Hosted by The Book Date.
I took a break from It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? last week to share my 4th annual Books That Make Perfect Holiday Gifts guide. Check it out if books are on your holiday shopping list! And, Anne Tollett from Hanover Avenue created a fantastic holiday gift guide of literary-ish paraphenalia!
This month, I’m participating in A Month of Favorites, hosted by Traveling with T, Estella’s Revenge, and GirlXOXO. I’ve already shared my picks for 5 2015 Books that Deserved the Hype…and 5 That Didn’t and will be sharing more fun round-up lists throughout the month.
I’m currently reading…
Sweetland by Michael Crummey (December 29, 2014)
I’m almost finished with this one and am really loving it. Moses Sweetland is the best lovable curmudgeon and the story has gone in a direction I didn’t expect.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
I DNF’d…
The Improbability of Love by Hannah Rothschild (November 3, 2015)
There were moments when I thought I was going to love this one, but I kept getting bogged down in all the art talk, which is not really my thing. I put it down at 34%.
Upcoming reading plans…
I’m really not sure what I’m going to read next, but it will probably be one of these three…
Along the Infinite Sea by Beatriz Williams (November 3, 2015)
The third and final installment of the Schyuler sister series. Williams is a pretty reliable lighter read for me, so I’m looking for the perfect place to stick this one in.
The Last Pilot by Benjamin (July 7, 2015)
This debut novel about a U.S. Air Force test pilot during the space race was on Shannon at River City Reading’s 2015’s Best Books You Might Have Missed list and the premise reminds me a bit of Tom Wolfe’s The Right Stuff, which I loved.
Calf by Andrea Kleine (September 1, 2015)
Fiction based on true crime involving John Hinckley, Jr. and the murderess mother of a childhood friend of the author’s. I feel like this one could be a slam dunk or a complete disaster. I’ve downloaded the sample.
I hope you enjoy the Williams book as much as I did.
Just started it yesterday and so far, so good!
Sweetland is on my wish list, so will be curious to read your final thoughts. Just know I’m going to love Along the Infinite Sea… whenever I get to it!
Just started Infinite Sea yesterday and so far, so good! Quintessential B. Williams. And – I’m trying to find time to get those final thoughts articulated in a review..the holidays are so hectic!
Yay for Sweetland, too bad for The Improbability of Love, though if it’s artsy I would probably like it.
Hope you like the others or whichever one you end up choosing. I’d go with The Last Pilot since it reminded you of a book whose premise you loved.
Catherine at Gilmore Guide loved Improbability of Love…and she’s into art, so you would possibly like it! I ended up putting down The Last Pilot…I’m really picky at the end of the year, so quick to DNF.
I find the cover of Calf kind of disturbing.
DEFINITELY. The entire premise of the book is disturbing. I ended up DNFing at 25%…still hadn’t gotten anywhere near what the book was supposed to be about by that point.
I love both covers for your reading now and DNF (sad face) — so pretty! “The Last Pilot” is on my to-read list. My husband is in the Air Force and I’ve been trying to read more military-related books!
I ended up DNFing The Last Pilot, but I’m picky at this time of year and end up quickly DNFing if I don’t think something has a shot at 5 stars. However, I would recommend The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe and also Thank You For Your Service by David Finkel (about PTSD and TBI in soldiers returning from battle).
So glad to hear you’re enjoying Sweetland – it’s such a wonderful, beautifully written book.
I did – very much! Has a shot of making my Best of 2015 list…will have to see how things shake out numbers-wise.
I hope one of the books on your stack grabs you. I DNFed one this week too. It was second in a series and I felt lost because I didn’t remember enough about book 1. Here is what I did last week. Happy reading
Yay! Sweetland is on my e-reader and set for me to tackle in 2016 as I Clean My Reader and #ReadMyOwnDamnBooks.
Yay for Cleaning Your E-Reader and #ReadYourOwnDamnBooks! I weirdly don’t own a ton of books I haven’t read…but do have a hundreds of books long TBR spreadsheet!
I’ve seen Along the Infinite Sea a lot lately. Maybe it’s a series I should be looking into!
If you like lighter, page turning books about wealthy people behaving badly…they’re kind of beach reads for me…then YES! Also – her standalone, A Hundred Summers, is probably my favorite. Maybe worth trying that before you commit to the series.
I had a DNF this week too, it was just not my style even though I thought it would be good. Along the Infinite Sea is a light read but a very enjoyable one and I loved the mystery.
I love B. Williams for light reads..she’s my go-to! Am enjoying it so far, but am only 10% in. Sorry for your DNF…no fun!
Oh, I need to remember Sweetland! GAH! I really need to read Along the Infinite Sea, as well, but all of my library holds seem to be coming in at the same time – ha! Finished Did You Ever Have A Family and now I’m on to Fates and Furies!
Sweetland looks really enticing for me, and you can’t go wrong with Along the Infinite Sea and The Pilot – both are really good. I haven’t read a true crime in a while, so Calf would be new to me. I’ll watch for your thoughts on it.
Ohhhhh….read Along the Infinite Sea next. 🙂
You will love it.
ENJOY your week.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My It’s Monday, What Are You Reading
That looks like an interesting read. I’m happy for you on having a great book this week.
I have a soft spot for lovable curmudgeons, I’ll have to check out Sweetland! 😀