You're probably getting sick of hearing this (I certainly am!), but I spent another week sick. I had a few days in the middle where I felt a little but better then got a whole lot worse again on the weekend. This has been going on for a month now, and I've had enough of it! Here's to a better October.
The upside is that I have had a LOT of reading time this month (though I've fallen way behind on my reviews). Here's what my family and I have been reading this past week:
- I finished The Martian by Andy Weir this weekend. It was just as good as everyone said, with great suspense and a surprising sense of humor for a sci fi thriller. I can't wait to see the movie!
- I also finished reading Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi, a graphic memoir, for Banned Books Week (this week!). It is a child's view of living through the Iranian Revolution, and it was absolutely stunning - very powerful. Look for my review at the end of this week.
- And I finished listening to my other Banned Books Week choice, Looking for Alaska by John Green. What an amazing book! Filled with humor but also tackling serious issues and emotions, it is my favorite John Green novel so far. I will also review that one this week.
- Now, I am reading my first review book for Publisher's Weekly, A Paper Son by Jason Buchholz, a novel that goes back and forth between a present-day elementary teacher in San Francisco and the story of a family who moved back to China in 1925, with a touch of magic linking the two stories. I'm really enjoying it so far - the story and the writing pulled me right in.
- Today, I will also start a new teen/YA audiobook, The Cemetery Boys by Heather Brewer, which sounds like a perfect fit for October and my R.I.P. X Challenge.
- My husband, Ken, started The English Girl by Daniel Silva, a novel he got from our library's summer reading program. He was enjoying it but left it on the plane on his way home from a business trip! We've requested a copy from the library (ironically) so he can finish it.
- Meanwhile, Ken is now reading The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, a fantasy novel about a young magician that our son loved and urged him to read.
- Jamie, 21, is still reading Valour by John Gwynne, Book 2 of The Faithful and the Fallen series - he's enjoying this fantasy series and is trying to make more time for reading this semester.
Movie Monday: Coherence, a mind-bending sci fi movie we loved
TV Tuesday: The Wire, an older HBO show on Amazon Prime we are hooked on!
Review of Bone Gap by Laura Ruby, a teen/YA audiobook
Summary of Books Read in August (told you I was behind!) - 7 great books
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 more I see the previews for The Martian, the more I want to read the book. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I hope you feel better soon. Came see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteYou should read it - it's great! Thanks.
DeleteI hope you feel better soon! I've been hearing a lot about The Martian with the movie coming out, but had forgotten it was based on a book. I should have known! I loved Looking for Alaska. Have you read An Abundance of Katherines yet? I think that one is my favorite by Green.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't the movie look great? The book was very good - well worth reading! I did read An Abundance of Katherines - that was my first John Green book. I liked it very much but liked Looking for Alaska even better!
DeleteThe Martian is next on my audiobook pile. I was trying to avoid it, but my book club teens really want me to read it, so, here I go!
ReplyDeleteHave a great reading week!
~Megan
http://wp.me/pzUn5-2om
It's very good - I bet it's great on audio! Fast-paced & good suspense. Hope you enjoy it!
DeleteI've had Looking for Alaska on my kindle for quite some time, but haven't touched it. It has gotten quite a few mixed reviews from people I know, but your endorsement might be enough in the pro column to get me to read it!
ReplyDeleteWow, Melinda - I've never heard anything but rave reviews for Looking for Alaska - that's why I've been wanting to read it for so long! I actually liked it even better than The Fault in Our Stars (though that was excellent of course!) He's a genius!
DeleteI'm so curious to pick up The Martian, I much prefer to read the book before I see the film! Hope you're feeling a bit better :(
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Jane! I like book adaptations in the movies, but you have to read the book first! Now I can't wait to see the movie - the previews look great.
DeleteI loved The Martian as well! I love how you share what everyone in your family is reading! Something to think about when my kids get old enough to start reading on their own (they're 4 and 2)!
ReplyDeleteSarah - Two of my online blogging friends - Kellee & Ricki of Unleashing Readers - have been sharing the books they read TO their sons since they were born! So, you might want to try that in the meantime. I miss those days of reading to our sons - we read aloud to them until they were in their teens! So many great books, so many great memories :)
DeleteMy sister is raving about The Martian. She doesn't usually like fiction, so I knew it had to be good! Now that I see your review, I am thinking I need to get it! Ahhh! So many books!
ReplyDeleteIt is good, Ricki! And I like reading books before I see the movie adaptations. But you are right - so many good books and so little time!
DeleteI have Persepolis I and II in my pile waiting to be read. Perhaps I can get to them this weekend.
ReplyDelete