Hosted by The Book Date.
While much of the blogging world was participating in Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon this weekend, I was kicking off Halloween early. Our town’s Ragamuffin Parade was on Saturday and it’s one of my favorite events of the year. The main drag closes to traffic so the town’s children can parade through in their Halloween costumes and trick-or-treat at all the shops. And, of course, there are pre-parties! I’ve yet to participate in a 24 Hour Readathon, but I swear I’m going to make it happen next time around!
Tomorrow and Wednesday, I’ll be sharing the last two installments of “Don’t Tell Me You Don’t Read in the Bathroom” (three ways to accessorize an affordable “blank canvas bathroom” created by Hanover Avenue and Shannon Kaye)! As always with my Hanover Avenue collaborations, I selected books to match each room’s theme!
I’m currently reading…
City on Fire by Garth Risk Hallberg (October 13, 2015)
I’m almost halfway through this one and this probably won’t be the last time you see it in my “currently reading” slot (due to it’s 944 pages). I’m enjoying it (with reservations) so far. Is it blowing me away to the tune of $2M (the author’s advance)? No. Are there kernels of greatness hiding in there? Yes.
I DNF’d…
Speed Kings by Andy Bull (October 20, 2015)
After putting down this one at 14% because it read like the society pages of 1920’s St. Moritz (in the guise of providing background on two Olympic bobsledders) rather than an Olympics/sports book, I skipped ahead to the 35% mark and got interested in the background on the Lake Placid Olympics. Sadly, that part was short-lived and it’s now in the DNF pile for good.
Next up is…Nonfiction November
The Three-Year Swim Club by Julie Checkoway (October 27, 2015)
This book couldn’t be more perfect for me! Nonfiction about a school teacher who trained three underprivileged children to swim (I was a swimmer growing up) in the 1940 Olympics (I’m obsessed with the Summer Olympics) for fans of Laura Hillenbrand (love!) and The Boys in the Boat (love!). Now, let’s just hope it lives up to all those expectations!
The Underground Girls of Kabul by Jenny Nordberg (September 16, 2014)
This story about girls raised as boys in Afghanistan was a darling of last year’s Nonfiction November and I was sad to have missed the boat! Catching up this year.
Your Halloween parade sounds adorable. I love seeing the kids in their costumes, especially the young ones. Looks like you’ve selected a couple of good books for Non-Fiction November. (I didn’t know Non-Fictions is going to be featured next month.) Have a great week Sarah!
There’s a whole month of fun Nonfiction activities…check Doing Dewey or Becca at I’m Lost in Books for more details. I participated for the first time last year and it was a blast!
So glad you enjoyed your parade! Here’s hoping you can join in on the Readathon in April.
Adding my voice to the chorus: Underground Girls is GREAT.
I am so, so curious about City on Fire, but 944 is an enormous page commitment. Can’t wait to hear how it turns out for you.
Have a great week!
I’ve heard that from so many people – looking forward to it!
And – dude, I just passed the 50% mark of City on Fire and felt like I should throw myself a party! It feels like what running a marathon must feel like.
Have a great (GRE-free) week as well!
Sarah, you seem to be flying through City on Fire much quicker than I did; I felt like I was reading that one forever – ha! I finished yesterday and I feel like I need a vacation now. 🙂 I can’t wait to see your updates tomorrow and Wednesday on the bathroom designs; so much fun!!
Ha – that’s b/c I’m pushing myself hard to read whenever I can so I’m not reading this thing for weeks and weeks! I cannot wait to hear your thoughts on it 🙂
I am not a fan of Trick or Treating, but the parade for Halloween sounds delightful. Enjoy the books on your list…and I’m curious about Don’t Tell Me You Don’t Read in the Bathroom.
Enjoy! Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
Halloween parade sounds super cute! I am saving the Underground Girls of Kabul for Non-fiction November too. I’m currently totally sucked into the Lake House by Kate Morton.
Yay – we can have a mini read-along! And – you’re the 3rd blogger I trust that I’ve seen raving about The Lake House lately…might have to check that one out.
I’m a bit disappointed as well by how little actual bobsledding there is in Speed Kings. I haven’t given up yet, though.
I hope you like the Three-Year Swim Club better!
I know – pitifully little! It actually started to really make me angry. Hence the DNF 🙂 I’m crossing my fingers for better things from Swim Club!
Too bad about the DNF Speed Kings. Hoping you like City on Fire overall because it’s a ginormous book. I also hope you like the first two non-fiction books you are planning to read for November.
Yep – ginormous it is!
I’m already planning to make the next readathon happen, too! Have never been able to coordinate it with my schedule, but I just dropped in for a few hours on Saturday and had a great time.
I’m still waffling about City on Fire. It’s SO long, but I do want to read it… maybe a read/listen combo in FL this winter.
Nonfiction November should be fun. The Underground Girls of Kabul is on my list of possibilities.
I think I just need to get ok with dropping in on the Readathon for however long I can. I never sign up because I say “I know I can’t set aside the whole day to read”. I need to just get past that and sounds like i worked out well for you!
Amanda at Gun in Act One is planning on Girls of Kabul as well for NN…we should have a mini read-along!
I always feel guilty when I see people choosing to read nonfiction. I almost never read it. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
Oh, don’t feel guilty…you should read what you like! And – I’ve barely read any nonfiction all year…will cram it all into one month.
I always enjoy stopping by. You have such a refreshing looking blog and header.
ENJOY your books and your week.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My It’s Monday, What Are You Reading
Thanks! That’s all due to Stephanie from New Chapter Designs 🙂
The parade sounds a load of fun. I rarely read non fiction books although I do read a few in the year, mainly around interests and reading challenges. Your NF books look really interesting though.
Join in Nonfiction November this year! And – I tend to cram all my nonfiction into one month! Thanks again for taking over hosting duties!
Hope you had fun at the parade! Halloween’s almost here so I want to choose an appropriate book soon.
I have had my eye on The Girls of Kabul for a long time. Maybe I’ll check it out of the library soon.
I’m glad you’re enjoying City on Fire. Is that advance not insane???!!! I’d heard it was a HUGE figure but thought, nah. That is one big risk for a publisher, especially at over 900 pages because so many people lose interest at less than half that number. I hope it’s amazing for you!
So, so risky!! And – given that risk, I kind of can’t believe the editing wasn’t a bit tighter 🙂
I’ve told you once and I’ll tell you again – Girls of Kabul is amazing! I’m currently reading (finally) All the Light We Cannot See and it’s very promising so far (which is not surprising).
Yep – I keep hearing that and so looking forward to it! I tried All the Light last year and thought the sample was kind of a slog, so didn’t buy the whole book. But, I hear from so many people that I probably should have stuck with it!
I’m also seconding the Girls of Kabul recommendation! It was very good! Hopefully you’ll be able to pick it up this Nonfiction November 🙂
Just bought it on my Kindle 🙂