Summer reading

I've been doing lots of reading this summer but not very much writing!

Some of the better books I've read include Half Broke Horses, The Glass Castle and The Silver Star by Jeanette Walls. You know how you read something by an author you've never heard of and you just fall in love with their writing? That's exactly what happened to me with Jeanette Walls.

Half Broke Horses is a true-life novel based on the author's grandmother. The Glass Castle is a memoir detailing the joys and struggles of the author's own childhood. My only regret is reading the books in the wrong order. I started with The Glass Castle when it was recommended and lent to me by my mother. It wasn't until later that I learned it was the author's second book and that I should have started with Half Broke Horses. If I had, I think I would have understood the character of Walls mother better in The Glass Castle.

 The Silver Star is Walls' most recently published book. Since it's fiction, this book could be read first or last. I happened to read it last. Despite quite a few negative reviews, I enjoyed the book and recommend it. Although the story line is fictional, I could definitely feel the influence of Walls' childhood experiences in several of the characters.

Next up on my reading list is the If I Stay series by Gayle Forman. The movie came out in theater recently and as most of you know I love reading a book and then comparing it to the movie. Have you read the book or watched the movie yet? Tell me what you thought!