We had a fun but super-busy weekend, hosting our annual Mardi Gras party (yes, a bit late this year). Good food, good music, and great friends! Some (though not all) of our oldest, closest friends came over - and same for our sons - so we all had a good time. Yesterday was a bit rough (I can no longer drink because of my immune disorder, but I still feel hungover after the exertion of a party!), but I am feeling about back to baseline today. My back and neck are getting better from last week, too.
And, of course, amid the Mardi Gras Madness, we still found time to enjoy our books this past week. Here's what we are reading:
- I am still reading (will probably finish today) the next selection for my neighborhood book group, Killers of the Flower Moon: the Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann. This is a nonfiction book that was a finalist for the 2017 National Book Award, set in Oklahoma in the 1920's, about a long string of murders of Native Americans (Osage) for their very lucrative rights to the oil underground. It's fascinating, compelling, and of course, horrifying. Should be a great discussion next week.
- On audio, I am still listening to A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline, an adult novel that centers on a painting by Andrew Wyeth. It's especially interesting to me because Andrew and his father N.C. Wyeth, both famous painters, lived in our area - in fact, my husband and I just saw an Andrew Wyeth painting at the Delaware Art Museum last week! I also wanted to listen to this book now because Kline will be here in our area in April, and I plan to go to her talk. Our All-County Reads book is her earlier novel, Orphan Train, which I loved, but I wanted to read this newer release as well. It's excellent so far and very absorbing on audio.
- My husband, Ken, chose to read a sci fi classic next, Foundation by Isaac Asimov, which is oddly the 3rd book in the Foundation series (apparently, he later wrote two prequels). I think he read this series years ago, but he recently bought a bunch of them in paperback.
- Our son, Jamie, 23, just finished book 5 in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan, The Fires of Heaven, last night (he stayed here this weekend). He loves this epic fantasy series, and is going to move right on to book 6, Lord of Chaos.
TV Tuesday: The Alienist - a dark new thriller series set in 1896, based on a novel.
Fiction Review: Exit West by Mohsin Hamid - a unique story about immigration and a new relationship
Teen/YA Review: The Pirates of Cologne by Dinah Mack - a compelling novel based on real-life teen resistance heroes during WWII.
Saturday Snapshot: Winter Skies - look up!
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?
You can follow me on Twitter at @SueBookByBook or on Facebook on my blog's page.
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| Some of our many, colorful Mardi Gras decorations! |
Fun Mardi Gras decorations! I want to read Killer Moon, but I think I need a break from true crime. Maybe next month. A Piece of the World is also on my list.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's heavy stuff - hope you are enjoying a nice novel now!
DeleteSounds like a good week. My post this week.
ReplyDeleteI'm starting Girl Unknown by Karen Perry, which is set it Ireland. So far so good.
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting, Helen - someone was just asking about books set in Ireland in a FB group I am in!
DeleteJust added A Piece of the World to my wish list at Audible. Ah yes we have grey skies here too, waiting for the wind to arrive as promised but unwanted! How wonderful that you are going to listen to C B Kline speak. Awesome.
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying it on audio, Kathryn - hope you do, too! I can't wait to hear the author speak - I look forward to these author events every spring!
DeleteI love the decorations. I’m glad you had a good party. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Thanks, AJ! It's a lot of work, but we do look forward to it each year.
DeleteIt seems like a lot of fun (despite the hangover effect!!!) enjoy the week.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun! Thanks!
DeleteOh my goodness. How have I never heard of Killers of the Flower Moon: the Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI?! I'm adding it to my TBR list right now. Our grandfather was born in 1920 at Indian Nation in Oklahoma. When his daughter went to get Indian cards for her children, it's like they lost all birth certificate information for that time period. We were basically told they just had terrible record keeping for all natives born during that time. Anyway, this looks fascinating -- especially considering our family connection to this location. WOW! Thanks for sharing. Have a great week of reading!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your family history, Shaye! Although his family doesn't have Native American roots, my husband is from Oklahoma, too, so I kept reading passages of the book out loud to him! I think this book will have special significance for you given your history.
DeleteI've heard a lot of great things about Orphan Train - I am hoping I'd get to it soon, I think I own a copy of it waiting to be read on my shelves. Great to hear about your party - great decor! :) I am sure it was loads of fun.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll really like it, Myra - fascinating history and a well-told, engrossing story, too.
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