What I’ve Been Reading

Between spending countless hours on the road and having a lot of free time at work, I got a lot of reading done in May. I read two books that I absolutely loved. They are both perfect reads for summer, whether you’re lounging poolside or sipping a cup of coffee on the patio.

Me Before You

I wanted to read this book before seeing the film adaption, because the trailers for the film make me so emotional! It is about a young woman who becomes a caretaker for a young quadriplegic man who lived a thrilling life before his accident. Her mission is to help him find happiness again. Naturally, they fall in love as time passes.

What I wasn’t expecting from this book was how dark it could turn. The move trailers make it seem like a live life to the fullest sort of story, which it certainly is; but the actual novel deals with some dark, controversial topics. It was a story that made me see different perspectives and gain a new understanding for people in the same situation as the male protagonist. The story didn’t end like you might expect it to, which I love in a good book.

Overall, I’d consider this a charming summer read, despite its topsy turvy mood.

The Bridges of Madison County

This book was a quick little read I picked up after falling in love with Jason Robert Brown’s musical, The Last Five Years (it’s on Netflix starring Anna Kendrick – check it out!). JRB also adapted Bridges into a musical, so I was interested in reading the story.

The novel explore an encounter between an Iowan farm wife and a world-traveling, philosophical photographer. The Robert is in town shooting for a piece on the bridges of Madison County Iowa, where he meets Francesca, whose husband and children are away at the state fair. They find themselves falling into a one-of-a-kind love affair that will become their heartbreaking secret, as they both realize that it cannot last.

What struck me most about this story of star-crossed lovers was the writing. It is reminiscent of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s descriptive and eye-opening way with words. It was lyrical and alluring. I found that, even though the story was not my typical cup of tea, I couldn’t help but want to keep reading just so that I could keep indulging in the book’s beautiful words.

It’s a quick love story that’s perfect for a lazy Sunday. If you love good writing, you’ll love this story.

 

I picked up a few more books for the month of June. Between all of my upcoming trips, I hope to have lots of spare time for page turning!

What have you been reading lately? Any recommendations?