Lots of Summer Book Leaguers are writing reviews of the books they’re reading. This is just a small selection of some of the reviews. Many of these books are available to be checked out from the Loyola Libraries!
Nancy Merz of Financial Aid reviews The King and Miss Clark by Rebecca Cooper Thumann
If you enjoy books by Jane Austen or Charlotte Bronte, then you will enjoy this novel. My summer reading is always light, and this young author does a great job with easy to read, but difficult to put down, stories. It is easy to fall in love with Agnes Clark, her bodyguard Abel and, of course, the King.
Amy Shuffelton of the School of Education reviews Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Cudahy Main Stacks, Call Number: PS3613 .I553 S65 2011
Fabulous read! I am a sucker for novels based on Greek mythology, so of course I liked it, but even someone who did not hunt down novels based on the Iliad would enjoy this book. It tells the love story of Achilles and Patroclus from the perspective of Patroclus and fills in other stories too — that of Briseis, especially. Besides the beauty of the prose and the power of the story, I appreciated its sensitivity to aspects of the story (what did it feel like to love a killer like Achilles? how did Thetis the sea nymph feel about carrying Peleus’s son?) that a modern reader might wonder about. Strongly recommend this novel.
Miranda Johnson of the School of Law reviews Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo
Cudahy Popular Reading Collection (1st floor) Call Number: HV4140 .M86 B66 2012
At times painful to read, this book provides a powerful account of the lives of some of the world’s poorest people and the ingenuity, corruption, crime and misery that comes from such circumstances. The book juxtaposes the severe poverty in India’s slums with the opulence of the rising middle- and upper-classes in the country.
Anita Thomas of the School of Education reviews Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri
Cudahy Main Stacks, Call Number: PS3562 .A316 U53 2008
This is a collection of eight short stories, most of which include the differences across generations in adjusting to life in America from life in India and England. Each of the stories grips the reader with richness of character and the psychological issues faced by each character as they struggle with tradition and change.
Will Kent of the University Libraries reviews Monsieur Pain by Roberto Bolaño
Cudahy Main Stacks, Call Number: PQ8098.12 .O38 M6613 2010
What makes a doctor good? What makes a person good? Wander the streets with Dr. Pain. Sneak into his thoughts, his setbacks, and his insecurities. Bolaño never fails at creating compelling characters set just-so in their scenes.
Submitting a Book Review gets you an automatic 50 pages added to your total page count!
You can join the Book league at any time.
If you have any questions about the Summer Book League or this post please email Sarah Meisch at smeisch1@luc.edu
