No.278: My Latest Reads // July

#41. THE MITFORD MURDERS by Jessica Fellowes
My Rating: ★★★☆☆

I would describe The Mitford Murders as a cozy mystery with a hint of Downton Abbey.  I thought it was about 100 pages too long, but if you like your mysteries as more of a slow burn, this is the book for you. (Also available at Book Outlet here.)

#42. MARY LINCOLN’S FLANNEL PAJAMAS AND OTHER STORIES FROM THE FIRST LADIES’ CLOSET by Feather Schwartz Foster
My Rating: ★★★★☆

Mary Lincoln’s Flannel Pajamas was a random library find, but I’m so glad I picked it up!  It’s filled with little stories centered around clothing worn by the First Ladies, from Martha Washington to Mamie Eisenhower.  I love reading about the personalities of these famous individuals, so this was right up my alley.  The perfect compliment to Upstairs at the White House.

#43. THE PERFECT NANNY by Leila Slimani
My Rating: ★★★☆☆

This is a suspense thriller that I’ve seen around the internet and was a little scared to read.  The story opens with the horrific description of two children killed by their nanny, then travels back in time to describe the events that led up to that day.  As far as readability, it was great and I flew through it in less than 24 hours.  But the book never explained the motive of the crime and I hated the ending.  Balancing out all of those conflicting feelings with three stars.  (Also available at Book Outlet here.)

#44. ENDER’S GAME by Orson Scott Card
My Rating: ★★☆☆☆

This was my 1985 pick for the 20th Century Book Challenge.  Science fiction is definitely leaving my comfort zone!  I wanted to like Ender’s Game – I really did – but I just could not get into it.  The book felt repetitive and I had a hard time visualizing all of the science fiction-y things.  It’s probably a great story if you’re into this kind of thing, but just okay for me.  (Also available at Book Outlet here.)

#45. GIRL FROM THE TREE HOUSE by Gudrun Frerichs
My Rating: ★★★☆☆

The woven cloth, no matter how large or how small, will withstand most threats.  I like the metaphor.  Weaving is symbolic of the parts of the Tribe coming together.  Each thread is distinguishable and beautiful, but together, they turn into a sensational piece of art, a strikingly beautiful symphony. (57%)

I wonder who among the hundreds of people rushing in and out of gates, hauling their luggage around, is suffering human tragedies and hardships, just like me.  There must be many, and yet, we are sailing past each other like ships in the night, going about our lives and putting a smile on our face, as if nothing is the matter. (94%)

Girl From the Tree House is a psychological thriller about a woman living with multiple personalities or Dissociative Identity Disorder.  It was fascinating.  While it’s a fictional account, you still really get a sense of what it feels like with so many voices vying for attention and control of the body.  I had a little trouble with the pacing, but otherwise it was a really good and interesting read.  (And thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.)

#46. FIVE LITTLE PIGS by Agatha Christie
My Rating: ★★★☆☆

I like the Hercule Poirot mysteries because they are so methodical – just the way my brain works!  Five Little Pigs was no exception.  This is my third Agatha Christie book and probably the one I liked the least, but still a solid three stars.  (This was also my 1943 pick for the 20th Century Book Challenge.)

#47. VALENCIA AND VALENTINE by Suzy Krause
My Rating: ★★★★☆

Maybe the simple act of being alive doesn’t seem all that important until it stops feeling involuntary and starts feeling like something you have to work at. She doesn’t just live anymore; she accomplishes living. After all, she could do something fantastic in the morning, but if she doesn’t live through the afternoon to tell anyone about it, the fantastic thing won’t matter at all. Better to live through the whole day, even if you don’t get much else done. So she gives herself a very tiny little bit of wiggle room and grace on the visiting and cleaning, but she is strict about the living and hasn’t yet missed a single day. (4%)


Looking back, I’m not sure what I found so distasteful about the idea of “just existing,” as though existing were not an incredible miracle in and of itself. Falling in love, swimming in hotel pools, jumping on trampolines, eating good food. When I was young, none of that was enough. What I wouldn’t give now to be able to jump on a trampoline without all my bones crashing together and disintegrating inside me like pieces of chalk. (24%)


Beauty is on a different plane than happy and sad or easy and hard; I’m sure you know that. A song can be sad and beautiful at the same time. Life too. (98%)

Valencia and Valentine is a book that was quirky and not at all what I expected, but I really liked it!  The chapters alternate between two characters: a lonely elderly woman and a soon-to-be 35 year old woman with crippling anxiety and OCD.  It’s a tricky book to explain and was at points sad, funny and even a little confusing.  3.5 stars rounded up.