It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? (8/1/16)

Hosted by The Book Date.

After a couple DNFs last week, my reading mojo is back! And, of course, it’s been all lighter fare this week. I’m not sure why I’m surprised by this since lighter fare has been my cup of tea for the past few months now. My husband and I also started two new Netflix docu-series last week: foodie porn called The Chef’s Table and college football porn called Last Chance U. I hope we get some episodes in this week because, come Friday, it will be all Olympics all the time in our house!

Triathlon Training: Last week was the end of hard training before starting to ease up for my race in two weeks. I did my full brick workout (the entire bike followed by the entire run) and it was a little slower than the full brick I did before my last race, but it was also 15 degrees warmer and way more humid. My running has been feeling stronger this time around, so I’m hoping the changes to my training plan (more running, less swimming, more hill work) are paying off. We shall see on race day…

I finished reading…

Behold the Dreamers, You Will Know Me


Behold the Dreamers
 by Imbolo Mbue (August 23, 2016)
I liked this debut novel well enough, but I wanted more out of it. Mini review to come.
Affiliate Link: Pre-Order from Amazon

You Will Know Me by Megan Abbott (July 26, 2016)
I absolutely flew through this book. Abbott nailed the world of youth elite competitive sports. Plus, it couldn’t be a better way to put me in the mood for the upcoming Olympics! Mini review to come.

Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

I’m currently reading…

The Hopefuls, Jennifer Close

 

The Hopefuls by Jennifer Close (July 19, 2016)
I’m about 40% through this novel about a young couple living in DC around the beginning of Obama’s first Presidential term and I’m loving it so far. I keep reading passages making fun of douche-y DC politicos out loud to my husband. Plus, there’s a Friday Night Lights reference.

Upcoming reading plans…

I’m not entirely sure, but possibly…

Bright Precious Days, Jay McInerney


Bright, Precious Days
 by Jay McInerney (August 2, 2016)
The third book about Russell and Corrine Calloway. I enjoyed the first two (The Good Life and Brightness Falls) years ago.

How was your reading week?




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36 Comments

  1. I really want to read The Hopefuls… I’ve been in the mood for something on the lighter side as well. I have it on hold at the library, so hopefully my ticket will come up soon. Glad your mojo is back 🙂

    Posted 8.1.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Yay! It’s been just what I need right now!

      Posted 8.1.16 Reply
  2. The Hopefuls sounds good… love the cover, too. We’re planning to start The Chef’s Table. It sounds like my kind of show! Good luck with the training. My daughter is off to Nationals in a couple of weeks.

    Posted 8.1.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      That’s awesome that your daughter is heading to Nationals – she must be really good! It’s in Omaha, right?

      Posted 8.1.16 Reply
      • Yes, she’s headed to Omaha but wishing Milwaukee could host again. She had a pretty good outing there the last couple of years. Hope it cools down a little in Omaha…

        Posted 8.1.16 Reply
        • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

          Fingers crossed it cools down and best of luck to her!

          Posted 8.2.16 Reply
  3. I think I would like to read some lighter side books as well. Good luck with your training. I don’t know how you do it with all of this heat. Enjoy your new books and have a great week!

    Posted 8.1.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Ha – yes, the heat has been tough but biking is actually much better in the heat, so it’s really just the runs that kill me.

      Posted 8.1.16 Reply
  4. Anything with a Friday Night Lights reference is okay in my book 🙂 I haven’t seen Chef’s Table yet, but I enjoyed Cooked, which is a Netflix docu-series about the origins of cooked food. Pretty cool!

    Posted 8.1.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      You and me both! We’ll have to check out Cooked – thanks for the rec!

      Posted 8.1.16 Reply
  5. I loved You Will Know Me as well. The Hopefuls sounds really good too.

    Posted 8.1.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I remember that – will be somewhat disturbing to have all that in our heads while watching the Olympic gymnastics!

