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Happy Holidays, to all! It’s almost impossible to believe that Christmas is only a week away, and this year I’m as excited as a kid. My whole extended family (sister, brother, spouses, mom, kids) gets together for Christmas every few years, but as almost all our kids have moved into adulthood, it’s become harder and harder to do. The last time we were all together was at my brother’s in Denver six long years ago. We were 11 that year. Since then we’ve had three weddings and four grand babies born. All 18 of us will be spending five days together at my sister’s in Scottsdale. Let the festivities begin!
Last Week’s Reads
I finished Christopher J. Yates’s sophomore novel Grist Mill Road in the middle of the week. Overall, I really enjoyed it, but not quite as much as his debut Black Chalk. The mystery and suspense were definitely there, though I’d have liked to see at least one of the characters handled a little differently. When I began The Girls in the Picture by Melanie Benjamin, I didn’t think I was going to like it that well. Hollywood stories are usually not my thing, and for the first 20% I was okay with the story, but not super invested, and then? Then I couldn’t stay away. I spent hours on the couch Saturday finishing Benjamin’s latest. Her historical fiction told the story of Hollywood at its onset through the friendship between actress May Pickford and screen writer Frances Marion. I predict many people are going to love this book.
Currently Reading
I’m still listening to The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas and the further I get into it, the more I like it. Narrator, Bahni Turpin does a fabulous job. I haven’t actually started The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn, but plan to in the next hour or so! I’ve heard some mixed reviews about this psychological suspense debut, but I want to find out for myself. It sounds like it’s going to have a “Rear Window” vibe and that very much appeals to me.
Likely to Read Next
Next up I plan on turning to Red Clocks by Leni Zumas. I’ve had luck with dystopian novels lately, so am eager to try another. This one centers on five women in a small Oregon fishing village in a future where women’s rights have been restricted. It sounds very promising to me. I doubt I’m going to get much reading in over the next week or so, but if I do get through all the books I’ve listed in this post, I’ll be at 99 books for the year. (My Goodreads goal was 75.) If I make it to 99 before the end of this year, then I’m going to make it to 100! Peach by Emma Glass might be just the book to get me there at a slim 112 pages.
I hope you have a great week in books, but much more importantly, a week filled with laughter and joy surrounded by the people you love most.
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I think I’m going to put Girls in the Picture on a library hold, it sounds good but I’m somewhat uncertain since I’m so picky about historical fiction. Grist Mill Road didn’t work for me, I had many issues with it:( If you have time DM me your thoughts on Woman in the Window, I’d love to hear what you think and I haven’t been able to discuss it with anyone yet. Have a wonderful and relaxing time with your family!!
Girls turned out to be a very pleasant surprise for me. I’m still not sure why I liked it so much, but I did!
That’s awesome you get to see everyone over Christmas – enjoy it!
I’ve never heard of Peach!
And so glad to hear Girls in the Picture is good…I have that coming up as well…after I get through my million 1/9 releases. What’s with 1/9?!!
Your 1/9 sounds like my 2/6 (though I’m still waiting for approval on a couple of those).
That’s awesome that your whole family is getting together! It’s been difficult in my family, too, to get everyone in the same place the last couple years. I hope you have a wonderful time! Happy holidays!
Thanks, and Happy Holidays to you and your family, too.
Ahhh! I’m so happy to hear about your exciting Christmas reunion, Susie; what fun! I am also thrilled to hear your reaction to The Girls in the Picture; I am even more excited about this one now. I have similar thoughts on Grist Mill Road; it was good, but not *that* good, you know? Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Tara! Have a wonderful Christmas.
Holidays are always wonderful when the whole family can get together. I still have to read The Hate U Give — I’ve heard nothing but good.
I only have about an hour left in The Hate U Give and it’s just as wonderful as everyone else has said.
Nice assortment of books. I hope you have a wonderful time with your family this Christmas. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
How fun! I hope you have a terrific time with your family. It sounds wonderful!
I’ve been on the fence about The Girls in the Picture. I think I will go for it and put in on my TBR list.
Merry Christmas, Tina.
The Hate U Give looks interesting aand I wanted to read something different so I added it to my list!
It’s YA, but the voice of the narrator is so strong and her story so compelling that it truly is deserving ov all the awards its garnered this year. Merry Christmas, Annie!
Great selection of books. Have a good week. Come see what I’m reading
Merry Christmas, Sarah!