This week, I’m linking up with Sheila at Book Journey for It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?
As you’ve probably noticed, my blog got a makeover last week (many thanks to Stephanie at New Chapter Designs for this)! I’m so excited about all the new things I can do with my posts and the bright, clean look.
My son had “Winter Break” this week, so we headed South to visit family in Virginia. Unfortunately, snow seems to follow us wherever we go…it’s snowed pretty much every week since January where we live, it snowed 2 days after we arrived in Virginia, and it snowed 2 hours after we arrived back home yesterday. I’m OVER this 🙂
I just finished reading…
A Touch of Stardust by Kate Alcott (February 17, 2015)
This “novel that takes you behind-the-scenes of the filming of Gone with the Wind” (Goodreads) was fun, entertaining, and glamorous. And, it was the 1930’s Hollywood novel that I was hoping Stewart O’Nan’s West of Sunset would be.
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I’m currently reading…
Dead Wake by Erik Larson (March 10, 2015)
The true story of the World War I era sinking of the Lusitania, a ritzy ocean liner sailing from New York to Liverpool. I was really looking forward to this one since I loved Larson’s The Devil in the White City and In the Garden of Beasts, but it pains me to say that this one is turning out to be a bit uneven. I wasn’t a fan of the first half, but things have picked up again in the second half.
Next up are…yet more March 10 releases
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (March 10, 2015)
Shannon at River City Reading got me interested in this “epic about love and friendship in the twenty-first century that goes into some of the darkest places fiction has ever traveled and yet somehow improbably breaks through into the light.” I have to confess that, I was slogging through Dead Wake, I sneaked a peak at the first couple pages of this one…and, it looks promising.
The Unraveling of Mercy Louis by Keija Parssinen (March 10, 2015)
“In this intricate novel of psychological suspense, a chilling discovery near the high school ignites a witch hunt in a southeast Texas refinery town, unearthing communal and family secrets that threaten the lives of the town’s girls.” (Goodreads) This will be my second novel of the year about tragedy surrounding teenagers in a Southern town (the first being my current frontrunner for Best Book of 2015, My Sunshine Away).
I haven’t heard of The Unraveling of Mercy Lewis, but it sounds like a book I’d enjoy. I might look it up.
Have a great week.
Deb
Sorry about all the snow. Not something we deal with much here, but we are actually having snow flurries here in Central Texas this morning. Ick. Spring will eventually be here. 🙂
I’ll be interested in hearing what your final evaluation is of DEAD WAKE. I’ve really liked the other books I’ve read by Erik Larson. Have a good week!
Wow – snow in Texas! That’s not a normal occurrence! Dead Wake got better for sure (I finished it last night), but not one of my favorite Larsons and I’m not sure the first half slog was worth the second half. Will have to think through that for my full review 🙂
So you’re the cause of all this winter’s snow! lol I’m anxious to read The Unraveling of Mercy Louis so I’ll be watching to see what you think of it.
I love the new look! Really gorgeous and clean. 🙂
Thanks! Most of that credit should go to Stephanie at New Chapter Designs 🙂 But, clean is what I was going for!
These are all new to me. I hope you enjoy the up-coming ones. I finished my March releases yesterday and am diving into my April review books. You can see my week here. Happy reading!
Good for you – ahead of the game!
I’m very intrigued by A Little Life, so I’ll be looking out for that one and your comments about it.
You’re so right about this weather–these weekly snow storms are out of control.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Sorry to hear Dead Wake is a bit of a let-down, but I can’t waaaaait to hear your thoughts on A Little Life!
So far so good (though I’m only 3% in – ha!)! Ill be reading this one for a good long while 🙂
I was curious about Dead Wake. I’ve seen it mentioned on a couple of other blogs this AM. I’m sorry it’s not going as well as you would have liked. I love your new blog design!
Thanks – re the blog design! Finished Dead Wake last night and it got better thankfully, but still not up to what I expect from Larson.
I enjoyed A Touch of Stardust very much. I hope you end up enjoying Dead Wake overall; I know your expectations were high for that one. Good luck with the other two. The Unraveling of Mercy Louis sounds interesting.
It got better for sure, but still not one of my favorite Larsons.
A Touch of Stardust and The Unraveling both really appeal to me.
I’m glad to hear you liked the Kate Alcott book. It sounds entertaining. I will await your final word on Dead Wake. Perhaps the 2nd half of the book will change your thinking? I’m still awed by In the Garden of Beasts. thanks!
I’m glad you liked Kate Alcott’s book. It sounds entertaining. I will await your final word about Dead Wake. Perhaps the 2nd half of the book will change your mind? I’m still in awe of In the Garden of Beasts.
I loved Beasts and Devil in the White City. I’ve finished Dead Wake now and the second half definitely turned things around, but not enough to make the first half worth the slog in my view 🙁 It pains me to say this b/c I’m such a Larson fan.
I’m in Chicago and I deeeefinitely feel your snow pain. Ready to move just about anywhere else.
I didn’t know Erik Larson was coming out with a new book! Not sure if I’ll pick this one up, though. I’ll wait to see your potential review. And I’m super pumped to read A Little Life! Have a good week!
i hope Spring arrives sooner rather than later for you. Both of your selections for this week sound interesting, I hope you enjoy them!