It's Monday 8/12! What Are You Reading?

Whew, busy week...and an even busier one ahead! I got lots of writing done during the week and finished an article that was due, plus errands, groceries, etc. This weekend was a major shopping expedition to Target, Trader Joe's, and Whole Foods (all clustered together about 30 min away), though it was far easier with my husband along to help! We recently found out that our son is gluten intolerant (possibly celiac), so although we normally eat Paleo, we weren't too strict about the grains side of it (especially him, as a 24-year old!). Lots of changes now, so we tried to get him plenty of easy gluten-free options. Sunday, since it was "only" low 80's and slightly lower humidity, we did some much-overdue yard work, but I went WAY past my limits (I have a chronic illness that restricts me). So, the front bed looks better, and I weeded most of it, but I was wiped out afterward. And, did you know that Saturday was National Lazy Day?? (thanks, Twitter) We should have celebrated that special day!

Of course, we always enjoy our books! Here's what we've been reading this past week:

Last week, I mentioned that I was struggling with a Big Book for my summer challenge (from my big pile!), a classic I have wanted to read for years, Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. I was finding it repetitive and tedious and really was not enjoying it. I rarely set a book aside without finishing it (it's a high bar for me, like I did set aside the one that was narrated by a pond when the mother began having sexual fantasies about her 13-year old son - yup, I'm out.) I posted polls on Facebook and Twitter and was inundated by responses basically saying, "Life's too short and there are too many great books out there"! So, a little more than halfway through Catch-22, I set it aside. I may pick it up again later, but the relief I felt was a sign that it was the right move for me.

So, my next Big Book selection was in the total opposite direction - a fast-paced, post-apocalyptic thriller, City of Mirrors by Justin Cronin, which is the third and final book in the trilogy that began with The Passage and The Twelve. I love this series, as do my husband and son (my husband already finished it, and my son, like me, finished the first two). I am LOVING this book so far! It begins just three years after The Twelve ended, and though I learned my lesson and read a long synopsis of the last book online before I started this one, it did a decent job of reminding me how the last one ended and who everyone was (this time I knew to look for a list of characters at the back). It's engrossing and compelling, the kind of book that's making me stay up too late every night and read at random times when I would normally feel the need to be productive!

On audio, I am still listening to another Big Book, Vincent and Theo by Deborah Heiligman, a YA novel based on the real-life lives of Vincent Van Gogh and his beloved younger brother, Theo. This was a freebie from SYNC this summer. I have heard great things about this book, but I am enjoying it even more than I expected to. It's a fascinating biography of Van Gogh, but it is also an in-depth look at his family and his childhood and of the time (Europe in the 1860's-90's). It's so interesting to hear how his artistic talent and career began but also how his mental illness began to show small signs even from childhood. References to particular paintings as his artistic talent grows keep sending me to my laptop to look at them, though I just realized there are drawings in the print version, so I requested it from my library - some books just demand both audio and print! The novel is based on over 600 letters between the brothers and between them and other members of the family.

My husband, Ken, just finished a thriller with a great sense of humor, August Snow by Stephen Mack Jones. I met Jones at Booktopia this year, and my husband and I both enjoyed his second novel in the series, Lives Laid Away, so I bought book one while I was there. It was perfect for his short business trip last week, and he enjoyed it very much, even more than the second one. Now, it's my turn next! This will definitely be among my fall reads during the RIP Challenge.

Our 24-year old son, Jamie, is enjoying Death's Merchant, book one in the Common Among Gods series by Justan Henner. He says it's a really original story about gods and humans, but not the familiar Greek or Roman gods. I see it's been described as an "epic fantasy" and "1200-page doorstopper full of captivating characters and humor." Yup, that sounds right up his alley! I can tell he's enjoying it because he's been reading a lot.






 Blog posts from last week:

TV Tuesday: Hanna - combination thriller and coming-of-age story - totally unique and compelling

Fiction Review: The Book of M by Peng Shepherd - an original post-apocalyptic story

My Summary of Books Read in July - it was a Big Book reading month!

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.

You can follow me on Twitter at @SueBookByBook or on Facebook on my blog's page.   

What are you and your family reading this week?