Hosted by The Book Date.
I’m feeling super good about myself this week! For the past few years, I’ve been a total stress-case during the holiday season with too much to do, too little time, and too much on the social calendar. I decided to change things this year by getting the annoying tasks done early. I’ve now finished shopping, making the annual photo album the grandparents like to receive, and sending out holiday cards and am actually enjoying the holidays! Plus, work will begin on Monday to repair our basement from our recent flood, which means my kids will have a playroom again soon.
I finished reading…
We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter (February 14, 2017)
I have a tendency to get bogged down in WWII books and did not feel that way at all about this one! The story is fast-moving and hopeful, despite the heavy topic, and it’s one heck of a story. It would be a great choice for fans of The Nightingale. Keep this debut on your radar for February!
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I’m currently reading…
The Undoing Project by Michael Lewis (December 6, 2016)
I’m almost halfway through. Bang-up first chapter including a Charles Barkley quote, which I welcome at any time, but am getting bogged down in the biographical information about the two psychologists and their non-real world experiments. I’m doing more skimming than I’d like.
Upcoming reading plans…
It’s the time of year when I treat myself to a few backlist goodies that have been on my TBR forever! Which of these do you recommend I read?
Empire Falls by Richard Russo (May 8, 2001)
I’m a sucker for stories about small, blue-collar communities. On the downside, I have a dismal record with Pulitzer Prize winners. Regardless, I’ve been meaning to try this legendary author for awhile now.
Every Last One by Anna Quindlen (April 13, 2010)
I recently read my first Anna Quindlen (Miller’s Valley) thanks to Catherine at Gilmore Guide to Books and this is where she pointed me next.
The Book of Unknown Americans by Christina Henriquez (June 3, 2014)
The fact that I’m still seeing a fair number of people reading, reviewing, and talking about this book two years after publication makes me think I need to make time for it.
The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollack (July 12, 2011)
I love Grit Lit, but haven’t read as much of it as I’d like to this year. I hear this guy’s the king, yet I couldn’t get into his latest novel, The Heavenly Table. But, people I trust swear The Devil All the Time is much better, so I might give it a shot.
This is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett (December 11, 2011)
Ever since reading Commonwealth, I’ve been on an Ann Patchett high. So, I need to get to this collection of memoir-style essays.
How was your reading week?
I’m almost done with The Undoing Project and feel pretty much the same way.
Glad I’m not alone – and I’m now almost finished too. Hope to finish tonight – with lots of skimming 🙂
ooo. Bummer. I was thinking this sounded REALLY good.
I really really liked The Book of Unknown Americans. I work with a lot of Mexican immigrants and this story really was enlightening for me. It’s also very well written.
Good to hear! I peeked at the first paragraph and it was gorgeous.
I’m so happy to hear you liked We Were the Lucky Ones. I usually like WWII novels, so am excited for this one. As to your choices of what to read next…I’d skip Empire Falls. I also have a poor track record with Pulitzer Prize novels and that book is one of the reasons why! The Book of Unknown Americans was great, but I’d go for The Devil All the Time. I want to read that one myself because I loved The Heavenly Table. It may even make my Top Ten list!
My library hold for Unknown Americans came in so I’m tackling that one, but will keep Devil high on the list! The length of Empire Falls is also turning me off a bit, but I really feel like I need to try Russo at least.
I vote you read Empire Falls or This Is The Story of a Happy Marriage — they’re both great! The Patchett may be easier to dip in and out of during the holiday season (though sounds like you’re in great holiday shape so maybe choose the novel).
I’m thinking Happy Marriage is going to hit the spot…I’m already craving some more Patchett.
I loved Every Last One…in fact, I so enjoy Anna Quindlen, from her fiction to her memoirs, that I eagerly await each new one.
Commonwealth also led me to check out other books by Patchett…I’ve only read a couple of her books so far.
We Were the Lucky Ones looks like another book I would enjoy. Thanks for sharing, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
Good to hear – on all fronts!
We’re The Luck Ones sounds good. I haven’t read any of the books on your backlist. Continue to enjoy the holiday season and have a great week Sarah.
You too!
Your backlist goodies look intriguing. I hope you enjoy them all. I always have a very low key Christmas and this one looks like it will be quiet too. Lots of reading time! Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I’m envious of your lowkey Xmas!
The Book of Unknown Americans was a great read. I read Empire Falls ages ago so I can’t really remember! Sorry to hear about the flooding!!
My library hold for Unknown Americans came in…so that’s where I’ll head first! Kind of like when the library makes these kinds of decisions for me!
I really loved This is The Story of a Happy Marriage! The audio, read by the author, is excellent but I still wanted a copy of the book for my shelf. Empire Falls was a favorite ages ago…and I’ve been enjoying Russo’s books ever since. Every Last One was very good, but I liked both One True Thing and Object Lessons better.
Congratulations on getting all those holiday tasks done early. Maybe one year I will, too! I’ve made a note of We Were the Lucky Ones. Good luck with the remodeling project.
So glad to hear that about Happy Marriage! And I wish it was a remodeling project…it’s more like a “going through the pain of a remodel just to get back to where we were before the flood” project. Ha!
Empire Falls is Russo’s best book. All his books use a similar theme and setting so read this one and you’ll have seen his breadth.
Happy Marriage was good, not great but good. I’m still down on Commonwealth — 80+ books in this year and that one is very close to the bottom of of my list. As much as I love Patchett, for me she’s on the decline. State of Wonder, albeit better than Commonwealth, was just OK.
And I LOVED every page of Commonwealth; thought it better than State of Wonder. I love how her fans can argue the best and worst – every book she writes is somebody’s fave or ‘worst-yet’. (I respect your opinion.)
Agree, Care. I really liked Wonder, but thought Commonwealth even better. I’m also a sucker for the dysfunctional family novel.
Oh no! I feel the opposite about Patchett as you do…I wasn’t that keen on Bel Canto, loved State of Wonder, and loved Commonwealth the most.
Empire Falls is also the shortest (although none of them are really short) I think, so another factor in its favor!
I’m getting super excited to read Georgia’s book!! YAY! I’ve only read two of the choices you posted for end-of-year reading: The Book of Unknown Americans and This Is The Story of a Happy Marriage; I think you’ll like the latter more than the former, but we’ll see. 🙂
Just started Unknown Americans and liking it so far, but only 15% in. My library hold came in, kind of making my decision for me.
Second the Happy Marriage. Empire Falls is good, too. (and the movie aint half bad)
Thanks for the votes!
You have a great list of backlist books to pick from — hope you’re continuing to enjoy The Book of Unknown Americans. I loved it and so did my book club. I am a huge Ann Patchett fan and have loved every word she’s ever written, so it was a real pleasure to read her book of essays, which helped me get to know her better. For Empire Falls — I would say to see the movie! And by the way — I couldn’t get through the Michael Lewis. Disappointing . . .
I really enjoyed Unknown Americans and agree that it would make a great book club selection! I’m really enjoying the essays too…she’s an interesting lady. And I detected a bit of autobiographic influence from her own life for Commonwealth (growing up with her mom and stepfather and having her 4 step siblings fly in for visits?). And glad I’m not the only one who felt that way about the Lewis. First book of his I really haven’t enjoyed.