Of course, we had plenty of time for reading, too:
- I finished my next review book for Publisher's Weekly, Work Like Any Other, a debut novel by Virginia Reeves, due to be published on March 1. It's about an electrician in 1920's Alabama whose illegal power lines kill a man. Sent to jail for 20 years and separated from his family, he must carve out a new life for himself. It was thoughtful and compelling - really pulled me into the story.
- Next, I started (way too late!) a book for my neighborhood book group meeting this week, The Art Thief by Noah Charney. My chances of finishing this on time are pretty slim, but I am doing my best! It's a literary mystery about an art thief who steals multiple valuable paintings seemingly all at once from three different locations. I know absolutely nothing about art, but it is interesting so far.
- On audio, I am still listening to The Cost of All Things by Maggie Lehrman, a teen/YA novel. It is intriguing, about a teen girl who lives in a world where spells can help you overcome life's challenges - make you prettier, more popular, less sad. The main character, Ari, seeks a spell to help her forget her boyfriend, Win, who died, but all spells come with a cost. I thought it was a little weird at first, but it's been very engaging so far.
- My husband, Ken, is reading Broken Harbor, the fourth book in Tana French's Dublin Murder Squad series. Once again, he says he is blown away but what an amazing writer French is! He is really enjoying this novel, as he did her others. I've only read the first one so far, so I have some catching up to do.
- I'm not sure, but I believe that Jamie, 21, is still reading The Brethren Prince: Piracy, Revenge, and the Culture Clash of the Old Caribbean by Ira Smith. It is historical fiction about real-life pirates in the mid-17th century Caribbean - he started it for our trip to Jamaica over New Year's. I bet he didn't read much this weekend - he was snowed in with his friends at college!
- Craig, 18, is reading The Metamorphosis by Frank Kafka for his World Lit class. His older brother didn't like it, but Craig is enjoying it so far. That's a classic I haven't read yet - maybe I will finally get to it this year!
Movie Monday: Star Wars: The Force Awakens - the perfect mix of old and new
TV Tuesday: How to Watch? - comparing the options for watching TV shows & movies
Middle-Grade Review: George by Alex Gino, a novel about a transgendered child
Summary of Books Read in December - a great reading month for me!
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.
I think works like Metamorphosis actually work best when you read them as part of a class - all the background information really helps bring the story to life and explain all the nuances.
ReplyDeleteI think that's true of a lot of classics!
DeleteHeard about all the snow on our news, sounds like staying cozy at home with books and viewing was a great way to go!
ReplyDeleteIt was kind of nice being snowed in, Kathryn - first time I've really taken some "time off" to just relax without trying to be productive in a LONG time!
DeleteI've heard so much about the Dublin Murder Squad series - I've yet to read anything by Tana French but I'll need to be checking her writing out.
ReplyDeleteI hope you all enjoy your current reads!
Reading With Jade
Oh, Tana French is wonderful - well worth reading! They are mysteries but also soooo well-written!
DeleteThe Art Thief sounds really interesting and maybe it will spark some interest in certain artists for you! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy reading!
It's been very interesting, Lindsey - I'm almost done with it now. At book group, we all agreed it definitely inspired some interest in art - entertaining & educational, too!
DeleteSue, I take it you still have snow on the ground after that big dump? Have you had ice, too?
ReplyDeleteCan you offer any advice? My book club is selecting four or five books for upcoming meetings. Do you have any suggestions of books which worked really well for discussions? I honestly often find our selection meetings to be the most stressful. How do you decide what you will read next? Do you pick books for months in advance or month by month? Does one person pick a book and then lead the discussion that month or how do you decide who will lead? Currently we (all of us are teachers/x-teachers, that should tell you something about how bossy we are)select around five or so books at a time. A few people in the club don't care what we read or would rather not be involved in doing any homework on potential upcoming selections. One gal gets a subscription to a Book magazine and she always wants to choose the books out of there but these books only come with the publisher's reviews...and we know those can be quite biased in favor of the book and don't really address the issue of discussion-worthiness. Another gal pretty much doesn't like any book I suggest, which makes me always a bit hesitant to suggest a title too strenuously because then I know she will dig in on the other side. Oh honestly, such group dynamics. I want to go to this meeting with some good, solid recommendations. Any suggestions would be appreciated. (We are discussion The Nightingale on Wednesday and in November we did All the Light We Cannot See.)Don't replay on my blog (some of the gals read it) Please email me at anne(dot)bennett(dot)gkhs(AT)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for your help.
I haven't read "The Metamorphosis" either...it was never required reading for me in school and, well, I just really don't have a desire to read it right now (although my tastes change, so who knows!). I do know that one of my brothers LOVED it!
ReplyDeleteMe, either, Melinda - we never read that one in school. Funny that my son who loves to read didn't like it and the one who claims to hate reading is enjoying it! lol
DeleteI am now volunteering at a used book store & have Tana French books available, so thanks for those titles. I used to love mysteries but am reading too much kid lit to find time. Maybe someday. I'll note the titles. The Art Thief also sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteOh, how fun! I'd love to work at a bookstore...though I would probably end up buying too many books myself!
DeleteTana French is great - suspenseful mysteries but also very well-written.
Netflix is the best for binge watching!!! Enjoy! I haven't watched Orange is the New Black yet, but I know how much people love it :)
ReplyDeleteHappy reading this week!
Oh, my gosh, Kellee - make sure you have plenty of time when you start Orange is the New Black - it is totally addictive!! We're enjoying it.
DeleteIsn't it funny how one sibling likes a classic and the other doesn't? I remember that happening a lot in school. It goes to show that taste is not genetic. :) :) I am glad you had a great time with your son and his girlfriend! It sounds like a yummy get-together!
ReplyDeleteThe really funny part is my son who LOVES to read didn't like it and the one who claims to hate reading is enjoying it!
DeleteI don't remember, but I do think I read metamorphosis a very long time ago. Have you seen the national film Board of Canada's animated take on the story? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GHvy-J1BFu8
ReplyDeleteNo, I hadn't - I will have to check that out! And will share with my son - thanks!
DeleteI remember enjoying Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis back when I was in the university as a college undergraduate - I just loved how weird it is - first time that I encountered such a boundary-breaking book.
ReplyDeleteSounds intriguing, Myra - I have to give it a try when my son finishes with it!
DeleteI hope you have been having a good week.
ReplyDeleteHappy Reading!!
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My It's Monday, What Are You Reading