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Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
Sadly, this horrific day in American history comes just as many citizens are facing what has been an incredibly devastating week. Much of Texas is just beginning to clean up from Hurricane Harvey, millions of acres in the west are burning, and now Hurricane Irma is ravaging Florida. Everything else seems a little frivolous in the face of such devastation. My heart goes out to everyone affected by this trifecta of natural disasters. We need some calm.
My reading has had some calm. Too much calm because I have done very, very little reading in the last week. The first few weeks of school are always tough and I find my mind going in dozens of different places at a time. Needless to say, that isn’t very conducive to any sustained reading. In the evenings when I would usually get some good reading in, I’ve been more drawn to the mindlessness of binge watching Showtime’s The Affair. I’m confident I’ll be in a better place for reading soon, but suspect it may take another week or two.
Last Week’s Read
The only book I finished last week was the audio version of The Burning Girl by Claire Messud. I found this coming-of-age story about one teenage girl’s obsession with her childhood friend, a really unique take on a common theme. The narration by Morgan Hallett was wonderful. I’ll be reviewing The Burning Girl soon.
Currently Reading
I’m really enjoying Eleanor Henderson’s new novel, The Twelve-Mile Straight, but I wish I had waited to start it. This is a serious book that takes some concentration and I’m just not in the best frame-of-mind for it right now. None-the-less, every time I pick it up, I’m glad I did. I have 35% to go and hope to wrap it up in a few more days. I’m listening to Kelly Grey Carlisle’s memoir, We Are All Shipwrecks and like it, but can’t figure out where it’s going. Billed as a daughter’s redemption for her murdered mother, at about 20% of the way in, I’ve yet to hear anything headed in that direction. Narrator Andrea Gallo is easy to listen to, so for now I’ll keep going.
Likely to Read Next
Yes, I’ve talked about books in this area for the last two weeks that I still haven’t touched. And yes, I have three unread ARC’s that come out on the 19th, but I want to read Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. So instead, I plan to put We Are All Shipwrecks temporarily to the side and pick up the audio version of Ng’s new book first thing Tuesday morning. I can hardly wait for that drive to work!
One More Thing…
On the insistence of my back, the advice of both my chiropractor and physical therapist daughter-in-law, and the personal experience of my son, I ordered an inexpensive G-Pack Pro Standing Desk. I love it! Initially I wasn’t sure where to put this table top version. It easily fit on my large office desk, but I felt odd standing there facing a wall. Luckily it’s nothing to move from place to place, and I settled on the dining room, for now. The light is good and the view out the window is nice. It’s not going to fix my back, but it’s a piece of the puzzle. Has anyone else tried a standing desk?
Love your standing desk!! Might have to consider that for myself. I’m seeing a new physical therapist today, so we’ll see 🙂
And I’m about 35% through Twelve Mile Straight and just really want some uninterrupted reading time. I’m in the same mental space as you are on that.
And – how much do you love The Affair?!! How far into it are you? I loved Seasons 1 and 2, but Season 3 jumped the shark a bit.
I feel so bad that I haven’t given Twelve Mile Straight my best. I’ve been so scattered the whole time I’ve been reading it. I really like it, but feel like I’ve missed things. Ah, well.
I’m 3 episodes into the second season of The Affair. My “binge” watching is also going slowly, but I really like it so far.
Hope your week allows for more reading this week Susie! I bet the beginning of the year is crazy for teachers. You’ll have to let me know how the audio is for Little Fires, I was debating about getting that one or The Child Finder. I have many ARCS that need reading but those 2 books which I don’t have seem to be calling me:) The Affair is so worth binging! Have a great week!
I know how you feel. Right now I’m much more interested in books I didn’t get ARCs for than the ones I did. Take care!
I’ve been curious about standing desks — actually, I’ve been thinking of a treadmill desk. Good luck with yours.
Some weeks are harder than others. This past one with the weather and fires has me watching the weather channel more than reading. Add in starting a new school year and I can understand your distraction. I’m enjoying my retirement even more as I see what my teacher colleagues are doing. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
Teaching is definitely much different today than when I started, but I still have a bit before I can retire. I’d love to be able to devote myself more fully to books!
My daughter is contemplating a standing desk for work. I’ve had a makeshift one for years.
So far, it’s been great for my back and you’re supposed to burn more calories standing, so that can’t hurt.
I am so excited to read Little Fires Everywhere! I wasn’t lucky enough to get an arc, so I have to wait like the rest of the world. But I look forward to reading your thoughts on it!
That standing desk is such a great idea. When I was at work, and not a stay at home mum, we all had standing desks in our office and they were amazing!
Come check out what I am reading HERE
I didn’t get an ARC of little Fires either. That’s part of the reason I’m going with the audio as soon as it’s released.
Thanks for stopping by.
Your audiobooks are both on my wishlist. Come see what I’m reading
Ihope you’re able to get to them soon. Have a lovely week, Sarah.
I loved the Affair! We binge watch all the Showtime shows and are onto Billions now- Ray Donovan was another good one~ The Celeste Ng book is on my list of course, but there are many more ahead of it, but the Burning Girl sounds like a great audio- love good recs for that!
Audios have really helped me to get through more books this year.