Hosted by The Book Date.
So far, I haven’t quite found my 2017 reading groove. Some books have been good, but nothing has been great so far. Hopefully, that will change.
I also signed up for a month’s free trial of Jasyoga (code: WIN2017), a collection of yoga videos for athletes that Tara at It’s Tara Leigh has been raving about for awhile. I tried a couple from the Yoga for Runners collection and it really helped my hips! I’m looking forward to seeing if I’m feeling a marked difference by the end of the month.
I finished reading…
The Sleepwalker by Chris Bohjalian (January 10, 2017)
This is a book you can fly through and, though it wasn’t perfect, I enjoyed it. Mini review to come.
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I’m currently reading…
The Futures by Anna Pitoniak (January 17, 2017)
I’m almost finished with this debut novel about recent college graduates making their way in NYC. It’s an easy read in the brain candy department, but I have mixed feelings about it. I’ll try to work through those for a mini review.
String Theory: David Foster Wallace on Tennis by David Foster Wallace (June 21, 2014)
Last week, I mentioned Wallace’s writing style might be a bit erudite/pretentious/pompous for my taste, but I’m happy to say that it got better as I got past that first essay. I’m almost finished and have mostly enjoyed his unexpectedly funny tennis commentary.
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I tried, but wasn’t feeling…
History of Wolves by Emily Fridlund (January 3, 2017)
I’d heard mixed reviews of this debut novel, so decided to give it a try with lowered expectations. I found myself interested, then losing interest, then interested again, and so on…but got the feeling those glimmers of interest weren’t going to be sustained over the entire book. DNF at 17%.
Upcoming reading plans…
I’m finished with my January ARCs, so I’m not sure what I’ll read next. Maybe one of these.
Always Happy Hour by Mary Miller (January 10, 2017)
Roxane Gay (author of An Untamed State and the recently released Difficult Women) said this short story collection made her “jealous and also scared of the competition” in her My 2016 in Reading Tumblr post. Also – that Tumblr post is a fantastic read in and of itself.
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?
I have both HIstory of Wolves and Lucky Boy on my list. Oh and Sleepwalker too. Those yoga videos sound interesting. I may look into it. It’s been waaaaay too cold to be outside for a walk (wind chills below zero).
Entirely too cold! But it’s supposed to warm up here this week at least.
And – I love the yoga but it’s more of restorative yoga for recovery…I wouldn’t use it as a workout by itself. But, I’m finding out recovery is equally as important as the tough workout, so here I am!
Will be interested in hearing what you thought about THE SLEEPWALKER. I want to read that one. Plus THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE ON EARTH also caught my eye. What is it about schools and high school kids and secrets? Always make me take a look. Have a good week and good luck with the yoga!
I know, right?! Just so scandalous and juicy.
And thanks!
These are all new to me. I struggled with one this week but then hit two that were really keeping me involved. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
Glad your reading recovered last week!
I generally enjoy Chris Bohjalian, but haven’t read his last few books. You know me and NYC novels… there are a few on my list now, so I’ll be interested on your take on The Futures. Glad the yoga videos are helping!
Just finished Futures…OK, not particularly memorable or surprising. Wanted more out of the writing.
I’m looking forward to your reviews of The Sleepwalker and The Futures. I think you liked The Sleepwalker more than I did. (My review will be on Wed.) I really liked Lucky Boy. It was long, but was a book where you cared about everyone. I’ll review it this week, too.
I’m looking forward to your Sleepwalkers review!
And I think Lucky Boy is calling my name…my last few books have been lighter, so I’m ready for something meaty.
I vote Always Happy Hour, so you can tell me if it’s good. 🙂 I was interested when I first heard about this one, and if Roxane Gay likes it…
I’m super excited about that one – am downloading the sample tomorrow!
I’m sorry you aren’t feeling your reading lately. I have been loving the books I’ve selected so far. I even rather enjoyed History of Wolves although I can see why others might not do so. The Most Dangerous Place on Earth — what a fitting title to describe high school!
I hope your reading this week is much more successful and enjoyable!
I’m thinking Dangerous Place on Earth will make me fairly scared for my daughter…she’s only 3 now but I’m already worried about the impact of social media and whatever new things they’ll have by the time she hits high school.
