This post may include Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
Everyone excited for Halloween tomorrow? Love it for the kiddos, but as a middle school teacher, it’s not my favorite day of the year. Our school’s stance is to basically ignore the day, but really? They will be crazed! (And the following day they’ll be sugared out zombies.) It’s the perfect time of year to escape with a book and I’ve been doing a lot of that lately. I still haven’t found that over the top “WOW” book, but I’ve enjoyed all my recent reads and that’s serious improvement.
Last Week’s Reads
Last week’s reads took me all over the world, just as books should. I breezed through The Invisible Life of Euridice Gusmao by Martha Batalha in only a couple of days. This fun story of a brilliant Brazilian woman trying to make the most of a housewife’s life during the 40’s and 50’s was full of quirky characters and the writing was terrific! French author Pierre Lemaitre’s latest book Three Days and a Life puts the reader in the awkward position of hoping its main character gets away with the murder of a child. Something about it doesn’t feel quite right, but still, you’re rooting for him. I finally finished listening to Code Girls by Liza Mundy and will review it sometime in November. I loved much of this book and learned so much about WWII and the women who served.
Currently Reading
With my current reading, I’m switching things up by reading nonfiction and listening to fiction. I just started After the Eclipse by Sarah Perry and am really not far enough to say anything about it, but have seen some very positive reviews. I think this memoir of a daughter searching for answers about her mother’s murder will be a perfect kick off for my reading in Nonfiction November. Naomi Alderman’s book, The Power, won the 2017 Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction. That and the idea of a story where women have all the power has me very curious. I’ve only listened to the sample, but the narration by Adjoa Andoh was enough to have me on board.
Likely to Read Next
Artemis by Andy Weir and Future Home of the Living God by Lousie Erdrich should round out my fiction for November. I’d say I’m cautiously optimistic about Weir’s sophomore effort, hoping that his sense of adventure manifests itself with the seedy side of moon’s first colony. I’m most excited to see what Erdrich does with her novel about a woman fighting for her unborn child in a world where evolution has begun working in reverse.
I hope you have a great week in books!
Disclaimer: There are Amazon Associate links contained in this post.
Invisible Life sounds intriguing! And I’m planning to read After the Eclipse this month too…I’m think it’s up next after Forty Autumns.
I tried Artemis…I didn’t make it far. Sigh….
Invisible Life was a fun, fast read. I’m only at about 10% in After the Eclipse, but really like the writing.
I’m not even sure if I want to attempt Artemis. I keep seeing negative reviews. Sad.
I’ve never heard of Invisible Life but I really like the sound of it! I haven’t come across many positive reviews for Artemis, if it’s a no for you as it was Sarah I’ll probably skip it. I haven’t read anything by Pierre Lemaire but you’ve piqued my interest with what you said about it. Glad you’re reading is going better! Have a great week Susie:)
I may end up skipping Artemis, too. Disappointing!
I think you’d like Three Days and a Life. There’s no real mystery, but it still has tension. (And, its’ short!)
Oooh, After the Eclipse sounds like a great Nonfiction November choice, Susie; I’m going to look for a copy! I’m really nervous about Artemis now; sounds like Sarah couldn’t stick with it, either…yikes. I’m excited about the new Erdrich novel – yippee! Hope your week gets off to a good start, in spite of the Halloween madness – ha! 🙂
Thanks, Tara! You have a great week, too.
These all sound good. All are new to me. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
Code Girls looks good. I love a good WWII story.
I was amazed at how much I didn’t know about this American side of the war.
Love the sound of THE INVISIBLE LIFE. I commented on it last week.
I will check out your review.
Hope you have a good week.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My It’s Monday, What Are You Reading
I hope to get to that review very soon, Elizabeth! Thanks for stopping by.
The school district here always makes Halloween a half day, followed by a teacher in-service , meaning no school for the kids on November 1st. Come see what I’m reading
That would be a great solution to the after-Halloween sugar daze!
Okay what’s the word on The Power? I wanted to read it but then another blogger said it was a big disappointment of a read. Is it?? Thanks. Enjoy your week.
I’m listening to The Power and at about a third of the way through, I love it! The narrator is just amazing. I almost feel like I’m watching a movie. She brings the story to life. Reading might be a totally different experience, but if you like dystopian tales and/or science fiction, I’d give it a try.
I’m sorry nothing’s hitting for you. I’d recommend the books I’ve read recently that I loved but you’ve already read them!
Actually, I’m loving The Power and After the Eclipse both. So, I’m in a good place!
oh cool, you read Lemaitre’s latest book. I enjoy so much his writing, he’s really incredible: https://wordsandpeace.com/2017/02/14/book-review-three-days-and-a-life/
I just reviewed Artemis and was so so disappointed.