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.Can you believe it’s nearly the middle of October? I hope the fall has been going well (or at least better) for all of you. School has finally begun to settle down for me. I still don’t enjoy teaching through a computer, but am finding it all a little more manageable. I missed this Monday check in last week because I’d had my 3 and 4 year old grandkids for the weekend. They are lots of fun and have SO much energy, but leave absolutely no time for anything! So, today I’ll be sharing my books for the last couple weeks, and then I’m afraid I’ll be MIA for couple of weeks. My sister, brother and I will be meeting up in Nevada to move our elderly mom from independent living to assisted living. It was a tough call, but one that had to be made, and in the end will be much safer for her. So, I’ll be gone from work for eight days and am sure I won’t get any blogging done for the next couple of weeks, either. I will post on Instagram @novelvisits, so please follow me there, if you’re not already.
Last week I shared reviews of two books I loved, A Knock at Midnight by Brittany K. Barnett and Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam. Both are books I highly recommend and that will definitely be in the running for my Best Books of 2020 list.
Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
Last 2 Week’s Reads
- It feels like I finished Homegoing a long time ago, because so much has happened since, but it really hasn’t been all that long. Let’s keep it simple, I loved it. Why it took me so long to read Yaa Gyasi’s debut I’m not sure, but am so glad I finally got to it. I shared thoughts on Instagram already and will cover it here at the end of the month in my October Audiobook Reviews.
- Memorial by Bryan Washington has been getting a lot of early buzz, so I picked it up a little early. For me, it was just okay. It’s a book focused on several different dysfunctional relationships and honestly, that just wasn’t what I needed right then. Review at the end of the month.
- For much of The Girl in the Mirror, Rose Carlyle’s debut, I thought it was another thriller, with the usual thriller flaws. I was enjoying it, but skeptical about some of the plot points. Then, I got to the end and wow! I ended up enjoying this book very much. Review at the end of the month.
- On the other hand, When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole, was one of those mystery/thrillers that just went too far with the unlikely twists and turns required to pull the story off. I listened to the whole book, but it’s not one I’d really recommend.
Currently Reading
- I’m right in the middle of listening to Conditional Citizens, Laila Lalami’s memoir and exploration of what it’s like to be a naturalized citizen of the United States. She examines the many ways countries, especially the U.S., marginalize certain groups of people and often fight to keep them out. It’s well written and very easy listening.
- A few days ago I could find NOTHING I wanted to read. I sampled the first 10-15 pages of three books and rejected them all. I knew I needed something light, something different, so began to wonder about The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab, a book I hadn’t previously considered because I don’t normally go for fantasy. Still, reviews have been good and I thought maybe something really different is exactly what I needed. Seventy-five pages in, I’m liking it. I’m not stunned by it yet, but am intrigued and definitely will keep going.
Likely to Read Next
- More than one reader I trust has bailed on Group by Christie Tate, so it’s going to be on as very short trial for me. I have an audiobook copy, so will give that a try on some of the long driving I have coming up this week. I’ll let you know!
- I’ve been looking forward to White Ivy by Susie Yang for a long time now. Part coming-of-age story, part immigrant experience, part exploration of class, part thriller, White Ivy just might have it all. It will definitely be my next read.
Good luck getting your mother settled into her new living situation. I do hope you find a little time for reading. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I hope it goes well settling your Mom into her new living situation. It is not easy, I know. My folks are on the brink of that very same situation. We are waiting a bit but it might not be too far off. Thanks for the report on these books …. I would like to get to both of Yaa Gyasi’s novels (hopefully before the end of the year). Your reviews & thoughts always help me on what to pick up ahead of another book … take care.
Thanks so much, Susan. I;m glad my reviews are helpful to you.
We got the move done and my Mom’s new apartment is actually lovely, with beautiful views. It will be interesting to see how she does there. When we left, I think she was still in a little bit of shock.
That’s great … must be peace of mind – knowing your Mom is in a nice place with care & beautiful views. Pleased for you!
I dragged my feet about Homecoming and ended up loving it, too. I read When No One Is Watching in print, and really liked it. I felt that it was more literary fiction than thriller, though. I hope your mother adjusts well to her new situation and the transition is as smooth as possible for everyone.
Thanks, so much Laurie. It’s always interesting when we put off reading a book and then end up loving it. Homegoing was definitely one of those for me.
I did something I’ve never done before–I DNF’d While No One Was Watching about 85% of the way in. The ending was gross and ridiculous. I can’t believe I even made it that far. The story was a mess. The author couldn’t seem to make up her mind what she wanted it to be–a thriller, a literary novel, or a social commentary. Kind of mad I wasted so much time reading it. It got fairly decent reviews on Goodreads, so I had a lot of hope for it.
I so agree with you abut the Ending of When No One is Watching and the last 15% got even worse! You were smart to quit on it, but it surprises me how many people loved it.
I hope the relocation goes smoothly Susie.
I still need to read The Girl in the Mirror. My daughter is a fan of Schwab but I’m yet to read anything by her. It seems I should start with this one.
Wishing you a great reading week, and a safe return
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is the only Schwab book I’ve read, but I LOVED it. So many of the rest of her books are a part of a series, and I generally don’t like series, but I may need to take a closer look.