Some Light Reads

After reading Beartown I decided I was ready for some lighter reads.. 


The Love Story of Missy Carmichael by Beth Morrey

Synopsis - The world has changed around Missy Carmichael. At seventy-nine, she's estranged from her daughter, her son and only grandson live across the world in Australia, and her great love is gone. Missy spends her days with a sip of sherry, scrubbing the kitchen in her big empty house and reliving her past--though it's her mistakes, and secrets, that she allows to shine brightest. The last thing Missy expects is for two perfect strangers and one spirited dog to break through her prickly exterior and show Missy just how much love she still has to give.

Thoughts - I have read a few books with a similar premise.. a person, alone, closed off to life makes an unlikely friendship and then they learn how much better their life can be by letting people in. It was a sweet book but that was about it. I didn't love the character of Missy herself, I didn't believe that the relationship she had with her husband was really love. He wasn't a great husband, they both weren't great parents.. I just didn't feel this one.


Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein

Synopsis - The past seven years have been hard on Avery Abrams: After training her entire life to make the Olympic gymnastics team, a disastrous performance ended her athletic career for good. Her best friend and teammate, Jasmine, went on to become an Olympic champion, then committed the ultimate betrayal by marrying their emotionally abusive coach, Dimitri.
Now, reeling from a breakup with her football star boyfriend, Avery returns to her Massachusetts hometown, where new coach Ryan asks her to help him train a promising young gymnast with Olympic aspirations. Despite her misgivings and worries about the memories it will evoke, Avery agrees. Back in the gym, she’s surprised to find sparks flying with Ryan. But when a shocking scandal in the gymnastics world breaks, it has shattering effects not only for the sport but also for Avery and her old friend Jasmine.

Thoughts - Just like almost every other person, I have watched a bit of gymnastics during the Olympics and that is about it. The book offered a glimpse into a world of gymnastics before the Olympics... kids putting everything on hold to achieve their dream of being an Olympian. The toll their minds and bodies take.. and what if you don't make it? This was a light read.. so all these very serious topics were very breezily touched upon. Doctors taking advantage of these young girls was also brought up and then very quickly pushed aside. And that was my problem. If you are writing a book about the toxic culture of gymnastics then talk about it.. make us uncomfortable enough to care. But Head Over Heels chose to play it safe and focus more on the romance of the two coaches. So while it ticked the light read box it also made very little impact on me. 

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Comments

  1. I need some light reading right now. Thanks for your synopsis!

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  2. Both of these books sound good!

    Jennifer
    Curated by Jennifer

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  3. I just finished Michelle Obama's autobiography 'Becoming' (and it was excellent!) and now I'm in the mood for lighter easier reading books. I have many in progress but it doesn't hurt to add more to the list.

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  4. Summer is the perfect time for fluffy reading!

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  5. Sorry neither of these were wonderful for you, despite being light reads. I do like the cover on the top one. :)

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  6. Sometimes, the only books that will do are those providing some light reading. I'm currently reading Maeve Binchy, which is a breath of fresh air amid all the current doom and gloom. A bit of pure escapism! xxx

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  7. I think we all need light reading these days -- the world is too heavy. I just posted four that I read this summer that boosted my spirits. And they were short, too!

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  8. Your last book sounds like The Oystervill Sewing Club which touched lightly upon abuse.

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  9. I've been watching and reading the North and South series by John Jakes.

    Don't you just hate it when a movie doesn't stay true to the book?

    Happy Tuesday, Hena!

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  10. Thank you do much for your review!

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  11. I believe that women who read so many books like u will be very intelligent and subtle, and you are beautiful in your own way, not just about appearance!

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  12. I don't know - that first one sounded kind of good to me! lol

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  13. Beartown was so good! But I need a light read now after a couple of harder ones.

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  14. i think i have mentioned that i am not a reader, i guess you could say i am a want-to-be reader. i enjoyed reading about these 2 books and based on the synopsis, they sounded like they might be good. too bad you did not really enjoy them!!

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  15. Thank you.
    I appreciate your reviews but don't think either are for me.
    I like light reading, but skimming over dark issues bothers me.

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  16. Thanks for the honest reviews, Hena. That second one did sound interesting because the writer used the gymnastics thing as a background, which have always intrigued me (bur now also horrifies me after the whole abuse thing came out:(

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  17. I was considering reading Head Over Heels. Not surprised it focused on the romance. Thanks for your honesty!

    www.rdsobsessions.com

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  18. The last book I read was really good but also a little heavy so a light read would be great right now. Thanks for sharing your reviews on these.

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  19. While neither wowed you, they both look like easy, light reads.

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  20. I haven't heard of these, but I need to check them out. I love lighter reads in the summer!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

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  21. That's too bad about Head over Heels because that could have been so interesting. I used to be a gymnast and would have really enjoyed something more in depth.
    XOXO
    Jodie

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  22. Interesting, especially Head Over Heels! I need to like at least one character to enjoy a book so if they aren't well developed or likable I normally end up putting it down. Glad to know that about The Love Story of Missy Carmichael!

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  23. I almost selected Head Over Heels as my July Book of the Month, but I'm kind of glad I didn't now. It sounds good but I think I'll just check it out of my library instead.

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  24. Thanks for sharing these books!

    https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

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  25. Light reads are good with everything going on in life. Thank you for the recommendation.

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  26. I love watching gymnastics and it's too bad about Head Over Heels. It sounds like it could have been really interesting. Thanks for sharing your honest reviews!

    Jill - Doused in Pink

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  27. Head over heels sounds amazing!

    lots of love, Miri
    www.meetmiri.com

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  28. It's a shame you didn't enjoy both the books but I hope you have better luck with the next books you pick to read! I think light books are a good distraction now and then, but it's a shame if you don't enjoy them!

    Hope that your week is going well :)

    Away From Blue

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  29. Thank you for sharing these! Reading can definitely keep us hanging in there while this goes on.

    Lindifique

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  30. Aw, such a bummer these weren't better- I do love a lighter summer read, too!

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

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  31. The story of Missy Carmichael's Love book that tells later we will all experience it if we are given a long life.
    Books that I think are worth reading.

    Greetings from Indonesia.

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  32. Thank you for the review. I need light reads.

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  33. It's nice that you found some books to read during this stay at home time. I really miss reading a good book. Will have to do that soon.

    ~Sheri

    *thank you for your prayer for peace with my neighbor situation. : )

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