I’m late in welcoming the fall equinox this year. I blame a few busy days, some incredibly great fall weather  . . . and a good long nap (thanks to my Covid vax). But here I am! Back with my Top Five Books for this past summer.

As you probably recall, at the end of each season – very near the equinox or solstice – I “force” myself to choose five books to highlight for you. Only five. Sometimes it’s hard for me to choose just five . . .  because the books I read were all so good. And sometimes it’s a struggle to choose five at all because the season was full of  clunkers. This season . . . well. It’s been more challenging because I read quite a few less-than-noteworthy books.

But I did read a few great ones . . . and here they are (in no particular order) . . .

First, I’ve got The Antidote by Karen Russell. It’s been a while now, since I read this one (way back at the beginning of the summer) . . . BUT. I’m still thinking about it. Which says . . . a lot. I found The Antidote to be a rather challenging novel to read. It’s a dense one, and it took a while for me to settle into the rhythm, the voices, and the unfolding narrative. It’s also fascinating from a structural perspective. (It’s not everyday you find a novel steeped in historical events AND magical realism!) Told through multiple viewpoints, the novel features interesting and unexpected characters living through the Dust Bowl in (fictional) Uz, Nebraska. The writing is lovely. The story draws readers in, and there is just so much . . . substance . . . to chew on: the nature of memory, generational trauma, land loss and forced migration. This one . . . sticks with you, my friends! 5 stars.

Next up, I’ve got So Far Gone by Jess Walter . . . who happens to be one of my favorite authors. Ever since reading (and loving) Jess Walter’s Beautiful Ruins back in 2012, I have tried to read whatever he writes. (I just love his style.) So I was pleased to dive into his latest, So Far Gone. Although not quite at the level of Beautiful Ruins or The Cold Millions, I found Walter’s new novel to be compelling, engaging, and timely. Beautifully set in the Pacific Northwest, it’s filled with loveable, well-drawn characters living through These Days with humor – and hope. This one was a quick read for me, with good pacing. Very entertaining. And . . . it was refreshing to have an author just come right out and address the elephants in the room without apology. (I listened to the audiobook version of the novel, and really enjoyed the excellent narration by Eduardo Ballerini.) 4 stars.

Then, I’ve got Swimming Studies by Leanne Shapton . . . a book that’s going to be a hard sell for most of you. But. I LOVED it. As a competitive swimmer through high school (although never remotely close to the level of competition Leanne experienced), I have been interested in reading this memoir for years – but it’s been out of print and unavailable to me. Finally – it’s back in print – and thanks to Ann Patchett, who promoted the book through Parnassass Books, I was able to nab a copy and finally dig in.

I loved this book; it was so worth the wait! Yes, it did bring back memories of my own swimming years (and I highly recommend it for any former swimmers out there). . . but it’s about so much more than just swimming. Leanne writes about developing a practice – putting forth consistent effort over time – in both swimming and in her later art pursuits, lessons that serve us all well no matter our chosen paths. Leanne’s writing is beautiful – precise and evocative. I’m so glad I finally had a chance to read Swimming Studies, now one of my favorite memoirs ever. (But of course, how could I go wrong . . . swimming + art.) 5 stars.

Next, I have The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai (the winner of the 2006 Booker Prize). I had been meaning to read this one for well over a decade, so finally . . . I decided to take the plunge. The content and storylines of the novel are heavy and heartbreaking, but the writing is an absolute treat: Beautiful and evocative, while also – surprisingly – playful. I enjoyed and appreciated the author’s sentence structure, word choice and turns of phrase. The language alone made it a joy to read. The narrative does jump around quite a lot . . . in time, location, and point of view . . . but it is easy to find the rhythm and I never found it confusing. The main characters are well-developed and believable (although not always likeable), and there is enough backstory for the ancillary characters to keep them interesting and relevant. The poignant storylines are bleak with their realistic look at the long-term effects of colonialism, immigration, class-related injustice, sect-related prejudice, and political uprising. The playful language and occasional comedic situations prevented the novel from becoming overly maudlin while telling the story of characters suffering aching losses and grief. I’m so glad I finally chose to read this past Booker winner. 4.5 stars, rounded up.

And last, I’ve got Ripeness by Sarah Moss,  a book I read as a NetGalley ARC . . . but it’s been published now so I can tell you all about it without feeling like a tease. I was completely absorbed by this cleverly imagined, beautifully crafted, highly layered novel of displacement and belonging. Sarah Moss’s writing is beautiful, clean, and precise. Despite taking on a number of issues (including toxic ballet culture, immigration, and rape), the novel never bogs down, with excellent pacing throughout. The main character unfolds and continues to surprise through the course of the novel, and even the secondary characters bloom. I particularly appreciated and enjoyed the timeline featuring 73-year-old Edith. It is rare to find a strong, secure, smart older woman in contemporary literature. I loved Edith’s robust lifestyle, her attitude, and her continuous reach for more from her life. THIS is a picture of what aging CAN be! (Thank you for that, Sarah Moss.) Ripeness was a wonderful read, and will certainly be one of my favorite books of the year. 5 stars.

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How about you?
What books would make it onto YOUR summer Top Five list?

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If you want to see what I’m reading now, or if you’d like to check out my recent reviews on Goodreads, just check out the sidebar on my home page.  You can find me here on Goodreads.

If you’re looking for my previous Top Five lists, you can find them in my Field Notes (just click in from the menu bar at the top or bottom of any page) — or click the link.