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Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
January had been a stellar reading month for me until this past week. The week started out strong, but then kind of imploded for reasons both book and non-book related. It’s really a shame when your job gets in the way of reading, but that’s exactly where I am right now. The semester ended on Friday and all last week I was up to my eyeballs in grading mid-year tests, data collection, and grade reports. I’m still looking at a few more days until everything is due and I can get back to some serious reading.
Last Week’s Read
I finished The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah early last week and can truthfully say that it was ALMOST the big immersive novel that I’ve been looking for since The Heart’s Invisible Furies (my review). Though the book was just slightly shy of spectacular for me, I think Hannah’s latest will be a crowd pleaser. I’ll be reviewing The Great Alone sometime next week.
Currently Reading
I started and quit on two books last week. I tried The Newcomers by Helen Thorpe on audio, but just wasn’t feeling this nonfiction book about a Colorado high school and a classroom there that specializes in helping immigrant teens learn English. For where I am right now, it was just too close to my job, and I felt a little stifled by it. It’s definitely more of a reflection on me than the book. The same might be true for Self-Portrait with Boy by Rachel Lyon, but that one I’m less sure of. I read over 45% of this debut and still felt like it was going nowhere. If I hear great things about it, I might want to give it another try. Finally, I managed to start a a book I’m enjoying, How to Stop Time by Matt Haig. I’m not very far into this story of a man who’s been alive for over 400 years, but I can already tell it’s the perfect change-of-pace I need right now.
Likely to Read Next
With both these books I’ll be traveling next to Israel. I plan to start listening to This Narrow Space by Elisha Waldman just as soon as it’s released on Tuesday. I really like the idea of learning about an American pediatric oncologist’s experiences treating children from all religious backgrounds at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center. With Moriel Rothman-Zacher’s debut Sadness is a White Bird, I’m looking forward to the story of a man returning to Israel to serve in the army while trying to reconcile his close relationship with a pair of Palestinian siblings. And, you’ve got to love that cover!
I hope you have a great week in books!
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I just started The Great Alone and am liking it so far! Only about 10% in.
Sorry work is raining down on you..it’s frustrating when life comes crashing down on your reading. I was there a couple weeks ago 🙁
It happens, plus I’m just tanking on books. I’m getting bored with How to Stop Time and my end up quitting on it, too.
I’ve enjoyed a couple of Kristin Hannah books, so will look for your review of The Great Alone. Good luck with all the end-of-semester reports!
Thanks, JoAnn! Have a great week.
I’m really looking forward to How To Stop Time, so I’m interested to hear your thoughts when you’re finished!
I’m struggling with it right now, but am going to give it a little more time.
How to Stop Time looks very interesting. (I’d need a lot of Botox if I were to live to be 400!) I’ll look forward to hearing your thoughts. I’m tempted but when I see the word “romance” I get a little nervous that the book will be too saccharine-y sweet for my taste. This one looks different though; certainly not typical.
It’s definitely not a romance in the traditional sense, but we’ll see how it goes.
The end of term assessing is one thing I really don’t miss since I retired. I hope you finish soon and can get back to these interesting books. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
Thanks, Kathy. I’d be thrilled to be done with all the assessment and data collection. Unfortunately, I’m not there yet!
Oh, my gosh, Susie! This Narrow Space sounds right up my alley! You are my audiobook queen! I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts on this one. I’m with you…I hate it when work gets in the way of good reading time – ha! 😉 I hope your week starts off well!
I’ve been in a bit of a slump the last week, so I really hope This Narrow Space is a winner for me.
I hope your work slows down and you can get to more reading soon! You know you said the magic words when you talked about your feelings about The Great Alone and those are The Heart’s Invisible Furies:) I’m halfway through An American Marriage and then I’m heading straight into The Great Alone, I absolutely love a big, immersive read. I bought How to Stop Time months ago from Book Depository but haven’t read it, I think it sounds awesome though.
I’ll be anxious to hear what you think of The Great Alone. I really enjoyed An American Marriage (one section bothered me, but overall it was great).
Sorry The Newcomers didn’t work for you. I’m looking forward to the The Great Alone; my library hold should come up in the next couple of weeks.
Retirement is the greatest thing ever! I’m 19 books and counting this month! I’m currently reading A History of Loneliness. It’s not nearly as long as Heart’s Invisible Furies, but oh man, can John Boyne write a great story.
Wow! 19 books is amazing. I don’t think I could get through that many even if I was retired. You must be a very fast reader. Glad to hear that another Boyne is working for you.
It sucks when life gets in the way of reading. I’m looking forward to your thoughts on The Great Alone!
Thanks, AJ. I’ll share something on The Great Alone next week.
Ooh! A new Matt Haig. Come see what I’m reading.
I loved The Humans, so I really really really want to read Can’t Stop Time. I tried to get it on NetGalley but I think I’m too much of a newbie. I guess I need to start reviewing the ARCs I have so I can get more goodies like this!