Monday, June 30, 2014

It's Monday 6/30! What Are You Reading?


Running a little behind today. Things are in an upheaval around here lately, and it's only going to get worse. My dad was recently diagnosed with Stage 3 melanoma, so we went to visit him this weekend (in my hometown, Rochester, NY). Hopefully, his surgery will be scheduled this week, but we are heading out to Oklahoma to visit my father-in-law, whom we are in the process of moving out here to Delaware. And my oldest son's chronic illnesses are badly flared up. So, yeah, going through some rough times here, but hanging in there and staying optimistic.

Thank goodness for our books that provide some comfort and escape. Here's what we've been reading this week:
  • I finished Tomorrow There Will Be Apricots by Jessica Soffer for a book discussion hosted by my local bookstore, where a local chef prepared foods related to the book while we discussed it. The novel was excellent - about the interaction between a teen girl who's feeling lost and unloved and an older woman who just lost her husband. Much of the book focuses on delicious-sounding Iraqi foods (both the girls' mother and the older woman are chefs), and the lunch was wonderful!
  • Now I am reading Endangered by Eliot Schrefer, a YA novel. It's about a teen named Sophie who is visiting her mom in the Congo, where she runs a sanctuary for bonobos, a type of ape. Sophie gets stuck there during a violent coup and must find a way to save both herself and the bonobos. It is great so far - suspenseful and compelling.
  • My husband, Ken, finished The Martian by Andy Weir, which I gave him for Father's Day. He really enjoyed it - it's like MacGyver meets Gravity.
  • Ken is now reading a modern classic, The Terminal Man by Michael Crichton.
  • Jamie, 19, is finished reading the Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson on his Kindle, finishing book 2, The Well of Ascension, and then reading book 3, The Hero of Ages. He is fortunate enough to be able to read in the car without getting sick, so he had 14 hours of reading time this weekend!
  • Next, Jamie read The Prince of Ravens, Book 1 of The Exile Trilogy by Hal Emerson.
  • Now, Jamie is reading Ink Mage by Victor Gischler, another free fantasy novel on the Kindle.



Just one post last week:



Review of  The First Phone Call from Heaven by Mitch Albom

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.



There is still plenty of time to sign up for my Big Book Summer Challenge! You only need to read one book, 400 pages or more, this summer to participate, so join the fun!

12 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry to hear about all the craziness going on in your life! I will be thinking of your father and hoping for a successful surgery.

    Tomorrow There Will Be Apricots sounds great. I may add that to my ever growing list. Endangered sounds good as well.

    I am envious of Jamie. I can't read more than about 15 minutes in the car before feeling ill.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same here, Julie! I can look through magazines, glancing up at the horizon frequently but can't read a book. I can't even ride in the backseat! lol Jamie reads nonstop the entire trip.

      Thanks for the kind thoughts -

      Sue

      Delete
  2. I'm sorry life is so hard right now... will be thinking of you and hoping it all works out.

    I tried to read Tomorrow There Will be Apricots from NetGalley and had a hard time with the formatting (they ended up removing it). I should probably pick up an actual copy and finish... the food sounded amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, JoAnn - I appreciate that.

      The formatting issue sounds strange! My mom and I both enjoyed the novel, though it is a difficult subject matter at times.

      Sue

      Delete
  3. Enjoy and savor Endangered. It is amazing! One of my favorite books ever!

    Happy reading this week! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I finished it last night, Kellee - outstanding!

      Delete
  4. And please know my thoughts are with you and your family. I hope the surgery goes well and that the results are positive.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kellee - I appreciate that. No word yet on when the surgery will happen.

      Delete
  5. Sending best wishes to you this week. I hope things improve.

    Endangered is one of my favorite books of all time. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Ricki.

      I finished Endangered last night and loved it - read every single word - including all the end pages, Q&A, acknowledgements, etc!

      Delete
  6. It's been awhile since I read a Michael Crichton novel. Brings me back to my university years. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Just came across your post and my thoughts are with you and your family.

    ReplyDelete