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I hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July, even if it is a very strange year! Mine was much quieter than I’d expected. I thought I’d be in Montana with my family, but that trip was cut incredibly short. The same day I arrived, we got word that my granddaughter Olivia may have been exposed to COVID. Because I have an underlying health condition that puts me at risk, and because getting testing done in their small town was going to be slow, we made the difficult decision that I should not stay. It was painful and there were a lot of tears. The good news now is that she did not get COVID and the bad news is I wish I’d stayed. It’s been a very difficult week. Hopefully, I can try again in a few weeks, though the way this country is looking right now is not very promising. I did get a lot of extra audiobooks in on the drive, so I guess that counts as a bright spot!
Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
Last 2 Week’s Reads
- I simply adored Saving Ruby King by debut author Catherine Adel West. That’s about all I’m going to say here because my full review will be posting tomorrow.
- My Friend Anna by Rachel DeLoache Williams was the first of three audiobooks I finished over the last couple weeks. I really enjoyed this memoir from a young woman who was scammed out of a lot of money by a woman who she thought was her friend. I’ll be including my mini-review on an audiobook round up next week.
- I finally listened to the first of two Pulitzer Prize winning novels by Colson Whitehead, The Underground Railroad. It was great, though I was a little distracted with my sadness at leaving in the second half. Overall, I think I enjoyed The Nickel Boys more (my review). Mini-review coming next week.
- I loved Normal People (my review), but had missed Sally Rooney’s debut, Conversations With Friends. I wasn’t sure about it for the first hour or so, but then I was completely drawn into this story of another young, confused Irish woman. Sally Rooney is now an auto-but author for me. I love her style of writing and all that angst she brings to her characters. This will also be part of the mini-review audiobook round-up next week.
- I finished reading Craigslist Confessional this week. The book is a series of stories told anonymously to author Helena Dea Bala. I enjoyed many of their stories very much, others felt a little too whinny for me. Now, honestly, that probably has more to do with my state of mind last week!
Currently Reading
- I’m still working my way through How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. I’m reading a chapter a day (Missing several days in the middle of all the last 2 week’s drama). It’s a lot to unpack and pay real attention to and I want to absorb as much as possible, so I’m liking this day-by-day approach.
- I’ve never read Alice Feeney before, so thought I’d try her latest, His & Hers. It’s a classic “who-dunnit” mystery and is working well for me on audio right now.
- I’m close to finishing The Party Upstairs by Lee Conell and to be honest, it hasn’t been my favorite. I think the author’s idea of sort of highlighting the differences between an Upper West Side building super, his daughter and the building’s residents is a great idea, but it’s been SLOW! (Again, it could be my state-of-mind.)
Likely to Read Next
- I’ve heard some really good things about The Golden Cage by Camilla Lackberg, so am eager to try for myself. I’ve had a lot of luck with Swedish crime thrillers and hope to be able to add this one to that list.
- I just recently heard about The Dragons The Giant the Women, a memoir from author Wayétu Moore. She shares the story of her family’s journey from war-torn Liberia to Texas and all that’s implied in such a huge change. I’m excited to give it a try.
So sorry to hear about your trip… what a disappointment! Happy your granddaughter did not get COVID though. I bought Conversations with Friends as a kindle daily deal earlier this year. Loved the audio version of Normal People and hope to get to this one soon. Have a good week!
I suspect Conversations is one of those books I might have liked more on audio than I would have in print. It will be interesting to hear what you think.
Gosh, Susie, so sorry to hear about the sudden change in trip plans. That’s terrible!! Good that you got lots of audiobook listening time, and that your family is healthy. The Alice Feeny book sounds quite intriguing.
Thanks, Katie. The Feeney book disappointed me a little in the end. I’m reviewing it next week.
Yay that your granddaughter is safe but boo that you didn’t get to spend time with family. Have a great reading week x
Thanks, so much Louise.
Since you like Swedish crime thrillers, have you tried Viveca Sten?
No, I need to check her out. Thanks for the tip!
I hope you have a better week this week! Though thankfully your girl is healthy. As usual, we agree on a lot- loved Nickel Boys and liked it a bit more than Underground Railroad. Ruby King is excellent. My Friend Anna was great on audio, and I loved Normal People. I’ll have to check out her debut!
I’d love to hear what you think of Conversations With Friends. I’ve heard some people not like it because there’s infidelity involved.
How sad that you had to cut your trip short. We have become more cautious again about being with our grandchildren (who just live ten miles away!) and that is hard for us, too. I hope you are able to visit again soon.
You have gotten to read a lot of great books, though. I appreciate hearing your thoughts on all of these, many of which I’ve considered reading.
Please stay safe and well.
My other grandkids (nearby) just went back to daycare last week and there have already been potential exposures. What a mess!
I’m glad your granddaughter did not get COVID. You definitely made the right decision to cut your trip short though.
His & Hers sounds like one I might enjoy.
Thanks, Carol. These are crazy times for sure!
I’m reviewing His & Hers next week. In the end I didn’t love it.
So glad your granddaughter did not end up having COVID! And hope you like Golden Cage…it’s fun.
I need fun!
What a shame that you had to cut your visit short, but what a relief that your granddaughter didn’t have COVID. You really can’t be too careful, but I’m sure it was terribly disappointing.
I read (and liked) The Nickel Boys and have The Underground Railroad ready on audio, but I’ll wait a little while since I don’t normally like to read books by one author so close to each other.
Stay safe!
Nickel Boys is VERY different than Underground Railroad, so you might be okay reading them close together.
So sorry about your Montana visit! But glad your granddaughter is all right. Gosh a heartbreaker but hopefully you can try visiting again. I think I plan to fly to see my folks in Calif soon but will quarantine upon arrival, it’s complicated! The memoir out of Liberia looks good …. I haven’t seen that book yet, thanks.