It's Monday 4/27! What Are You Reading?

Whew, a very hectic weekend but a good one - got a lot done, especially in the yard which really needed the attention, had some fun, and enjoyed some family time. Now, it is the start of a new week...an exciting week!

On Thursday, I leave for Booktopia, a bookish weekend retreat hosted by my favorite podcast, Books on the Nightstand. I have yearned to go to this event for years, and this year is the last year it will be held. I asked my mother to go with me, but we were put on the waiting list. We just got off the wait list a couple of weeks ago, long after I'd given up hope of going, so that was a lovely surprise. I'm a little nervous about managing a whole weekend event with my chronic illness, but mostly, I am just really excited about finally getting to go!

So, my week will be devoted to books, but I won't have any time for blogging during the second half of the week. Here's what we've been reading this past week, including lots of preparation for Booktopia for me:

• I finished Fram by Steve Himmer, a novel that is one of the selections for Booktopia. This was a very unique and intriguing novel, about a man who dreams of being a polar explorer and works in a secret government agency where he invents Arctic discoveries (because the government decided long ago that real polar exploration is too expensive). Then one day, he is sent to the real Arctic for his job, in a mysterious, last-minute trip. It is a complex novel with many layers, dealing with work, marriage, government bureaucracy, daily life, and dreams. I enjoyed it but am glad I will be meeting the author this week - I have so many questions for him!
• Now, I have just started another book for Booktopia, Get in Trouble by Kelly Link, a book of short stories. I can't remember the last time I read a collection of short stories, but this one has already pulled me in. I loved the first story and couldn't stop thinking about it last night.
• I completely forgot to mention last Monday an audiobook I completed the week before last: Masterminds by Gordon Kormon, a middle-grade science fiction thriller. This is the first novel I've read by this prolific and popular author, and I absolutely loved it! It's about a group of twelve and thirteen-year old kids living in an idyllic town where all is not as it seems. I often read (and enjoy) the first book in a series with no plans to read the rest of the series, but this was an exception - I can't wait for book 2!
• I am now listening to Rainey Royal by Dylan Landis, another Booktopia selection. This is an adult novel about a fourteen-year old girl growing up in the 1970's with her father who is an immature, musical genius who has turned their home into a kind of musical commune. Rainey understandably acts out in ways that make you both want to throttle her and protect her at the same time. It's riveting so far, and again, I can't wait to meet the author!
• I finished Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli, a graphic novel for adults. It was captivating and thoughtful - very philosophical. I enjoyed it, and it made me think.
• My husband, Ken, has been reading a thriller I gave him for Easter, Silken Prey by John Sandford. It's the first Sandford novel he's read (I heard about the Prey series on the Books on the Nightstand podcast!), and he's enjoying it so far - nothing too deep he said, just fast-paced fun.
• Jamie, 20, has been busy with school but started Mountain Man by Keith C. Blackmore, a book his dad lent him, to continue his Zombie obsession.

 Reviews and other posts last week:

Review of Mosquitoland by David Arnold, a teen/YA audio book

Review of And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini, a novel by the author of The Kite Runner

Saturday Snapshot - Spring finally arrived and everything is in full bloom!

Review of Relish: My Life in the Kitchen by Lucy Knisely, a graphic memoir/cookbook

All three of those books I reviewed last week were excellent, so check them out.

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.  

Beautiful trees & flowers in our neighborhood are all in bloom!