What I’m Reading Now (8/14/17)

I did a lot of reading last week, but it’s probably the last time this summer that you’ll see that out of me! We’re moving into our new house next week and life is about to get disorganized and hectic. I’ve got some posts pre-scheduled for this week, but the last couple weeks of August might be on the quieter side.

#Buildsarahsbookshelves Library Update

I’m putting together a very selective library for my new (but small) built-in bookshelves and am sharing each book I acquire on Instagram (follow me at sarahsbookshelves)! And, I’m trying to acquire all these new books at rock bottom prices.

Absolutely free via a gift certificate to Larchmont’s Anderson’s Book Shop (bringing my to date spending on this project to $2.00…pretty dang good for 2 hard cover novels!), my second acquisition is:

Book 2 in the #buildsarahsbookshelves (where I’m slowly accumulating a very selective collection of beloved books to live on my first set of built-in bookshelves!) series is here! _ IF WE WERE VILLAINS by M.L. Rio is one of my favorite books so far this year! It’s a dark, twisty campus thriller that takes me back to older favorites THE SECRET HISTORY and BLACK CHALK. @sureasmel @flatiron_books Link to my full review in profile. _ And, this addition to my library was basically free via a gift certificate to @andersonsbooks in Larchmont from my good friend (thanks, @marblong). And its local Larchmont roots inspired the location for this picture…Manor Park, the most gorgeous spot in Larchmont! _ Stay tuned to see what else makes the shelves! #bookstagram #amreading #indiebookstore #bookloversday

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I finished reading…

The Heirs, Young Jane Young


The Heirs
 by Susan Rieger (May 23, 2017)
It’s a nice, easy read with good, if not overly elaborate writing. But, very different from The Divorce Papers (her debut novel).
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin (August 22, 2017)
I. Have. Thoughts. You’ll hear them on Thursday. Just know that they firmly hit opposite ends of the spectrum.

I’m currently reading…

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas


The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (February 28, 2017)
My library hold for this one finally came in after months and months of waiting. But, it’s been well worth it! I flew through the first 100 pages when I couldn’t fall asleep the other night. High readable, super compelling, and heart-breaking. I can see why people are buzzing about this one. 

Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

I tried, but wasn’t feeling…

Stay with Me, My Absolute Darling

Stay With Me by Ayobami Adebayo (August 22, 2017)

I had high hopes for this debut…and so does the publishing industry. Sadly, the writing style wasn’t for me. DNF at 5%. Yup, 5%.

My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent (August 29, 2017)
Another debut that has gotten some serious buzz. And it’s really tough to read at times (just horrible things happen to the 14 year old female main character), but that wasn’t why it didn’t work for me. I didn’t click with the writing style (yet again)…it’s too stream-of-conciousness for me and there is too much description of surroundings. I got interested when Turtle meets Jacob and Brett, but that interest waned again quickly. DNF at 37%.

Upcoming reading plans…

South Pole Station by Ashley Shelby


South Pole Station by Ashley Shelby (July 4, 2017)
Of course a couple of my library holds came in all at one time! I was excited about this book right when it came out, but haven’t heard much about it since. I’m going to give it a try if my hold hasn’t expired by the time I finish The Hate U Give. It’ll probably be one of those “if it doesn’t grab me literally immediately, I’m moving on” types of “tries.”

was reading…

One Year Ago: I was reading a quintessential NYC author.

Two Years Ago: I was reading one of 2015’s biggest books…that I was conflicted about.

How was your reading week?

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26 Comments

  1. Renee wrote:

    I’m not sure I’ll even try returning to My Absolute Darling which I put down about 25 pages in, you’re right about the surroundings descriptions but the graphic sexual abuse so early in is what got me. I just felt put off immediately. I didn’t have The Hate You Give even on my radar but the fact that you’re really liking it makes me think twice:) Good Luck with the house move, always a hectic but exciting time!

    Posted 8.14.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Oh man – yes, those were hard scenes too. Glad to hear I wasn’t the only one b/c I heard so much hype about this one coming out of BEA.

      Posted 8.14.17 Reply
  2. You’ve piqued my interest in Young Jane Green.

    Posted 8.14.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Well….maybe wait until you see my review on Thursday. Haha!

