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Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
And on to, February! In my neck of the woods we haven’t had the horrendous weather that many of you have experienced this winter, and still I’m ready for it to be over. I want less rain, more sunshine, longer days, a little warmth! Ah, well. I know I’m dreaming since we probably have another 4-6 weeks of winter. My reading life seems to also be taking on something of a winter chill. I had three DNF books in a row, a couple I rejected based on audio samples alone, and a full eleven days between the last two books I finished. That’s ridiculous!
Last Week’s Read
After reading the first couple chapters of The Glass Forest by Cynthia Swanson, I felt nothing but relief. Finally! A book I was going to enjoy. I’d call this one a a family drama, steeped in some mystery, and the 50’s-60’s era it was set in made Swanson’s story come alive. In my opinion The Glass Forest isn’t quite as good as The Bookseller, Swanson’s debut, but still a very solid read.
Currently Reading
I read 44% of Matt Haig’s How to Stop Time before I gave up on it. The story was just going nowhere and I became utterly bored. Frustration was setting in, so I decided to turn to my backlist with Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny. Thank goodness I did! I’m listening to this novel and love both the story and the amazing narration by Cassandra Campbell. Both are the breath of fresh air that I needed. In print I’ve just turned to Sadness is a White Bird, Moriel Rothman-Zecher’s debut. I wish I could say I’m loving this story of a young Israeli man and his two Palestinian friends, but so far I’m not. The writing is beautiful, but the author uses a lot of Hebrew and Arabic, sometimes translating it and sometimes not. For me, it really takes away from the flow of the book. I’m going to give it another chapter or two.
Likely to Read Next
Last week in this spot I had listed This Narrow Space by Elisha Waldman as my next audiobook, but after listening to a sample of the narration, I knew I couldn’t do it. So, my next nonfiction will be Educated by Tara Westover. Westover grew up in an Idaho survivalist family that did not send their kids to school, yet she went on to earn a PhD. I’m looking forward to hearing about her journey. Rosie Colored Glasses by Brianna Wolfson is the author’s semi-autobiographical debut novel. Exploring the bonds of family it has been described as, “Whimsical, heartbreaking and uplifting, this is a novel about the many ways love can find you.”
I hope you have a great week in books!
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I’ve heard awesome things about Educated…hopefully that’ll be the kick you need! It’s on my Nonfiction Nov TBR list.
Educated is really working for me, but in someways it reminds me of The Great Alone. Another book with a lot of physical abuse and a mom looking the other way.
I’ve had several dnf’s myself lately! Things are looking up for me with The Great Alone, I hope your current reads are great. Have a good week
Let me know when you finish The Great Alone.
The Glass Forest is on my list. Hope I get quickly drawn in too.
All of your books are new to me. I hope you enjoy them all. I’ve only had one DNF so far this year. I think I’m on a roll. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I hope The Glass Forest pulls you out of your slump. I thought the blurb for How to Stop Time looked good but now I’m not so sure about that one. You’re not the only one who hasn’t fallen in love with it. I have too many DNFs lately myself to start a book going into it with reservations. Have a great week!
I’d skip How to Stop Time, especially if you’ve heard of others not liking it. It started out strong, but then sort of fizzled.
I hate to hear that the month started off so horribly, but thankful that The Glass Forest is working out well for you and that you enjoyed Standard Deviation! I absolutely loved that one!
Standard Deviation is a kick, and I see some parallels to my own life in it, too.
The Glass Forest looks good. This week’s post
I had a DNF recently as well. Life is too short to read boring books. Have a great week!
Amen!
Educated sounds like it will be quite good. I hope Sadness is a White Bird pulls itself out of the bin. It received such high marks on Goodreads, but is it a no-go? thx
Sadness did end up being a DNF for me, but others like it, so let me know if you try it, and what you think.
I know it’s not true but this winter feels so much grayer than the last 4 we’ve been here for. I get up in the morning thinking it’s 5am and it’s almost 8. Yuck.
My reading has not been great but am continuing with one you let go- Self Portrait With Boy. Something about it is compelling me- but it’s not love. It’s just not dislike so I’m going with it!
I agree about the winter, Catherine. I’m beginning to think that the older I get, the less willing/able I am to tolerate winter’s grayness. I don’t mind cold, but I want sunshine!