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Last week was my final week of reading freedom this summer. I’m not back to work for a couple more weeks, and I have a lot of fun packed into the next two weeks, but very little empty time for just me and books. This next week I’ll be traveling to visit some of my very favorite people, and then back home to a long overdue visit from one of my oldest and dearest friends. I hope to get some reading done, but for the next couple weeks I think books will be on the back burner!
Last Week’s Reads
I finished listening to Fitness Junkie by the writing team of Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza early last week. Their book, a fun, snarky jab at the diet/fitness industry, was wonderful. I reviewed Fitness Junkie last Thursday as part of a double audio review. You can check it out here. I breezed through Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin and have a lot of thoughts on her new book. The story of a young woman caught up in a sex scandal with a politician was told from five different perspectives. Some were wonderful and others…weird. I feel a discussion post coming in a couple weeks!
Currently Reading
Quicksand by Malin Persson Giolito is a courtroom drama told by an 18-year old young woman accused of taking part in a mass school shooting. This book was a big hit in Sweden and I can see why. The voice of Maja is so strong and clear. I alternately feel sorry for her and fearful of what she’s been a part of, but either way I want to know more. At a little over halfway, I’m looking forward to getting some solid reading time in later today on the plane.
Likely to Read Next
I’d really like to read Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie next, but that’s going to depend on how busy the next week really ends up being. If I’m getting plenty of time to read, I’ll try this tale of the clash between an emigre family and the world of politics. If time feels short, I’ll start in on September books beginning with Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward. You’ve got to be curious about a book whose description includes this: “Drawing on Morrison and Faulkner, The Odyssey and the Old Testament…” Those are some big shoes to fill and I want to find out how Ward does it!
I hope you have a great week of reading!
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Hope you end up loving Quicksand!
And I’m interested to hear how you like both Homefire and the Ward…don’t have ARCs for either, but may go back to them if I hear good things!
Enjoy your trip…not much reading in the cards for me this week, either! Moving truck arrives tomorrow!
I’m not sure if I’ll get to Home Fire. I don’t have an ARC, but am hoping I really like the Ward. Tara has warned me to be patient with it, so we’ll see!
Good luck with the move.
Safe travels Susie! I’ll be interested to hear what you think of Quicksand!
Thanks, Renee. Did you finish According to a Source?
I’m halfway done with According to a Source, I plan on taking a long walk tomorrow and have a long drive on Wed so I should finish it after that:)
I’ve tried starting Young Jane Young a few times, but that first POV wasn’t really working for me. I guess I need to stick it out and get to the other ones!
Have a great trip!!
Wow! The first point of view was actually one of my favorites in YJY. I think it’s a book that will generate a lot of conversations.
Sounds like you do have a busy couple of weeks ahead. I hope you have fun and also manage to squeeze in a little reading. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
Argh. I meant to read Quicksand last week and forgot. Oops.
So many books. So little time!
Sing, Unburied, Sing is on my radar for the fall. I think I’d rather start with Ward’s nonfiction though.
Really, why? I’ve never read any of her nonfiction. If I do, what should I start with?
Safe travels, Susie; I hope you have a wonderful end-of-summer hurrah! You and Sarah have me all keyed up about both Young Jane Young and Quicksand; I hope you enjoy Sing, Unburied, Sing and I’m so glad you had a fun little “break” with Fitness Junkie. That was such a fun read!
Thanks, Tara. So, did you end up liking Sing, Unburied, Sing? It sounds like a bit of a deep, maybe slower paced read.
Thanks Susie! I have YJY and SUS on my nightstand. My MIL gave me them as ARCs. I’m going to try them both in September after I get through Lilac Girls for my bookclub. Love your blog.
Thanks so much Melissa. So nice that you have a mother-in-law who is able to get you ARC’s. I really enjoyed The Lilac Girls. If you like WWII novels, We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter was also fantastic.
What an interesting selection of books. Come see what I’m reading.
Have a great time visiting all your friends!