My Week in Books (x2) 1/11/21 | More

It’s difficult to even know what to say about the insurrection on the capital last week. I wish I was shocked, but on some level I wasn’t. We’ve been in a deep downward spiral for a long, long time. It’s terrifying and shameful. As much as I have hope that the new administration will be able to bring change, it’s hard not to be worried. They have a big job to do and a huge faction of people who want to make sure they fail. It’s worrisome. The two thing I’d wish for the U.S. right now are that we could return to confidence in our leaders, and pride in our country. We don’t all need to agree, but we do all need to agree to work together peacefully and find paths toward compromise. But, can we?

My 2021 reading continues to be excellent with three more books finished, all in the “really liked” column! I did have my first DNF of the year which I’ll talk about below. I have some upcoming books, I’m truly excited to read, so life looks good on the reading front. Honestly, life would be so much harder right now without books to get lost in!

Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date

Last 2 Weeks’ Reads

• Faye, Faraway by Helen Fisher (1/26) involves time travel, so I was nervous about it. I needn’t have worried. While the time travel itself was a little out there, I liked the heart of the story about a woman who stumbles upon a way to go back in time and know the mother she lost as a young child. Review later this month.
• A young Arab couple living in the U.S. divorce, he returns to home; she stays in the U.S. with their daughter, Hanadi; visitations happen regularly. Then, mother and daughter vanish. Bride of the Sea by debut author Eman Quotah (1/26) is this story, but even more the impact of it all on Hanadi. Review on Thursday.
• The print ARC of Dark Horses by Susan Mihalic (2/16) came with a cover on top of the real cover with warnings about the difficult content of this debut. The publisher was right to warn because it is a disturbing story in the vein of My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell. All that said, I really liked this dark, dark coming-of-age story. Review next month.

Tried, but Didn’t Finish

• I first tried The Prophets by Robert Jones, Jr. on audio and after a few chapters of enjoying the story, I began to feel really confused about the different characters. I thought it might work better in print. Then I got a library copy and started over. That didn’t work for me either. My mind just isn’t in a place for something quite so abstract right now.

Currently Reading

• Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour (1/5) has had a lot of positive buzz around it, so I was happy to receive a copy on audio, I have a little over two hours left and It’s been interesting. I loved it at first, but then began to feel like it was a little too much, but now am curious to see where it ends up. Stay tuned!
• Sometimes you find a book that personally resonates with you and that is Landslide by Susan Conley (2/2) for me. It’s the story of the mother of two teenage sons with a marriage in a precarious situation. With only 12% left, everything about it is working for me.

Likely to Read Next

• I’ve heard some mixed reviews of This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith (2/2), but I’m going to give it a try for myself. It’s the story of a recently divorced therapist and the man she saves from jumping off a bridge. Hopefully, it explores the two characters without devolving into an unlikely romance.
• I’m very much looking forward to reading Nancy Johnson’s debut, The Kindest Lie (2/2). From the publisher: “The Kindest Lie captures the heartbreaking divide between Black and white communities and offers both an unflinching view of motherhood in contemporary America and the never-ending quest to achieve the American Dream.”

I hope you have a great week in books!