Now it's summer, and with vaccinations the world is opening up again and everything feels lighter and brighter.
Recently I wrote about light books that got me through the darkest days of winter; many of you responded with suggestions for books that helped you during that time, too.
I'm sharing some of those here, in your own words, but recasting them as light books for these lighter times. Thank you for your recommendations — so much good reading here.
Mary Larson, Moorhead, Minn. Some of the books that helped me during the pandemic were: the Bruno chief of police series by Martin Walker; "Chronicles of a Radical Hag (With Recipes)," by Lorna Landvik; "Anxious People" by Fredrik Backman, and "Evergreen Tidings From the Baumgartners," by Gretchen Anthony. I was pleased that Backman paraphrased one of my favorite Martin Luther quotes: "Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree."
Barry Rosenman, Minneapolis. Usually, I read gritty detective novels or noir fiction. Last fall I decided I needed some diversion and starting reading Carl Hiaasen. I enjoyed "Razor Girl," a tale of car accident insurance fraud linked to a TV reality show based on "Duck Dynasty."
Sister Kathy Trenda, New Prague, Minn. "The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek" by Kim Michele Richardson is a historical novel about a librarian who brings books to the people of the "hollers" of Kentucky during the Depression. Our book woman is one of the blue people of coal mining country; blue people had abnormal hemoglobin caused by a lack of oxygen, a disease called methemoglobinemia. She perseveres and triumphs and is loved because of her loving and kind nature. I cried when I finished this book.
Marilyn Reilly, Minnetonka. I have read so many wonderful books during the dark pandemic, but if you are looking for "light reads" I will recommend "Redhead by the Side of the Road." Written as only Anne Tyler can write.
Mark Storry, Monticello, Minn. "Thank You for the Giant Sea Tortoise; and Other Unforeseen Results of New York Magazine Competitions," edited by Mary Ann Madden. This is a collection of literary contests held by New York magazine back in the 1970s. Many of the entries make me laugh no matter how many times I read them.
Cheryl Joseph, Richfield. "The Twelve Dates of Christmas" by Jenny Bayliss. Loved it and shared it with others. Also, "The Deep, Deep Snow," by Brian Freeman. A really good police mystery whose main heroine is a strong young woman police detective — sensitively written by a man, and also sensitively addressing Alzheimer's. A great read!
Joanne Stohl, Dundas, Minn. "Miss Benson's Beetle," by Rachel Joyce was a breath of warm air during our COVID winter. I also read "Wintering: How I Learned to Flourish When Life Became Frozen," by Katherine May. Two very appropriate books for the darkest days of winter.
John Toren, Golden Valley. French novelist Jean Giono's "Blue Boy" fit the bill. The author was a child of Provence, and his novels are set in villages where life is hard and the neighbors can be brutal, but the environment sings with a Homeric majesty.
Patrick Bennett, Edina. Pandemic read: "A Gentleman in Moscow." Overcoming odds and challenges read: "The Boys in the Boat." Interesting/informative read: "In Pursuit of Disobedient Women." Another time another place read: "News of the World." Obscure paperback that everyone should read: "Suite Française," by Irene Nemirovsky.
Laurie Hertzel is the Star Tribune senior editor for books. E-mail: books@startribune.com
