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It’s October and it always amazes me how quickly time passes during the fall season. Ping ponging from one holiday to another, these next few months always fly by. After sunshine last week, the weather here is lining up with the calendar and turning a little more dreary. It’s the ideal time of year to curl up with books. (If only the rest of our lives would co-operate!) Mine won’t be doing so this week, but I’m hopeful for the next. I also hope your October is happy, fun and filled with great books.
Last Week’s Reads
I finished the last few hours of Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn early in the week and really liked this audiobook. Many parts made me squirm, and the story was a little out there, but it was compelling and easy to listen to. Narrator Ann Marie Lee was terrific. It had been a while since I’d read any nonfiction, so All You Can Ever Know by Nicole Chung turned out to be a great sort of palate cleanser. Chung’s memoir of growing up Korean in a caucasian family and her search for her birth family gave me a lot to think about. I suspect that it will resonate loudly with both adoptees and their families. An interesting side note: Julie Buntin, author of Marlena (my review) edited Chung’s book. And finally, Waiting for Eden by Elliot Ackerman – the perfect book to round out September. I first notice it on The Washington Post’s Books to Read this Fall, but had forgotten about it. Thursday, I was reminded when Annie Jones raved about it on her From the Front Porch podcast. Friday evening I downloaded the sample and I finished the book by noon on Saturday. It’s under 200 pages, so that’s no great feat, but I also couldn’t stay away from this book. It’s a unique, beautifully told story of a severely injured war veteran, his wife and the soldier who died at his side. If I can pull my thoughts together, I hope to have a review up on Thursday.
Currently Reading
After the first 12% of Bitter Orange, Claire Fuller’s new book, I strayed to read Waiting for Eden. That’s never a good sign, but I’ve returned to it, and am still undecided about Fuller’s third book. Something is keeping me going, but so far the story is a little on the dull side. Beth from Beth Fish Reads raved about the audio version of Whiskey When We’re Dry by John Larison. Beth rarely steers me wrong when it comes to audiobooks, so I took note. But, for me it had two things going against it: it’s a western which I rarely read, and it’s over 15 hours long which is about 5 more than I like in an audiobook. Still, I couldn’t stop thinking about the book, so finally took the plunge and downloaded it. After and hour and a half, I’m glad I did.
Likely to Read Next
Next up will definitely be A Cloud in the Shape of a Girl by Jean Thompson. I’m looking forward to reading this quiet character driven novel that I’ve already been hearing great things about.
I hope you have a great week in books!
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Well, glad I’m not the only one who wasn’t psyched about Bitter Orange 🙂
I do think you’ll like Cloud, even though it’s not perfect.
I have about 20% left in Bitter Orange and though it won’t be my favorite book from Fuller, I think I’ll be glad I read it. Excited for Cloud!
I put All You Can Ever Know on request at my library. As an adoptee I am always interested in reading about other adoptees and their searches. This book sounds like it is right up my alley! After reading Gone Girl I have stayed away from Gillian Flynn. I loved Gone Girl but I hated it too if that makes sense.
I hope you will do a review of A Cloud In The Shape Of A Girl. I am reading a lot of buzz about this book but waiting for trusted bloggers to review it before I decide if I will read it or not. I am on the fence having been disappointed by so many books that got all this great buzz so I am taking a wait and see attitude about this one.
I can’t wait to hear what you think of All You Can Ever Know being an adoptee. I imagine, you’ll have a completely different take on it.
I’ll definitely review Cloud. It comes out on next week, so maybe by the 11th or so?
You had me nervous for a minute there about Whiskey — I have my fingers crossed that you stick with it and like it despite the length and setting. 🙂
I’m so on the fence with Bitter Orange. I did go ahead and download an ARC, but just not sure I’m going to get to it. I passed on Shape of a Girl … can’t read everything and the reviews weren’t grabbing me.
Whiskey has slowed down a little for me and I think the narration is starting to grate…we’ll see!
Nice assortment of books. Whiskey When We’re Dry caught my attention too. But I’m resisting until TBR mountain and my review stack are smaller. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I don’t think I could have listened to Sharp Objects. It was hard enough reading it at certain points. But worth it in the end.
My roundup!
I think I’d have liked Sharp Objects less had I read it. I think I’m a little more willing to overlook out there themes on audio than in print.
As you told what Waiting For Eden is about I could see why you’d want to read it, and actually so would I read it, can see how it would be compulsive reading.
It’s so short and easy to read that had I had a bit more time, I could have read it in a single sitting.
Bitter Orange is on my wishlist. My weekly update
I requested Waiting for Eden from my library as soon as I read your thoughts, that sounds so good!
I think you’ll like it. It’s not easy (emotionally), but so good.
I’m waiting on Bitter Orange- mostly until you finish it so I know if I should read it!
I’ve heard good things about A Cloud so hopefully you enjoy it.
I’m afraid I’m going to be moving into chunkster territory- I got the ARC for Murakami’s new book and it’s 700 pages. Not sure what I was thinking because I’ve never even read him before. I’ll never learn…
I have 20% to go in Bitter Orange. I’ll let you know.
My plan of attack on those huge books is not to request them. If I decide I want to try one because I hear others rave, I’ll ante up the bucks for it or wait for the library.
I’m really curious about your thoughts on Whiskey When We’re Dry ! I’ve had my eye on it for a while because of the cover and that amazing title <3 Oh and the cloud one too, I've read great things about it!