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I hope you all moms had a great Mother’s Day! This year more than ever moms (and dads) deserve much gratitude for everything they’re doing for their families during this crazy time. I know many of my mom friends with young kids were hoping their Mother’s Day gift was time ALONE! I get a lot of that anyway, so was happy to spend parts of my day catching up virtually with my family. Unlike the east coast, we’ve had spectacular weather here, so I spent quite a bit of time this last week reading on my front porch. Love it!
On Wednesday, I have two fun things coming up. First, I’m the guest on Sarah’s Book Shelves Live! where we will be talking about our book recommendations for summer reading. If you aren’t already listening to Sarah’s podcast, you’re missing some great bookish conversations. On the same day I’ll share my Beach Bag Books 2020. Now, on to my week in books!
Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
Last Week’s Reads
- My reading week started out very strong with Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld. I really liked Sittenfeld’s book that reimagined Hillary Rodham Clinton’s life had she NOT married Bill. The story immediately grabbed me and had me engaged throughout. It wasn’t perfect, but well worth all the eager anticipation surrounding it.
- I listened to The Guest List by Lucy Foley and enjoyed it the first three quarters. Then, I grew a little weary of the characters, especially a group of men behaving like high school kids. With too many unlikely connections and plot turns, it just wasn’t the right mystery/thriller for me.
- I loved Stephanie Danler’s debut novel Sweetbitter (my review), so was eager to read her memoir, Stray, which I both liked and didn’t like. Her life is seriously a MESS, with addicted and largely absent parents. Reading the book was a little like watching a train wreck as Stephanie admits her own failings and road to recovery. The writing style was really different and a bit hard to describe, but I found it a little distracting. Overall, the memoir was just okay for me.
Currently Reading
- You know it’s a good audiobook, when I’m willing to just sit, doing nothing else, and listen. That’s exactly what’s been happening with A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight. Many people have been looking forward to this May Book of the Month selection, and I don’t think they’ll be disappointed.
- I’ve read the first couple chapters in Beach Read by Emily Henry and so far I’m not all that impressed. It’s feeling a little too far-fetched to me, so far. I can forgive that if the story gets good, so I’ll give it a couple more chapters and then will see if I want to finish it or not.
Likely to Read Next
- Like almost everyone else right now, my reading is dictated by mood, so these are just possibilities. I may read Happy & You Know It by Laura Hankin which just arrived in my May BOTM box a few days ago. Hopefully, this story of a woman reduced to becoming a playgroup musician for tots of the wealthy will be a fun, easy story to get lost in.
- I think I’ll make my next audiobook, 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand. Hilderbrand’s books aren’t always hits for me, but this sort of retake on Same Time, Next Year, sounds like just the type of book I most enjoy listening to.
Beach Read didn’t work for me either. And, Stephanie Danler’s life was a total trainwreck! I couldn’t stop looking, though.
I ended up DNFing Beach Read, too. I hate when I do that with BOTM selections.
Happy and You Know It may be my next read. I ended up getting 3 BOTM books this month and that was one of them (the other were The Knockout Queen and The Guest List). I’ve heard mixed things about The Guest List and I will give it a try, but it is not high on my priority list at the moment.
I got 3 BOTM, too. Both Valentine and Untamed I’d already read, but loved so much I wanted copies of my oen.
Nice looking assortment of books. I’m eager for enough warmth to read outside. We have bright and sunny but don’t have warm yet. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
Didn’t know Elin Hilderbrand had another new book coming… perfect summer reading. I always enjoy the episodes you do with Sarah!
Thanks, JoAnn! I’m halfway through 28 Summers now and I really like it. It’s a perfect summer read.
My week is starting out dicey. I was disappointed to DNF the new Ackerman novel, but I simply could not commit to it. Now I’m hovering on the edge with Stray. I’m sorry her parents were so toxic, but I don’t get the point of this memoir.
I finished Old Lovegood Girls and thought it was lovely, but think it is going to be problematic for most at this time. Looking away from the page was too easy. Next up is a WWII Holocaust novel and then Rodham.
I do want to try Rodham at some point. 28 Summers is another I want to read.
I can highly recommend both.
I DNFed Beach Read so I feel better knowing you arent thrilled with it- it seemed everyone but me was loving it. Although I see Sarah didn’t like it either. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on A Good Marriage
Liked A Good Marriage, DNF’d Beach Read. Ugh!
I DNF’d Sweetbitter as an ARC but I’ve been thinking of watching the series . I’m interested in reading Happy & You Know It.
Wishing you a great reading week, stay well x
I’m not sure I can read the Mess of Danler’s new memoir … might be too much for me now. I liked her novel so want to keep those vibes going …. and not get into this one perhaps. I’m curious about Rodham but the NYT reviewer said it was a bit bland, is it? I look forward to listening to Sarah’s podcast with you & the book talk. cheers.
I really liked Rodham. It easily kept me engaged throughout. I’m doing a review on 5/19. Stray was almost painful to read because her parents were SO awful.