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Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
How can it already be the last day of July? The summer is just flying by! Every year I make a list of things that need to get accomplished over the summer. Nothing big, but things like have the trees trimmed, find someone to detail my car, etc. This year there were eight items on my list and I’ve only done two of them. Time to get serious! I blame my lack of accomplishment on books. The draw of a cozy seat on my porch, reading a book is just too strong!
Last Week’s Reads
The last couple of weeks have been a struggle when it’s come to books, and these two were no exception. For me, both books had a similar problem, but with different results: too many pieces to them. In Girl in Snow, a debut by Danya Kukafka, those unnecessary parts muddied the final solution, leaving me wondering, “Why?” My review of this one will be on Thursday. Things That Happened Before the Earthquake by Chiara Barzini also had a lot of moving parts. For much of the book that really bothered me, but by the end I thought all those parts fit together well for a satisfying ending. I’ll review Things That Happened Before the Earthquake closer to it’s publication date of 8/15/17.
Currently Reading
Feeling a little beaten up by my recent reading choices, I was trying to find a good audio version to escape with. I listened to several samples, but nothing was grabbing me. Then According to a Source by Abby Stern popped up on my Audible feed and I loved the narration by Therese Plummer, so decided to give it a try. This book is very light, pure chic lit, gossipy, Hollywood drama, romance, everything I don’t read. It’s perfect! I have thoroughly enjoyed escaping into this fun audio all week and am very nearly finished. I’m also enjoying Stay With Me by Ayabami Adebayo, the story of a Nigerian woman whose husband takes a second with when she can’t get pregnant. The voice of both main characters is strong and at about a quarter of the way through, I’m anxious to see where the story ends up.
Likely to Read Next
Of the four August 1st releases I had copies of, one was good, one only so-so, one I didn’t like at all, and the other I’m nervous about even starting. Instead, I may try another 8/1 release, Yesterday by Felicia Yap. The premise of this book sounds intriguing. A murder mystery in a world where all people are either monos of duos. Monos only have one day worth of memories and duos only have two. Interesting, right? Young Jane Young is by Gabrielle Zevin, the author of The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry. In this she gives the reader a young congressional intern who makes the huge mistake of having an affair with her boss, and then blogging about it. Taking the fall for what happened, Jane tries to pick up the pieces and start over in Maine.
I hope you have a great week of reading!
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I’d had my eye on Girl in Snow, so glad to hear your feedback. Sounds like I can skip it 🙂
And I’ve got Stay With Me (and Young Jane Young) coming up too. It’s been getting a lot of hype…hope it lives up to it!
Yes, I’d skip Girl in Snow! You must be so busy right now. I’m surprised you can read much at all.
I’ve had reading struggles as well Susie! I read 6 book samples on Saturday and nothing drew me in but the 7th finally did and it’s an older release…The Wife, The Maid and The mistress…and I’m really liking it so far. I need a new audiobook & According to a Source sounds perfect. I was denied on Netgalley for Yesterday but I’m at the top of my library hold list and can’t wait for that one. I also have Young Jane and looking forward to that. Hope you have a great reading week!!
It’s definitely been a tough month for connecting with books, but on to better things. According to a Source got a little sappy at the end, but I still really enjoyed it. I didn’t get an ARC of Yesterday either. By the time I went to request they’d reached their limit. I’ll buy it. (I’ve really got to get better about using the library!)
All of these books are new to me, but pure, gossipy chic lit sounds perfect for a lazy summer day!
I have According to a Source on my TBR and I’m really looking forward to it! It looks like a gossipy, light read!
That’s exactly what it is!
I have hit a stretch where every book I pick up has been good. I hope you hit a similar stretch soon. Things are gradually getting checked off my to-do list too but staining the new deck chairs is one that I’m not looking forward to and keep pushing off. Come see my week here. Have a great week!
Lucky you! I hope I find that reading groove again soon.
Stay with Me is on my list as well as Earthquake. Hope they click with me.
I’ll be really interested to hear what you think of Earthquake.
I’m adding Things that Happened Before the Earthquake to my wishlist. The old place is nearly ready. Meanwhile, we’re happily settled in our temporary apartment. Come see what I’m reading
I think you are in good company here! I wake up many mornings thinking “I really should have done that last night, but I just wanted to finish my book!”
I’m taking Young Jane Young with me on my trip this week. I hope it’s a great read for both of us!
Thanks for stopping by Lindsey. Have a great trip. Looking forward to hearing some thoughts on Young Jane Young.
Young Jane Young definitely sounds like my kind of book.
Susie, I’m about 65% of the way through Yesterday; I don’t know what to say! I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’m just going to hold all thoughts right now – ha! I totally forgot about Young Jane Young; thanks so much for the reminder!
I’m looking forward to Young Jane Young. I really loved The Stories Life of A.J. Fikry and have been waiting for a new book from Zevin.
I hope it lives up to the hype!
Between you and Sarah my TBR for August is being whittled down fast! Except that I now want to read Young Jane Young!
I’m going to pass on Girl in Snow but give Stay With Me a try. First, though, I have Tom Perrotta’s new book- which I am desperately hoping will be good.
I’ve never read anything by Perrotta, so let me know how the new book turns out. (Good call on Girl in Snow! I have a review posting tomorrow.)