.60 rating on Goodreads and 4,756 reviews. It seems like a lot of people liked it.
In comparison, a novel like Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, another summer bestseller that came out June 3, has a 4.37 Goodreads rating, with 60,774 reviews, whoa. TJR has a bit of a bigger market … with her books and following over the years. But still The Correspondent has done well.
And now just a recap of what I finished in July (top row above) and August (bottom row). Some I read in print, others were audios. Several were quite short novels (Audition, Tilt, Hunch Back, Wreck). Not sure I picked them for that but most here were on my summer list. I liked most of them so it’s a bit hard to pick which one was my top favorite of these though the one nonfiction book A Marriage at Sea made a lasting impression since it’s a pretty wild true tale and captured the imagination of being lost at sea. So there you have it and I will be doing a recap next time of how I did on my summer reading challenge. How did yours go?
And now I will leave you with a couple reviews of what I finished lately.
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali / Gallery / 336 pages / 2024
Synopsis: It’s the story of a decades-long friendship between two Iranian women (Ellie and Homa) starting in the 1950s whose lives are upended by their country’s political upheaval. The two meet at school at a young age and become fast friends. Ellie seems more traditional and concerned with what others think, while Homa is adventurous and spirited and throws caution to the wind.
They fall out of touch when Ellie’s mother, a widower, moves them to another area of town to remarry, but later the two reunite in high school and go on to attend Tehran University. While Ellie gets caught up in plans to marry her boyfriend, Homa, who dreams of becoming a judge, is out protesting for students’ and women’s rights. Things turn dicey when Homa starts protesting the shah and regime change looms. The two friends undergo a harsh reckoning amid dangerous times that will haunt them into the future. A married Ellie is able to leave for New York, while Homa is captured behind.
My Thoughts: 4 stars. I don’t want to say too much in detail about what happens in this novel as a couple dramatic events turn the tide for these two friends. Ellie narrates the story, which starts slowly about their school years, then it ratchets up once the Iranian Revolution begins. Kamali is a dynamic storyteller and I knew after her last novel The Stationery Shop, which captivated me, that I would need to get to this one as well. Historical novels set in Tehran are often fascinating — especially how the strong women there fight and form bonds to rise above harsh realities of the country’s oppressive regime. While this one might get a little drippy with everything it tries to tackle, it still makes you root and hope that the human condition and strong bonds can rise above such terrible circumstances and upheaval.
Catalina by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio / One World / 224 pages / 2024
Synopsis: This is a novel about the senior year of a Harvard University student in 2010 who’s an undocumented immigrant as she navigates uncertain times ahead.
My Thoughts: 3.7 stars. I enjoyed listening to the audio and hearing about the protagonist Catalina Ituralde who was born in Ecuador and has lived in the U.S. since she was five when she was sent to her grandparents in NYC’s Queens after her parents were killed in a car crash.
Catalina is smart and witty and feisty at times. She cares about her grandparents (also undocumented) who raised her and hopes the Dream Act bill (before Congress then), which would offer her permanent protection from deportation, will pass. She interns at a museum and starts dating another student. Then the Dream Act fails, and she finds deportation letters her grandfather hid in a drawer and tries to find a lawyer to help them.
At first I found the book seemed more like a monologue of Catalina’s thoughts rather than a narrative of her life. But then as it goes on it branches out more into a story, which I was glad for. It’s not always easy to follow, but I liked Catalina and her perspective into the Dream Act and being an undocumented immigrant while being a student at Harvard. She has much personality and her struggles are eye-opening.
I think I first heard about this novel when it was longlisted for the National Book Award for Fiction in 2024. It seems to follow the author’s own life story as an undocumented immigrant going to Harvard. Apparently she was one of the first to graduate in 2011. She is very bright and a good advocate for the undocumented. I will be watching for whatever she puts out next. I believe she is still in the U.S. and is pursuing a PhD in American Studies at Yale.
I have another review to share, but it can wait till next time. That’s all for now.
What about you — have you read any of these books pictured above and what did you think?
