It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? (1/2/17)

Hosted by The Book Date.

Happy back-to-normal-life-day, everyone! I’ve been visiting family for the holidays, so have been out of my regular routine for quite awhile. I couldn’t manage a Monday update post the day after Christmas, so I’m covering two weeks worth of ground here. But, I have been reading!

I finished reading…

This is the story of a happy marriage, Idaho, Every Last One


This is the Story of a Happy Marriage
 by Ann Patchett (December 11, 2011)
Pat Conroy is one of the rare authors whose fiction and nonfiction I’ve truly enjoyed. Now that he’s gone, Ann Patchett might be taking his place (thanks to his recommendation in A Lowcountry Heart). She covers the gamut of topics in this essay collection: marriage (obviously), divorce, writing, book tours, opera (the only low point for me), friendship, being a caregiver, how to be productive, and the story behind the opening of Parnassus Books. She lives an interesting, yet fairly normal life and I like her outlook on things.

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Idaho by Emily Ruskovich (January 3, 2017)
Early readers have mostly loved this debut novel, but it didn’t quite gel for me. Full review to come.

Every Last One by Anna Quindlen (April 13, 2010)
This is my second Anna Quindlen novel in the past month (thanks to Catherine at Gilmore Guide to Books) and she’s fast becoming a new favorite. This novel showed me she “gets it” and wrapped up my 2016 on a 5 star note. Mini review to come.

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I’m currently reading…

The Sleepwalker, String Theory


The Sleepwalker
 by Chris Bohjalian (January 10, 2017)
Bohjalian is one of my go-to authors and reading his January new release seems to be a new holiday tradition for me. I’m flying through this one and it’s got me thinking he’s the new master of mysteries with…more.

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String Theory: David Foster Wallace on Tennis by David Foster Wallace (June 21, 2014)
My mom was a tennis player growing up, so I got this for her for Christmas (also, it was a wolf present). In the tradition of the wolf present, she’s read it and has now passed it on to me. I’ve only read the first essay, but am not quite sure how I feel about Wallace’s writing style. It might be a bit erudite/pretentious/pompous for my taste.

Upcoming reading plans…

I’m not sure…possibly one of these. Let me know if you’ve read any of them and have any feedback!

History of Wolves, Lucky Boy, The Most Dangerous Place on Earth


History of Wolves
 by Emily Fridlund (January 3, 2017)
This debut novel about a young girl living a somewhat eccentric life in Minnesota has been getting some pre-publication buzz…but some bloggers I trust have been lukewarm on it. I have the ARC sitting here, so I’m going to give it a try with reduced expectations.

Lucky Boy by Shanthi Sekaran (January 10, 2017)
This story about a Mexican immigrant living in the U.S. sounds promising, but the length (480 pages, which is long for me these days) is making me hesitate.

The Most Dangerous Place on Earth by Lindsey Lee Johnson (January 10, 2017)
Debut novel about the hidden lives of wealthy high school students…certainly not a unique storyline, but these types of things always suck me in nonetheless.

How was your reading week?

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31 Comments

  1. So many great books here, Sarah! You already know how much I loved This is the Story of a Happy Marriage and that Anna Quindlen is a favorite. I’m looking forward to your thoughts on Idaho… sounds like it will provide a little balance for my expectations.

    Posted 1.2.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Yep – I remember! And I def think my take on Idaho will be a bit different than others’…review coming on Thursday.

      Posted 1.3.17 Reply
  2. The last Chris Bohjalian book I read, that one about the bachelor party, kept me up all night! Is his new one as good? I may have to get on the waiting list at the library!

    Posted 1.2.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I just finished it – I really liked it although I’ve heard some others that didn’t like it as much as The Guest Room.

      Posted 1.3.17 Reply
  3. Toady wrote:

    It seems like there are a lot of people digging into The Sleepwalker this week. I have it for review and look forward to giving it a go. I am looking forward to reading your thoughts on The Most Dangerous Place On Earth. It caught my eye awhile back, but decided to not review and wait to see what a few of my favorite bloggers think. I hope you enjoy your upcoming reads.

    Posted 1.2.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I know, right?! I just finished it and really liked it…I think.

      And I’m trying to decide whether to request a galley of Most Dangerous or read it once it comes out.

      Posted 1.3.17 Reply
  4. Beth F wrote:

    We have (no surprise, I guess) overlapping reading lists. I’m curious about your thoughts on Idaho because I’ve been on the fence about reading it.

    Posted 1.2.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Def not surprised – ha! I’m posting my review on Thursday, but I thought it had the elements of a great novel, but just felt clunky and some parts felt purposeless.