      Posted 8.1.16 Reply
  6. Kathy Martin wrote:

    Nice assortment of books. I’m looking forward to watching a lot of the Olympics too. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

    Posted 8.1.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Glad you’re a fellow Olympics fan!

      Posted 8.1.16 Reply
  7. I also had to DNF a book last week. I hate it when that happens. Good luck with your training and your race!

    Posted 8.1.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Thanks! And I know…it gets me down in the dumps.

      Posted 8.1.16 Reply
  8. Michelle wrote:

    I would think that with your training, reading anything substantial would be difficult. I’m sure your mind is elsewhere right now!

    Enjoy what you do read and good luck with the rest of your training!

    Posted 8.1.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Haha – kind of but it’s not too bad. Easier to read while training than when I have a lot going on with the kids.

      Posted 8.1.16 Reply
  9. You Will Know Me is on my To Read list! It sounds great too.

    Have a look at my #IMWAYR

    Posted 8.1.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Good – I hope you like it!

      Posted 8.1.16 Reply
  10. hillary wrote:

    i have you will know me on hold at the library. The other books looks interesting.

    Posted 8.1.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Hope you like it!

      Posted 8.1.16 Reply
  11. Athira wrote:

    Been hearing so much about You Will Know Me. I need to look at it – I had a little trouble with another of Abbott’s books but that was long ago – it’s time for a retry!

    Posted 8.1.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Which one did you have trouble with? I loved The Fever, but didn’t love Dare Me as much.

      Posted 8.1.16 Reply
  12. Melinda wrote:

    I do want to read “The Hopefuls.” I was supposed to get it through the First to Read program, but the file wouldn’t download….sigh!

    Posted 8.1.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Oh no! I just finished it today and the ending let me down a little…but other than that I really, really enjoyed it!

      Posted 8.2.16 Reply
  13. I doubt I’ll get much reading done while the Olympics are on t.v. I’ve heard a lot of mixed things about Abbott’s book, so it’s nice to see that you liked it. I’m sure you’ll love The Hopefuls. I enjoyed the samples I’ve read, anyway.

    Posted 8.1.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I know – me too! I’m trying to time things so I’m reading something light next week! And I did love The Hopefuls except some things about the ending.

      Posted 8.2.16 Reply
  14. Gabby wrote:

    I really want to read The Hopefuls…I’m a youngish person working in politics myself (state not federal) and I think it sounds just like something I’d love. Especially if there’s FNL references!

    Posted 8.1.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Oh – then you definitely need to read it! I finished it today.

      Posted 8.2.16 Reply
  15. Lindsay wrote:

    I’ve not heard of “The Hopefuls” until now, but that cover is adorable! Although, honestly, I’m so tired of hearing about politics right now (ugh! I hate everyone!) that I’ll probably add it to my to-read list and pick it up many months from now when all this election craziness is behind us! “Behold the Dreamers” is on my to-read list and I’ll be interested to see your review!

    Posted 8.2.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      The Hopefuls isn’t really a book about politics…that’s just the setting for a book about marriage. But, I hear ya!

      Posted 8.2.16 Reply
  16. Kate Elkins wrote:

    All look good! I just finished Siracusa, which I loved!! Interesting format with the four voices. Trying to select my next book. I first began a paperback mystery. Plot looks intriguing, but I found myself editing in my head (changing words that seem overblown, etc). So, I started Shirley Hazzard’s “The Transit of Venus.” Definitely not a breezy beach read! But, do you sometimes think the more effort a novel requires, the more reward?

    Posted 8.2.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I’m so glad you loved Siracusa! And I feel like multiple voices has been a trend lately, but it’s one I like!

      Posted 8.2.16 Reply
  17. I LOVED Bright, Precious Days – read it soon! I enjoyed The Hopefuls, but the end just fell short for me – it left me wanting just a little bit more. I’ll be curious to hear your thoughts when you’re done!

    Posted 8.2.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I’m so glad to hear that! I just read some of the sample and loved the writing so went ahead and bought it.

      Posted 8.2.16 Reply

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