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Hey, everyone. How are you doing in the midst of this scary coronavirus pandemic? Don’t you feel like were living inside a dystopian novel? On Thursday the governor of Washington closed schools here through at least April 24th. That’s six weeks. Teachers and administrators are trying to quickly figure out ways to deliver distance learning to the students of our district. They’ve told the teachers to stay home until Thursday, when we report back to school to do what we can. I think this could change the face of education because innovations are going to come out of it. I know many of you are dealing with bored kids at home, working from home, the anxiety that comes with all of this, and just trying to fill the long days ahead.
Tomorrow, I have something to help! My Spring Preview 2020 has 16 new books to help get you through this crazy spring! So, stop on by tomorrow and take a peek and in the meantime, stay safe and healthy.
Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
Last Week’s Reads
- I was nearly finished with The Shape of a Family by Shiilpi Somaya Gowda when the week began. This is one that I really liked the beginning and the end of the book, but the middle had me rolling my eyes. The author wrote about grief beautifully, but strayed too far from that theme to keep her story cohesive. I’ll do a mini-review next week.
- I listened to The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel and was always engaged, but can’t say I loved it. In fact, it’s really hard to even say what the book was about. At its enter was a Ponzi scheme and it followed a bunch of people very loosely connected, but??? Let’s just say, Mandel’s writing is still stellar, but it’s no Station Eleven.
- Speaking of great writing, debut author Elizabeth Wetmore also delivered in Valentine. This story starts with the rape of a young teen in 1976 Odessa, Texas and then follows her and several other women as they try to find their way through life in a time and place that didn’t value women. It was a very pleasant surprise and I’ll be reviewing it soon.
Currently Reading
- I’m currently listening to In Five Years by Rebecca Serle and am finding it perfect for where my mind is right now. I’ve found focus a little difficult this last week, but this one is light and easy to listen to, so a good distraction. It reminds me a bit of the earlier Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books.
- I wanted to give myself a reading treat, so went all the way to a June release, The End of Day by Bill Clegg. I adored his debut, Did You Ever Have a Family, and have been eager to read his sophomore novel. I’m at the 50% mark, and like it, but so far am not overwhelmed by the story, though I get the sense it’s building to something big.
Likely to Read Next
- I had a library hold on The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave and it came in on Friday. I picked it and a couple of other books up not knowing that the libraries here were closing the next day. I wish I’d picked up a few more books, but luckily I have a bunch on my Kindle! Anyway, I’m looking forward to trying this novel about a 1600’s Norwegian town where the men are totally wiped out.
A lot of the schools in my state are closed for various lengths of time, from two weeks in my town to a month in my sister’s town. The governor is saying it is inevitable that he will force all schools to close. It has been surreal to watch the news each day!
And it just gets more and more unreal. We’re truly living a dystopian tale.
Thank goodness for books to provide a much needed distraction right now. I wouldn’t be surprised if my library closes, but I have plenty to choose from on my Kindle and Audible. Looking forward to your Spring Book Preview, Susie. 🙂
Thank goodness for the ability to get books and audiobooks electronically. I don’t think libraries around here will open again for a very long time.
Minnesota schools are closing on Wednesday until at least the end of March but teachers are to report to work on distance learning options. I can see this for the high school students from my old district who all have devices that can connect to the internet but I’m really wondering about elementary kids. It is definitely an interesting time to be living. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I fear the parents are going to drive me nuts once we get distance learning up and rolling. And you’re right, it’s going to be hard for some. We’ll need to find ways to work around the obstacles.
I’m listening to In Five Years and enjoying for the same reasons. The narrator is perfect!
I agree that Dylan Moore is doing a terrific job with In Five Years. I only have an hour left and am fairly certain as to how it will end.
Six weeks is a long time for school to be dismissed. Let’s hope something is resolved by this time.
In Five Years is waiting for me right now at the library. I should go get it today, in case the library system closes.
Yes, I’d head to the library. Ours all closed on Saturday.
Thank goodness you’re doing your Spring Review soon. We need diversions from daily life! But it’s even hard concentrating on reading now. Still seeing what’s out there is half the fun. It’s a big bummer the Libraries are closed now …. good grief I guess the wait lists will be forever. I guess I’ll have to buy those I want on my Kindle Fire. Stay safe Susie! Glad you finished those 3 titles, your vetting is always good.
Like you, I’m having a lot of trouble concentrating on reading. I keep getting up and doing other things or just worrying. The library apps like Libby and Hoopla still work, if that helps. Also, I figure I’ll be saving money by not doing much, so if I need to buy some books, I will.
You stay safe, too. Is it as crazy in Canada as it is here?
Yeah it’s as crazy in Canada ….all is closed here and now today they’ve closed the border which is not good; I think I’m stuck here for a long while. Your Seattle seems like an epicenter which is too bad. I hope the spread slows there!
Oh, I’m sad that The Glass Hotel wasn’t completely amazing! I loved Station Eleven so much, and have been looking forward to it. Still going to pick it up, but lessening my expectations a bit.
I’m also really wanting to read The Mercies! Excited to hear how you like it.
Hannah @ Back Shelf Books
I’m eager to talk to others once they’ve read The Glass Hotel. My expectations were so high, but maybe it was me and not the book?
Our libraries closed Friday. And while announced only through the end of the month, due dates on all my books are set to 6/1.
I need backlist suggestions available via ebooks (Overdrive or Axis 460)!
I’m combing through old lists but I don’t expect to see another new book until June. Fortunately I have 5 or so checked out. But SF declared Shelter in Place so I’m reading a lot 😀
You should still be able to get new books electronically through your library system or through Libby or Overdrive. My library made a point of saying that was the way to go.
You need to find a great series, but I’m not the one to get a recommendation from there, since I so rarely read them.
I heard your whole area is more or less in a lockdown now. Stay safe!
I can hold ebooks but the wait list for new ones is insane. I had the system down on print books as the library allowed holds as soon as the books were ordered. But ebooks don’t show up until their release date. And the library doesn’t get nearly as many e-licenses as they order hard copy books.
But now I have books ordered in print and on Axis (Overdrive — or Libby — is useless because all the Kindle users are over there).
The Bay Area is doing what everyone should be doing. There are counties in this state (not to mention country) where people are still lah-di-da, going to work. Just because people feel well doesn’t mean they’re not infected. Which means they’re infecting others. Which will lead to a complete implosion of the health care system and the need to ration health care. From what I can tell the Bay Area is the only place in the country truly trying to get out front of this. And we’re not doing that great a job in terms of compliance.
Even with the country’s inability to test and know the true infection count, infection numbers are going up 1000 + a day. We’re where Italy was 2-3 weeks ago. Our heads are buried up to our butts in denial. I’ll bet you a fiver your school isn’t going to reopen before “summer vacation.”
I hear you on concentration. I’m almost to the point of not being able to do anything more than watch television. I need easy entertainment forced into my brain. Reading feels too hard!
I agree completely on The Shape of Family. I went in with a very different perception on what it was going to be about so thought it was going to go down a different path. Then the daughter’s story lost me. It’s been done too much lately.