Monday, April 20, 2015

It's Monday 4/20! What Are You Reading?


The weather this weekend was gorgeous (finally!), but now it's a dark, gray, rainy Monday - makes me want to crawl back into bed with a good book!

I had a very busy week last week, with almost no time at all for writing, so I need to rectify that this week. We always make time for reading, though! Here's what we read last week:
  • I finished And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini, a very powerful novel. It's about a brother and sister in Afghanistan who are separated as children, and it is just as good as his first two novels. It's a very compelling and well-written story. Unfortunately, I realized I had the dates wrong and won't be able to go to my book group's discussion of it next week.
  • Now I am reading Fram by Steve Himmer, a novel that is one of the selections for the Booktopia event I am attending next week in Vermont, hosted by my favorite podcast, Books on the Nightstand. My mother and I were wait-listed for months and just got into the event last week, so I am very excited! The book is unusual so far but intriguing, and I can't wait to meet the author next week!
  • I finished listening to Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, a middle-grade audiobook about a girl named Ally who struggles because she doesn't fit in and is guarding a secret. It was excellent and a great way to bring attention to a serious and often-overlooked learning disability.
  • I haven't started it yet, but I will upload my next audio book to my iPod today: Rainey Royal by Dylan Landis. This is one of the authors who will be at Booktopia next week, so I am excited to listen to the book and discuss it with the author!
  • I also started a new graphic novel, Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli. It is interesting so far, with a unique drawing style.
  • My husband, Ken, is reading Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, which thrilled me to no end since it is one of my favorites! I think he stayed up late last night to finish it - I can't wait to talk to him about it!
  • Jamie, 20, started Mountain Man by Keith C. Blackmore, a book his dad lent him, to continue his Zombie obsession, now that he has finished what he needed to read of The Iliad for his World History class.
  • Craig, 17, is reading The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald for his American Literature class, using my old copy from high school filled with my scribbled notes which he says is "just like the Half-Blood Prince!" He says it's pretty good so far, which is high praise from someone who claims not to like reading anymore.
Just one review last week, plus a couple of posts on the weekend - I need to catch up on reviews:
Review of The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Saturday Snapshot - spring has finally arrived in Delaware!

Weekend Cooking - Cookbook Review of Everyday Paleo

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
 


 

18 comments:

  1. Beautiful Spring picture! We're not quite there yet here in PA. It's only been warm(ish) for about a week. I can see the cherry blossom buds trying to break through. Hopefully soon! And the Mountains Echoed sounds wonderful, I just haven't had a chance to read it yet (I probably should). Happy reading to you and your family!

    Michelle @ Michelle's Minions

    HERE'S what I'm readaing.

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    1. I'm just over the PA border in DE, Michelle, so your blooms should be coming soon!

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  2. That's a bummer that you can't discuss And The Mountains Echoed with your reading group. But reading a good book is always worth it, right?? :)

    It's a gloomy day here too. I hope tomorrow is sunnier for both of us!

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    1. Well worth reading, Lindsey! But some books just begged to be discussed, too!

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  3. So glad to hear you got some nice weather finally. Hopefully it will be back soon! I've had And the Mountains Echoed on my shelf for a while now. I need to read it at some point.

    Have a great week of reading!

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    1. Definitely make time for it, Julie - it was excellent - very moving.

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  4. I've been reading book club books this month, and today it's the one for our library Mystery Readers Book Club, Dog On It by Spencer Quinn. It's a fun start to a mystery series, told from the point of view of the PI's dog, Chet!

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    1. Sounds like fun, Laurie! I hadn't heard of that series before.

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  5. Gloomy days are so good for book reading!

    I'm so glad you liked Fish in a Tree! It is such a great book, and you are right--it is important!

    Happy reading this week! To you and your family :)

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    1. Yes, rainy days and books go together well!

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  6. I love that Craig compared using your copy of Gatsby to the Half Blood Prince! You know you're in a reading family when that happens!

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    1. ha ha - I know! I loved that, too, Helen. Funny things is that he;s the one who claims not to like reading ;)

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  7. Hi Sue,
    Is this the first time you're attending Booktopia? I don't remember how I came to follow your blog but perhaps we've met at a previous Booktopia?!
    Which other author sessions will you attend?
    Kats

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    1. Hi, Kats -

      No, I've never been to a Booktopia before but am so excited to be going to this one! I tried registering right at noon the day it opened but was wait-listed. I never thought I'd get in - just got off the wait list last week!

      As a result, I haven't had much time for Booktopia reading yet. Also, some of the author sessions were full by the time I was able to sign up. Besides the two books I mentioned above, I am also going to Kelly Link's short story collection discussion (need to pick that one up at the library this week!). I think those will be the only ones I'll have time to read before arriving.

      I'm so glad to "meet" someone else who is going! Looking forward to meeting you in person -
      Sue

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    2. That is so exciting, Sue!! Congrats for making it off the wait list, and your mum, too. I can guarantee that you'll have a wonderful time. Where are you staying?
      I will be at The Inn, and I'm signed up for the short story discussion on Friday afternoon but not on the Saturday. But I will look out for you at the Steve Himmer session on Friday! I haven't read FRAM but he is a fun guy (he's been to two previous Booktopias, as he's a good friend of Michael's).

      Such fun that we're going to meet! I still don't know how I came across your blog, but I've been subscribed for a long time and I enjoy your updates and reviews immensely.

      See you next week!! :-)
      Kats

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    3. All of the places reserved for Booktopia were either booked or nothing left but super-expensive rooms, so I books at a little place right in town, very close to the bookstore, Sutton's Place, a small guest house.

      I'm signed up for both Kelli Link' & Steve Himmer on Sat morning & Dylan Landis Sat afternoon. So, I will look for you at the opening and welcome reception! So excited to meet a "virtual friend" in real life!

      Sue

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  8. I tried to listen to And the Mountains Echoed on audio and I had too much trouble understanding the narrators so I want to read the book when I get a chance. A Thousand Splendid Suns is one of my favorite books.

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  9. I own a copy of And The Mountains Echoed but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. Hopefully very soon.

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