Longview sounded familiar to me, so I looked it up on a map. More than likely, we drove through it on our way to Diamond Valley (to meet up with you and your husband!).
I plan to read The Correspondent in the coming weeks after I wrap up my summer reading challenge. (Yes, it’s still summer in my book!) My mom read it and said it was wonderful, and I’ve heard nothing but great things about the novel, so I hope it lives up to all the hype.
You’ve read a couple of books that I enjoyed (So Far Gone and Tilt) and have a few listed that I’m excited to read (Atmosphere, A Marriage at Sea, Heartwood, and Wreck). The Lion Women of Tehran sounds like a good story, too. I don’t think I’ve read anything set in Tehran.
Hi Lesley, yes you would’ve gone through Longview before Diamond Valley. A very small area along the highway on 22. But you would’ve missed the back road that I bike. Next time I’ll take you! It has some gorgeous ranches around there.
Yes The Correspondent is a quick enjoyable read and I should finish today or tomorrow. I will be interested to hear your thoughts. I’m not sure I’ve read many novels that are made up of letters. Maybe just Daddy-Long-Legs, the children’s classic.
Speaking of Tehran … did you ever read the memoir: Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi? Oh my. It was a favorite in 2003. I will have to reread it and see if it is still great. I think so. Check it out if you haven’t. Have a great week.
I have not read Reading Lolita in Tehran, but it’s been on my mental tbr list forever.
As far as novels composed of letters, I think I’ve read a lot. I’ll probalby include a list or collage of those after I read and review The Correspondent. BTW, I’ve never read Daddy-Long-Legs. Sounds intriguing! 🙂
I think I read Reading Lolita in Tehran with my book club but I don’t see it on my blog, so it must have been pre-blog, before 2009? Hmm. I will need to reread it! It is a bit like another great book — Life & Death in Shanghai by Nien Change. Both are memoirs of strong women who got through terrible regimes in history. I need to revisit both.
Daddy-Long-Legs was a book that my mother read to me when I was young. About an orphan who keeps in touch with a benefactor. I think I liked it more as a kid but I listened to it on audio last year. Interesting YA book written in 1912!
I haven’t read any of the books on your list above, but I have a few of them on my TBR. I kind of need to be in the mood to not read mystery type books. Those moods come though. I do want to try The Correspondent (have heard really good things about that one) and also Tilt (since we lived in the Portland area for about 3 years back in the ’90’s) and I want to try Atmosphere as well. We’ll see how my reading this fall goes. I will admit that I usually am drawn to more spooky/Gothic/mystery type tales in October. Ha! Hope you have a good week!
Hi Kay, I’m glad you’re back posting. I know you’re a mystery expert … though I think you’d like The Correspondent, Tilt, and Atmosphere too. All three are quite good. And it’s cool you lived in the Portland area in the 90s … I was in Seattle from 1990-1993. I like Portland. I will need to think of a spooky book to read for Halloween time. Have a great week.
Nice reviews and my friend Iris enjoyed The Correspondent and glad you are liking it so far as well. The Lion Women of Tehran sounds like such a powerful novel. And I worry about Homa left behind in Tehran, particularly because she fights for women’s rights which is brave but dangerous.
Hi Kathy, good to know about The Correspondent — many are liking it, and I’ll finish it in a day or so. It’s an enjoyable one.
Yeah The Lion Women of Tehran … is scary in ways. I think of the women in the prisons there, put in there just b/c they try to get human rights. Awful. Homa represents many. I need to also reread Reading Lolita in Tehran which is another favorite about the revolution. Cheers, have a great week.
Very amusing – my friend Susan just chose The Correspondent for our book group (but it got bumped to November) and I had thought she was going to choose The Lion Women of Tehran so that it what I had put on hold at the library. Our general rule is not to pick anything so recent that we won’t be able to get it readily from the library but sometimes I get tired of enforcing the rules. For those who only read one book a month, it doesn’t seem to matter.
