What a charming book this was! Easy to read and entertaining, this lovely story of a Russian aristocrat sentenced to live out his days in a Moscow hotel exceeded my expectations. Not overly burdened with historical references, this is more of a "pleasant" read than a "studious" read.

If you enjoy gaming, and 80s pop culture, read this book about three friends who join together to find an epic virtual reality Easter egg. Fast-paced and charming, this book is packed with references to 80s video games, movies and music. Pure reading pleasure.

Truly heartbreaking, this story of slavery in America lives up to the hype. Difficult subject matter, yes, and very important. This book raises the question of how could any of us know where we are going until we know where we have been? Lucidly and simply written, this book will stay with you.

Something terrible happens when six college students and their charming and eccentric professor sequester themselves from the rest of campus for a deep study of the Classics. This is a long book that slows a bit toward the end, but worth a read for its study of how intelligence and refinement do not protect one from self-delusion or even evil.

Jende and Neni emigrate to the US seeking a better life and find that despite the gulf between expectations and reality, some things stay constant: family, honor, kindness. Jende's job as a chauffeur for a Lehmans Brothers exec allows us to witness the fallout of the 2008 financial crisis and its effects on the wealthy and the struggling. Even though these are complicated people, and complicated times, the author's compassion shines through.

I was eager to read something fast-paced and entertaining, and this didn't disappoint. A crime is committed, and over the span of a week or two, we discover that each character is potentially guilty, and they are all hiding secret past lives etc. I wish the writing was a bit more polished, and that the emotional lives of the characters were fleshed out a bit more - it was hard to care about what happened to any of them.

Sam and Joe are cousins who meet as young adults when Joe comes to NYC from Prague, fleeing the Nazi regime. They form a partnership creating comic strips when the superhero genre was at its peak. Sam wrestles with accepting himself as Joe struggles with survivor's guilt and rage in the aftermath of WWII. Evocative descriptions of NYC in the 30s-50s. Heartbreaking and surprising, there's a love story to boot. At 636 pages, a long, slow read.

Here are some numbered books...I seriously need to re-organize my bookshelves. I have little towers all over the house! #septphotochallenge

...when you bring a book to your kid's Ortho appt and forget your reading glasses. Argh! Even my phone screen is a blur (forgive typos)!

I picked Shrill as my favorite read because it's stayed with me, and opened up my thinking about being a woman in this world. Some things she wrote about I could definitely relate to, and others not so much, but I appreciated her frank and unapologetic point of view. On to September!

Total #impulsebuy...this gorgeous book is filled with artwork and famous lists, lists of saints, soldiers, landscapes, treasures, all compiled from works of literature and accompanied by lush works of art. Just stunning...Eco uses the lists to reflect on how each catalogue reflects the spirit of its time. As a compulsive list-maker, I couldn't resist! #augustphotochallenge

If you liked A Little Life, read this story of a lost Micronesian tribe discovered and exploited by an American scientist. Ms. Yanagihara is truly gifted at creating immersive reads - and evoking strong emotions. The main character is unsympathetic, but as you get into his mind you are required to confront some dark stuff: the costs of ambition, scientific advancement, cultural exploitation...and the human ability to justify terrible acts.

White spines...

These are just a sampling...I seem to have a lot of these. Also, I notice that spiritual-type books tend to have white spines. Interesting. #augustphotochallenge

Kindle + Blue Bell Cookie Two Step ice cream. (This is not the recommended serving size btw.)

Wasn't sure about this one going in, but it was completely charming, fun and very readable. I thought the author did a great job of updating the classic (which I now want to re-read), and I esp enjoyed the character of Elizabeth (Liz) Bennett. Definitely pick this one up when you need a quick, happy read.

Here's one of my cozy reading spots, corner of my bedroom.

If you are a beg/inter. seamstress, this book (vintage edition 1974) is a treasure. It covers *everything* (plus you don't have to watch a video to learn a technique. How-to videos are a pet peeve. I like to *read* instructions, dammit.)

Some peachy books #augustphotochallenge.

Here's the non-spoiler version of my @LitsyGoesPostal package that I received tonight. Great bundle of goodies, great book, my night is complete. Thank you @BooksForEmpathy !

Unapologetic and well-argued. The parts about her "fat activism" were esp poignant. Definitely worth a read...she says No to anyone who wants to silence, control or shame her. Her cause is to build a better world, issue by issue, victory by victory.

I'm going to pick this, although I was disappointed that there wasn't more science in it, and I thought the love story was a little overdone. The author does a great job of evoking the charms of family life, and living the life you have, not the one you might have had. Fast-paced, fun read.

I adore this book, and have given it away to friends multiple times. Winnie the Pooh from a Taoist point of view. Read when you're very stressed...it will make you smile and put things in perspective. #augustphotochallenge

If you can get over the idea of a therapist who tramples patient confidentiality to solve crimes, this book is for you. Set in London, with complicated characters, the narrative moves quickly. A gasp-worthy plot twist, too. I want to find out more about the characters, so next is "Tuesday's Gone."

This is minimalist, right? One of my very favorite books. #augustphotochallenge

Starting this one and the back cover says "The first in a remarkable new series, Blue Monday draws readers into a troubled world in which the terrors of the mind spill over into real life." Yikes. Sounds perfect for the weekend lol.

Wonderful story about a bookish young boy who becomes entangled in the vast, mysterious world that exists right beside his familiar world. It's a book about being a child in a world of adults, and also about love and sacrifice and holding fast to your beliefs in a world that seems crazy. A short book, but totally immersive...I wished it was longer.

All green, no pink.

Quick, easy read. Clever, but doesn't require too much thought. I loved the bad-ass female protagonist. Sci-fi thriller mixed in with a light love story. Original. Finished by the pool with a Corona.

Book stack in my bedroom. The ones on the floor are my TBR for August, plus my #BOTM choices.

Didn't get too much reading done in July, but August starts tomorrow!

The author tackles some serious subjects (corruption, mental illness, family dysfunction) with a light touch...it's a delightful read. Something of a relief to read a book set on the West Coast - swear everything else I've read lately is New York.

An Israeli woman is recruited to penetrate the ISIS network in order to stop a terrorist attack. Smart, timely, thrilling and easy to read...author has important things to say about the rise of extremism. The latest in the Gabriel Allon spy thrillers...give it a go, esp if you like this genre.

Yikes. I have to say this book is chock-full of miserable people, and dark thoughts and actions, small and large. An English village deals with death, politics, bigotry, elitism, drugs, poverty...with nary a hopeful voice. The last three pages notwithstanding, too cynical for me. #24in48

#SpinePoetry #24in48

#funphotofriday Prairie School is an awesome kids' book about a "little school on the prairie [that] becomes the center of an adventure for the children when a great blizzard sweeps down and traps them inside." Another awesome book about resourceful stranded children is Baby Island.

Next up: JK Rowling + some of my favorite spy authors!

The third book in the trilogy that began with The Twelve, this is the story of the final reckoning with the zombies (called "virals"), and the fate of humankind. Excellent: the chapters that tell the story of Zero, the very first viral - worth a read to get the backstory.

Great summer read about two families in Brooklyn...modern, yes, and funny. Well-drawn characters, just enough of a plot to keep you wondering. Short chapters, suitable for poolside.

All right. I'm going in. See you on the other side.

The lives of four college roommates play out against the backdrop of New York City. Jude is Tormented, Willem is Good, JB is Temperamental and Malcolm is...vague. Gorgeous writing...above all, a love story. *Almost* a bail, because the last third of the book was so sad, and a bit draggy.

Dreamy and disturbing. Well-written. Left me a bit unfulfilled.