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Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
Last week was a tough one for me. I spent four days at my mom’s helping her with a variety of different things. The doctor’s appointment and various errands were easy and even fun. Working with her on bills and finances, which was the main reason I was there, proved to be extremely painful for both of us. The older Mom gets the scarier it is for her and for her kids. I feel like mortality is slapping me in the face and I can’t imagine what it’s like for her. On a happier note, the plane rides gave me a little extra reading time.
Last Week’s Reads
I finished listening to The Lost Girls of Camp Forevermore by Kim Fu on my way to the airport. It was just okay, more a series of connected short stories than a novel. I’ll review it eventually in a set of mini-reviews. Do you ever finish a book and feel sort of dirty after reading it? Kind of sick? Do you ever get to the end and almost wish you hadn’t read a book? That is Shobha Rao’s Girls Burn Brighter for me. Writing a review is going to be tough, but look for it sometime next week. Ah, Chris Bohjalian. Just the change I needed! My time with The Flight Attendant was pure fun and I really liked Cassie, the flight attendant, who was a hot mess! Look for my review near the 3/13 publication date.
Currently Reading
About ten days ago, I noticed I Am I Am I Am all over Instagram and my interest was immediately piqued because it’s written by Maggie O’Farrell. I’ve enjoyed a couple of her novels, especially The Hand that First Held Mine, so I was eager to see what she’d done with this nonfiction work about seventeen brushes with death during her lifetime. I just started listening, but even after a single encounter, I can tell her book is going to stay compelling. I was a little nervous about Kate Greathead’s debut Laura & Emma because the publisher’s notes say it’s told in vignettes. At about 15% in, I can happily say the book is really working for me!
Likely to Read Next
I have no idea what I’ll read next, but it will likely be one of these. I’ve heard so many good things about Sunburn by Laura Lippman that I don’t think I can ignore it any longer. Both Sarah from Sarah’s Bookshelves and Renee from It’s Book Talk loved Sunburn. The Gunners by Rebecca Kauffman and The Italian Party by Christina Lynch don’t come out until mid-March so I have time on these. The Gunners, about a group of childhood friends with a secret, coming back together after a suicide, sounds right in my wheelhouse. The Italian Party: a young married couple, the 1950’s, Tuscany, secrets. Sounds like fun to me!
I hope you have a great week in books!
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I think we diverged on The Flight Attendant – wasn’t my favorite of his thrillers, but not b/c of Cassie. More b/c of the Russian angle that I felt was not fleshed out at all. I have to write that mini review quickly before I forget everything!
And I have Laura & Emma coming up too and I Am on hold at the library.
Haven’t heard of The Gunners or The Italian Party, but The Gunners in particular sounds interesting! Will look forward to your thoughts.
I agree with you about the Russian in Flight Attendant. She was the weak spot, but I still enjoyed the book more than The Sleepwalker.
I have The Italian Party coming up also and I really hope it’s good because I love the cover and title! I’m sorry Girls Burn Brighter led to you feeling that way but I’m kind of happy you and Sarah vetted that one for me…I’m going to pass on it. I really hope you enjoy Sunburn, I think you will. Have a great week Susie!
I’m always happy to vet for others. Girls was just a really tough story. I actually wish I hadn’t read it. There are parts I’ll probably never forget that I wish I could. Looking forward to Sunburn!
I started The Italian Party and got about 50 pages in before I quit, at least for now, so I’m anxious to see what you think of it!
Oh, no! I’m really looking forward to The Italian Party. I hope it works for me.
Despite some hard things, I envy you being able to spend time with your mother. My parents have been gone eleven years now. I’m sorry that 2 of 3 you read last week were less than delightful. I hope this week’s reading is better. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
Thanks, for the reminder, Kathy. I do need to be more appreciative of Mom!
Flight Attendant and Emma and Laura are both on my list. Oh, so is the Italian Party. I plan on giving Camp Forevermore a try, despite the mixed reviews.
Sounds like our reading is very in synch at the moment.
That does sound like a good, but tough visit. It’s so hard when our parents and grandparents get older, but I’m glad you got to spend the time with her!
I think I’m going to have to read I Am, I Am, I Am. The description doesn’t necessarily grab me but everyone seems to be loving it!
I’m finding I Am interesting, but not earth shattering. She’s a good storyteller even with stories about her own life.
I just added The Italian Party to my list and I’m excited! Books about Italy always get me!
Fingers crossed that it holds up to expectations.
Lost Girls… is on my wishlist. Have a good week. My weekly update
I’ll be interested to see what you think of I Am I Am I Am. That book has been getting a lot of hype lately.
I’ll let you know about I Am…stay tuned!