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Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
Last week the weather in Washington was good for the soul. Very good! I needed sunglasses several days driving home from work and was able to take a couple of cool, but sunny, long walks. Best of all, on Saturday it was nice enough for me to sit out on my front porch and read for a couple of hours. I was bundled up, but the warmth from the sun felt amazing. Those walks and the uninterrupted reading time made for a very good start to my March reading.
Last Week’s Reads
Laura & Emma by Kate Greathead was a fun, fast read. Laura, the true main character, has a unique voice that is both quirky and confident. I liked her a lot and she reminded me a little of Eleanor Oliphant, but without all the childhood trauma and slightly better social skills. I’m SO backed up on reviews, but hope to get to this one next week. I Am, I Am, I Am by Maggie O’Farrell is the author’s account of seventeen brushes with death in her lifetime. Some were huge, others small, but they all made me think about life a little bit differently. I listened to this one and thought Daisy Donovan did a nice job with the narration. (Review coming eventually!) Is is appropriate that I finished reading Sunburn by Laura Lippman while sitting in the sunshine? I thoroughly enjoyed the unreliability of almost everyone in the book, but especially, Polly, its star. (Review, yes, but we’ll see when!)
Currently Reading
At about the 15% mark, I’m very much liking Christina Lynch’s debut novel, The Italian Party. Taking place in 1956, it’s about a couple of American newlyweds who barely know each other. I like that the author has already revealed the big secrets each is keeping and I’m excited to see exactly how it’s all going to play out. The Italian setting is icing on the cake.
Likely to Read Next
Last week in this spot I had The Gunners by Rebecca Kauffman. I still plan on reading it, but had a strange problem with my download. So the publisher, Counterpoint, is sending me a hardcopy which I hope arrives soon. In the meantime, I’ll likely read The Parking Lot Attendant, a debut by Nafkote Tamirat. A little literary, a little coming-of-age, a lot immigrant story – I’m very curious about this one. I’m in need of a new audiobook, and think I’ll try Michelle McNamara’s I’ll Be Gone in the Dark. The reviews on Audible are good for the most part, but a few people really dislike the narrator. I’ll see for myself about her, and then all I’ll need to worry about is getting scared.
I hope you have a great week in books!
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Haha – I thought the exact same thing about Laura…that she reminded me of a more normal version of Eleanor Oliphant. But I thought the two books were really different.
And – I might have to read The Italian Party if you like it! Sounds like it could be good for my Summer Reading Guide.
And don’t listen to I’ll Be Gone in the Dark at night!!
I’m at 80% in The Italian Party now and I like it. It’s a perfect book for summer reading lists.
Oh, that weather sounds so lovely! Happy reading!
Thanks, Angela.
Nice variety of books. All are in genres I don’t read though. So, I haven’t any of them on my TBR mountain. I have been considering Sunburn though. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
It’s overwhelming how big those TBR mountains get sometimes.
I really liked the audiobook of I’ll Be Gone in the Dark — but be sure to download the included PDF materials (I had a copy of the print book and was so happy to have the maps and figures). I liked hearing Patton Oswalt read his own words too. It’s a pretty scary book!
I’ve listened to a few hours now and really like it, but am staying away at night!
Sunburn caught my attention. Will keep an eye out for the review… lol
I finished and reviewed one book and did one tour! Hope you will stop by!
Thanks for stopping by, Joann. I’m headed over now!
LOL! I wanted to listen to I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, as well, but Sarah has me scared stiff – ha! I often listen while running, in the wee hours of the morning, so this would *not* be a great choice for that endeavor; I remember how tough it was to listen to some episodes of Serial (the one about Adnan Syed) and getting creeped out a few times! I am so excited to hear that you enjoyed both Sunburn and The Italian Party (in progress, of course); those are both on my list!
I’ll be Gone in the Dark is good for commuting. It’s light out and I’m safe in my car. So far, I haven’t been too scared, but we will see how that goes. (Still liking The Italian Party at 80%.)
You hooked me about The Italian Party novel. Where in Italy is it? I’ll be curious if you keep liking it. The Michelle McNamara book has gotten a lot of positive hype so I’m considering it too — but it’s a bit weird wanting to read about a serial killer. Yikes. True Crime is not really my genre but …. Also it’s too bad about the author’s sudden death, how tragic.
The Italian Party is set in Siena and really brings Italy to life. It’s a fun, lighter read. I grew up and went to college in the areas where The Golden State Killer was operating and vaguely remember his raping spree in Northern California. I wasn’t old enough to worry much about it, but I should have!
I’m so happy to hear you’re liking The Italian Party so far. I didn’t get as much reading done over the weekend as I would’ve liked so hopefully I’ll get to it soon.Glad to hear Sunburn worked for you, yes, wasn’t Polly the epitomy of unreliable lol?!
Polly certainly was and in The Italian Party, Scottie is almost her polar opposite – nearly an open book with just a little secret.
This is the second book review I’ve read from someone who loved Laura & Emma. I’ll have to add it to my to-read list.
It’s well worth reading. 🙂
The Parking Lot Attendant is on my wishlist. Come see what I’ve read.
I’m thrilled to hear you’re also interested in The Parking Lot Attendant.