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Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
Can you believe it’s already the middle of November? I feel like the holiday craziness is about to explode! I’m trying to get ready for it, but can you ever truly be ready? My family has several December birthdays, so that adds another layer to the mix. During the holidays I may have less time for reading, but the need to escape with a great book is at its height. After Nonfiction November, I’m hoping to go back and pick up a few novels I’ve missed in 2017. Any suggestion?
Last Week’s Reads
I finished Sarah Perry’s memoir After the Eclipse early last week. Hers was a heartbreaking account of her decades long search to understand her mother, her mother’s murder, and herself. It was definitely a tribute the mother she lost at only 12-years old. I’ll be reviewing After the Eclipse next week. I was poking around on Amazon and noticed Wonder Valley by Ivy Pochoda on their Best Books of November list. This was a book I’d not even heard of, but it had some of my strongest book lures: a California setting, a large cast of characters, and told from multiple perspectives. I read the sample and was hooked! Its review will be coming soon.
Currently Reading
I tried listening to Sisters First by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush, but to be honest I just couldn’t take half of the narration. Jenna was fine, but Barbara just wasn’t a natural and it grated on me. I liked the content, so it may be a book I try in print sometime. From there I moved to the audio version of At Home in the World by Tsh Oxenreider and I’m thoroughly enjoying traveling around the world with Tsh, her husband and their three kids (9, 6, and 4). The family’s sense of adventure and willingness to take things as they come have me wishing we’d done more international travel when my own kids were young. (I first saw this book on The Friday Friends blog as part of week 1 in Nonfiction November.) I was really curious about Heather, the Totality by Matthew Weiner, but wasn’t willing to pay full price for a book that’s only 144 pages! Instead I put in a quick request for an ARC and it came through the next day. I’m about a third of the way through Weiner’s debut and at this point I’m interested and curious, but still not sure.
Likely to Read Next
Future Home of the Living God by Louise Erdrich has appeared in this spot several times, but this week I’m REALLY going to start it. I had such great luck with Naomi Alderman’s dystopian novel, The Power, and I’m excited to try another one. (My review of The Power will be on Thursday and you won’t want to miss it!) I saw that Karen at Reading & Eating was reading The Book of Separation, a memoir by Tova Mirvis, so I took a look. The synopsis has me intrigued and think I’ll make The Book of Separation my next audiobook. In it the author tells of her decision to leave her Orthodox Jewish faith and her husband.
I hope you have a great week in books!
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I should put the Erdrich on my list; I’m really curious about it and The Book of Separation sounds very interesting, as well! I requested a copy of Heather but I think I was denied? It was earlier in the year; I need to check again! Hope you have a great start to the week, Susie!
Thanks, Tara. Heather wasn’t very good, so I wouldn’t worry about missing it!
I DNF’d the Bush twins book too. I kept getting hung up on who was talking…they don’t sound different enough to me to figure it out without really concentrating and there was no warning when they switched narrators.
And will be very interested to hear what you think of Heather, The Totality. I’ve heard some very controversial things about it.
My thoughts on Heather? Ugh! It’s my second novella this fall and I thought they were both very weak.
Hmm, I want to try Sisters First, but think I’ll opt for print. Thanks for the warning. At Home in the World is on my audio wish list, too… have seen it on several posts this month.
I’ve really enjoyed At Home. The author narrates well and I just like her way of sharing their year on the road.
Bummer you and others didn’t like Sisters First on Audio. I think it was the perfect book for me at the perfect time between 2 heavy audiobooks! There are always more great books waiting to be read (or played).
So, true and we all respond differently. Glad Sisters First worked for you.
I will always pick up a Louise Erdrich book! Have a great week.
Thanks for stopping by, Nise’.
These books are all new to me. Many sound intriguing. I’m sorry the one about the Bush twins didn’t work for you as an audiobook. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I am so excited for “Future Home of the Living God!” Erdrich is one of my favorite authors and this seems so unlike her other books! I can’t wait to read it!
I’m so interested in your thoughts on Heather, I just read Tina Jordon’s review (EW.com) over the weekend and she did not like it. I’m not ready for the holidays, it seems like it was just June!:) Hope you have a great reading week Susie
I’m with Tina on this one!
Wonder Valley is on my wishlist. Come see what I’m reading this week.
It was very different, but I really enjoyed the entire cast of characters.
I’ll look for your Wonder Valley review. I’m a bit on the fence — but would like to try the author.