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Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
Let’s hope May will bring a whole lot of flowers because April in Washington has brought little but showers! I think the whole country is ready for some big changes. Thursday, as my 2-year old grandson looked out the window to see snow falling once again, even he exclaimed, “No more snow!” Despite the snow, I had a wonderful time in Montana and because of it, spent an extra couple hours at the airport which gave me some much needed reading time.
Due to some poor planning on my part, last week somehow became all about nonfiction. Nothing wrong with that, but I definitely need a break! I read both Miss Ex-Yugoslavia by Sofija Stefanovic and And Now We Have Everything by Meaghan O’Connell. Both books were memoirs, though O’Connell’s exclusively covered the two years surrounding her pregnancy, delivery and child’s first year. It was…dramatic? In Miss Ex-Yugoslavia Stefanovic shared her immigrant experience and living most of her life under the specter or war. Look for my mini-reviews of these on Thursday. Sloane Crosley’s essay collection Look Alive Out There proved to be a great choice for an audiobook. She did the narrating and both her delivery and stories had me laughing out loud. (I got some strange looks on the plane.)
Currently Reading
I owe Catherine at The Gilmore Guide to Books a huge thank you for encouraging me to try Circe by Madeline Miller. I have loved diving into Greek mythology through Circe’s eyes and at 62%, I’m already starting to feel a book hangover coming on.
Likely to Read Next
Even though The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya is my last April release, I need some time in the realm of fiction, so will put her memoir on the back burner for now. I plan on making The Only Story by Julian Barnes my next audiobook. This story of a man looking back on his great love with an older woman has had some mixed reviews, but I’m eager to give it a try. I expect my next read to be The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner. This book about a mother serving two consecutive life terms in a California prison will be my first May release.
I hope you have a great week in books!
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Glad to hear the Crosley collection was great on audio! And will be interested to get your read on The Mars Room…I have it on pre-release hold at the library and Tyler Goodson, one of my Go-to rec sources said he was obsessed with it!
Thanks for your rec on the Crosley, Sarah. I really liked the first 10% of The Mars Room, the second 10% felt a little weaker, but I’m still very interested and will keep going.
It’s always fun to come across new book suggestions that differ from my usual choices. Have a great week.
Thanks for stopping by Lynn.
I was thinking of giving Circe a try… And the Mars Room sounds interesting.
I really can’t recommend Circe highly enough. Loved it!
I was thinking about giving Circe a try – but just wasn’t sure. Same thing with The Pnly Story, Julian Barnes. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of his, but the premis looks interesting.
I’ve actually never read Julian Barnes, so thought it was time to give him a try.
Oh, The Mars Room looks very tempting! So do several others on your shelves…enjoy! Thanks for sharing, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
Thanks, Laurel-Rain.
Nice assortment of books. I very seldom read nonfiction but a couple of those titles look interesting. Like you grandson, I too am very tired of snow (and more is predicted for Wednesday here.) I want Spring and weather appropriate for reading on the deck. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I can’t wait to be reading on my lovely porch in the sunshine. Please, soon!
At least you got in some good reading time if you had to be stuck at the airport! I was wondering about the audio for Look Alive Out There. Glad to hear you liked it!
I think I need to pick up Circe, and The Mars Room sounds fascinating.
Allison, I finished Circe and loved it. One of my very top reads this year.
I don’t think Circe is for me because I’m not a big fan of mythology but I’ll wait to see your review before I decide for sure. I’m also going to give The Only Story a go becuase… Julian Barnes… I just have to!
I’ll review Circe next week, but I can tell you that I don’t consider mythology my thing either, and yet I loved Circe.
I loved Miller’s first book so I’m looking forward to having time for Circe. The Mars Room caught my attention.
I didn’t read Achilles, but may go back and do so now since Circe was such a hit for me.
So many interesting books here! I’ll probably give Julian Barnes new novel a try… just love his writing.
That’s so nice to hear because I’ve actually never read Julian Barnes before.
I see a bunch of books I”m hoping to read. Have a good week. Hopefully less snow. Come see what I’m reading.
I wouldn’t have thought I’d be interested in Circe but you saying potential book hangover has me wanting to give it a try. I’ve put it on hold at my library. I’m on the hunt for wow books and if the happen to be outside my comfort zone that might be even better. Greek mythology is definitely out there but it sounds like it was well worth it. So glad you had a fun family visit, I agree with your grandson…no more snow!
I do want to read Circe at some point, but I’ve been meaning to read the author’s first book as well!! The Mars Room sounds interesting – I need to look into that.
-Lauren