Monday, August 12, 2019

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?

18 comments:

  1. I was certain that I'd read Catch-22 back in high school -- like a book we read for an English class or History class or something. But I know I would have had a very difficult time with it if it's repetitive (AND THAT LONG!!). So perhaps I got it mixed up with another book since I have NO memory of the storyline. And I'm so sorry I missed the Vincent and Theo freebie from SYNC. I love audiobooks and can get so much work done while still taking them all in (in fact, I wish NetGalley and Edelweiss offered audiobooks for that reason), so I'll have to keep my ear to the ground for more audiobook options in the future. Thanks for all the shares and for hosting the Big Book Summer Challenge -- I may be on my last big book for summer of 2019 (we'll see...). Have a great reading week, Sue!

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    1. Catch-22 is supposed to be very funny, but I just wasn't connecting with the humor. It's about a group of men stationed overseas on an island in Italy during WWII - kind of a MASH type thing (though I think MASH is MUCH funnier!).

      As for Vincent and Theo, I am loving to on audio, but now that I know there are drawings in the print version, that might be the way to go! Though I agree with you on audios generally, and this one is very good.

      Looking forward to hearing about your last Big Book. I was hoping to SQUEEZE in one more - we'll see how long this one takes me :)

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    2. Ah, thanks for letting me know about the illustrations in Vincent and Theo. I'll have to think that one over. Yes, so much on reading depends on what ends up happening in our lives over the next three weeks. Now that we're almost ready to sell and to make the offer on our next home, we've been told there's an encroachment from previous owners of our house (where the eaves of a carport hang maybe 3-5" into the next door property). So WHO KNOWS what's going to happen, now. They were even asking us if we wouldn't mind just tearing down the garage to be in full compliance. WHAT?! I mean, seriously?! I've been quite emotional the last two days, so send me all your positive thoughts and/or prayers as we navigate these murky waters.

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    3. Yikes! That sounds crazy! Sorry you are having to deal with all that. Hope the issue gets cleared up soon (and easily!). Thinking of you!

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  2. I liked Catch-22 (but I read it years ago). I still have City of Mirrors to read. I really need to get out and do some yard work, but I just haven't had the time or the weather was off.

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    1. City if Mirrors is SO good! So far, I;m liking it even better than book 2.

      Our yard is looking very jungle-like and overgrown because it's just been so unbearably hot and humid all summer!

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  3. I just returned from posting about my big books. I discovered that one I just finished qualified.
    I loved Catch 22 when I read it, but that was back in 1971 or 1972 and I was 19 or 20. I can't help but wonder if it would still hold up today. It was revolutionary for it's time.

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    1. I agree that sometimes WHEN you read a book makes a difference - both your age, where you are in your life, and the time.

      Will have to go check out your Big Book update...

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  4. My hubby helped me with the grocery shopping this morning! It is nice when he helps but a few extra items always make it in the cart when he does ;) I hope you have a great reading week and stop by if you get a chance:

    https://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2019/08/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-81219.html

    Colletta

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    1. ha ha yes, for sure! On our case, it was shopping for our young 20-something sons that added to the bills! ha ha One is in college and needed stocking up and the other is living at home and just found out he's gluten intolerant, so needed lots of new stuff.

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  5. I recently read an August Snow book, but I haven't read that first one yet.

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    1. That's how we read them, too - book #2 first! Ken says book 1 is even better!

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  6. Hmm setting aside that big book is perfect, opens up space for something more enjoyable. I felt that when I put aside Lonesome Dove, I liked the story well enough but it was just too long! I had to come of wheat products for awhile earlier in the year but have been able to go back to them now. (Fodmap) which is basically some carbohydrates which disagree, once culprits are found can go back to ones that don't. Baking with gluten free flours was challenging. However I did find gluten free bread from shop edible and there is so much around now.

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    1. So glad your gluten intolerance cleared up and you found the right diet for your needs, Kathryn - that can be challenging sometimes!

      Thanks for supporting and encouraging me about Catch-22 - I still feel guilty about setting it aside!

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  7. I loved Catch-22, but I can see it might not be for everyone. No matter...

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    1. That's why I had so much trouble setting it aside & still might pick it back up later - many people said they like it!

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  8. I loved Vincent and Theo with enormous amounts of love. They had such a fascinating relationship.

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    1. Oh, yes, Crystal! The two brothers cared so deeply for each other. It is really moving.

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