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No! August cannot be more than half over. How does this happen every single year? The end of summer always seems to sneak up on me, but honestly, this year it actually feels like less of a shock than usual. I wisely planned my summer so the busiest parts were in the first half, with the last three weeks being pretty chill. This week is the last of those chill weeks. Then it’s back to work, settling into fall and that’s got plenty of good that comes with it. One of the best parts of the season is all the great books that get released in the fall. I’ve been diligently putting together my fall “to be read” list and am thrilled to be sharing much of it with you tomorrow in my 2019 Fall Preview. Be sure to stop back by and take a look.
Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
Last Week’s Reads
- Though it wasn’t always easy I very much liked listening to The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead. Narrator JD Jackson was excellent. I already squeezed in a review of this one last week. If you missed it, please check here.
- Sometimes I read a book going in with the idea that it’s just for me, meaning no review or even thoughts about what I might say in a review. A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams was one of those books. However, I will say that I very much liked it and it made for a perfect summer read.
- On last week’s Monday post, I was trying to figure out what to listen to next and offered up three possible suggestions. Most comments suggested Daisy Jones & The Six by the wonderful Taylor Jenkins Reid. I agreed, but didn’t want to have to buy an audiobook of a book I’d already read, and I still had 10 weeks to go on Libby. I racked my brain trying to figure out how to get it sooner and then I remembers that on Audible you can send a book to a friend if they’ve never had one sent to them before. I’ve sent lots of people books, but didn’t think I’d ever had one sent to me. I knew my cousin, Paula, had listened to Daisy. A text to her and two minutes later I had the audiobook. This is a GREAT opportunity that Audible offers and more of us should be taking advantage of it.
Micro Mini-Review
Enough of how I got the audiobook, now what did I think of it? I really didn’t think it was possible, but I liked the audio version of Daisy Jones & The Six even MORE than the print version. I especially liked it because I knew how it would end. The knowing made so many of the things the different characters said even more poignant and emotionally charged. I found the cast of narrators quite simply incredible. I could NOT stop listening, finishing the book in two days and having to force myself to save the last couple of hours for a longish drive I had on the second day. Since I already reviewed Daisy here, this is going to be it for my review of the audiobook. I loved it. LISTEN! Grade: A
Currently Reading
- I’m almost finished with my first September book, This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger. I picked this one up because I so loved his earlier book, Ordinary Grace and this one was supposed to be along the same lines. I’ve enjoyed much of this story of four Depression era orphans trying to find a place to call home, but not as much as I’d hoped. Maybe the last part will change my mind.
- Coming off of two great audiobooks last week, I didn’t feel like anything in fiction would stand a chance, so decided to go with nonfiction. I’ve only listened to about 90 minutes of Bad Blood by John Carreyrou and so far am not wowed. However, I’ve heard lots of good things about this book, so will give it more time.
Likely to Read Next
- Next, I’m going to be sticking with historical fiction, but moving forward a couple decades to the Cold War era with The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott. Female spies trying to smuggle Dr. Zhivago into the USSR sounds like a lot of fun to me!
I hope you have a great week in books!
Disclaimer: There are Amazon Associate links contained in this post
Interesting to hear your perspective of Daisy given you had already read the print version. I thought the audio was really spectacular but wondering if I should read the print! I loved Bad Blood but think mostly I was so flabbergasted at how events unfolded. The remember that the medical background and jargon were a little much. Can’t wait to see your Fall preview.
I rarely reread and dragged my feet on listening to Daisy, but I’m so glad I went for it. That story is just so darn good!
Bad Blood has picked up for me. She’s just awful.
Now I feel like I need to listen to Daisy Jones on audio – your audio recs are always spot-on!
I loved Bad Blood in print. It was so captivating. Hopefully, the audiobook will pick up.
Angela, it was so good, especially knowing where it was headed. The emotion in the narrators voices was spectacular.
I’m not keen on audiobooks but I’ve never listened to one with a cast, only a single narrator. Maybe I should give it a try.
Wishing you a great reading week
Thanks, Shellyrae, I love audiobooks and highly recommend Daisy. It’s really special.
I have also heard how wonderful Daisy Jones… is on audio. It is on my shortlist for books to read/listen to this year!
You’ve got to fit it in soon, Tina. I predict it’s going to be on almost everyone’s top ten lists.
I have The Nickel Boys here from the library, I might see if I can find an audio copy. I have heard that Daisy Jones is better on audio, I do have that one on hold.
You have some great reading/listening coming up, Melissa.
A Hundred Summers is one my favorite summer reads ever… just perfect for me. Not sure why I’ve never read more of Beatriz Williams. I just purchased a copy of The Nickel Boys, but will get on the library list for the audio version and make it a read/listen combo. Thanks for the recommendation! Daisy Jones is still on my audio list, too.
I’ve never done a read/listen combo, so need to try one. Daisy Jones is another one where that would likely work well.
Great variety of books! Daisy Jones does sound like one I’d enjoy. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
Can’t wait to check out your Fall reading guide! You’re making me want to listen to Daisy now too, despite having already read it 🙂
Tina…go ahead and listen to Daisy! I didn’t really want to because I dislike rereading, but from the first 10 minutes I was completely hooked.
I have the Nickel Boys on my TBR. My weekly update
I’d definitely recommend you try to stick with Bad Blood. As you hear things unfold, they become more and more incredible. I was stunned at the way both the company and its owner were able to deceive so many people, many of them thought to be pretty smart.
I’ve listened to a couple more hours of Bad Blood now and am much more invested. It’s incredible to me how much she has gotten away with and how many lies she tells, people she fires. I’ll definitely stick with it now.
Super group of books here. I haven’t gotten to Nickel Boys yet.