It was a difficult month of little concentration for anything books. I was able to get under my book belt, The Bean Trees, out of necessity, because it was the book we chose for our book club to read in April. It was a fairly quick read, held my attention easily, substantially provocative, and our book club, via Zoom this month, was engaging. The Bean Trees, by Barbara Kingsolver confronts the question of right and wrong, but the right and wrong in the gray areas, which made for interesting conversation as there were several, 'what would you do' potential situations throughout the book. The idea of family and who make up a family and what a family should and shouldn't look like was prevalent throughout the book. So, good. The Bean Trees, is Kingsolver's debut novel and published in 1998, thus, it does fulfill my 2020 Reading Goals - read a book published in each year since I was born.
The second - and last - book I read I picked up after seeing that someone in my book club had already read it so I knew it wouldn't be selected for our upcoming month's reads for book club. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. Phenomenal! Breathtaking! I thought I had an idea what this book was about as I had read the synopsis on Amazon, and read reviews because this was a book club possible. But, in truth, I was blown away! This book will long sit with me and has leaped to the top of the my favorite book this year list. Personally, it was a difficult read, although I COULD NOT put it down! For some people there are triggers (yep, that's me). The book confronts loneliness when someone doesn't even realize they're lonely, the psychological affects of trauma on the young and translated into adulthood, especially in relationships or the lack there of. Revealing, genuine, eye-shattering, engaging, exceptional writing. I cannot say enough about Eleanor Oliphant. This book fulfills my 2020 Reading Goal - read a book published in each year since I was born - 2018
I did a quick update on my 2020 Reading Goals that I created for myself at the beginning of the year and, honestly, I need to get my butt into high gear. I have only read 16 of 58 books towards the goal, read a book published in every year since I was born. I have completed 4 of 12 books for my book club, of course, since I host the book club. My husband and I are currently reading book 3 of what I hope to be 8 read a-louds. And, lastly, for Modern Mrs. Darcy's 2020 Reading Challenge, I have completed 4 of the 12 challenges. All in all I believe I am in good standing to complete my reading goals, although I don't think I can have another month like April!