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Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
As I write this on Sunday morning, I’m excited to watch the Academy Awards later today. A couple friends are coming over for the Oscars and Thai food, making the evening even more fun. In the last week we’ve crammed in three movies that we hadn’t yet seen, Bohemian Rhapsody (loved!), BlacKkKlansman (great), and The Wife (meh). I’ve seen most of the movies this year, and have a few favorites, so bring it on! On the reading front, I continue to be really happy with the books I’ve been choosing. Of course, they’re not all winners, but I seem to have hit so many really good books this year. I have lots of reviews posting this week: another book I loved tomorrow, plus Clearing the Shelves for February 2019 on Thursday. Have a wonderful week!
Last Week’s Reads
- A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum was one of those books that I liked, but didn’t like. The writing was great and the story compelling, but the treatment of women by men and other women in this Palestinian immigrant community was HARSH. In that way it was a bit hard to read.
- Next, I turned to a book I’d really heard very little about, If, Then by debut author Kate, Hope Day. This one turned out to be a really fun read. A mashup of sci-fi, philosophy, and mystery, the whole story revolves around the idea of “if I’d done x instead of y, then things would be different.” I’ll be reviewing both these books in March.
Currently Reading
- I finally found an audiobook! I’ve been listening to Jen Waite’s memoir of her crumbling marriage, A Beautiful, Terrible Thing. Just after giving birth to her daughter, Waite began discovering more and more disturbing truths about the man she was married to. This is her journey and I’m finding it fascinating. The author does a great job narrating which has helped me to speed through this book.
- My library hold for The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray came in at the perfect time. I’m about halfway through and really like this story of a family trying to deal with multiple layers of pain and dysfunction. The start was a little slow, but it’s one of those books where the further you go the better it gets.
Likely to Read Next
- I have a bunch of historical fiction coming up, so I think I’ll turn there next with The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner. This is a different sort of WWII story, taking place in the US at an internment camp. It focuses on the friendship of two 14-year old girls longing to be free.
- I requested The Altruist by Andrew Ridker a long time ago and it finally was approved the end of last week. This story of a down-and-out professor trying to get a piece of his children’s recent inheritance comes out on March 5th. With the late approval, I may not get to it before then, but I’m going to try!
I hope you have a great week in books!
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I want to read basically all of the books you listed! Care and Feeding is on my immediate read next list… Although I do have a ton of ARCs to catch up on. The struggle.
It’s always hard balancing which books to read when. Adding to the problem is when I’m just not in the mood for something. Ah, well…..not real problems, I suppose!
I thought BlacKkKlansman was great as well. Glad to hear your thoughts on both A Woman Is No Man and Care & Feeding, as both are on my TBR.
I loved The Wife…and now, after the Oscar’s, I need to see Bohemian Rhapsody and BlacKkKlansman.
If, Then looks intriguing.
Enjoy your week, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
If, Then was really interesting. Truly different from most everything else. In that way it was great.
I like the idea of a WWII novel that focuses on the American experience. That seems to be a part of our history that gets glossed over, so hopefully the book is a good read!
You’re so right. WWII novels are always set in Europe or Asi, so this one should be interesting. Plus I think it’s sort of a COA story which should make it even more interesting.
Oh – glad you’re listening to Beautiful, Terrible Thing! I was hooked on that audio!
And just started A Woman is No Man. Only 5% in right now, but I’m into it. I’m preparing for the harsh treatment.
Finished it and really liked it. She did a great job reading it.
I’m eager to hear your thoughts on A Woman, so text me your thoughts when you get a little further in.
I have a Woman is No Man from BOTM, and Care and Feeding plus The Last Year of the War from EW. Happy to hear you liked the first and looking forward to your thoughts on the latter two.
I’m in need of a new audiobook and with both you and Sarah liking it, I’ll check it out. Thanks!
Our books seem to be really lining up lately. I finished a Beautiful, Terrible Thing and thoroughly enjoyed it. The author did her own reading and did a really nice job.
Your Oscars party sounds like fun. I didn’t watch. I hadn’t seen any of the movies. Nice assortment of books too. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on If, Then! Also want to know what you think of A Beautiful, Terrible Thing when you finish – I had issues with that one.
I liked A Beautiful, Terrible Thing a lot. I’m very curious what bothered you about it.
I felt like she diagnosed him by searching Google. I know the one therapist agreed with her, but that therapist had never met the husband. The things he did to her were bad, but I didn’t think they were bad enough to put that label on him.
I can see that. I sort of questioned that too, but felt like the therapist was enough of a confirmation for me.
I’m so disappointed that neither of my libraries seem to have Beautiful, Terrible Thing or Care and Feeding!
I’m reading The Altruists now and really enjoying it–more than I thought I would, actually. I’m not sure yet where it’s heading, but I enjoy Ridker’s writing style.
Libraries can be very frustrating. I got Beautiful from one of the two belong to using the Libby app.
I’m happy to hear you’re liking The Altruists because it’s definitely one I feel a little nervous about.
Enjoy your books. My weekly update
Thanks, Sarah.
I’m going to try A Beautiful, Terrible Thing on audio, that wasn’t on my radar but it sounds interesting. I have If, Then also so I’m glad that one worked for you. Have a great week Susie!
Thanks, Renee. You, too. (I was able to get A Beautiful, Terrible Thing immediately through Libby since it’s been out for awhile.)