So, back to reality now! Trying to catch up after a weekend offline. Looks like 162 new e-mails - not too bad. Not a lot of time for reading last week (I can't read in the car), but here's what we've been enjoying:
- I finished Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, a novel I last read in 10th grade. I probably didn't have time for an extra book but wanted to squeeze in another quick classic this summer. I enjoyed it very much, including my notes all over the pages from high school!
- Now, I am onto 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. It is so far just as strange as I'd heard but it's definitely getting interesting!
- I've been listening to Dreamology by Lucy Keating, a teen/YA audio book that's been 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. I am getting close to the end and enjoying it very much.
- My husband, Ken, is reading 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!
- Jamie, 21, is re-reading Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings, book 1 in the Stormlight Archive so that he can next read book 2, Words of Radiance. The first one is 1200 pages long, and the second one is 1300 pages, so he is definitely in the Big Book Summer groove! But the poor boy picked up the wrong book by mistake when packing for the weekend so had to endure a 7-hour car ride without a book (he can and does read in the car!).
- 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!
TV Tuesday: Feed the Beast, a new drama starring David Schwimmer about grief, the Mob, and opening a restaurant
Teen/YA Review: The Secret Language of Sisters by Luanne Rice, a moving story of one sister seriously injured in a car accident
Teen/YA Review: The Memory of Light by Francisco X. Stork, a powerful story of teen depression and suicide, with a focus on hope and healing
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.
We are in the last month of summer now, but there is still time to join the Big Book Summer Reading Challenge - five weeks of summer left! Just click the link to read the rules - super-easy for summer! You only need to read one "big book" (400 pages or more) before September to participate. Join the fun, choose your Big Book(s) & sign up today!
I dread coming back into the office after a break, sometimes I'll spend all morning just faffing about trying to delay having to check my email and start wading through the heaps and heaps of emails...makes me stressed just thinking about it, ha!
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree, Jane - still haven't looked at my e-mails! ha ha Luckily, this was a very short trip, so it's not too bad!
DeleteMm just read your review of The Language of Sisters, I have it in my wish list at Audible and nearly clicked on it as my next choice to listen to, but it sounds so sad. LR does write an emotional story and I guess I won't be able to resist it forever!
ReplyDeleteOh, no worries, Kathryn - as I said in my review, the emphasis is on healing & recovery, with plenty of hope in the story - so although it starts with a sad event, it's not a depressing book at all :)
DeleteI read a book that was 350 pages. Darnit! I just missed the boat. I WILL read a big book this summer. It's too bad I planned to transcribe all summer. It really cramps my style.
ReplyDeleteI had to read Heart of Darkness four times in college and hated it every time. I am glad that some people enjoy it, but that book is not for me!
Sorry to hear you hated Heart of Darkness. I read it before in HS and liked it then, too. Sounds like you have been really busy transcribing - good for you, though, working toward an advanced degree!
DeleteDreamology sounds interesting. I'm glad your son isn't minding rereading the same book for both freshmen years. i hope he has a good start to college.
ReplyDeleteHe really doesn't seem to mind - he thought it was good the first time. Believe me, there are some he read in high school that he hated! Anyway, he's so excited about college, he would be happy about anything!
Delete3 big books this summer?!? You rock! I'm happy to have gotten through my one (which you will love :D)!
ReplyDeleteHappy reading this week :)
Ha! Thanks, Kellee - I planned on reading 6 and don't think I will manage that, but I am looking forward to the one you just finished!
DeleteDreamology sounds like a great book. Good luck to your son for college!
ReplyDeleteIt was! Thanks!
DeleteI remember writing down marginalia from my daughter's required reading this year Chrysalids - for her to pay attention to, or just little notes that hopefully would make her sit up and take notice of certain passages or characters. :) I don't think I've read Heart of Darkness before - we have to do a Classics theme soonest.
ReplyDeleteThese were my notes from our class discussions in high school, so it was interesting - and enlightening - to re-read them!
DeleteLong after highschool, my partner and I listened to Heart of Darkness as an audiobook on one of our road trips to our home town. What I still recall is the beauty of the language. Do you listen to audiobooks when you are travelling? It makes the journey so much easier.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE to listen to audios in the car! We used to do that as a family, on our annual 3-wek long road trips cross-country & we all enjoyed it...but then our sons outgrew and got sick of it (one would rather listen to music and the other prefers to read his own books while in the car). They are headed to college at the end of the month, so I am looking forward to getting back on the road with my husband and including some audiobooks!
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