Monday, June 01, 2015

It's Monday 6/1! What Are You Reading?


June 1??? How can that possibly be? I thought today was my last quiet day at home alone before summer, but my son doesn't have any finals today, so he's home. On the plus side, we are squeezing in a mini vacation later this week - three days was all we could fit in between our sons' many commitments and busy schedules. We are heading to Shenandoah National Park, one of our all-time favorite places, for a few quiet days of camping.

Meanwhile, we are enjoying our books:
  • I am still reading A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson, companion novel to Life After Life which I read in January and immediately added to my list of Best Books Ever! My husband gave me this book for Mother's Day, and it will count as my first Big Book of the summer. It is different from Life After Life but totally engrossing, about Ursula's brother Teddy's life.
  • I am still listening to Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, a teen/YA novel, on audio. This was one of my downloads from the first week of SYNC - be sure to check out this great source for free YA and classic audio books all summer long! They feature a new pair of audio downloads (one modern YA paired with one classic) each week. This is only week 4, so you still have plenty of time. So far, I am enjoying this popular YA novel that I somehow missed before. The story and excellent audio production have been riveting.
  • My husband, Ken, has also gotten into the spirit of the Big Book Summer Challenge and is reading A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin, the fourth book in the Game of Thrones series. He says this one could take him all summer to finish!
  • Jamie, 20, finished the semester late Thursday night, so he hasn't had much time to read yet, but he's started the sequel to Wolfshead, a novel about Robin Hood that he read last summer. He will probably read nonstop through our short trip this week!
 I had a busy week but managed a few blog posts:
Review of Ellis Island by Kate Kerrigan, a novel about an Irish immigrant in the 1920's

Saturday Snapshot, with a few photos from a local hike last week

Weekend Cooking: Review of French Milk by Lucy Knisley, a graphic travel memoir

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
 
   

The Big Book Summer Challenge just started - you have plenty of time to join the fun! You only need to read 1 book (though you can read more if you want) longer than 400 pages to participate. And this year, for the first time, there'll be a Big Book Giveaway at the end of the summer for participants!


16 comments:

  1. I've been downloading the SYNC books too but haven't started listened yet. I have been reading lots and lots of review books. This is our last week of school so there may be less reading time this coming week. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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    1. Hope you will have lots of extra reading time once school is out!

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  2. This year does seem to be flying by! You have a quite a selection going in your house. I really enjoyed Beautiful Creatures, yet I still need to read the rest of the series. Enjoy your mini vacation!

    Michelle @ Michelle's Minions

    My It's Monday! post

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    1. I am loving Beautiful Creatures! Don't know how I missed it before.

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  3. I'm still waiting for A God In Ruins to become available. I'm thinking that by the time the book version is available, the audiobook will also be ready.

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    1. The book came out the second week of May, Cherlee! My husband gave it to me for Mother's Day - it's excellent!

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  4. Enjoy your minivacation!
    I'm starting my first Sync audiobook tomorrow--X. I cannot wait :)
    I haven't read Beautiful Creatures. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

    Happy reading this week!

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    1. Loving Beautiful Creatures! When I heard of it before, I didn't think it was up my alley, but I was wrong! It's different than I expected.

      I missed downloading X :(

      Sue

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  5. Enjoy your camping trip.
    I'm reading Wanting Mor by Rukhsana Khan
    and I'm starting the murder of Roger Ackrolyd by Agatha Christie

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    1. I loved reading Agatha Christie novels in high school, but it's been years since I've read one - I need to get back to them. Enjoy!

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  6. Enjoy your vacation! I'm excited about the Big Book Challenge this year! I have a few big books I'm hoping to get through by Labor Day.

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    1. Glad you decided to join the challenge, Julie! It should be a great reading summer!

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  7. I am looking forward to hearing your final thoughts on Beautiful Creatures. My students loved it, but I didn't read it. Enjoy your trip!

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    1. I didn't think I'd like it, Ricki, but I LOVE it! I should know by now not to judge a book by its cover ;)

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  8. Love reading! I'm currently finishing up The Magic by Rhonda Byrne, half way through May Cause Miracles by Gabrielle Bernstein and The Art of Work by Jeff Goins. I'm also at the library right now taking out two new books.

    My daughter reads a new book each night for school, she's in grade 2.

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    1. Isn't it great when our kids love to read, too? Sounds like you have some good books going, Cole - you should consider joining my Big Book Summer Challenge!

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