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Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
Happy Labor Day to everyone! Labor Day might be my least favorite holiday for very selfish reasons. It marks the unofficial end summer, the season I most adore. I’m always a little sad to say goodbye to the lazy, easy, free days of summer and hello to fall’s return to structure and schedules. My reading pace will definitely be slowing down, so I’m hoping that many of the books I choose this fall will be as amazing as the book I finished last week!
Last Week’s Read
If you visit Novel Visits regularly you know I’ve been struggling to find what I call a “WOW” book. Well, no more! The Hearts Invisible Furies by John Boyne was all I’d hoped for and more. Boyne’s simple story of a gay Irishman’s life was everything: sad, quirky, touching, funny, clever, hopeful, educational. Without a doubt, a top ten book this year.
Currently Reading
I didn’t think I’d want to read another long book after finishing The Heart’s Invisible Furies, but I just couldn’t resist the allure of Eleanor Henderson’s sophomore novel, The Twelve-Mile Straight. I’ve barely begun her book, but am looking forward to really diving into this Southern saga set in 1930’s rural Georgia. I want to see how she develops the story of a white sharecropper’s daughter who gives birth to twins, one light-skinned, the other dark. I’m currently listening to The Burning Girl by Claire Messud. The narrator, Morgan Hallett is excellent, really bringing Julia, who’s telling the story of her lost friendship with Cassie, to life. At well over halfway through, I’m very curious about where this coming-of-age story is going to end up.
Likely to Read Next
Best Day Ever and The Exact Nature of Our Wrongs are both making repeat appearances here. I’ve taken a couple of turns I hadn’t originally planned on, but I will get to one of these next. A psychological thriller about deceptions and betrayals threatening a couple’s marriage may make Best Day Ever by Kaira Rouda the perfect change of pace for me. Featuring a dysfunctional family, The Exact nature of Our Wrongs by Janet Peery, is a book that should be right up my alley. I’d really like to up my nonfiction reading, so am planning on listening to We Are All Shipwrecks by Kelly Grey Carlisle next. The publisher’s blurb really appealed to me, “….a memoir of an unconventional childhood and one woman’s courageous journey to the knowledge that where you come from isn’t always who you are.”
I hope you have a great week in books!
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I’m waiting to hear your thoughts on The Burning Girl before deciding if it goes on my tbr. I’m also interested in The Exact Nature of our wrongs. So happy Heart’s will make your top 10!! Have a great reading week!
Thanks, Renee. I’m enjoying The Burning Girl, but with only an hour and a half left am still wondering where it’s headed. That could be a good thing…or a bad thing?
I just started Burning Girl and am planning to read Twelve Mile Straight next! AND – cannot wait to read Invisible Furies…I’m on the hold list! I haven’t had a truly literary saga winner this year and I’m hoping that’s the one!
Also have my eye on Shipwrecks, so let me know how that goes for you!
I think you’ll love Heart’s! I’m reviewing it later this week. I’ll be interested to see how Burning Girl works for you. I think I’d be enjoying it less had i read it. I’m just not quite sure and am nearly done with it. Warning: Twelve Mile needs to be given time.
Love all your books, and many are on my list too. I love Labor Day because I love fall!
Thanks, Beth. I’ll love fall as soon as I can retire!
Nice looking assortment of books. All are new to me. Like you I am not a fan of Labor Day simply because it marks the end of summer. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I love the title, We Are All Shipwrecks. I will have to add that one to the list! Twelve Mile Straight sounds really good too!
Have a great week!
Thanks for stopping by, Erin. I hope Shipwreck proves to be a great nonfiction.
I’ve been looking to add Heart’s Invisible Furies to my Book of the Month club box. It’s a long one but I think I want it. Burning Girl is on my library wait list.
I really hesitated with Heart’s because of the length, but am SO glad I read it. Enjoy the week!
John Boyne has been on my to read list for a long time, but you’ve just convinced me to move him to the top. Also looking forward to Claire Messud’s new book… hadn’t considered listening, but maybe I should. Will look forward to your final thoughts.
Hi JoAnn, I actually think I like Burning Girl more because I am listening to it. I think if I was reading, I might get a little tired of it.
Happy you found your WOW read – we all need one! Happy reading ahead; you’ve some great titles lined up.
Thanks, Jade. It has been a rough summer for books. Here’s to a great fall!
I am adding We are All Shipwrecks to my wishlist. Come see what I’m reading
Thanks for stopping by, Sarah. I’m off to check out your post.
Curious to hear your opinion of Best Day Ever. Other reviews have been really good.
Wow, you’ve got some interesting books! I’m not sure I’ve been to your blog before, actually 🙂 I’ll make sure I follow it.
The way you talk about yours 5 star read also intrigues me. I think I’ll be checking out The Heart’s Invisible Furies.
Have a great reading week 🙂