Hi Constance, yeah our book group (now defunct) had the same rule — that the book had to be readily available at the library. This rule sometimes drove me a bit nuts when I wanted to pick something. I will definitely look to see what you think of The Correspondent (I’m about to finish) and The Lion Women of Tehran. Did you read her earlier novel The Stationery Shop ? … I almost liked that one a tad more, but Lion Women is worth checking out.
Happy reading.
“Heartwood” sounded familiar to me, but looking at my list of reads I see that it isn’t there so likely I’m confusing it with another book. Several of these sound interesting and will get added to my list of books I want to read.
Hi Dorothy, I recently reviewed Heartwood so perhaps you were interested in that one. I think you’d like it: the missing hiker story. What have you been reading? Hope something good. Cheers.
From your summer list I read 3: Atmosphere, Heartwood, and Audition. I’d also like to read So Far Gone before the end of the year, and maybe Tilt, but that is a big maybe. The Lion Women of Tehran sounds like a must read for me; I, too, like stories set in Iran, but mostly the stories I have followed come from cinema—movies and documentaries. Iranian cinema is vibrant! Anyway, big digression…Catalina sounds good too. Somehow I always thought it was nonfiction.
Hi Carmen, you’ve had a good year of reading. And I need to get to some you’ve read including Flesh. What did you think? Will I like it? Is it a top contender? I’m trying to make some space for Sonia & Sunny, either late October or November. I don’t even have the book yet. And I’m slow with long books! Speaking of Iran, did you ever read the memoir Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi? Oh my, still a favorite but I need to reread it. Keep it going. & Have a great week.
Flesh is my favorite of the five I’ve read. It’s quite something, especially that ending! Yes, definitely a top contender, together with Audition and One Boat. I’m not sure if you will like it. The characters are flawed in extreme, but I thought that was what made the story interesting. It gave me a The Bee Sting vibe towards the end. I’m stuck with Love Forms (the 6th); finding it lackluster so far, hope it changes. No, I haven’t read Reading Lolita in Tehran; that should be corrected, I guess. 🙂 I’ll be reading The Loneliness… towards October as well.
So glad to hear Flesh is your favorite so far. I had heard a podcast where author Zadie Smith had talked the book (Flesh) up quite a bit, so that made me want to get to it. I am on a wait list for it at the library. I guess next week the Booker shortlist will come out. I am quite interested to see what will make it. But I think Flesh will & Sonia & Sunny. Keep going with the Booker list!
I have not read any of your July or August reads. I am waiting for Wreck; I’ve been on hold for it for months.
Two books I enjoyed a lot this summer that I never expected to like were The Correspondent and The Names. They are both gentle, but thoughtful books, I think.
Hi Deb, thanks for telling me about the two summer reads you liked a lot … I plan to get to The Names as well. I have a copy from the library. I am about to finish The Correspondent and it is enjoyable. The Names has gotten a lot of attention so I’m looking forward to it.
I would temper your expectations a smidge for Wreck. I think I liked Sandwich more but perhaps that’s just me. Still see what you think. Have a great week.
The Lion Women of Tehran is on my TBR list. And I like the sound of The Correspondent. And what a great road to cycle on! It’s so scenic…and no traffic! That’s the best. Have a great week. 😀
Thanks Lark. Yes the rural roads around here are a joy to bike. We love them! We must keep biking until the snow flies, lol. I think you would like both books. Happy reading.
I’m glad you liked Lion Women; I thought it was interesting and a good read.
Have a great week!
Hi Helen, it’s quite a tragic story I think. What happens to Homa is chilling. Just think of the women in prisons there for political reasons. I’m glad you read it first. The twist in their friendship weighs heavy. It was an accident in some ways what Ellie divulges to the wrong person, but man that would hard to live with after. Cheers!
Good views are important on any cycling route I think.
I seem to have overlooked The Correspondant, I’m glad you and Tina are enjoying it together. Atmosphere is still on my reading list, and The Lion Women of Tehran sounds quite interesting .
Wishing you a great reading week
Hi Shelleyrae, glad you’re back. Your work life was quite busy I’m sure. I think you’d like all three books … they move quickly and are pretty engaging. I’ll look to see what you think of Atmosphere whenever you get to it. Enjoy your week as well.
