The summer I turned into a bookworm

Published in 1925, 'Mrs. Dalloway' by Virginia Woolf explores the lives of its characters over a single day in post-World War I London. The novel centers around Clarissa Dalloway, an upper-class housewife, as she prepares to host a party. Her day is punctuated by a visit from Peter Walsh, an old suitor, and her reflections on her past choices. The narrative also follows Septimus Warren Smith, a veteran struggling with shell shock and mental illness, whose story parallels and contrasts with Clarissa's. The novel delves into themes of time, identity, social class, and the psychological impacts of war. Woolf's stream-of-consciousness style provides a deep insight into the characters' inner lives, highlighting the complexities of human experience and the societal norms of the time.

Published in 1878, 'Anna Karenina' is a novel by Leo Tolstoy that delves into the complexities of Russian society in the late 19th century. The story centers around the extramarital affair between Anna Karenina, a married socialite, and Count Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky, which scandalizes the social circles of Saint Petersburg. The novel also follows the parallel story of Konstantin Levin, a wealthy landowner, and his struggles with marriage, faith, and managing his estate. Tolstoy explores a wide range of themes including love, loyalty, betrayal, hypocrisy, and the differences between rural and urban life. The novel is known for its detailed character development and its profound commentary on the human condition.

In 'One Summer: America, 1927', Bill Bryson chronicles the significant events of the summer of 1927 in the United States. The book covers a range of topics including Charles Lindbergh's nonstop transatlantic flight, the Great Mississippi Flood, Babe Ruth's record-breaking baseball season, the transition from the Ford Model T to the Model A, the execution of Sacco and Vanzetti, and the advent of talking pictures with 'The Jazz Singer'. Bryson also explores the contrast between the Roaring Twenties and the looming Great Depression, providing a vivid and humorous narrative of daily life and popular culture during that pivotal summer.