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Like other parts of the country, it was a wild weather week around here. We had snow. A lot of snow. Typically when it snows around here, the next day is warmer and it all melts. This time it stayed cold plus snowed a little more, so with lots of snow on side streets and parking lots, school ended up being canceled Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. We went on Thursday and then we had Friday off for the 4-day President’s weekend. It was a tough week of work! I can’t say I used all that extra time off as well as I could have, but I did manage to get my taxes done, clean out my file cabinet, and I do a lot of reading. February has truly been a stellar reading month for me. I hope your reading is going just as well!
Last Week’s Reads
- The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin was one of those books that I hadn’t even considered until I started seeing some great reviews. I was able to get it right away from the library, and dove right in. I loved it so much that I reviewed it immediately. If you missed it you can see my full review here.
- I hadn’t realized Vacuum in the Dark by Jen Beagin was a sequel until right before I started it, but I honestly don’t think it mattered. For me, the book was just okay. Some sections I liked, others I didn’t. I’ll be doing a mini-review at the end of the month.
- I absolutely ADORED Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I could not put it down and finished it in just over 24 hours which is very unusual for me. Some people may be thrown by the interview format, but I loved it. It’s almost a documentary about what was supposed to be one of the biggest rock bands of the 70’s and it literally transported me back to that era. Fantastic! Full review next week.
Currently Reading
The next book I picked up, A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum, I’m also really enjoying. It’s the story of three Palestinian Muslim women living in New York. Spanning 1991 to 2008, the book is told from each of their perspectives, focusing on the push and pull of maintaining their own culture versus life in America. I was surprised to find that the story has an element of mystery to it, which I’m really enjoying.
Likely to Read Next
- I’ve continued to struggle with finding the right audiobook for me right now and appreciate all the great suggestions. I’ll be investigating many of those. On Saturday, Catherine from The Gilmore Guide came over for a visit and lunch. I always love it when we can get together in person and talk books. This time was even more exciting because she brought me 14 print ARC’s that she recently picked up for me at the American Library Association conference in Seattle. Fourteen! She also suggested trying A Beautiful, Terrible Thing by Jen Waite on audio. I was immediately able to download it through Libby and will start it this week. Fingers crossed that nonfiction works!
- If, Then by debut author Kate Hope Day tells the story of residents of a small Oregon community that begin having troubling visions, alternate realities. It’s not a typical sort of book for me, but I’m in the mood for something a little different and the book has received quite a bit of early praise.
I hope you have a great week in books!
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How great that you were gifted all those ARCs. Enjoy! I hate when I can’t find my next audiobook, so fingers crossed that this one works. I may need to add The Last Romantics to my list.
Thanks, Beth. I’ve listened to about an hour and so far like A Beautiful, Terrible Thing.
Glad your reading has been so excellent lately! I’m really looking forward to Daisy Jones and A Woman Is No Man.
Thanks, RK. I thought Daisy was amazing, but I’ve seen others who didn’t like it nearly as much. It will be fun to hear your thoughts.
I ended up enjoying Daisy Jones & the Six, but the interview format took some getting used to…which I did, eventually.
I would not have picked up The Last Romantics, but now I’m tempted.
Enjoy your week, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
I really think you’d like The Last Romantics. It was just such a well-done story and the writing was fantastic.
If, Then sounds like the kind of book I’d reach for, but also one that needs to be done especially well in order to pull it off. I’ll have to check it out!
I started If, Then today and after about 25%, I’m really enjoying it. Very different.
I love listening to nonfiction audiobooks! This sounds like an interesting one. Hope it’s good!
Thanks, Sharlene. I’ll let you know next week!
I’m so glad to hear you loved Daisy Jones! I can’t wait until that one comes out. Looking forward to your thoughts on If, Then! It’s such an interesting premise.
I started If, Then today and so far really like it. Truly a unique idea.
Snow days can be an unexpected treat but I don’t know about three in a row. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
By the third snow day, I was definitely going a little stir crazy.
Isn’t the snow crazy this winter?! I’ve had enough of it for sure. I’m still hoping to get a copy of A Woman is No Man and now even more so because I didn’t realize there was a mystery element to it. We’re opposites about Daisy Jones, the interview/documentary format didn’t work for me at all. It actually made me feel disconnected. I love comparing opinions, it sounds like that format enhanced your connection. I do think I’m in the minority, most people seem to be loving it.
I remembered that you didn’t love Daisy Jones, but couldn’t remember why. I was a little thrown by the format at first, but quickly grew to love it. I thought it was so great to get many different people’s takes on the same situations. It’s also my era. The later 70’s was when I started going to concerts and really getting into the whole music scene in California. It just all felt so vividly real to me.
Enjoy your books. My weekly updates
Interesting collection! I’m intrigued by A Woman is No Man, although I don’t usually enjoy contemporary settings. Sometimes it’s good to try something out of the ordinary. 🙂
I finished A Woman is No Man a couple days ago and though I liked it, it was definitely a tough read. It highlighted a very rough life for this group of women.
Saturday was so much fun!
I’m going to start The Last Romantics, thanks to you and Sarah, but I’m holding off on Daisy for when I REALLY need an amazing book. Like while I’m in Michigan and it’s 10 degrees.
Yes! Save Daisy for when you just need some pure reading pleasure. It’s a super fast read, and a great escape.
Wow 14 ARCs. That’s nice you guys can get together there. I’m glad you liked the Daisy Jones book. Not sure I will try the Beagin book after your response. But I have the first one on hold at the library. Hmm.
Susie, How fun for you and Catherine to meet – and 14 ARCs!
Love this list. I have A Woman is No Man, and Daisy Jones is on my tbr. I’m waiting on a library request for The Last Romantics. I’m looking forward to all three of these.
I’m off to look at A Beautiful Terrible Thing for audio!
Just finished A Beautiful, Terrible Thing. I really enjoyed it.
So happy you loved Daisy as much as I did, can’t wait until my review is published <3
I adored Daisy. Excited to see your review, too. When is it posting?
In a couple of weeks I think, it was fantastic!