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How’s summer shaking out for you? Getting a lot of books read? Relaxing? Visiting with friends and relatives? Mine has involved a little of all of that, with this last week relaxing finally taking center stage. With that came a good amount of time for books and a little guilt over being so lazy! This week I definitely need to actually accomplish a few things, but honestly a little laziness before a new school year starts is exactly what I need to gather the energy needed to take on a new crop of 7th graders.
Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
Last Week’s Reads
- I had a great reading week beginning with The Other’s Gold by Elizabeth Ames. This decade long story of four women who meet as college suite-mates and become life long friends really worked for me. It’s just the sort of friendship book I love, reminding me a little bit of The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer. Review coming later this month.
- I finished listening to Marilou is Everywhere by Sarah Elaine Smith and kind of wish I’d read it instead. It’s not that the plot was complicated, but somehow I feel like I’d have got more out of this one in print. Review coming soon.
- Somehow I’d forgotten that I put in a library hold for Very Nice by Marcy Dermansky, but when it came in last week the timing was perfect as I was just looking for a new book to read. Very Nice probably won’t be for everyone, but I loved it. It’s the story of a bunch of messed up characters, all interconnected in various ways, and though I didn’t particularly like any of them, the story was just plain fun. It read like a soap opera and I can easily see it as a mini-series or movie in the vein of Big, Little Lies. Review sometime this month.
Currently Reading
- Currently, I’m listening to The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead. I didn’t read his Pulitzer Prize winning book, The Underground Railroad, so wanted to give this one a try. At the halfway point, I’m eager to get back to listening both for the story and for JD Jackson’s excellent narration.
- My September books are a pretty heavy/literary group of books and I just wasn’t feeling like going there quite yet, so decided to go backlist. A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams was Sarah’s number one selection when we shared our All-Time Favorite Summer Reads on her podcast. My library had it, I’ve already read a third of the book and am thoroughly enjoying the story, though I’m pretty sure I already know where it’s going.
Likely to Read Next
The question really isn’t what I’m going to read next because I have lots of September ARC’s I need to start in on. The real question is what will I listen to? Help me decide between these options:
- Devotion by Madeline Stevens is a debut novel about two women, one a young Upper East Side mom and the other her envious nanny. Reviews are mixed, but it sounds like fun, light listen to me.
- If I want to go the more suspenseful route I could listen to Lost You by Haylen Beck. This psychological suspense story has two women claiming the same 3-year old boy as her son.
- Finally, I could listen to the audiobook of Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Of course, I’ve already read, reviewed, and loved Daisy, but I told myself I was going to go back and also listen to it this summer and I haven’t done it, yet. In considering this, I hit the same roadblock I always do with rereads: I already know the story, so why bother. Still, I’ve heard such amazing things about the audiobook cast. So????
I hope you have a great week in books!
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I liked the audio of Marilou, but I kind of know what you mean. There were parts I might have reread or paused to think about if I were reading instead of listening. Regardless, it was win for me.
The further I get away from the story and the more I think about it, the more I think I like Marilou.
I also haven’t read The Underground Railroad but did read The Nickel Boys. I loved it, so powerful.
Finished it today. It was great. How did we both miss The Underground Railroad?
I LOVED A Hundred Summers! Totally agree with Sarah’s review. Just added Very Nice to my library holds based on your rec- sounds right up my alley. And I’m starting The Nickel Boys today, too! Happy reading!
I finished A Hundred Summers today. It truly was a perfect summer read. I think you’ll like Very Nice. It’s very different. Nickel Boys? Great!
Yeah the audio of Daisy Jones is worth a redo of the story. I think I listened to it twice. I must admit I pretty much fell for Billy Dunne — gosh what’s wrong with me. The narrator of the Nickel Boys audio is very good, but I think I might read it too b/c my head’s not been on straight with it. I’m at the OC now visiting & loving the beach and the start of The Goldfinch story, ha. Great beach times. Hope you have a bit more time before the 7th graders.
Lucky you to be in OC. I lived in Irvine for 4 years and loved it there. Have a great vacay!
I think I will listen to Daisy, but don’t want to pay for a reread, so think I’m going to wait for my turn on Libby….10 weeks!
I just finished The Other’s Gold as well and really loved it.
I’ll be interested in your review of The Nickel Boys. I haven’t read The Underground Railroad either, but I’m intrigued by this one. Seems very heavy, though–I may wait until a little later in the year.
As someone who has only listened to the audio of Daisy Jones, I think you might appreciate it more than I did, since you’ve already read the book. The actors are excellent, but I had some trouble tracking who was speaking. It will probably be easier for you since you already know the story and characters.
I finished The Nickel Boys today and it wasn’t as heavy as you might think. Whitehead did a good job of giving you the idea of what was happening without going into too much detail. I loved the ending.
I’m definitely going to listen to Daisy eventually, but may wait for my library hold.
I reread to revisit old friends. Yes, I know the story but it seems I always see something new when I reread. Enjoy relaxing and building energy reserves. Seventh graders can be a challenge. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I don’t know what my problem with rereads is, but I’m like that with movies, too. I never want to see one twice.
Glad you’re liking A Hundred Summers…and that you loved Other’s Gold! I’m waiting on Nickel Boys from the library…hopefully I’ll get it soon!
Thank you for recommending both those books to me. I finished A Hundred Summers today and thought it was an ideal summer read.
I read and liked Underground Railroad. I’m waiting until the Houston reading series starts in September to read the new book by Colson Whitehead, as he will be the first to read his book.
I also like the look of Daisy Jones and A Hundred Summers. I may look for both of these.
Enjoy your last little bits of summer so you can go back refreshed to a new crop of teens.
Have a great week!
The reading series sounds very cool and what a treat to hear Whitehead himself read.
Daisy Jones is one of my very favorite books this year. Try it!
I think you go with Daisy Jones because I have also heard amazing things about the audio AND it can be a free listen. No review, just enjoyment.
I just don’t want to have to BUY a book I’ve already read, so I think I’m going to put in my 10 weeks and wait for it to come up on Libby. The fall is also a great time for a completely free listen.
My youngest is heading into 7th grade! I couldn’t imagine dealing with the amount of 7th graders you do! Have a great week and I hope you can stop by:
https://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2019/08/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-81219.html
Colletta
7th graders…attitudes…hormones…drama…eek! Seriously, I love the age (4 out of 5 days a week).
A Hundred Summers is one of my favorite books! Glad you’re enjoying it!
Thanks, Angela. It was terrific.
Nickel Boys is on my TBR. My weekly updates
Just finished it and it’s one of those books that deserves all the hype.