      Posted 8.14.17 Reply
  3. I read The Hate U Give last month and really liked it. The waiting list for that book was so long. It was nuts. I think everyone in the world wants to read it.

    Posted 8.14.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I’m now almost 3/4 way through and am engrossed in it! An issue book that’s also a story about a compelling family.

      Posted 8.14.17 Reply
  4. Great pick for your second bookshelf book! I was so disappointed not to get an ARC of My Absolute Darling, but after hearing both you and Renee didn’t care for it, maybe it’s not a big deal. I’ve been feeling like I need to read The Hate U Give, too. Glad it’s living up to expectations. I may save it for December. Looking forward to your write up of YJY. Yes, there is much to talk about.

    Good luck with the move. That’s always such a crazy, exhausting time!

    Posted 8.14.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Haha – definitely not a bad ARC to miss out on! I do think you’d like The Hate U Give. It’s super timely and is making me think for sure…but also is just a flat-out compelling story.

      Posted 8.14.17 Reply
  5. Lindsey wrote:

    Built-in bookshelves are the dream! We have a few in the home office my husband and I share. They get a lot of rearranging, since I keep changing which books I want there!

    The Hate U Give is definitely fantastic. I can’t wait to see what Thomas does next.

    Posted 8.14.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I have a feeling mine will be frequently rearranged!

      Posted 8.14.17 Reply
  6. Kathy Martin wrote:

    I quit on one this week at page 17. The writing style just didn’t work especially after finishing a book with wonderful writing. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

    Posted 8.14.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Good for you! Why waste time reading something that isn’t working for you?!

      Posted 8.14.17 Reply
  7. Beth F wrote:

    South Pole, Young Jane Young, and The Hate U Give are all on my list!

    Posted 8.14.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Yay!

      Posted 8.14.17 Reply
  8. Last week I added The Heirs to my list…and now I’m bookmarking Young Jane Young. Sounds tempting.

    Enjoy your week, and thanks for sharing. Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

    Posted 8.14.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Maybe wait to read my YJY review on Thursday…very mixed feelings!

      Posted 8.14.17 Reply
  9. Melinda wrote:

    Good luck on the move! We have probably stayed in our house as long as we have simply because we didn’t want to move…ha ha!

    Posted 8.14.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I don’t blame you…I HATE moving! But, we moved to a different state, so had no choice.

      Posted 8.14.17 Reply
  10. Amanda wrote:

    I liked Young Jane Young! I’m very curious now to see your thoughts! I need to haul my booty to my library to pick up If We Were Villians

    Posted 8.14.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Let’s just say that gimmick at the end did not sit well with me. And yes – run to get Villains STAT!

      Posted 8.14.17 Reply
  11. Tara wrote:

    Ugh, what a bummer week! Also, I am HIGHLY INTRIGUED by your comment on Young Jane Young…hmm. I guess I’m just going to have to read it and find out, right? 🙂

    Posted 8.14.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Yep, definitely threw me for a loop! But others seem to like it, so…

      Posted 8.14.17 Reply
  12. I’ve had a bunch of books rub me the wrong way this summer — mostly for typesetting. One of the books I ended up buying as an audiobook so I can have someone else read through the non-existent punctuation.

    Come see what I’m reading.

    Posted 8.14.17 Reply
  13. Catherine wrote:

    What?! DNF to both Stay With Me and Absolute Darling? I just got Absolute yesterday because I heard something good about it and the synopsis sounded like my kind of thing. Shoot.

    I am THIS close to reading backlist only and stopping reviewing. This year has been the pits and it’s getting harder and harder to come up with things to say.

    Posted 8.14.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I’d heard so many good things about it pre-pub…but now have seen a number of other bloggers DNFing it too. Would be interested to hear your thoughts if you give it a shot!

      Way to go backlist! I’m reading some 2017 books that I missed when they first came out. Did you ever read The Hate U Give…it’s good!

      Posted 8.17.17 Reply
  14. I read My Absolute Darling in its entirety, and wish I had DNF’d it! However, I was a fan of Stay With Me and The Hate U Give. Getting ready to read Young Jane Young since Gabrielle Zevin is appearing at my Indie bookstore next month.

    Posted 8.15.17 Reply

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