I’m a slacker on posting this week. I will read more by Virgina Evans for sure. You have a few on your read list I have on my radar but have only read Heartwood.
Tiday is Doug’s bithday so we are chilling out, sitting on the porch to read and watch birds and whatever else he wants to do. Will email you again …
Hi Tina, glad Doug’s bday went well. September bdays are the best ha! He has his bday the same week as mine. Virgos rule! lol.
It’s okay if you want to post a review of Correspondent …. I should finish it soon. I look forward to seeing how it ends. Cheers.
Looks like you had a great summer of reading. I haven’t read any of those books. Great reviews. I hope September is a good month too.
Thanks Yvonne, I’ve finished several good books this summer, hooray. I think September is turning out good as well. Happy reading.
I want to read all these, especially the Strong Lion Women. I enjoy books featuring strong female friendships.
Thanks Lux. The friendship in The Lion Women of Tehran makes it an interesting read. And the woman in Catalina is also a strong protagonist. Both books include human rights activists in ways. Have a great week.
That looks like a good reading summer! I haven’t read any of those books, but my TBR is getting longer….
Hi Joy, yeah my TBR keeps expanding too, lol. I think because of your activist work — you might be interested in Catalina. The protagonist makes an interesting advocate for the undocumented. The book is set in 2010, but I can only imagine what the author might be writing now about today’s world.
Have a great week.
It’s fun to get out and explore the smaller towns around. Longview sounds like a great place to cycle! I still hope to read Sandwich, but I’m interested in Wreck, too. I read one book by Taylor Jenkins Reid and hated it and haven’t tried her again since, but Atmosphere did sound good. Hope you enjoy your buddy read. Those are usually fun whether the book is good or bad. Have a wonderful last week of summer!
Hi Rachel, I can relate to what you say about Taylor Jenkins Reid … I hated her tennis novel Carrie Soto Is Back, and I am a tennis player. I hated the character of Carrie Soto. But then this novel Atmosphere is much different … and I liked it much better. I think it’s a bit different than her others. I actually think you’d like it … but I wouldn’t return to her back list.
I’m not sure what you will think of Sandwich and Wreck …. it’s sort of hit & miss humor & family stuff. See what you think. I hope you have nice days ahead. Happy fall?!
The Correspondent does sound good! I enjoy epistolary novels. I have been wanting to read The Lion Women of Tehran and am glad to see you enjoyed it. I noticed the November read for my diverse romance book club is partially set in Tehran. I hope you have a good week, Susan.
Hi Wendy, I hope you get to The Lion Women of Tehran … I don’t know many bloggers who’ve read it, but it’s quite popular on Goodreads. And The Correspondent is a cute one … it flies by quickly. You’d like it.
Wishing you a great week as well!
I am interested in reading The Correspondent. It is a good length and I usually enjoy epistolary novels. That is a pretty high rating for a book with that many reviews on Goodreads (there are now 5041 reviews).
Of the other two you reviewed, the one that sounds the most appealing is The Lion Women of Tehran. I have ordered a copy of Audition by Katie Kitamura.
I just finished reading Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf, and before that I read State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. Both of those were challenging reads for me but worth it in the end.
Hi Tracy — I’ve read the Woolf and Patchett novels. I had a bit of a hard time with Mrs. Dalloway but State of Wonder was a good one. Unusual. I’ll look to see your thoughts & reviews.
I think you’d like The Correspondent epistolary novel … it’s been popular and I just finished it. It’s a quick, easy, engaging read. I found it touching, & a tad sad.
I’m not sure what you will think of the Kitamura book … it’s a bit of a puzzle. Some people seem to like it, others not so much. But I will continue to read her.
Enjoy your week.
A buddy read of an epistolary novel called The Correspondent is so meta on so many levels, I love it! I hope you’ll share your experience of reading it with your friend once you’re done!
Hi Haze! Yes we corresponded over The Correspondent … lol. Many layers of correspondence with this one. And the letters made it a pretty quick read. I hope you are keeping up with school. Have a great week!