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Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
This last week has been a busy one, but I got so much done at home, plus found quite a bit of time for books. Ah….summer vacation! I started the week out in Montana, came home on Monday and headed to San Diego on Saturday afternoon. As I write this it’s Saturday morning, I’m all packed and excited to be joining my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew for 4th of July week at the beach. The three hour plane ride, plus loads of relaxation time should make for lots of reading time, but history has shown me that often doesn’t really happen on vacations. Too many other fun distraction! I’m going to be taking the rest of this week off from the blog, so no new reviews until next week. I hope you have a fun, happy and safe 4th of July.
In case you missed it, last Tuesday I shared my My Favorite Books of 2019 (so far), and on Thursday reviewed After the End by Clare Mackintosh, which could have easily made that list.
Last Week’s Reads
- After a few days hiatus while I was visiting my grandkids, I finally finished listening to the last couple hours of John Glynn’s memoir, Out East. I really enjoyed this one and especially loved his open and honest writing style. Mini-review coming later this month.
- At 544 pages, The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo is definitely long, but it never felt long to me. I love a good character driven novel and that’s exactly what you get in the story of Marilyn and David Sorenson and their four adult daughters (all struggling in some way). Part of me wants to review this immediately, but it will have to wait until next week.
- I flew through The Need by Helen Phillips and liked it a lot. It’s a little scary, and a lot bizarre, but super compelling. It kept me thinking the entire time and was the perfect book to get me over the hangover left by The Most Fun We Ever Had. I predict there will be much to talk about with The Need. A discussion post would be great, but no promises!
Book I Could NOT Finish
- I gave We Went to the Woods by Caite Dolan-Leach 19%, but I was just SO, SO bored. Maybe it would have gone somewhere eventually, but I wasn’t willing to give it any more of my time.
Currently Reading
- I knew I wanted my next audiobook to be fiction, but really had nothing in mind, so I chose Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes solely based on two things. First, the narrator is Julia Whelan and I love almost anything read by her. Also, it’s summer and I knew I had a week of distractions coming up so wanted something lighter. At about three hours in, Evvie fits the bill.
- I haven’t actually started The Last Book Party by Karen Dukess yet, but will this afternoon on the plane. Early reviews seem to be mixed on this one, but “A page-turning, coming-of-age story, written with a lyrical sense of place and a profound appreciation for the sustaining power of books,” sounds pretty good to me right now.
Likely to Read Next
- As of now, I don’t have an ARC of A Prayer for Travelers by Ruchika Tomar and can’t seem to find it on Libby, so unless my library comes through, I may have to buy this one when it comes out on July 9th. Tomar’s debut is a coming-of-age story set in the Northern Nevada desert. I have a lot of family in Nevada so know just how desolate that area can be.
I hope you have a great week in books!
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Great timing that you picked up Evvie Drake Starts Over already, since Jenna Bush Hager just picked it for her July Book! I requested it from my library but the audiobook will be awhile now!?. So excited Julia Whalen narrates. I love her narration too! Have a great trip!!
I hadn’t heard about Jenna Bush Hager picking Evvie. It’s an interesting choice. I liked the book, but I can’t see that there’s much to discuss. Julia Whelan was great.
Have a great trip! I hope you can sneak in some reading time. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
Have a nice trip! A Prayer for Travelers and Most Fun is on my TBR. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Phillips and Dolan-Leach books — I enjoyed their previous novels The Beautiful Bureaucrat and Dead Letters.
I really liked Dead Letters, too, so was sad that Dolan-Leach’s sophomore effort fell a little flat. I adored The Most Fun We Ever Had and am reviewing it on 7/9. Stay tuned!
Evvie Drake Starts Over sounds good. My weekly update
Really looking forward to The Need and The Most Fun We Ever Had! I loved Out East, too.
I think you’ll enjoy both books, Tina and they couldn’t be more different.
I never seem to read as much on vacation as I think I will! Have a great time!
EVVIE DRAKE STARTS OVER is likely SO not in my wheelhouse, but I love Linda Holmes, so I’m hoping your thoughts on it give me a push to pick it up regardless. 🙂
I really liked it on audio, but don’t think I’d have enjoyed it so much in print. I tend to go for lighter audiobooks in the summer.
A lot of these titles are my book picks for July — so we are on the same wavelength! I’m glad you liked The Need and look forward to hearing what you think of the Tomar novel and The Last Book Party. I hope to read these too! Enjoy your time in San Diego. I just got back from Montana, I was in Bozeman and Missoula. Both great places.
My younger son went to college in Montana and then married a Montana girl and has never left. They lived in Bozeman for a long time, but last year moved to a small town outside of Missoula, so I know the places you visited well.
I have several of these on my list … Hope you have (are having, have had?) a great week off.
Thanks, Beth. It’s been great.
Susie, I just finished Evvie Drake on audio and so absolutely loved it; of course, I thought of you! I’m so glad you’re listening to it, too! 🙂