Nice, quiet week here, with no major emergencies (though one son had an MRI and the other got bronchitis again) and a quiet weekend at home, catching up. We even got some yard work done!
And, of course, we all enjoyed our books:
- I finished a slim paperback of Edgar Allen Poe short stories, Tales of Mystery. To give you an idea of how old this falling-apart paperback is, my husband bought it for 10 cents in a used bookstore in his hometown...and it's original price, new, was 50 cents! I had forgotten the details of most of Poe's stories, so I enjoyed it and was surprised by his breadth.
- Before I chose my next book, I remembered to check my 2016 Monthly Motif Reading Challenge to see what November's theme was (lately, I've been forgetting to check until the month is over!). The theme for this month is nonfiction, so I started reading When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, the best-selling memoir that everyone's been raving about. I rarely read a book the same year it's released, but I treated myself to this one when we were in our favorite little bookstore at the beach last month. It is already moving and completely engrossing.
- I finished listening to an audiobook, Girls on Fire by Robin Wasserman, an adult novel about teen good girl, Hannah, who becomes friends with the wild and dangerous Lacey, and the havoc they wreak in their town together. It was chilling and suspenseful, a perfect end to my October reading.
- Today, I plan to start a new audiobook, a teen/YA novel called Vivian Apple At the End of the World by Katie Coyle. It's about a teen girl whose parents disappear in a supposed "Rapture" event and the panic that ensues in the world, as Vivian searches for answers. It was one of my free downloads from SYNC - if you didn't participate in the program last year, sign up now for reminders for next summer - dozens of free audio books!
- My husband, Ken, finished Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King. Last year, we inherited my dad's collection of Stephen King and Dean Koontz books, but the first book in this series was missing. So, Ken bought a copy on our vacation last month and enjoyed reading this novel that my dad liked so much. We both miss him a lot, and reading his favorite books helps us feel close to him.
- Now, Ken is reading Subject 375 by Nikki Owen, a thriller that I gave him for his birthday last month. It's narrated by a woman with Asperger's who has been accused of murder - sounds like an intriguing story!
- With bronchitis knocking him down last week, Jamie, 22, had more reading time and finished book 3 in the Scott Lynch series Gentleman Bastards, The Republic of Thieves, which he bought this summer. He loves this series (so does my husband) and says it is about con men in Medieval times.
- Now, he is reading another book he bought this summer, The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan. This is Book 1 in the renowned Wheel of Time sci fi series. He and I have both heard great things about this series, so he is thrilled to finally start it!
Movie Monday: Bridge of Spies - Tim Hanks stars in a real-life spy exchange story
TV Tuesday: Designated Survivor - we are loving this new series starring Kiefer Sutherland
Teen/YA Review: The Drowning by Rachel Ward - a tense ghost story by a favorite author
Fiction Review: Girls on Fire by Robin Wasserman - a dark & chilling story of teen girls gone bad
Saturday Snapshot: Halloween 2016
Weekend Cooking - 3 Tasty, Easy, Healthy Fall Dishes
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.
My 4 year old agrees with you about the time change. She was up today at 5:45AM.
ReplyDeleteha ha - I feel her her (and for you!)
DeleteI'm glad you had a quiet week. I hope the trend continues!
ReplyDeleteWill you be reviewing When Breath Becomes Air? I've heard a lot about it, so I can wait to read your thoughts!
Me, too, Lindsey! Quiet weeks are rare!
DeleteYes, I will definitely review When Breath Becomes Air. Very moving so far & well-written but also hard to read. I've lost a lot of family members to cancer, including my dad last year.
Just looked up When Breath Becomes Air and see it will be a very moving read. And sounds like you are really in to it.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is very moving so far, Kathryn.
DeleteWhat a productive reading week you had. I love how you mention your ohana. I'm reading a steampunk YA. I was intrigued about steampunk as there was an element of it in the first The Invisible Library book. I'm listening to Rowling's pseudonym, Robert Galbraith, as her mystery series is popular and I'm glad it's a success; I can't bring myself to read The Cursed Child, not wanting to be disappointed. My husband usually just reads online but he's been taking our tween to tennis lessons so he picked himself up a used copy of a nonfiction about the financial crash or something. My tween I can't keep up with as she reads several books at once. She is reading a Mike Lupica book and even though it's about football, she finds his writing style intriguing. The baby is reading Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor at the table. In her room I'm not sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stefanie!
DeleteIf you like Steampunk, try Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld - excellent trilogy!
http://greatbooksforkidsandteens.blogspot.com/2011/01/teenya-review-leviathan-and-behemoth.html
Lupica is a great author! Interesting that your daughter reads him even if she's not interested in the sport - says a lot about his writing!
Great that your kids like to read!