It's Monday 8/22! What Are You Reading?

I missed my Monday post last week while we were in South Dakota on vacation (you can check out the first of my photos), so I have a lot to update! Vacation last week was brief but fun, and now we are busy, busy, busy getting our sons ready to move to college at the end of the week (first time for our youngest).

Here's what we've been reading:

• I just yesterday finished my third Big Book of the Summer, Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, a novel I have been wanting to read ever since its release and that's been sitting on my bookcase since Christmas. WOW. What an amazing, completely original book! I've never read another novel like it. It's a series of separate stories that link together in unexpected ways, like a jigsaw puzzle you put together without knowing what the final picture will be. I will attempt to write a cohesive review this week, though I really just want to shout, "You must read this amazing book!" to everyone.
• I just started a new review book for Publishers Weekly last night, Moor by Gunther Geltinger, a novel translated from German. I'm a bit cautious because the word "experimental" was used on the back cover blurb! It sounds intriguing, though, about a teen boy with a severe stutter who lives with his mother, with a heavy focus on nature. I'll let you know!
• On the audio front, I finished listening to Dreamology by Lucy Keating, a teen/YA audio book that was far more intriguing and engrossing than I expected. It explores the line between dreaming and reality when a teen girl starts at a new school and meets face-to-face with the boy she's been dreaming about for years. 
• Now, I am listening to Unbecoming by Jenny Downham, another teen/YA novel. This one is set in the UK and focuses on three generations of women in one family who all carry secrets. Teen Katie's life changes dramatically when Mary, her previously unknown grandmother, comes into their lives unexpectedly. Mary has dementia and requires a lot of care, and Katie's mother, Caroline, doesn't talk much about the past. It's excellent so far.
• My husband, Ken, finished Shift by Hugh Howey, book 2 in the Wool series. He and I both LOVED Wool (review at the link), which several friends had said, "you must read!" They were right! I gave Ken the second book for Father's Day, and I can't wait to read it, too!
• Now, Ken is reading The City of Mirrors by Justin Cronin, the third and final book in the trilogy that started with The Passage (followed by The Twelve). This was another Father's Day gift that we are both eager to read! 
• Jamie, 22, got a new Kindle Paperwhite for his birthday last week and re-read Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings, book 1 in the Stormlight Archive and then read book 2, Words of Radiance. The first one was 1200 pages long, and the second one was 1300 pages, so he is definitely in the Big Book Summer groove! Good fodder for very long days of air travel.
• Now, Jamie is re-reading an old favorite series, another one by Brandon Sanderson, the Mistborn trilogy. Has has finished Mistborn and The Well of Ascension, and is reading book 3, The Hero of Ages. These few weeks between summer session and the start of fall semester are his reading time!
• Craig, 18, has been reading his All-Freshman summer reading book, When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka. Ironically, he read this same book for his summer reading assignment when he was entering his freshman year of high school. He doesn't enjoy reading much but is so excited to start college that he doesn't seem to mind re-reading this one! I think he's finished it...?

A few posts from the past two weeks, in between trips:

Movie Monday: Star Trek Beyond, a great addition to the canon!

TV Tuesday: What We're Watching This Summer, a summary of our favorite shows this season

Summary of Books Read in July - a good reading month for me!

Fiction Review: Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, a classic journey into the unknown

Teen/YA Review: Dreamology by Lucy Keating, a romance that explores the line between dreaming and reality

6 Amazing Hikes in Shenandoah National Park, my first article on My Itchy Travel Feet website

Saturday Snapshot: Black Hills of South Dakota, Part 1 - highlights from our recent trip

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.

Just two week of summer left, so if you are participating in the Big Book Summer Reading Challenge, be sure to post your Big Book reviews on the challenge page!
 

My family and I at Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park, SD