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Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
I’m so sorry for all of you on the East Coast who have been suffering one huge storm after another this past week. Some of the pictures on TV have been unbelievable. I can’t imagine, and feel almost guilty that in the Northwest, we’re experiencing unseasonably warm and just plain lovely weather. May you be doing so soon. (And, never fear, rain is set to return here on Tuesday!) I’ve been in a good place with books this month and am excited to share four reviews in the next few days.
Last Week’s Reads
I breezed through both these books last week and couldn’t have been more pleased. The Italian Party by Christina Lynch was a very light, fun read that made me feel like I was watching a movie from the 50’s. It’s about a young married couple (in the 1950’s) who barely know each other and are sent to Siena for his job. There are secrets and a little suspense. I’ll be covering The Italian Party as one of three “Suspense-Lite” reviews on Thursday. My review of The Gunners by Rebecca Kauffman will be next week, but for now let me just say, “You. Will. Want. To. Read. It.”
Currently Reading
After listening to I’ll Be Gone In the Dark by Michelle McNamara all week, I’m well over halfway through. I’ve only listened in the daylight hours, so have not been at all freaked out by these horrible crimes. What has shocked me is how close I lived to where the killer was operating. I was in high school in the Bay Area when he was raping/killing in Northern California and in college in Southern California when he was killing there. I actually lived within a mile of one of his killings and remember nothing about it…college kids! The Paring Lot Attendant by Nafkote Tamirat is much different than I had expected, but at 20% in, I can’t wait to get back to it. It’s a coming-of-age, father/daughter story set among the Ethiopian community in Boston.
Likely to Read Next
I have these two colorful releases left in my March TBR pile, so will likely get to one later this week. Anatomy of a Miracle by Jonathan Miles focuses on the aftermath of a paraplegic’s sudden, unexplainable recovery. And finally, Anna Quindlen’s Alternate Side, for which I’m not hearing the overwhelmingly high praise I’d hoped for. I’ve never read a Quindlen novel before and want to be awed, so some have suggested I start with another of her books. I’ll see what time allows!
I hope you have a great week in books!
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I’m excited to read The Italian Party and The Gunners (which I’ll get to after I release my Summer Reading Guide).
And I’m almost done with the Quindlen. I don’t really know what it’s about. A portrait of an NYC neighborhood with characters that aren’t super engaging? A portrait of a kind of boring marriage? Definitely read Every Last One first.
Not a great recommendation for a Quindlen newbie. When I finish I’ll Be Gone, I’m going to need a break from nonfiction on audio so am thinking I might listen to Every Last One. It might even work so I was reading AS at the same time. That might be interesting!
Oh the Parking Lot Attendant sounds good! I’ll Be Gone in the Dark is unbelievably creepy.
It didn’t hold up quite as well as I’d hoped, so was just okay.
Nice looking variety of books. I like that you are listening to the one about a serial killer only in the daytime. I’d have to do that too. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I definitely am, Kathy! Have a great week.
Oh I had a terrific week-even won 3 contests-come see!!
https://justmeandmyblogreviews.blogspot.com/2018/03/its-monday-what-are-you-reading_11.html
Wow! Very lucky. Congrats.
So glad you liked The Gunners!! I’m on the list for it at the library. It’s disturbing that you were so close to the places of the Golden State killer during his reign, yikes! How creepy, but relieved you weren’t affected. What a nut case. I was in Southern Cal through the 80s so I was probably around there too.
Susan, where were you living in So Cal? I was in Irvine. I loved it there, but life brought me to the Northwest!
You’ve really got me intrigued about The Gunners, I immediately requested it from my library. I’m glad you’re liking I’ll Be Gone In the Dark and I do need to get to The Italian Party this week. So many books to read this spring…I feel like the possibilities are so much better than last year!
The Gunners had a “Big Chill” vibe that really worked for me. My April is actually looking light, but I have some hold overs from March that I still want to get to. Hope you have a wonderful week.
I love the cover of The Gunners, so I’ll have to check out your review. I hope you enjoy your next reads. Have a great week!
Thanks for stopping by, AJ.
The Italian Party sounds like fun.. .hope my library has a copy.
Looks like you had a great week, Susie. I’m checking out The Gunners right now. Another snow day for us here in CT. And I’ve heard rumors we may be getting more soon. I’m sooo looking forward to getting back into a routine. Thanks for thinking of us in the East!