It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? (12/19/16)

Hosted by The Book Date.

Between repair work on our basement (from the recent plumbing flood) moving along and desperately trying to avoid getting the vicious stomach bug that caused 120 children from my son’s elementary school to be absent on Friday, I got some good reading done last week. I’m enjoying sinking into some backlist titles I’ve been wanting to read for awhile without any pressure or intention of reviewing them!

I finished reading…

The Undoing Project, Book of Unknown Americans


The Undoing Project
 by Michael Lewis (December 6, 2016)
First chapter was awesome. Then, Lewis proceeded to write a textbook. I did a lot of skimming from that point on. Such a letdown. I spelled out my thoughts in slightly more detail on Goodreads.

The Book of Unknown Americans by Christina Henriquez (June 3, 2014)
Powerful book about the life of immigrants living in the U.S. Initially quiet, but I couldn’t put it down towards the end. Very glad I checked this off my backlist TBR.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

I’m currently reading…

This is the story of a happy marriage, Ann Patchett


This is the Story of a Happy Marriage
 by Ann Patchett (December 11, 2011)
I’m about 40% in and I like it, but it’s not earth shattering. Some topics are more interesting than others. Interesting = writing and marriage. Less interesting (at least to me) = opera.

Upcoming reading plans…

After reading two backlist books, I’m going to switch to 2017 releases for a bit. I might squeeze in another backlist before the New Year if I have time.

History of Wolves, Idaho


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.

Idaho by Emily Ruskovich (January 3, 2017)
Early reviews of this debut novel about a crime and a family have been all over the map. We’ll see where I fall.

How was your reading week?

Get Weekly Email Updates!

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

20 Comments

  1. I”m so glad you read The Book of Unknown Americans! It was just one of those books that has stayed with me.

    I don’t even know the name of the book I’m reading. It’s that good… :p

    Posted 12.19.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Yep – I have a feeling it’ll stay with me too! It’s especially relevant right now and I’m trying to determine how I feel about immigration laws…I can see both sides and really have trouble deciding where I fall.

      Posted 12.19.16 Reply
  2. Amal (AMB) wrote:

    “Interesting = writing and marriage. Less interesting (at least to me) = opera.”

    Ha! I haven’t read this book, but I bet I would feel the same way.

    Posted 12.19.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Let me tell you something, Ann Patchett LOVES opera. Haha.

      Posted 12.19.16 Reply
  3. Kathy Martin wrote:

    120 kids gone! Wow! I hope that misses our school. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

    Posted 12.19.16 Reply
  4. I love, love, loved Idaho. It almost reminded me of a quiet, character driven TV show. Glad to hear everything is on the up and up at home and you have a bit more reading time on the horizon!

    Posted 12.19.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Yay – excited to start it. Might kick it in front of History of Wolves, as the only feedback I’ve heard on that one was that it was a bit disappointing.

      Posted 12.19.16 Reply
  5. I listened to The Undoing Project so there was no skimming but I did find myself daydreaming while I listened. It never really grabbed me so I should have returned it.

    Posted 12.19.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I almost felt like it wasn’t Michael Lewis. Grr…

      Posted 12.19.16 Reply
  6. So glad you liked The Book of Unknown Americans. I thought it was such a quietly powerful story. I’m half way through Idaho right now and am finding it a beautifully told story much different than I expected!

    Here’s to staying away from that stomach bug!!

    Posted 12.19.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Yay – glad to hear that about Idaho! I might start that next…instead of History of Wolves b/c of your feedback.

      Posted 12.19.16 Reply
  7. I hope you don’t get sick.

    Gorgeous covers on all of your books.

    All of the books look and sound good.

    ENJOY this week, and Merry Christmas!!

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

    Posted 12.19.16 Reply
  8. I’ve been eyeing the Ann Patchett book…and now I’m curious about Idaho. Enjoy! Stay well, and have a great holiday.

    Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

    Posted 12.19.16 Reply
  9. Athira wrote:

    120 children! I hope your family doesn’t get it. It’s never good to get the stomach bug and it’s worse when it comes during the holiday season. 🙁

    I’ve been looking forward to reading that Ann Patchett book but as with most essay collections, I find some topics interesting and others not so much. I have a feeling my tastes will be very close to yours.

    Posted 12.19.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I’ve got to say…I’ve liked the essay collection more and more the farther I’ve read. There hasn’t been an essay that’s bored me since the opera one.

      Posted 12.19.16 Reply
  10. susan wrote:

    Too bad about the Michael Lewis book. Major bummer, I was thinking of getting that as a gift for a family member and now I don’t think so. Is it really boring? Happy Holidays.

    Posted 12.19.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      The first chapter is fantastic, but yes, I was bored by a majority of the rest. There are certainly some interesting parts – Amos Tversky is a super interesting and quirky guy – but the work/research itself, which takes up a majority of the real estate was just presented almost as if it were in a textbook.

      Posted 12.19.16 Reply
  11. After spending so much time on reviewing, it really is a great feeling to read something without over-analyzing it for lines to put in a later review. 🙂 The Book of Unknown Americans has been on my TBR for a while and I just recently got an audiobook copy of it so I hope to get to it soon.

    Posted 12.21.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Agreed – it was such a nice break! And I’m appreciating it even more now that I’m reading a review book 🙂

      Posted 12.23.16 Reply
  12. Tara wrote:

    120 CHILDREN?!! GAH!! That sounds horrible! I hope you are in the clear, Sarah! Good grief. I have not received an early copy of Idaho, but I’m saving some time to read it when it’s released; it sounds like something I would enjoy, so I’m willing to give it a try.

    Posted 12.21.16 Reply

Get Weekly Email Updates!

Join our mailing list to receive all new blog posts in one weekly email. Plus, news of special updates and offers!

You have Successfully Subscribed!