Monday, July 04, 2016

It's Monday 7/4! What Are You Reading?

Happy 4th of July, if you are in the U.S.! Enjoying a quiet morning before a busy evening with friends & family & fireworks.

I was ALL ALONE in the house for 4 days this week & thoroughly enjoyed every minute! Did some writing, sent some pitches to new markets, and of course, plenty of reading & blogging...and very little cooking, dishes, and laundry!

Here's what we've been reading this week:
  • I finished Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs, a highly acclaimed YA best-seller. The author combines a completely original story with some really weird old photos with great effect. It's about a modern-day teen boy discovering the very strange place where his grandfather lived as a child. It took some very unexpected turns! It was not a big hit in my book group, but most of the members rarely read either YA or fantasy - I was surprised when they chose this one. A few of us really enjoyed it and are planning to read the sequels.
  • I am now reading another book group choice, though I will miss the discussion this week: Beyond the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author. This nonfiction book won the 2012 National Book Award and was on the NY Times Top 10 List for 2012. It was chosen as the All-Freshmen-Reads book when my son started college 4 years ago, and I've been meaning to read it ever since. It is living up to its hype - and more. She has written a beautiful narrative story set in the slums of Mumbai that reads so much like a great novel that I have to keep reminding myself that this is real and these are real people. Stunning & powerful.
  • I finished listening to Pax by Sara Pennypacker, a middle-grade novel about the friendship between a boy and a fox that he raised from an orphaned baby kit. The two are separated and trying to find their way back to each other. It is just as good as I had heard, with chapters alternating between the boy's and the fox's points of view - reminded me of a Kate DiCamillo novel (yes, that good).
  • I think my next audio will be The Secret Language of Sisters by Luanne Rice, a teen/YA novel about one of two sisters who is paralyzed in a car crash and has locked-in syndrome.
  • My husband, Ken, is still reading The Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett. This was the first Follett novel I ever read (many decades ago), and I think I have read it 2 or 3 times by now. I couldn't believe my husband had never read it before. It's an excellent spy thriller that was later made into a very good movie.
  • I have no idea what our 21-year old son is reading because he's been away on his grandparents' sailboat this past week, but I know he is enjoying some free time for fun reading finally!
Last week on the blog:
TV Tuesday: Wayward Pines, a super creepy dystopian sci fi thriller

My Summary of Books Read in May - a good reading month!

Fiction Review: Marriage on the Street Corners of Tehran by Nadia Shahran - an engrossing, powerful novel about women in Iran

Teen/YA Review: The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater - the 4th & final book in the series

Middle-Grade Review: The Magnificent Mya Tibbs by Crystal Allen - a new series with a spunky new Texan heroine

Saturday Snapshot: Shenandoah National Park, 2004 - 2015 - one of our favorite places!

What are you and your family reading this week?    

What Are You Reading Monday is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, so head over and check out her blog and join the Monday fun! You can also participate in a kid/teen/YA version hosted by Unleashing Readers.


There is still plenty of time to join the Big Book Summer Reading Challenge! Just click the link to read the rules - super-easy for summer! You only need to read one "big book" (400 pages or more) before September to participate. Join the fun, choose your Big Book(s) & sign up today!


20 comments:

  1. I'm glad to hear you are enjoying Beyond the Beautiful Forevers! I keep meaning to borrow that one from my sister.

    I hope you enjoyed your last day of quiet! Happy 4th!

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    1. It's an amazing book so far - can;t believe I put off reading it for so long!

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  2. Behind the Beautiful Forevers is on my shelf. I bought it not long ago. I'll be anxious to see if you like it!

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    1. I am loving it, Heidi - an amazing book.

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  3. Interesting that Miss Peregrine was not a big hit in your book group! I've heard that a lot of groups loved it, but everyone is different. I'm hoping to get to it...soon.

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    1. I think it was just the audience - this is my neighborhood group & it is mostly women in their 60's & 70's (I'm the youngest by quite a bit!) and very few of them routinely read either YA or fantasy. I was surprised they chose this one, though I'd been wanting to read it for ages.

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  4. Mmm I will be interested if you do choose The Secret Language of Sisters - I might just pick that up at some point and see what she has done with the YA book. I enjoy her writing.

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    1. I just started it on audio today, Kathryn - excellent so far - I am already hooked!

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  5. I enjoyed the first Miss Peregrine book. I have not tried the sequels yet though. My husband loves thrillers. I am going to recommend The Eye of the Needle to him. Thanks.

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    1. Oh, definitely - Follett is a master with thrillers & this was I think his first & one of his best. They also made it into a movie which was excellent.

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  6. I didn't love Miss Peregrine like most of your book group. Occasionally I've been tempted to read the sequel to see if I'll get what everyone loves about it so much.

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    1. Interesting, Tanya, because unlike my book group, you do routinely read YA & fantasy! Sometimes, too much hype can get in the way.

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  7. I started reading Pax at the library while watching my son and felt I was too distracted. I didn't sign it out, but I definitely will in the next few weeks. Thanks for reminding me and for sharing its loveliness!

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    1. So, so, so good, Ricki! Definitely go back and get it when you have time. It was wonderful on audio, though I hear the illustrations in the book are great, too.

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  8. I enjoyed Peculiar Children for the most part, mainly due to the pictures, I won't go forward with the series though. I think the movie will be good.

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    1. I was fascinated that all those old photos were real and that he created the story around them - very cool premise. I'm interested to see the movie too - it;s directed by Tim Burton, so you know the creepy, peculiar angle will be prominent!

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  9. Our book group was crazy about Beyond the Beautiful Forevers. I liked Pax a lot, too. Nice story and illustrations by Jon Klassen.

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    1. Yes, I'm sorry I'll be missing the book group discussion on that one. I didn't realize Pax had illustrations! I listened on audio, which was excellent.

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  10. Pax and Miss Peregrine are two I look forward to reading :) I know I have to read Miss Peregrine before the movie comes out!

    Happy Fourth, and happy reading this week!

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    1. Pax was wonderful - I know you'd love it! And I want to see the Miss Peregrine movie, too - Tim Burton is directing!

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