Monday, November 10, 2014

It's Monday 11/10! What Are You Reading?


My husband and I did something really amazing this weekend: we relaxed! Our weekends are usually hectic and busy, with school, soccer, and trying to get to the items on our to-do lists that we missed during the week. This weekend, my son was away, so we just chilled out and did some things we haven't managed in ages: we went on a hike together Saturday morning, we started a jigsaw puzzle (it's been years since we've done that!), and we spontaneously called some friends to meet us for dinner Saturday night. My to-do list is still here, but it was wonderful to just enjoy the weekend for a change!

And, of course, we did plenty of reading, too:
  • I'm still reading Bill Bryson's One Summer: America, 1927, a nonfiction book that I started for one of my book groups, though I didn't feel well enough to make the meeting last week. I'm torn on this one. I normally love Bryson's books, but this one is lacking his usual sense of humor and almost TOO filled with information. I keep thinking I should just set it aside...but then I keep reading. My husband says I alternate between complaining to him about the book and reading passages out loud to him! So, I am still reading.
  • I also started - and finished - Sisters by Raina Telgemeier, a middle-grade graphic novel, another memoir-style book (like Smile) based on her own relationship with her sister during a long road trip when they were kids. It was excellent, as all of her books seem to be!
  • I started a new audio book, Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson. It's a memoir written in verse and is being marketed as a middle-grade children's book, but it's one of those unique books that will be enjoyed by all ages. I'm not much of a poetry fan and would normally have passed on this one, but I kept hearing rave reviews. So far, it is absolutely amazing - powerful, warm, and moving.
  • My husband, Ken, read Personal by Lee Child, his favorite author, in record time and loved it.
  • Ken is now (finally) reading The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley, a book I have been recommending to him for years. He seems to be enjoying it.
  • I assume that Craig, 16, is still reading The Crucible by Arthur Miller for his American Lit class - I haven't seen him in a few days!

I only managed one review last week (still trying to catch up!), but I squeezed in another couple of posts this weekend:
Review of Ghostopolis by Doug TenNapel, a middle-grade graphic novel

Saturday Snapshot, with a few pics of a late-fall hike at our local nature center

Weekend Cooking, with several recipes for tasty family dinners using fall produce

What are you and your family reading this week?    

What Are You Reading Monday is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey, with a kid/teen version hosted by Unleashing Readers.   


Covered bridge & lovely stream at our nature center

13 comments:

  1. I've been eyeing Brown Girl Dreaming, but I haven't read any reviews on it! Thanks for reviewing it. It sounds awesome.

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    1. It's great so far, Heidi! Unique and moving.

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  2. I want to read Sisters! I love that author!

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    1. Me, too, Sheila! I still need to go back and read Smile, but I enjoyed Drama.

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  3. I love that your husband is reading The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. That's such a fun series to discuss with someone!

    I'm glad you guys found some time to relax this weekend. It makes you feel like a whole new person, doesn't it??

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    1. It was lovely, Lindsey...though it seems like a distant memory already! lol

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  4. I would love to hear Brown Girl Dreaming on audio. I bet it would be a completely different experience! I've heard such great things about Sisters. I need to find a copy of it! I am glad you had some relaxing time this week!

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    1. It's wonderful on audio, Ricki! The author reads it herself. Though I saw a friend's copy of the book last week and also ordered myself one from the library - it's also nice seeing how the verse is laid out, and there are a few quotes I wanted to copy down (the downside of listening to audios!).

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  5. Loved Brown Girl Dreaming. If you get a chance listen to the audio - Jacqueline Woodson reads it herself.

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    1. I am listening to it on audio! And you're right - it;s wonderful.

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  6. I love love love Flavia de Luce and hope Ken finds her as captivating as I do. I'm saving Brown Girl Dreaming for a Christmas present for myself, but just finished The House You Pass on the Way, by her and adored it.

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    1. I would love to read more by Woodson now - thanks for the recommendation!

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  7. Your weekend sounds wonderful! I hope you have another relaxing weekend planned. We seem to be busy all the time. I'd love to just relax and not worry about the to-do list for once!

    I'm going to look into those middle-grade books. They sound good.

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