What I’m Reading Now (9/25/17)

Last week, it was such a relief to read something easy and fast-moving following a couple sloggy September books…even if I didn’t think the book was that great. And, I’m now onto a book I think might pull me out of this awful reading slump.

On a logistical note, I’m investigating switching from Boardbooster to Tailwind for scheduling pins. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks!

#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.

My latest acquisition contained a little surprise. I ordered a hardcover of Black Chalk (one of my favorite books of 2014 and a book I still recommend all the time) from Amazon. The hardcover I ordered arrived signed by the author! And, little did I know that Black Chalk never came out in hardcover in the US, so I’d received the UK version. After a little Instagram chat, Christopher J. Yates (the author) informed me that he was fairly shocked I’d received an autographed copy, as he’d only signed hardcovers for one independent bookstore (and it was in the UK). A little bookish serendipity.

The latest book for my #buildsarahsbookshelves project (where I’m accumulating a very selective collection of beloved books to live on my first set of built-in bookshelves) arrived with a surprise! It was autographed…how fun and the author happens to be a delight on Twitter! _ BLACK CHALK was one of my favorite books of 2014…and here we are 3 years later and I still recommend it to people all. the. time! If you liked THE SECRET HISTORY or this year’s IF WE WERE VILLAINS, BLACK CHALK is your next book! PS – @christopherjyates has a new book (GRIST MILL ROAD) coming out in January! @picador _ Stay tuned to see what else makes the shelves! #bookstagram #amreading #bookshelvesofonstagram #bookworm #bookshelf #instabooks #bookblogger #booklover #booklovers

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I finished reading…

 

Cuban Affair by Nelson DeMille


The Cuban Affair
 by Nelson DeMille (September 19, 2017)
Pretty standard Nelson DeMille. New main character, but it’s essentially the personality of John Corey with a different name and background. Now that I’ve been reading DeMille for a long time, his recent books have started to repeat themselves.

I’m currently reading…

Best Kind of People by Zoe Whittall


The Best Kind of People
 by Zoe Whittall (September 19, 2017)
I plowed through a quarter of this story about a beloved high school teacher who gets accused of sexual misconduct in an hour of morning reading. I’m interested to see where it goes.

Upcoming reading plans…

Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan


Manhattan Beach
 by Jennifer Egan (October 3, 2017)
The author of A Visit from the Goon Squad (which I haven’t read yet) is back with some historical fiction set in NYC during the Great Depression. It’s already been long-listed for the 2017 National Book Award…let’s see if it lives up to that honor!

was reading…

One Year Ago: I was involved with lots of hugely popular books at one time!

Two Years Ago: I was reading two books I remember almost nothing about.

How was your reading week?

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23 Comments

  1. Beth F wrote:

    I have the Best Kind of People on my list — sounds like it pulls you in pretty quickly.

    Posted 9.25.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      It did! Not a perfect book, but definitely pulls you in.

      Posted 9.28.17 Reply
  2. Renee wrote:

    The Cuban Affair was a DNF for me, I didn’t like Mac and it seemed to be going nowhere. I have high hopes for Manhattan Beach just based on the description so I hope it lives up to them for us both! Book serendipity is the best, that’s so great you got a signed copy!

    Posted 9.25.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I probably should have DNF’d it – as it was so similar to Radiant Angel, but I’m less likely to DNF an easy read and I needed one at the time.

      Posted 9.28.17 Reply
  3. I was very curious about The Best Kind of People, but then decided not to request it. Let me know if I should read it.

    So lucky to have ended up with a signed copy of Black Chalk. I absolutely loved that book.

    Posted 9.25.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      It was a good read…not a fantastic read. Kept me engaged (which is hard to do right now), but I could definitely pinpoint some issues with it.

      Posted 9.28.17 Reply
  4. I’m looking forward to Manhattan Beach, too… loved Goon Squad!

    Posted 9.25.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I’m about 7% through right now and it’s slow going. Not sure how long I’ll stick with it.

      Posted 9.28.17 Reply
  5. Carmen wrote:

    Getting the hardcover signed edition of Black Chalk was serendipitous indeed.

    Posted 9.25.17 Reply
  6. Michelle wrote:

    I have a copy of Manhattan Beach too. I should get around to reading it sometime in October.

    I never mind books that are quick reads even if they aren’t the most mentally stimulating or enjoyable. There is something about powering through a book quickly that helps with any slump, I feel.

    Posted 9.25.17 Reply
  7. Kathy Martin wrote:

    Autographed books are always fun. To get one as a surprise makes it even better. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

    Posted 9.25.17 Reply
  8. I enjoyed The Best Kind of People, but it was not a favorite.

    I’m curious about Black Chalk…and I definitely want to read Manhattan Beach. I’ve loved several books from Egan, but, surprisingly, didn’t really enjoy A Visit from the Goon Squad. I read it in 2010, and perhaps the writing style of that particular book would not annoy me as much today.

    Thanks for sharing, and here are
    MY WEEKLY UPDATES

    Posted 9.25.17 Reply
  9. I definitely want to read Black Chalk as well. Manhattan Beach has my curiosity peaked. I haven’t read anything by Egan yet so I may dip my toes in the water. Hope you have a great week!!

    Posted 9.25.17 Reply
  10. American bookstores can return signed stock so maybe they can in the UK too but how lucky for you!

    Posted 9.25.17 Reply
  11. It’s funny how books can travel. Come see what I’m reading

    Posted 9.25.17 Reply
  12. Oof, I’ll look forward to hearing your thoughts on The Best Kind of People. I absolutely can’t handle reading books about teacher/student situations, so I will depend entirely on your verdict. :p

    Posted 9.25.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      It kept me engaged (which is hard these days), but I had some issues with it.

      Posted 9.28.17 Reply
  13. Wow, that is the best kind of bookish surprise! And quite a coup for your bookshelves 🙂

    Posted 9.26.17 Reply
  14. Diane wrote:

    I’ve been in a September slump as well, finding plenty else to do except reading — sad. I want to read the new DeMille, but, need something to WOW me and don’t think that will be it.

    Posted 9.27.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Nope – I don’t think that will be it 🙁 Hope this Fall slump turns around for both of us!

      Posted 9.28.17 Reply
  15. Allison wrote:

    That’s so neat you got a signed copy. Those kinds of surprises are the best!

    Posted 9.28.17 Reply
  16. Donna wrote:

    I like Best Kind of People. I think it will be a top book club read as there is a lot to talk about. Girl Who Reads

    Posted 9.28.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Definitely lots to talk about!

      Posted 9.28.17 Reply

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