It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? (9/12/16)

Hosted by The Book Date.

School started this week for my son. He’s in Kindergarten and so far is taking to school quite well! I love being able to walk him to and from school (and listening to an audiobook on the way to pick him up)! The downside is that there are an ungodly number of back to school meetings, coffees, conferences, etc. Is all this really necessary?! So, I’ve been completely distracted and have had trouble focusing on any reading. I have one more week of chaos (with my daughter starting preschool and my son still only doing half days) before things settle down.

I finished reading…

Long Shadow of Small Ghosts


The Long Shadow of Small Ghosts
 by Laura Tillman (April 5, 2016)
This true story of a horrific 2003 murder in Brownsville, TX is part true crime, part reporter’s memoir, part rumination on the death penalty and poverty, and part story of a community. But, all these elements combined for a muddled whole that just didn’t hang together for me.

I’m currently reading…

A Gentleman in Moscow


A Gentleman in Moscow
 by Amor Towles (September 6, 2016)
Several bloggers I trust have raved about the latest novel by the author of Rules of Civility (which I loved). I’m almost halfway through and, while I can see what’s causing all the raving, it’s not hitting me emotionally. This is a book meant to be curled up with in peace and my life is back-to-school chaos right now, so I’m having trouble finding enough focus to appreciate the many beautiful passages. 

Upcoming reading plans…

I’m going to try one of these…

Generation Chef, Hillbilly Elegy


Generation Chef
by Karen Stabiner (September 13, 2016)
This true story of a young chef starting his first restaurant might be more the speed I need during the back-to-school chaos.

Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance (June 28, 2016)
This memoir about the author’s experience growing up in a poverty in Appalachia has been described as “part memoir, part historical and social analysis” (Goodreads). And, of course, my library hold came in right when all the September releases are coming out!

How was your reading week?

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33 Comments

  1. I felt the same way about The Long Shadow…just didn’t work for me. A classmate just let me borrow a copy of Hillbilly Elegy, mostly because it touches on a specific study I’m interested in using for my research, so I’m hoping to get to it soon!

    Posted 9.12.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I’m glad I’m not alone 🙂 I liked parts of it, but the whole just didn’t gel. Interesting – you’ll have to tell me what study so I can keep an eye out for it! I peeked at the intro and was immediately drawn into the writing.

      Posted 9.12.16 Reply
  2. Good luck with all the back to school craziness. This year is a huge milestone for me – first time since 1993 (when my oldest started preschool) that NOBODY is going back to school! Maybe grad school in the future, but nothing this fall.

    Too bad about The Long Shadow… was hoping that would be a real winner. I also appreciate your comments on A Gentleman in Moscow. Rules of Civility was a favorite, so maybe I should save it for a quieter time (in FL this winter?) when I can really savor it. Have heard the author of Hillbilly Elegy interviewed a couple of times and am on the library hold list. It might be a good audio choice, too.

    Posted 9.12.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Congrats on missing all the back to school madness! I’m jealous 🙂

      I would definitely recommend saving Gentleman for a quiet time..I’m still not sure whether my life chaos is the sole reason I’m not loving it as much as I thought I would or if it’s actually the book. Wish I didn’t have to unravel that!

      Posted 9.12.16 Reply
  3. Kay wrote:

    Back to school or beginning school time is certainly chaotic. I remember those days well. It will settle down after a bit. Always nice to hear what you’ve been reading or trying to read. 🙂

    Posted 9.12.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I know..it’s always like this..I just manage to forget every year! I will not forget next year 🙂

      Posted 9.12.16 Reply
  4. I’m also reading A Gentleman in Moscow right now and am not enjoying it as much as I thought I would. So, you’re not alone there!

    Posted 9.12.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Oh, phew! I literally thought I was the only one…glad for some company! I like it, but just thought I’d be over the moon about it based on all the hype and I’m not.

      Posted 9.12.16 Reply
  5. Good luck with all the school chaos. It sucks that Long Shadow isn’t better. The synopsis sounds so promising.

    Posted 9.12.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I love true crime, so I thought I’d love it…alas.

      Posted 9.12.16 Reply
  6. Meaghan wrote:

    Really interested to hear what you think when you are finished. I loved Gentleman in Moscow, and I think I liked it even more than Rules of Civility. I can see why you would need some quiet pockets of time to really get into it, though.

    Posted 9.12.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I think I’m in the minority here…everyone else seems to love it. I like it..it’s just not blowing my mind like it seems to be blowing everyone else’s.

      Posted 9.12.16 Reply
  7. Naomi wrote:

    Glad to hear I’m not the only one bogged down in back-to-school chaos. I have a feeling, though, that mine will last until the end of October. Why is the Fall always so busy?! I’ve been working on a couple of short story collections – they fit my schedule well right now.

    I hope your kids are adjusting well to their kindergarten and preschool programs! My oldest just went into High School – eek.

    Posted 9.12.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I forget every year how busy the first couple weeks back at school are! Sorry you’re bogged down in the craziness too.

      Short stories sound like a good choice – wish I’d thought of that before I dug into Gentleman!

