I’m reading Wild Dark Shore & loving it so far!! For Elizabeth Strout newbies — do you recommend reading her books at a certain time of year (like does it have a vibe)?
As a mood reader I totally get that question! I started with Lucy’s books (My Name Is Lucy Barton and Anything Is Possible) and they aren’t particularly season specific but I think they are the kind of books that can work any time of year. I think they could totally work for summer. I held off on the Olive books because they have a “fall” look to their covers so I’m making a big judgement— but they also take place in Maine. So I am planning to read those in the fall. Starting with Lucy’s books could work in the summer and queue up for more of Strout’s books come fall. I also had a comment from another reader who read all of Strout’s books in the winter and enjoyed that so I think you can’t go wrong any time of year haha.
This reminds me, I read My Name is Lucy Barton several months ago (my first Strout since Olive Kitteridge a very long time ago) and intended to keep on with the series! Thanks for the nudge to get back to it!
We love Kate DiCamillo! And I love your reading challenge! When my kids were younger I always printed a jumbo reading tracker and hung it on our kitchen wall for them to color and fill in as they read, it was a fun summer tradition. We all still participate in the library's summer reading challenge but it's not quite as eventful as when the kids were a little younger 🥲
I love Elizabeth Strout. I read Oh, William, The Burgess Boys and Lucy by the Sea. All great. I also read the Abby Jimenez books you listed and her latest on audio. I loved the narration.
I loved What You Are Looking for Is In the Library so much. What a weird little Japanese book and so heartwarming. All the stories resonated with me, especially the working mom and the retired guy.
Right!? They all resonated with me too, which was such a pleasant surprise! I loved the story about the guy who wanted to open an antiques shop too. The structure was very similar to The Kamogawa Food Detectives, which is another fave! Have you read that one yet? It's also a delight!
I really want to try out the Elizabeth Strout books! They seem so wonderful. The only one I own is Olive Kitteridge. Would that be a good one to start with you think? My favorite from May was The Satisfaction Cafe by Kathy Wang I read an early copy and really enjoyed it.
I think you would ADORE Strout's books. I haven't gotten to Olive yet-- basically there are two main female characters that (I think...) some together by Tell me Everything and perhaps even in Olive again-- Lucy and Olive. Lucy has 4/5 books (My Name is Lucy Barton, Tell Me Everything, Oh William, and Lucy By the Sea-- then tell Me Everything). Olive has 2/3 books (Olive Kitteridge and Olive Again, then Tell Me Everything). There are also a few other books with connected characters. I think you can read them in any order but I started with Lucy and then plan to dip into Olive's two book before reading tell Me Everything. I also plan to read some of the less related books with connected characters (The Burgess Bows, Abide With Me and Amy and Isabell) beforehand too! There are many ways you could do it so I think starting with Olive is a great place to begin!
I’ve read and loved them all but suggest going back to the very beginning so then you can read Happy Ever After Playlist. You have to read Friend Zone first because there are spoilers in HEAP.
I listened to The Comfort of Crows this spring and really enjoyed it. I will definitely be adding it to my shelf to read in snippets and savor later on. And my neighborhood book club read How to Read a Book, which I also loved!
I’m reading Wild Dark Shore & loving it so far!! For Elizabeth Strout newbies — do you recommend reading her books at a certain time of year (like does it have a vibe)?
Oooo that one is good!
As a mood reader I totally get that question! I started with Lucy’s books (My Name Is Lucy Barton and Anything Is Possible) and they aren’t particularly season specific but I think they are the kind of books that can work any time of year. I think they could totally work for summer. I held off on the Olive books because they have a “fall” look to their covers so I’m making a big judgement— but they also take place in Maine. So I am planning to read those in the fall. Starting with Lucy’s books could work in the summer and queue up for more of Strout’s books come fall. I also had a comment from another reader who read all of Strout’s books in the winter and enjoyed that so I think you can’t go wrong any time of year haha.
Thank you so much!!
Come Fly the World sounds amazing and I love that cover :D
What a cover!! It was just so good!
This reminds me, I read My Name is Lucy Barton several months ago (my first Strout since Olive Kitteridge a very long time ago) and intended to keep on with the series! Thanks for the nudge to get back to it!
We love Kate DiCamillo! And I love your reading challenge! When my kids were younger I always printed a jumbo reading tracker and hung it on our kitchen wall for them to color and fill in as they read, it was a fun summer tradition. We all still participate in the library's summer reading challenge but it's not quite as eventful as when the kids were a little younger 🥲
Oh yes Lucy’s books are such a treat!! I may pause for the summer just because they feel so cozy & perfect for fall but it’s hard to stop 🤣
Aweeee 🥲🥲 that’s a good reminder to cherish this chapter!! The library challenges are so fun and I love that they offer them fr adults now too!!
I love Elizabeth Strout. I read Oh, William, The Burgess Boys and Lucy by the Sea. All great. I also read the Abby Jimenez books you listed and her latest on audio. I loved the narration.
I;m very excited for Lucy by the Sea!!
Her books seem to really shine on audio, don't they?!
Absolutely. I usually read and listen. It really enhances my reading experience.
I totally agree!!
I loved What You Are Looking for Is In the Library so much. What a weird little Japanese book and so heartwarming. All the stories resonated with me, especially the working mom and the retired guy.
Right!? They all resonated with me too, which was such a pleasant surprise! I loved the story about the guy who wanted to open an antiques shop too. The structure was very similar to The Kamogawa Food Detectives, which is another fave! Have you read that one yet? It's also a delight!
My husband loved that one last year after our trip to Kyoto. We have it on our list.
Oooo thats so fun!!
You're getting me tempted to try Elizabeth Strout!
👏👏 I like the sound of that! Haha I cannot be stopped!!
Oh William is such a gentle and beautiful book. It's a balm for the heart.
🥲 Have you read any others in Lucy's story? I'm excited to see where Lucy by the Sea goes!
I really want to try out the Elizabeth Strout books! They seem so wonderful. The only one I own is Olive Kitteridge. Would that be a good one to start with you think? My favorite from May was The Satisfaction Cafe by Kathy Wang I read an early copy and really enjoyed it.
Adding The Satisfaction Cafe to my list!!
I think you would ADORE Strout's books. I haven't gotten to Olive yet-- basically there are two main female characters that (I think...) some together by Tell me Everything and perhaps even in Olive again-- Lucy and Olive. Lucy has 4/5 books (My Name is Lucy Barton, Tell Me Everything, Oh William, and Lucy By the Sea-- then tell Me Everything). Olive has 2/3 books (Olive Kitteridge and Olive Again, then Tell Me Everything). There are also a few other books with connected characters. I think you can read them in any order but I started with Lucy and then plan to dip into Olive's two book before reading tell Me Everything. I also plan to read some of the less related books with connected characters (The Burgess Bows, Abide With Me and Amy and Isabell) beforehand too! There are many ways you could do it so I think starting with Olive is a great place to begin!
This is all so helpful. Thank you 🙌🏻💖
I just love Abby’s books!
Which is your fave?! I have some catching up to do, hehe!
I’ve read and loved them all but suggest going back to the very beginning so then you can read Happy Ever After Playlist. You have to read Friend Zone first because there are spoilers in HEAP.
🫡🫡 Roger that!!
I also recently read all the Elizabeth Strout books! Just finished the Olive Kitteridge series and am excited to rewatch the HBO miniseries.
Ah!!! So cozy! I will add that to my list, how fun!!
I listened to The Comfort of Crows this spring and really enjoyed it. I will definitely be adding it to my shelf to read in snippets and savor later on. And my neighborhood book club read How to Read a Book, which I also loved!