My August Reads 2024
Wild life regeneration and an animal hospice in Scotland, crime in Venice, a beloved novel series from my youth re-read - and a genre I don't normally read
August was a very interesting reading month as I read a wide variety of books and genres. I followed a marvellous recommendation (Thank you
!), had some good finds (fiction and non-fiction) at my local library and re-read a beloved novel series from my youth.Non-fiction books
Regeneration - The Rescue of a Wild Land, Andrew Painting
I started this month with a wonderful nature book.
It is the story of the successful rescue of a wild land, Mar Lodge Estate in the highlands of Scotland. The book covers the varied habitats like woodlands, subarctic mountains, bogs, moors, lochs, with accounts of the special creatures that live there. It tells of the people who are trying to protect the land, but also of the tensions that have arisen between disparate interests.
Although it got a little too much into detail sometimes for a non-biologist like me, I found the book deeply fascinating and interesting on so many levels. I also really liked the writing style, which was sometimes surprisingly funny.
I came across that title through a recommendation by
as a guest curator for Adventurous Ink. (If you are as interested as I am in adventure/travel/nature books, maybe you’d like to take a look at them. I added quite some books of their selection to my reading list.)No Life Too Small: Love and loss at the world’s first animal hospice, Alexis Fleming
By a coincidence also my second read in August was a Scotland based book. (Maybe there’s a pattern emerging? I keep you posted.)
It’s a very moving and inspiring story of a remarkable young woman, who although suffering from severe chronical illnesses and living in mental and physical despair, found the courage and the power to help animals in need by starting an animal hospice.
The story is heart-breaking sometimes and some episodes were hard to bear as a very sensitive person. I had to take breaks while reading the book.
But it was so worth reading it, because it’s foremost a story of kindness, caring, love, friendship and the bond between animals and humans. It’s also a hopeful book. As long as there are people out there who care that much about vulnerable beings in need, well, not all is lost, right?
Fiction books
A Refiner’s Fire, Donna Leon
With summer there’s each year the new crime novel of Donna Leon to look forward to. This year sees the 33 (yes, thirty-third!) installment of her Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery series. I’ve read them all and more than once. They are the perfect fit for me.
The stories evolve quietly and slowly and they are deeply layered. I love the atmosphere, the Italian terms sprinkled in and the fine desriptions of the meals Brunetti is having (mouthwatering, really!). I’ve never been to Venice, but I’ve learned the Italian language for two years (and I also adore Italian food).
The compelling characters and their relationships play a huge part in every installment, sometimes more than the mystery itself. I love it though. It’s like meeting friends every summer for decades.
The books are subtle, sophisticated, full of allusions and deal with current political and social issues. Perfect, right up my alley.
Anyone else a fan of the series?
The Unhoneymooners, Christina Lauren
After several books that weighed a bit heavily on the soul, I needed something lighter.
I’m usually not one for reading romances, but I stumbled across that beautiful looking book while browsing at the library and it turned out to be the perfect summer read. Light, funny, with loveable characters.
I finished it within two days and really had a good time with it.
Books for children and teens
Reiterhof Dreililien, Ursula Isbel
I also re-read a beloved 10-volume novel series from my youth.
The series takes place on a stud farm and small riding centre in a lovely, peaceful valley in Southern Germany.
These books are all about the love for horses (and other animals), environmental and nature protection and an alternative way of living (including organic food, going vegetarian / vegan). Quite progressive for the early and mid 1980s.
When I re-read the series, I realised how much it had influenced me - or, the other way round, how much it always matched my values and what I was looking for in life. This series shows a slow and quiet, meaningful life surrounded by nature, animals and a small group of close friends and family.
Is anyone else re-reading beloved novel series from one’s youth from time to time? Which one would you recommend?
I’m looking forward to September and new reading adventures!