It's Monday 10/2! What Are You Reading?

Whew. Last week didn't turn out the way I'd planned. I was supposed to go on a little vacation with my husband for our 28th anniversary and his 40th college reunion in Oklahoma. Instead, he went by himself, and my oldest son and I drove to my hometown of Rochester, NY, for my uncle's funeral. He passed away Monday night at age 74 after a difficult battle with a form of dementia. It was, of course, very sad to lose him, and he wasn't very old, but his last months and especially the last days were pretty bad, so it was a blessing that he didn't linger for long in that state.

So, I spent my week cancelling one trip, planning another, and putting together a memorial DVD with photos, music, and videos. I was very glad to have made the decision to go. It was such a comfort to be with my family and see all my cousins, and my son and I were glad to be there for my aunt and two cousins who lost their husband/father. It was emotional for me because this was the brother closest to my dad, who just died two years ago. I certainly understood how my cousins were feeling.

It was a wonderful service and just great to see not only my close family but also extended family and some very old friends of my dad's and my uncle's whom I hadn't seen since I was a kid. I was also very grateful for my son's help - he did most of the driving - and his company.

A sad week and very busy, so little time for blogging, though we always fit in some reading time - it's comforting during difficult times. Here's what we were reading this past week:

• I am still reading (almost finished) In a Cold and Lonely Place by Sara J. Henry, an author I met at Booktopia in May. I bought this literary suspense novel for my husband, and he liked it. It's the story of a reporter in Lake Placid, NY, who is present when a body is found encased in the frozen lake, and it turns out to be a man she knows. It's a slow, dark burn with plenty of tension and suspense, as she works on a series of articles about the dead man while how he died remains a mystery (hopefully to be revealed now that I am near the end!). 
• I finished listening to Masterminds: Payback, the third and final book of a middle-grade trilogy by Gordon Kormon. I loved the first book, Masterminds, and its sequel. It's a fast-paced thriller with sci fi elements, and book 3 was just as compelling, with a satisfying ending.
• Now, I am listening to another middle-grade sci fi thriller, Horizon by renowned author Scott Westerfeld. This is book 1 of a new series that starts with a group of kids on their way to a robot competition in Japan when their plane crashes. Nothing about the crash or their surroundings afterward seems quite right. It combines sci fi elements with mystery and survival adventure. I'm enjoying it so far. Believe it or not, I think this might be the first Westerfeld novel I have read!
• My husband, Ken, finished The Son by Jo Nesbo, a stand-alone thriller not featuring his well-known Harry Hole character. He really enjoyed it.
• Now, Ken is reading Deadly Cure by Lawrence Goldstone, a historical thriller set in NYC in 1899. He was looking for a compelling and lightweight paperback for the plane, and I received this one for review. I'm guessing he didn't have much time for reading this weekend with all the reunion events!
• Jamie, 23, is reading an epic fantasy, Swords and Scoundrels by Julia Knight, book 1 of The Duelists trilogy, and enjoying it. He says it's similar to the Three Musketeers, with elements of steampunk and fantasy/magic mixed in. He's almost finished, but he didn't have much reading time either - he did most of the driving this weekend!

Notice a theme here? I finally posted my official sign-up for the R.I.P. Challenge, which I enjoy every fall, and have been enjoying lots of suspense, thrillers, mysteries, and other creepy stuff!

Just two blog posts last week:

TV Tuesday: Salvation - a suspenseful thriller that mixes a potential apocalypse with politics

 2017 R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril Challenge XII - see what I'm reading & join the fun!

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.

What are you and your family reading this week?  

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