      Posted 1.3.17 Reply
  5. History of Wolves *sounds* so good though! Hopefully it’ll work 🙂

    Posted 1.2.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I actually just started it – and am only a few pages in, but like the style more than I thought I would based on early feedback. I’m going to keep reading for now.

      Posted 1.3.17 Reply
  6. I’ll be curious to compare our thoughts on Idaho and The Sleepwalker. Neither were top level books for me. As for your TBR list, I’m close to finishing Lucky Boy, but it has taken awhile to get through it. I don’t blame the book just the hectic pace of the last week. I guess I’m going to have to try Anna Quindlen!

    Posted 1.2.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I think you’d love Quindlen! We can all thank Catherine for that one.

      Just finished Sleepwalker – good mystery…not 5 stars or anything, but solid for me. I’m reviewing Idaho on Thu!

      Posted 1.3.17 Reply
  7. I loved The Sleepwalker…and Every Last One, which I read a while ago. But even when I was purging my print books, I saved this one…and others by the author. I had planned to buy Idaho…but, maybe I’ll wait.

    Enjoy your week…and Happy New Year.

    Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

    Posted 1.2.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Just finished Sleepwalker and liked it, not love, but solid like. And I’d definitely save Every Last One – so fantastic!

      Posted 1.3.17 Reply
  8. I really want to get to The Sleepwalker and The Most Dangerous Place on Earth. The latter got a lot of buzz at SIBA.

    Posted 1.2.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Good to hear!

      Posted 1.3.17 Reply
  9. Ive read a couple of Patchett titles, but I really love Bohjalian and Quindlen! Have read most of their books-enjoy! I’m thinking of picking up History of Wolves…

    Posted 1.2.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I’ve read a ton of Bohjalian, but really want to get moving on Quindlen’s backlist! Just started History of Wolves…will see how it goes.

      Posted 1.3.17 Reply
  10. Lindsey wrote:

    I agree about Ann Patchett! It seems she can write just about anything, and do it effortlessly.

    I have The Most Dangerous Place on Earth on my tbr list, so I will have to see what you think if you decide to pick it up this week.

    Posted 1.2.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Agree about Patchett – I just love her style.

      Posted 1.3.17 Reply
  11. Tara wrote:

    I’m so glad you enjoyed the Patchett; I read that one some time ago and fell more in love with her. I’m still planning to give Idaho a try; we’ll see how that goes. I’m dying for you to get to the end of The Sleepwalker and that’s all I can say. History of Wolves sounds interesting, but I’ve GOT to read Most Dangerous Place; I, too, am a sucker for these descriptions. Hope you enjoyed the holiday and more important, are happy to be back home.

    Posted 1.2.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I finished! Will text you.

      And do try Idaho…some others felt differently than I did.

      Posted 1.3.17 Reply
  12. Melinda wrote:

    I LOVED “This is the Story of a Happy Marriage” It is probably my favorite Ann Patchett book! I’m considering “The Most Dangerous Place on Earth.” I almost picked it for my BotM book this month, but opted for another title that had been sitting on my wishlist. I’ll be interested to read what you thought of it!

    Posted 1.2.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I love that her nonfiction was just as great for me as her fiction…and really illuminated behind the curtain.

      Posted 1.3.17 Reply
  13. I always enjoy Chris Bohjalian. I can’t wait to hear what you think of his newest! He is awesome to follow on Instragram if you do not already…..

    Posted 1.2.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I do follow him! Gorgeous pics of Vermont.

      Posted 1.3.17 Reply
  14. I didn’t know Anna Quindlen had a new book…ENJOY!!

    Looks like a nice reading plan for you.

    ENJOY, and Happy Reading in 2017!!

    Elizabeth
    Silver’s Reviews
    My It’s Monday, What Are You Reading

    Posted 1.2.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      It’s not new…I was reading backlist. Wish I’d read it sooner!

      Posted 1.3.17 Reply
  15. Anita wrote:

    Great books, and I’ve purchased some of Ann Patchett’s books this summer, must read them! The new Bohjalian is up next for me, and I’m going up to the Jacksonville FL area to hear him speak. He is one of my favorite authors.

    Posted 1.2.17 Reply
  16. about to tackle the leopard at the door and books for a living. I apologize everyone I am dictating this so the punctuation will be all off. By the way Sarah are you on Goodreads that we could follow?lani wrote:

    Lucky boy was good. I really was lukewarm about Idaho. The history of wolves was interesting. Of all the books we were the lucky ones was my most favorite .about to tackle the leopard at the door and books for a living. I apologize everyone I am dictating this so the punctuation will be all off. By the way Sarah are you on Goodreads that we could follow?

    Posted 1.3.17 Reply

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