And of course, we always have our books for comfort. Here's what we've been reading this past week:
- I finished 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 was fascinating, compelling, and of course, horrifying. Should be a great discussion Wednesday!
- Next, I read Maurice by E.M. Forster, a classic, for the Book Cougars read-along (an awesome book podcast). It was excellent, about a gay man in 1910's England. Much of it was heart-breaking, as he is not only battling against societal expectations, but also struggling with self-loathing. Really eye-opening to see how much he suffered back at that time. Don't be afraid to read it because it's somewhat sad - it has a happy ending!
- I also squeezed in a quick graphic novel: The Dam Keeper by Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi. It's part 1 of a series, which is based on the Oscar-winning short film by the same name, about a young pig who cares for his town's dam that keeps out the dark fog. It's an interesting combination of cute animal characters with a dark story and is gorgeously drawn.
- 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. 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, finished his sci fi classic re-read, Foundation by Isaac Asimov, which is oddly the 3rd book in the Foundation series (apparently, he later wrote two prequels). He enjoyed it and is looking forward to re-reading the next two books in the series.
- For now, though, Ken moved onto NightSun by Dan Vining, a novel I recently reviewed for Shelf Awareness. It's a detective story set in 2025 that combines mystery, suspense, and dystopia.
- Our son, Jamie, 23, is reading book 6 in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan, Lord of Chaos. He loves this epic fantasy series.
Movie Monday: The Greatest Showman - a fun, joyful musical
TV Tuesday: The X-Files - reboot of the classic creepy sci fi detective show
Fiction Review: The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury - clever & creative
Fiction Review: Perfect Little World by Kevin Wilson - compelling story of a Utopian experiment
Summary of Books Read in January - a good reading month for me!
Saturday Snapshot: Warm Days in February - photos from last week's nice weather
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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| Pretty view from a local park last week |
I really like how you include what your entire family is reading! I already blogged what I've been reading, so let's see if I can summarize everyone else. Three people in my family are finishing Ready Player One to prepare for the movie. My 14 y/o daughter keeps telling me how much she loved recently reading Love & Gelato and my 12 y/o son is juggling one of the last Series of Unfortunate Events books along with Timmy Failure, Hunger Games, a Star Wars novel, and he's starting the exciting Alex Rider series. That kid reads like my husband, rotating books throughout the week by reading just a couple chapters at a time out of each. I struggle with that type of reading. Hubby is re-reading Frankenstein, A Wrinkle in Time, and a bunch of other nonfiction books for work/teaching (he's a professor in the English Dept with a never ending TBR pile). Then, of course, lots and lots of picture books for our younger kids. One of their favorites this week is One Day, The End. I'll blog about that one next week.
ReplyDeleteHave an excellent reading week, Sue!
Thanks!
DeleteMy family LOVED Ready Player One when it first came out! I got it from the library, and my husband, older son, and I passed it around - we are SO excited for the movie!
I'm with you - just one book at a time (and one on audio while I;m doing other stuff). I could never keep track of a bunch at once...and would probably never finish one! Great that your whole family are readers. My younger son claims to hate reading, though he found a few series he enjoyed as a kid. He's in college now & didn't even read a novel that was assigned in class last year! Maybe some day, he'll come back to it.
BTW, I so miss those days of reading aloud to our sons - enjoy!
Sue
I am not finding enough time to read for fun right now. Somehow I have 4 books going that are work related, which feels a bit overwhelming to me. My free read book is really good though: American Street.
ReplyDeleteI was so excited to see you'd started American Street! Glad you're enjoying it - hope you get more fun reading time soon!
DeleteKillers of the Flower Moon Is on my to read list, although I'm not sure I will ever have the courage to read it.
ReplyDeleteI read The Dam Keeper but it didn't really work for me. In part this was because it was so dark and I wasn't exactly sure what was going on. It made more sense after I went and watched the movie though.
I am definitely planning to check out the video - the book was long but barely got into the story because it was so picture-heavy - a beautiful book, though.
DeleteGood to hear the new Kline book is proving a worthwhile listen. All the best for the neck and the back, the massage effects may take a day or two to swing in, hope so anyway.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathryn - you are right - doing better today!
DeleteI also want to read Killers of the Flower Moon! Thank you for reminding me. :) I love the view from the local park. You always seem to appreciate the beauty of life. <3
ReplyDeleteIt was REALLY good, Ricki - informative, suspenseful, and moving.
DeleteAnd thanks! I get a lot of joy from the outdoors & nature :)
I put A Piece of the World on my Goodreads to find list - it fits our upcoming reading theme during the last quarter of the year (as we talk about art), quite perfectly, I think. Plus, I also have Orphan Train which I am looking forward to reading.
ReplyDeletePerfect! It's made me more interested in all of the Wyatt's artwork - we live where they lived, so it is a huge part of the culture here, but I never paid much attention before. There's an Andrew Wyeth exhibit starting this month at our local art museum, and I;m looking forward to seeing it!
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