I experienced my first Southern snow in a long time this past weekend and it was only a few inches, but dang, it did some damage! It was super wet and heavy and we lost some good sized tree limbs. Our neighbor had a tree pretty much split in half.
I’ve also been working on some fun, new things for 2018…mostly tools and strategies to help you (and me!) pick better books! After my run with hyped books this year, my reading life is screaming at me to figure out a better way. I’m working on some actual tools to help you do this and figuring out how I’ll generally work this theme into Sarah’s Book Shelves next year.
If you’re looking for gifts for the book lovers in your life, I posted my Best Holiday Gifts for Book Lovers 2017 guide on Black Friday! I’ve got you covered with book recommendations, the gift for book lovers that keeps on giving, and bookish gifts that aren’t books. Best of all, you can get all this stuff without leaving your couch!
Hosted by The Book Date.
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I finished reading…
The Rules of Magic
I am not a reader who normally likes anything related to magic, paranormal, or fantasy, but The Rules of Magic was an exception. The magic is not hokey at all and makes what is ultimately a story about love and family more fun and unique. It’s also got some mystery, tragedy, a family feud, and a bit of history about the Salem witch trials and New York City. It’s an unconventional kind of historical fiction, which is the only kind of historical fiction that appeals to me these days.
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Daring Greatly
I’ve heard so many raves about this life improvement book (I hate the term self-help) about confronting your vulnerabilities. People say it’s life-changing. That’s a lot to live up to and I think there was just too much hype going into this one. Her ideas made sense, but I definitely didn’t feel any life-changing “aha” moments. Also, I listened to it on audio and the narrator drove me nuts.
I’m currently reading…
Grist Mill Road
My first 2018 release! And, I was thrilled that this would be my first because I adored his debut novel, Black Chalk, and have recommended it to everyone under the sun. I’m about 25% through and it’s dark and awesome so far. The opening will open your eyes for sure.
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I tried, but wasn’t feeling…
The Nix
After reading the prologue, I thought I’d love this book. And, I did really like Hill’s writing style (other than his excessively long tangents). But, the story really meandered and the thing is just so dang long. A 700+ page book has to really wow me if I’m going to devote the time to it and, while I liked it alright, it wasn’t enough to keep me going until the end. DNF at 40%.
Upcoming reading plans…
For the rest of the year, I’ll be alternating between backlist books and 2018 new releases…unless library holds throw a wrench in my plans, which I’m sure they will despite my efforts to proactively manage them (via suspensions). So, possibly…
The Virgin Suicides
Believe it or not, I’ve never read this modern classic (though I have read Middlesex
I was reading…
One Year Ago: I was reading Ann Patchett’s essay collection, which is now a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick!
Two Years Ago: I was reading the Beatriz Williams that turned me off of her books.
How was your reading week?
I’m so glad that you enjoyed Rules of Magic; what a treat, right? Also, the narrator of Daring Greatly is HORRIBLE; I’d already read the book, but found the audio on sale one day and then decided to listen to it as a refresher…I had to stop listening. Brene Brown does her own narrating on the newer ones and that is so much better. Hope you enjoy Grist Mill Road (keep me posted!) and I’m so glad you’ll read The Virgin Suicides!!
Oh good – so glad to hear I’m not the only one who hated that narrator! She was the worst!
Well, trying to read Virgin Suicides, but library books keep coming in…will hopefully get to it soon though b/c it’s so short.
We haven’t had any snow to speak of. I miss the big snow storms we used to get. I’m still on the fence about The Nix. Looking forward to learning about your changes.
Too bad about The Nix. I loved the writing and the author is great, but it did drag in a couple spots… still a great read for me though. Annie Spence made me add The Virgin Suicides to my list, too. short books are a plus in December!
I did love Hill’s writing…just wish the editor had taken a cleaver to some of that gamer stuff…ugh!
I’m happy to hear that you liked Rules of Magic. I wasn’t sure if you would or not.
Can’t wait to talk Grist Mill Road with you. I’m at 62% now and can’t wait to get home from work today and dive back in. (Of, course I have a long meeting after school today..Ugh. I just want to read!)
Still making my way through Litte Fires Everywhere. So good! I’ll put Grist Mill Road on my to read list.
Little Fires is one I feel like I could recommend to anyone who loves literary fiction…even not knowing much about their reading taste.
I’ve read and loved several books by Conroy…I think my favorite was Prince of Tides…probably because of the issues in the book.
I’m curious about Grist Mill Road.
Thanks for sharing, and enjoy your new books. Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
Prince of Tides was gorgeous, right?
We got some snow here too but very little of it stuck so there was no damage. We haven’t had snow in December since 2010.
Hoffman is hit or miss for me so I always hesitate to pick up her books. I’ll think about The Rules of Magic.
I think Rules of MAgic is the only one hers I’ve read?! I kind of can’t believe that…but I think that’s right. If I’ve read anything else by her, it was ages ago.
I tend to avoid books that are really hyped. I figure they don’t need me to publicize them as so many others are. The Rules of Magic sounds good to me because magic, fantasy, and paranormal are some of my favorite genres. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I’m just out for good books…whether hyped or not. If I love a book, excessive hype doesn’t bother me. But I do really get angry at it when the book flops for me.
Interesting. I don’t usually go for paranormal books either, but Rules of Magic caught my eye. I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it. I’ve seen generally positive reviews, so I’m optimistic.
I haven’t read Daring Greatly, but I listened to Rising Strong on audio last year and felt similarly about it. I recently read Braving the Wilderness (hard copy) and I liked it much better. I suspect part of the reason is because it’s so relevant to what’s going on in our country right now, whereas I didn’t really understand how to practically apply the principles taught in Rising Strong.
Hmm you’ve made me interested in reading The Rules of Magic. Wow I didn’t know snow could do that much damage to a tree. Shows you how much I know about snow!!
I”m looking forward to comparing thoughts in Grist Mill Road with you! My friend is giving me her copy of Rules of Magic so your positive feelings about that have me excited
Grist Mill Road is still on my wishlist. Come see what I’m reading.
The Virgin Suicides is one of my top 5 favorite books of all time. I hope you enjoy it too!
I didn’t realize you moved out of the suburbs of NYC! I live outside of Milwaukee and we have only received a dusting. It’s crazy the south has more snow than we do!
I’m reading Black Dahlia Red Rose and really liking it. I just wish everyone would leave me alone so I can finish it! Such is life in December!
So pleased you liked Rules of Magic! It’s definitely one of my favorites for the year.
I can’t believe you already started Grist Mill Road!! I’m such a weirdo about reading too far in advance of release- maybe because I’m not disciplined enough to write the review right away and then I forget things when it is time to write. Excited, though, so many sophomore efforts are flops.
Anxious to hear what you think about Grist. I didn’t like Black Chalk as much as you did, but he has a certain darkness I like and I’ll keep reading his work for sure. Bummed to hear The Nix didn’t work for you. I haven’t had a chance to pick that one up yet, but it was on my list. Maybe I’ll try the audio and see if that holds my interest.
OK, this is good to know about The Nix – I have been on the fence about it for the longest time! May keep putting it off…
I can’t wait to read The Rules of Magic- got it in my BOTM box
SO sorry to see you didn’t like The Nix! It was kind of all over the place, perspective-wise, but I can see not committing the time to finish such a monster book you’re not totally loving.
I’m glad I tried it! And I loved the central story and his writing, I just got frustrated with all the tangents and especially the gamer stuff. If it had been under 500 pages, I wouldn’t have DNF’d it.