It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? (3/23/15)

It's Monday What Are You Reading


This week, I’m linking up with Sheila at Book Journey for It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?

After an awesome start to the month (A Little Life and The Unraveling of Mercy Louis), last week was a bit disappointing reading-wise. And, weather-wise…after a pump fake of most of our snow melting, it snowed another 5 inches on Friday. It never ends…cue sound of my head repeatedly beating against the wall. 

I just finished reading…

Hausfrau, Jill Alexander Essbaum, Bones and All Camille Deangelis


Hausfrau
 by Jill Alexander Essbaum (March 17, 2015)
People are raving about this one, but I’m having trouble understanding the hype. I put it down at 25%, read Bones & All, and then picked it up again and pretty much had to force myself to finish it. I’ll be posting a full review soon.

Bones & All by Camille DeAngelis (March 10, 2015)
This is a YA novel about a young woman (Maren) who eats humans…yes, really. I was surprised to find that I loved the beginning of the book (mostly because Maren is a very sympathetic character, despite her cannibalism habit), but unfortunately things eventually went downhill. I’ll be posting a mini review on this one.

I’m currently reading…

The Children's Crusade, Ann Packer


The Children’s Crusade
 by Ann Packer (April 7, 2015)

I loved Packer’s 2002 novel The Dive from Clausen’s Pier, so I’m hoping her saga-type novel about a California family hits the spot. Also, the blurb includes the words “secrets” and “remnant wounds”, which can’t be a bad thing! I literally just started this one (I’ve read 2% so far), so I don’t have any initial thoughts yet.

Next up are…a couple possibilities for my 2015 Summer Reading List

Where they found her, kimberly mccreight, find me, laura van den berg


Where They Found Her
 by Kimberly McCreight (April 14, 2015)
McCreight’s Reconstructing Amelia was a fun high school suspense story and she’s now kicking off her next novel with a baby abandoned in the woods near a prestigious New Jersey college. I’m hoping this one will make a good addition to my 2015 Summer Reading List (coming in late May).

Find Me by Laura Van Den Berg (February 17, 2015)
According to Book Riot’s Rebecca Schinsky, Find Me is “the logical next book if you loved Station Eleven“, which I did! So, I’ve downloaded the Amazon sample to give it a try.


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16 Comments

  1. Kelly wrote:

    Interested to read your review of Hausfrau! I was intrigued (though a tad bored) in the first half, but then with about a third to go, I got completely and irrevocably sucked in. I have about 10% left and am plotting how to finish it while I’m watching my kiddos today. Haha.

    Posted 3.23.15 Reply
    • admin wrote:

      I agree that it definitely got better at the end, but it wasn’t enough for me. And – you sound like me (trying to read and watch the kiddos at the same time!).

      Posted 3.23.15 Reply
  2. So you finished Hausfrau. Sounds like you wish you hadn’t wasted your time. I can’t wait for your review. The Ann Packer somehow escaped my radar. I loved Clausen’s Pier as well. Will have to look into it. I just finished Sarah Gruen’s At the Water’s Edge and LOVED it. Not sure what to read next. Great post.

    Posted 3.23.15 Reply
    • admin wrote:

      I’m glad I finished it because I’ll be able to participate in the discussion, but I definitely didn’t love it. Tara at Running N Reading just started The Water’s Edge and is enjoying it…I’m going to keep my eye on that one.

      Posted 3.23.15 Reply
  3. Kay wrote:

    Well, after reading about HAUSFRAU all over, I’m not going to try that one. Just not my thing and cannibalism doesn’t sound at all appealing to me either. Moving on down your list, I found WHERE THEY FOUND HER – now, you’re talking. It’s on my list too. Maybe after the next one – no, after the one after that. Maybe. Too. Many. Books. LOL

    Posted 3.23.15 Reply
    • admin wrote:

      Ha! Yes – always too many books!

      Posted 3.23.15 Reply
  4. Can’t wait for your review of Hausfrau. I know I’ve mentioned that I put is aside, but now want to pick it up again to join in the discussion.

    Posted 3.23.15 Reply
    • admin wrote:

      Being able to join in the discussion is exactly why I forced myself to finish it 🙂

      Posted 3.23.15 Reply
  5. Well, I hate to hear that neither of these most recent selections worked out for you, but I’m definitely excited to hear about Where They Found Her and Find Me; I’ve seen both of these around, and thought they looked interesting, but now I’m really intrigued. I had no idea that Find Me would have any correlation to Station Eleven, but considering how much I loved that one I’ll have to keep an eye out. That’s exciting! I can’t believe the snow…again. GAH! I started At the Water’s Edge over the weekend and I’m really enjoying it; more so than I’d expected. Hope you have a great day!

    Posted 3.23.15 Reply
    • admin wrote:

      I didn’t realize that about Find Me either until I heard it on Book Riot podcast. But, the GR reviews aren’t overwhelmingly positive, so I’m definitely going in with tempered expectations. We shall see.

      Posted 3.23.15 Reply
  6. Carmen wrote:

    I don’t know why the blurb from Hausfrau never appealed to me; I’m curious to read your review. Cannibalism is certainly horrible but I think it would be something good enough to carry out a book (pity that one didn’t make the cut either).
    The one about the baby found in the woods sounds good enough. I hope this one is a keeper.
    I haven’t read Station Eleven yet, though I added it to my list at the end of last year after reading your year’s list. I think comparing Find Me to Station Eleven creates expectations, so I hope it lives up to the comparison. I think most of us have found the hard way that sometimes that’s not really the case at all.
    Looking forward to all your reviews. 🙂

    Posted 3.23.15 Reply
  7. It’s funny how sometimes a book that everyone is raving about turns out to be a disappointment. Hope your next reads are more rewarding.

    Posted 3.23.15 Reply
  8. Lindsey wrote:

    That is high praise for Find Me! I might have to add it to my list.

    I hope your reading gets better again this week. 🙂

    Posted 3.24.15 Reply
  9. Susan wrote:

    Yeah Sarah, I want the real scoop on Hausfrau. Is it worth reading or just tedious? I’m pumped about the Ann Packer book.

    Posted 3.24.15 Reply
    • admin wrote:

      Ha! Yes, check back tomorrow for the “real scoop” (at least how I see it) on Hausfrau – my review will go up then.

      Posted 3.24.15 Reply
  10. Oh no, I keep hearing mixed things about Hausfrau. I go between being pumped to start it and being hesitant, and here I am, a person who still hasn’t started it. Looking forward to seeing why it was a struggle. I hope Find Me ends up being as good as it sounds!

    Posted 3.24.15 Reply

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