Yup, reading is still slow. But hey, I at least finished one book in June (and already started another!) and maybe that’s a sign that I can at least establish some sort of regularity in my reading again, even though I might not meet my goals of previous years when I flew threw multiple books per month. I am ok with this. It’s not a competition, it should be fun.
Maud’s Line by Margaret Verble (★★★★☆)
It took me a while to get into this book and the first half definitely took me much longer than the second half. I blame it partly (or hugely!) on the fact that my reading has been slow in general and that I chose to do other things over picking up a book, because by no means was this book not fascinating.
I like ‘historical’ novels that tell stories about times past. I love me a good coming-of-age story with a determined heroine. This book tells the story of eighteen-year-old Maud, who lives with her father and brother on one of the allotments parceled out by the U.S. Government to the Cherokees when their land was confiscated for Oklahoma’s statehood. Her mother died when she was young, her sisters have married and moved away and she was left to “take care” of her men, the home, and the animals. There is no indoor plumbing, no luxuries of any kind. She has family nearby that she can rely on, but often feels lonely and dreams of a better life away in the city. Her chance to escape comes in the form of a peddler that happens to ride down her section line.
I thought Maud and her story was authentic, even though I did want to shake some sense into her a few times. I did understand her longing for a better life, to escape the harsh conditions she grew up in. The longing to be different and to be taken away from a life that often involved violence and tragedy. The ending was a bit abrupt for my taste, but then again, not unrealistic, I suppose.
What did you read in June? Anything you’d like to recommend? Leave a comment, and then add me on Goodreads to keep in touch.
ShootingStarsMag
July 6, 2019 at 11:18 amOne is better than none, right? And it’s true – you want reading to be fun! I’m glad you liked this one.
-Lauren
Lisa of LIsa's Yarns
July 8, 2019 at 7:21 amI haven’t heard of this book but it sounds super interesting! Some seasons are quieter for reading. I’ve been reading a ton this year but it’s something I can easily fit into my schedule and that is not the case for other hobbies. So I figure this is the season of life when I will read more and some day I will be in a season of life where I can run more. There are always trade offs – saying yes to something means saying no to something else. So right now you are saying yes to something besides reading which is totally ok!
theinbetweenismine.com
July 10, 2019 at 5:20 pmThank you, I absolutely needed to hear that.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
July 9, 2019 at 1:19 pmI had a dry spell concerning reading early on this year. June was my best month though and I finished 8 books. I am on a roll currently but I know it will die down again. My favorite last month and for now this year was “Daughters of the Dragon” about Korean Woman during WWII. Sad, horrifying and at the same time so strong and courageous.
Charlotte
July 12, 2019 at 5:45 amIt actually does sound like a book I’d be interested in; I love a good historical novel. I’d probably want to shake some sense into her, too, but I also can’t imagine living that way, and hoping some prince charming will come to my neck of the woods to save me. That said, I’m with you on reading more for FUN! I kind of stopped doing that, and I miss it so much. I’m also the world’s slowest reader, but I’ve learned that I’d rather sit with a book and digest it than speed through to the next one.