August Reads

2024

Elevation by Stephen King

Just After Sunset by Stephen King

Billy Summers by Stephen King

Black House by Stephen King and Peter Straub

Elevation is a short one by King, new to me. I read it in a couple of hours, torn between needing to see what happened and not wanting to finish it. It’s not horror, but gentle whimsy. When I finished it, I was awed (as usual) by his fertile imagination, a little sad, and inspired by the potential of human beings. It was a library book; I’ll return it and go on to the next ones.

Just After Sunset is a book of short stories, all new to me. In the back King has written notes on each, a habit of his I love.

I never met an assassin I liked so well as Billy Summers. This one, also a new read for me, is a thriller. It’s not the kind of story I usually pick up, but I freely admit I couldn’t put it down. I put it in my departure/landing zone by the front door so I would remember to get it in the car to return it; the next thing I knew my partner had taken it and he couldn’t put it down! I don’t need my own copy of this one, but it’s a spectacular read.

I admit to a prejudice against collaborative novels. So often they disappoint. I made an exception for Black House. It turns out to be the second of two connected novels by King and Straub. The first is The Talisman, which I haven’t read yet. Black House was entertaining and compelling. One of my favorite things about it was a double ending, a quirk of King’s I’ve always enjoyed. Much of King’s work is subtly connected; this one overlaps with The Tower series, which I’ve read and reread for years. I’m not familiar with Straub’s work, but I certainly recognized King’s unique voice and skill as I read.

Photo by Syd Wachs on Unsplash

Shadow of the Moon by M.M. Kaye

My second favorite by Kaye, after The Far Pavilions. I’ve been reading it since I was a teenager. This is my second or third copy, still in good shape. It was a bedtime read. I’ll keep this one to the end of my life.

Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver

Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

In between trips to the library for King, I’m rereading Kingsolver. I’ve also missed several of her books, including Demon Copperhead, which I’ll check out from the library. Prodigal Summer is a reread, a book I’ve owned for some years. It reminds me of Nevada Barr’s Anna Pigeon books. A beautiful book about human beings and nature. It will stay on my shelf and I’ll be adding to my collection by this author.

(I have no idea how I’m going to find space on my shelves for several more King and Kingsolver books, but I’ll find a way!)

Pigs in Heaven is one of Kingsolver’s earlier books. It’s charming; I’ve had it on my shelf for several years and read it two or three times. I don’t need to read it again, so I passed this one on. It was a bedtime reread.

My first exposure to The Poisonwood Bible was on audio; it’s a wonderful production. I like the audio book better than reading the hard copy, which is unusual for me. The book is rich with the language of the Congo, and I love the sound of the language. The story is told through the point of view of a mother and four daughters, each with her own distinctive voice, and the audio version brings them vividly to life. This time I’m rereading my hard copy at bedtime; the audio book will consume me for hours and I have other things I want to do. A physical book is easier for me to pick up and put down. This is a powerful read, my favorite of what I’ve read by Kingsolver. It’s a keeper.

Substack

Elisabeth Rhoads

is serializing a novel called Haggard House I’m thoroughly enjoying. She’s a new discovery; I read the first post of her novel and was hooked, so subscribed.

Carmine Hazelwood at

A dryad's tale

is another delightful discovery. She has accomplished in her garden what I am working toward and joins the ranks of nature writers who keep my feet on the earth, my wonder and gratitude for this beautiful planet alive, and help me remember we are not alone in our love and reverence for the natural world, even if the neighbors think we’re growing weeds!

Liz Zimmers at

The Palace of Night

writes fantastic dark stories. One of her recent offerings, “Farewell to the Flesh”, is stunning. If you like this genre, she’s one of the best I’ve found on Substack.

My newest discovery is

Catch & Release

by Ben Wakeman. He’s serializing a novel titled Departure. He has just lost a beloved dog; the post made me weep. He’s created a beautiful publication and I’m still nosing around and catching up on Departure. Great writing and storytelling. Lots to explore.