This week was a mixed bag of reading, with three books from my to-be-read bookcase complete. I’m pleased that I finished two Book of the Month backlist books — both of which I enjoyed — but another book that I’ve carried around for more years than I’d like to admit was a major disappointment.

What I Read This Week

Here’s what I read for the week of July 24, 2023:

• Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro — I was so optimistic about this book, which was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2005, and considering that Mr. Ishiguro is a Nobel Prize winner. Maybe the audiobook didn’t work for me. Maybe I didn’t enjoy it because I knew the premise before I started. Either way, this dystopian science fiction novel rests solely in the “it’s done” category for me.
• The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys — Set in 1957 Madrid, this book tells the story of Daniel, an American, and Ana, a Spaniard, and how their lives intersect during one summer. The undercurrents of General Francisco Franco’s dictatorship and the remnants of the Spanish Civil War influence these teenagers’ gentle love story, with a heartbreaking result. I enjoyed learning about the 20th century history of Spain but didn’t connect with the multiple points of view that were meant to carry the story.
• Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling — This was an instance in which multiple points of view did work for me, as I loved this book. You can read my full review of this slow-paced, atmospheric novel that addresses environmental destruction, innovation gone wrong, and the impact of family and female empowerment here.

Did you have a good week of reading? Any books I should add to my TBR?