It is scary. I see it with other kids. Thankfully, my own are not interested in social media as much as they could be. Neither one likes Facebook. My oldest refuses to join IG, thinks Tumblr is the devil’s spawn, is only on Twitter for following others, and believes Snapchat is a joke. My youngest, girl age 12, has IG and Snapchat accounts but rarely posts on IG and only snaps at her friends, never on her own story. They both have a healthy respect for the Internet and social media. In fact, there have been times they have cautioned me with my own social media usage. I say this because I suspect your daughter will be well-cautioned by you before she ever gets to that age and will also have a healthy respect for whatever new thing exists by the time she enters high school!
Sounds like you’re escaping as unscathed as possible. I’ll hope I get the same 🙂
Finding a good reading groove can be such a let down, I hope you find yours soon. I’ve heard a lot about Lucky Boy and The Most Dangerous Place on Earth would suck me in too!
Maybe I’m too easy on the new Bohjalian, but I’m fascinated by the facts of sleepwalking and I like the way in which the daughter is learning about her mom in layers. I’ll finish today.
I definitely found the sleepwalking super fascinating…googled it after I was finished. There’s a particular angle of it I wish he’d explored more. But it was a solid page turning read!
You are one busy reader, Sarah. I’ll be interested to hear what you think of the yoga poses and stretches.
Here’s my It’s Monday! What are You Reading? post.
I’ve heard fabulous things about “The Most Dangerous Place on Earth.”
I’m also trying to get into my reading groove, but for a different reason. Thanks to the weather, my kids are barely ever in school and, when they are home and conscious, reading time is hard to find….sigh!
I totally understand – I’d be in the same situation if my kids hadn’t had school for awhile.
I enjoyed The Sleepwalker, but wasn’t as enamored of The Most Dangerous Place on Earth (both my reviews will be up this week). While The Futures sounds interesting, I’m skeptical. The only book about 20 somethings trying to find their way that I’ve enjoyed recently was The Ramblers. I have Lucky Boy on my tbr shelf so that is coming up (at some point). I recently finished Behold the Dreamers, which was my first 5 star read of 2017.
Yeah – Futures ended up being kind of disappointing. So far, nothing has touched The Interestings in the 20-somethings department for me….although only part of the book is set in their 20’s.
I read Dreamers last year and liked it, but wanted more out of the writing.
I’ve had a similar experience with books so far this year, Sarah – good reads, but nothing stand out / great.
The Most Dangerous Place on Earth sounds like it could be a really good read. Happy reading!
Glad to know I’m not alone! Hope the year improves for us both soon!
I enjoyed The Sleepwalker, have my eye on The Futures…and I’m leaning toward The Most Dangerous Place on Earth. Thanks for sharing…and enjoy.
Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
I thought I’d have more time to read after the holidays but that hasn’t happened.
Hope things pick up for you!
I read some David Foster Wallace too! I agree with you that his style can be a bit much, but I enjoy him in short bursts. What I learned when reading Consider the Lobster is that trying to read a whole book of DFW essays at once was going to be too much for me, but that reading one essay at a time was exactly perfect.
That’s exactly how I ended up reading this one – mixed it in with another novel…would read a little before bed every night and none on some days.
I just read about the Most Dangerous Place and oh it sounds good! I don’t always love short stories but I am definitely going to have to look those up now. I’m hoping the Futures lives up to my hopes too.
I started Always Happy Hour and really like it. They’re quiet and a bit dark, but very good.
I love my Yoga classes. They aren’t cardio, but great for stretching. I feel better too after the class.
Nice you finished The Sleepwalker. I just finished reading his book The Guest Room.
ENJOY the rest of your week.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My It’s Monday, What Are You Reading
I loved The Guest Room! And I mainly use the yoga for recovery from the other stuff and I’m enjoying it!
It looks like you’ve got some great reading going on! I’m interested in The Futures and always curious about the things Bill Gates reads 🙂
What did Bill Gates read?!
String Theory was actually one of hit picks for best books of 2016. I figured that was why you’d picked it up! Other than on his list and on your blog, I’ve not heard anything about it.
Oh funny, I didn’t realize that! I never saw it on his list. I saw it on another blog during Nonfiction November…and now can’t remember which one!