I read some very interesting books in July. One was about a psychiatrist who prescribed cats instead of medicine. One was a historical fiction book about the heiress of the Post cereal fortune. I finished a true classic. I also read a second book this year about a woman who survives an attack at a colony near Boston somehow. Here’s what I read in July:
We’ll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida
We’ll Prescribe You a Cat was such a fun read. I grew up reading Japanese fairy tales when my family was stationed in Japan and this book has some nods to the Japanese mysticism. There are five short stories that all intertwine at the Clinic for the Soul. Each person is prescribed a cat to help him or her with the life problem going on – and the cats help, but often in unexpected ways.
The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis
The beginnings of Narnia are told in The Magician’s Nephew. I’ve been re-reading the Narnia series and there’s only one book left. It’s been great to reacquaint myself with this world. Two children meet up and explore the attic spaces of their building, falling into the boy’s uncle’s library. The uncle is dabbling in magic and tests his magic rings out on the children. The find the world between worlds and accidentally bring the White Witch back to England and then to Narnia in its early days. I won’t give it away, but the book explains the lamp post and the wardrobe.
The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer
Clover is a death doula, sitting beside people who will die soon to help them process what they’re going through. When she comes back to her apartment after each death, she records the person’s last thoughts in one of three notebooks – advice, regrets or confessions. However, having these at the forefront of her life does nothing to convince her to live in the present in her own life. However, new acquaintances start pushing her again to open up and she starts to even though she’d rather protect herself from getting hurt. The Collected Regrets of Clover is an interesting novel.
Stunned by Scripture by John Bergsma
Stunned by Scripture is a quick read, but it has great depth. The subtitle is “How the Bible Made Me Catholic.” He goes through Catholic beliefs that are often specifically targeted by non-Catholics and shows how they are Biblical. I like how he explains things very easily and shows how his own thinking changed over time.
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki
Marjorie Post is the daughter of the inventor of Grape Nuts, who goes on to build a food empire in America. However, her parents’ marriage is in shambles and she flees their turmoil to a marriage that is not a good match. Her wealth is paired with a great work ethic and a desire to try risky business moves. As she tries to find true love and happiness in her four marriages, she also seeks ways to help those in need around her. The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post is a fascinated historical fiction novel about a character I had never heard of before.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo
I bought a copy of The Hunchback of Notre Dame while I was in Paris at the Shakespeare & Co Bookstore last summer. I’ve been slowly reading it and enjoying seeing how it is so much different than the Disney movie story. I was captivated by the characters and how much Quasimodo is truly a caring person under his ugliness. The ending is so much different than I thought it would be but is very profound.
Charis in the World of Wonders by Marly Youmans
Charis is the lone survivor of an attack on her colony near Boston. She’s a teenager and while she flees with her younger sister, her sister is injured and dies the next day. She travels alone for days to find shelter and is taken in by a wonderful family. However, as she seeks to re-establish herself in society, she gains employment in a different town where people tend to be on the lookout for witches. An interesting story about fighting for truth and loyalty.
What good book have you read lately? Share in the comments!
