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April 10, 2017

It’s Monday! What are you reading? 4/10/17 | More

This post may include Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date

Spring Break! It’s almost ridiculous how much I’ve been looking forward to having this week off. At this point in the school year the kids are getting pretty squirrelly and so are their teachers. We were all ready for a week of freedom. I’m headed out of town for a much needed visit with family. While thrilled to be going, I know I’m unlikely get much reading done. Maybe on the plane? This past week I finally started listening to S-Town after fellow bloggers, Sarah and Tara, both raved about it. Two episodes in and wow! I’m finding the story and the people so interesting and alien it makes me feel like I’ve traveled to a whole other country.

It's Monday! Collage of Books

Last Week’s Reads

I’d been listening to The Book of Polly by Kathy Hepinstall and finished it on Wednesday. The narration by Jenna Lamia was excellent. She really brought the book’s narrator, Willow, to life. While I really enjoyed the first half of this story, I had a few issues with the second half. On Thursday, I’m doing a double review of my two most recent audio books, The Book of Polly along with All Grown Up  by Jami Attenberg.

 

The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck turned out to be another book where I liked the first half better than the second. This book is the story of three German women, widows, whose husbands were lost in the German Resistance during WWII. I’ve read a lot of WWII books, but never one with this focus. In that, I found much of the book fascinating. In other ways I found it a little wanting. (Though I am well aware I’m in the minority here.) My review will be next week.

 

 

Currently Reading

I was a little at loose ends trying to decide what to read next, so I downloaded a couple of samples and American War by Omar El Akkad came up the winner! It is an incredibly creative book with a fascinating premise. It takes place far in the future as a historian is recounting the second American Civil War (2074-2095) which began over the right to use fossil fuels. He provides the reader with a variety of “historical” accounts of the war; at the same time, he’s developing a more personal experience of the war through the eyes of a young girl and her family. At about 30% in, I’m very glad I picked American War.

 

Likely to Read Next

Next up I plan on reading Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout. I know that many of us are really excited to read this companion piece to the much loved My Name is Lucy Barton. It will be fun to revisit some of the wacky hometown characters Lucy’s mom brought us while visiting Lucy in the hospital.

 

 

 

Have A Great Week of Reading!

Disclaimer: There are Amazon Affiliate links contained in this post.

Filed Under: More Tagged With: 2017, Audio books, Elizabeth Strout, It's Monday! What Are You Reading?, War Story, Weekly Update




Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sarah's Book Shelves says

    April 10, 2017 at 4:51 am

    OK – I’m glad to hear you had issues with Polly during the second half..I was second-guessing my decision to move on from it. But, now I feel better. Anything is Possible is up next for me too!

    Reply
  2. Kathy Martin says

    April 10, 2017 at 7:36 am

    American War sounds good. I’ll have to add it to my list. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

    Reply
  3. Tara says

    April 10, 2017 at 8:17 am

    Well, looks like I’ll need to start Anything is Possible next, alongside you and Sarah – ha! I’m so glad that American War is working for you; I love the premise behind this one, so I’ll be curious to hear what you think. I hope you have a fabulous spring break!

    Reply
    • Susie | Novel Visits says

      April 10, 2017 at 7:49 pm

      Thanks, Tara. I just finished the 3rd installment of S-Town. Really feels like another world! Have anice week, too.

      Reply
  4. Katherine says

    April 10, 2017 at 8:37 am

    I added S-Town to my podcatcher, but I haven’t dived in yet. I’m afraid if I do, nothing else will get done. 😉 Have a great reading (and listening) week!

    Reply
  5. Lindsey says

    April 10, 2017 at 10:57 am

    I’m really looking forward to reading American War once it’s my turn in the library queue. It’s fun to see other people decide on books by reading a little bit of several books, just like I do!

    Have a great week, Susie!

    Reply
    • Susie | Novel Visits says

      April 10, 2017 at 7:52 pm

      I always resort to sampling when I get stuck on what to read!

      Reply
  6. Sarah @ PussReboots says

    April 10, 2017 at 11:23 am

    You and I are doing the same thing — spring break trip with the kids to see family. Like you, I’m not expecting to get much reading done.

    Reply
  7. Stacy @ The Novel Life says

    April 10, 2017 at 11:29 am

    I almost picked American War for my BOTM selection! Now I’m sad I skipped the month. I was really curious how it was going to be reviewed. Must get on the library list now! Hope you have a most wonderful Spring Break!

    Reply
    • Susie | Novel Visits says

      April 10, 2017 at 7:47 pm

      Thanks, Stacy! American War is much different than I had expected, but I really like it.

      Reply
  8. Nise' says

    April 10, 2017 at 5:10 pm

    Have a great Spring break. Just brought home The Women In The Castle. Anything is Possible is on my TBR list.

    Reply
  9. Melinda says

    April 10, 2017 at 7:52 pm

    I *think* American War was one of my options for the Book of the Month Club this month. After reading your initial thoughts, I’m regretting not choosing it!

    Reply
  10. Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews says

    April 11, 2017 at 2:58 pm

    I can see what you mean about THE WOMEN IN THE CASTLE, but for the most part I enjoyed it.

    Have a great reading week.

    Elizabeth
    Silver’s Reviews
    My It’s Monday, What Are You Reading

    Reply
  11. Kate @ Parchment Girl says

    April 12, 2017 at 11:52 am

    I can’t wait to read American War! I have the audiobook and will hopefully get to it fairly soon. I’m really picky about which new fiction I read (far less so with nonfiction) but I have a feeling this is going to be amazing.

    Reply
    • Susie | Novel Visits says

      April 14, 2017 at 7:18 am

      I’ll be really interested to hear how it plays out on audio. I really liked the book!

      Reply
  12. Andrea Hallberg says

    April 12, 2017 at 9:46 pm

    I just finished STown and it was so well done!
    I was on the fence about American War, but may have another look. I just don’t know if I want to get depressed about the very realistic potential future… Kind of like how The Handmaid’s Tale is everywhere and people are looking forward to the show. Meanwhile I’m thinking, yeah I tore through that book in high school but it scared the BEJEESUS out of me!

    Reply
    • Susie | Novel Visits says

      April 14, 2017 at 7:18 am

      It really hasn’t been scary. I’d say it’s really interesting, and a good story, but I don’t find myself thinking that it’s very real.

      Reply
  13. Catherine says

    April 15, 2017 at 2:06 pm

    We’re in the same minority once again! I ‘liked’ Women in the Castle but then not so much. I haven’t written a review yet because it just didn’t stick with me. I don’t know I can’t quite articulate it but I did not like it as much as i thought I would.

    Reply

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