If you followed my June Reading List, The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb and Summerland were the last two on the list. I’m already well into the July Reading List, so I’m going to combine these two into one post so I can get started on this month’s books.
The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb is a fiction based on an actual person. The reviews are great (4 1/2 stars on Amazon), and I was really hoping for something a little reminiscent of Water For Elephants. Sadly…I did not love this book.
It definitely wasn’t bad — I really wanted to see what happened and how it ended — it just didn’t “grab” me. The main character, Lavinia Bump, a perfectly proportioned tiny person, was very, very unlikeable at times. Or most of the time. I expected to pity her, or at least sympathize, but it was hard to do so. What really kept me reading was the interesting aspects of the story and her relationship with Mr. Barnum, who we now know co-founded the largest circus in the world.
I would say that this is a good book, but not one I’d rave about and recommend to all of my friends.
Summerland, however, was a completely different story.
I’ll start by saying that I love Elin Hilderbrand. If she writes a book, I will never hesitate to read it, and although some are better than others, they are all good. This one though, was one of her best.
Summerland is about a high school graduation night that ends with one teenager dead and another in a coma. As their friends and family try to cope, there are questions about the events that transpired before the tragic car accident.
This book is set in Nantucket, which I loved. There was an abundance of interesting characters — not so many that it was hard to keep up, though. There is also a secret that is involved with the death of the teenager…and that kept me guessing until the very end. This was definitely one of those books that kept me up late reading, and the ending was satisfying, which I also loved.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone I know…it is great Summer reading!!
If you read either of these, I’d LOVE your thoughts!!
Don’t forget to check out my July recommendations…I’ve read two of them so far and they’re both good. I hope you enjoy them as well!!
I am also a big Elin Hilderbrand fan, her books just scream “summer reading” to me. I agree that this book was great and probably one of her best, from the beachy Nantucket setting to the likeable and relatable characters, I loved it all. I didn’t love the book hangover I had the next morning from staying up way too late reading it but it was so worth it.
I have picked up and put down summer land at the store several times…glad to hear you loved it. I’ll add it to my check out list
Jww
Thank you for posting what you are reading this summer, I was having a hard time making my list managable. I like you LOVE to read and sometimes I get a little overzealous. I have not read Summerland yet, it came out a little late and I had already moved on to others. I will say I loved The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb and have added Alice I have Been to my list. Thank you again for the recommendations!
I just finished The Autobiograpjy of Mrs. Tom Thumb before bed last night and I liked it. Like you, I didn’t love it but I found it very interesting. I generally really like historical fiction and I didn’t really know anything about these characters before so that was fun for me, but it did take me awhile to get into it. Normally if I really love a book I finish it in 2 or 3 days and this took me a week. Like you said, it’s hard to really get into a books when you’re not totally behind the main character and I did find her pretty unlikeable at times. I think I’ll try Tumbleweeds next – I really love this summer reading list thing!
I have an important recommendation for you to read…
But first, I have to tell you that I totally relate with the heartburn thing! I had HORRIBLE heartburn that grew progressively worse my entire pregnancy. I lived on Baking soda water and Mylanta. I dreamed of having ANY thing normal to eat again during my last few weeks and during my labor I made my husband find out what kind of fountain soda they had in the hospital cafeteria- and how soon after I deliver can I have a large soda[no ice please]!!!!! My family teased me for a long time over that. But I was in such misery… Now to encourage you….. Within hours of delivery, I got my soda, and something to eat, laid down and shockingly felt no heartburn!!!
My very favorite read was Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. I read it last summer. So Great, Second would be the Broadmoor Legacy trilogy by Tracie Peterson …A Daughters Inheritance is the first book. My daughter loved them, too. Then my daughters VERY favorite- 17 year old Rebecca – The Goose Girl, which you might read to your son or get the book on MP3 to listen to with him. He will love the adventure and so will you! God bless you and get lots of rest.
I second that…Redeeming Love is a MUST READ!
I am fairly certain We’ve check this out identical sort of declaration anywhere else, it needs to be gaining interest while using masses.