Two of the books on my July Reading List were The Story of Beautiful Girl and Gold.
I really liked both, but there was one that I’d definitely recommend more than the other, so here are my thoughts:
The Story of Beautiful Girl is a book that takes place in 1968. A young white woman and a deaf black man are locked away in an institution for the feeble minded, and forgotten. Deeply in love, they manage to escape and one rainy night, come across the home of a retired teacher and widow named Martha. The authorities catch up with them, but not before the couple entrusts their newly born baby to Martha’s care. The book documents the next 40 years of their lives, their journey, and how they are forever bound together by their shared secret.
I thought it was a great book, but it was a little slow at times.
I really loved the characters, especially Lynnie, the young white woman who was mentally disabled, but I didn’t feel like any of them were developed enough to get to know them as well as I’d like. I think the three separate story lines may have been a bit too much to keep up with for an entire book. At some point, I was really hoping all of them would intersect, but it really didn’t happen.
I’d recommend this book, but not if you want something fast paced that is hard to put down.
Gold documents the life of two friends and track cyclists, Kate and Zoe, their journey to the 2012 Olympics, and how their personal lives and friendship are threatened as the big race draws closer.
I really really liked this book. I wasn’t sure what to expect because I’m not in to sports and never read books revolving around them. However — the back story on the characters was really great, and there was tons of emotion in this book. I found myself sympathizing and rooting with both characters for different reasons and had a hard time putting this book down.
I highly recommend it!!
Did you read either of these? I’d love your thoughts!!
currently reading beautiful girl, but yes, its slow, and now that Im back at work, it will be even slower getting the book read, but I will push on, because I want to know the ending, I have already read “Gone Girl” this Summer.
Between soccer, scrapbooking, working and other stuff, 2 books is a lot for me!
I have Gold on my wish list. Have you read Little Bee by Chris Cleave? Love, love, love it! And I look forward to your book reviews. Thank you.
I love your book posts! I just finished A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty and am looking forward to reading your thoughts on that. You have become my go-to source for book recommendations! Sadly, my library doesn’t have “Dare Me” yet, so that one will have to wait.
Happy Reading!
I really enjoyed “The Story of Beautiful Girl” by Rachel Simon. I did think the beginning was a little slow, but once I got into it, the book was great. I liked the way the lives seemed to be intertwined, especially at the end of the story. It also reminded me that a little bit of kindness goes a long way.
Check out my blog where I reviewed “The Story of Beautiful Girl” as well!