      Posted 9.12.16 Reply
  8. Gabby wrote:

    Hillbilly Elegy is definitely on my TBR, I’ve read some of the author’s other writing and it’s wonderful! If it’s any consolation (probably not), my in-laws are teachers and believe me, they’re just as thrown off by all the hullabaloo as you are!

    Posted 9.12.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Glad to hear Vance’s other stuff is great! I peeked at the intro and his writing style sucked me right in.

      Posted 9.12.16 Reply
  9. Tara wrote:

    So, I just finished (this morning!) A Gentleman in Moscow…SO GOOD, but I can certainly understand your experience, as well. It would definitely have been tough for me to appreciate all of the fine points had I been distracted with too many other things and I hope you get some quiet time to read more of it soon!

    Posted 9.12.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I saw your tweets about it and am glad you loved it! I like it – I’m just not over the moon like everyone else seems to be.

      Posted 9.12.16 Reply
  10. I hope the school bits and bobs dies down soon – my son isn’t in school yet but I know the back to school period is always a bit hectic / hassle. Yay that your son is enjoying school though.

    A lot of new to me titles here, but I hope you enjoy all upcoming reads.

    Posted 9.12.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Get ready!! Have a great week!

      Posted 9.12.16 Reply
  11. Kathryn wrote:

    Sarah I wouldn’t go to half those silly meetings! Great walking and listening to audio opportunity though. In answer to your question to me about Overseas by Beatriz Williams. Just finished it, glad I read it because I will want to read all hers. It was time travel and it was good but I wouldn’t totally rave about it. The time travel just was a bit unbelievable to me and yet I happily read time travel!

    Posted 9.12.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Haha – I’ve skipped one already and am planning to skip a second on Friday!

      OK – I’ll skip that one…I’m definitely not a fan of time travel!

      Posted 9.12.16 Reply
  12. Catherine wrote:

    I started The Lesser Bohemians, but feel like it is daytime reading and I read mostly before bed. McBride’s prose is the most creative I’ve ever read but it is HARD. No structure, verbs tipping over nouns colliding with punctuation- exhausting. So, I’ve putting it aside and am falling back on my never fail go-to reading: Philippa Gregory writing about the Tudors. God, I love historical fiction!

    Posted 9.12.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I’m thinking Lesser Bohemians is NOT what I need right now..haha! Which is sad b/c I was looking forward to it. But, thanks for vetting it!

      Posted 9.13.16 Reply
  13. Amanda wrote:

    Congrats on your son starting Kindergarten. Mine starts in February next year. Such a busy time. I have enjoyed flicking through your book selection. A Gentleman in Moscow catches my eye. Enjoy!
    Amanda @ Mrs B’s Book Reviews

    Posted 9.13.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      That’s great! I’m loving Kindergarten for my son…we just need the regular schedule to start.

      Hope you get to Gentleman!

      Posted 9.13.16 Reply
  14. Sarah R wrote:

    I’m feeling a little validated by you not really like Gentlemen in Moscow as I felt underwhelmed with Rules of Civility and everyone else seemed to like it. I kept wondering if something was wrong with me! I just finished I Let You Go, which I liked. Hillbilly Elegy is on hold at the library. I’ve heard it compared with The Glass Castle, which is one of my all-time favorite books! I’ll be interested to hear what you think of it.

    Posted 9.13.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I loved Rules of Civility so I thought I’d love this one…but it’s pretty different.

      And so glad to hear the Hillbilly/Glass Castle comparison – I loved Glass Castle!

      Posted 9.13.16 Reply
  15. The Long Shadow really looks good at first glance. Thanks for taking one for the team on this one. I’m debating on The Gentleman in Moscow but am undecided right now. I really want to hit some of my backlist this month, except for a couple of Sept releases on hold at the library.

    Back to school meetings….Yuck. One should be necessary. The rest is overkill and should be an as needed for concerns basis in my opinion…coming from a teacher who is not a fan of school meetings, period. Sacrilege, I know. 😉

    Posted 9.13.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I mean, Gentleman isn’t a massive winner for me, but so many other people love it that I think you should try it anyway.

      And I’m glad to hear a teacher say that! Most of the meetings are parent driven, though…PTA, class parents, etc. Total overkill – especially with multiple kids.

      Posted 9.13.16 Reply
  16. Athira wrote:

    I can’t imagine how different life is once kids start school – so much to do! Hope you get to relax plenty in between.

    Generation Chef sounds so good! I haven’t read a lot of food memoirs but always keep meaning to.

    Posted 9.13.16 Reply
  17. That’s unlucky about ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’. It’s the worst when real life isn’t running a speed compatible to whichever book you happen to be reading.
    I feel like reading ‘Generation Chef’ would be stressful. I start panicking on behalf of the participants when I watch MasterChef, so I think I’d have much the same experience reading about someone trying to start a business in such a cutthroat industry. I’d have to google the chef beforehand to make sure there was going to be a happy ending so I could relax a little!

    Posted 9.14.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Yep – definitely unlucky. But, I’ve finished it now and do feel like I had some real issues with the book…it wasn’t solely the timing. So, that makes me feel a little better.

      Haha about Generation Chef – I feel like that roller coaster is what makes for interesting reading!

      Posted 9.14.16 Reply

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