Hosted by The Book Date.
Things have been crazy at my house since school started (see this absolutely perfect article), but my son finally started full days last week, so we’re finally settling into the permanent routine. I’m taking a break from racing this Fall after feeling tired and burned out after my last triathlon, Instead, I picked up tennis for the first time in years. I played in high school, but haven’t really since and it feels good to get back out there…even if the pro laughed at my racquet the first day and is re-building all my strokes since the game is played totally differently now!
On the reading front, I’m getting back into buzzy Fall fiction (albeit not with very good results so far) and have joined Litsy (an app that’s like Instagram crossed with Goodreads)! I was hesitant to keep up with another social media app and worried I wouldn’t be able to use Litsy to its fullest potential since I read electronically (resulting in a lack of pretty book pictures). But, I’m enjoying it more than I expected and think I can find some creative ways to post images related to what I’m reading…even if they aren’t actual book covers. Follow me on Litsy at sarahsbookshelves!
I finished reading…
Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance (June 28, 2016)
This is a first. I read two 5 star nonfiction books in a row! And, this is the second one. Mini review coming.
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I’m currently reading…
Cruel Beautiful World by Caroline Leavitt (October 4, 2016)
At the halfway point, this story about two sisters in the late 1960’s is decent, but not great. I think it probably won’t end up being especially memorable, but we shall see…
I tried, but wasn’t feeling…
The Wangs vs. the World by Jade Chang (October 4, 2016)
I have a feeling I could be in the minority here, but I was just annoyed with all these characters, annoyed with their conversation, and didn’t much care what happened to them. I made it to 24%.
Upcoming reading plans…
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett (September 13, 2016)
I’m finally going to start the latest novel by the author of State of Wonder (which I loved). Family drama, secrets, and good feedback from people I trust…yippee!
How was your reading week?
Five stars for Hillbilly Elegy? Maybe I’ll have to buy it instead of hanging out on the library hold list. I know I’ll be purchasing my own copy of Commonwealth as soon as I’m ready to get started!
Yep – it just totally worked for me. I got mine from the library. And, I’m planning to purchase Commonwealth unless my library hold comes in first.
Oh no, I hate DNFs. 🙁 I’m sorry the book didn’t live up to your hopes! And your current read doesn’t sound like super intriguing. I hope things get better for you in the week.
Haha – it’s not. But, I have high hopes for my next book.
I think you’ll really like Commonwealth! I finished Cruel Beautiful World and enjoyed it because I really needed a bit of lighter reading. In that way it was perfect, but overall just okay. It looks like I need to be trying some more nonfiction.
It’s definitely an easy read, but not in the “I need an easy read that also hits the spot” kind of way. Just kind of run of the mill.
Have fun reading Commonwealth – I’m hearing lots of good things!
Two 5-star NF reads in a row is impressive. What was the first one?
When Breath Becomes Air – just like the rest of the world, ha! But I do understand why that book has taken off…it’s incredibly powerful.
I am seriously conflicted about Litsy. Most of my reading these days are electronic versions as well, and yes, the lack of pretty book pictures because of this keeps me away. Also, I do like IG. I miss the bookish posts on IG, and other than the thumbs up or down thing you can do everything on IG that you can do on Litsy. Plus, do I really need another way of keeping track of what I read? See? Conflicted!
I hope you enjoy your next few reads! Disappointing fall buzzy books are never fun.
Haha – yes, I see the conundrum! I’m finding it’s a good place for me to post short reviews of audiobooks, which I don’t normally review on my blog or goodreads. I screenshot the Audible screen on my phone for the picture.
And I like posting occasional quotes. I do have an idea for my next Kindle read, so we’ll see if I can get creative on those.
I think you should give it a shot – you can always just be a lurker, which was my original intention!
I am in this horrible place where my library holds are falling from the ceiling likes bats! I’ve got Commonwealth, Nutshell, House Between the Tides and Behold the Dreamers sitting on my Nook. While I’m half way through A Gentleman in Moscow. Which I am enjoying, but not in the “wow, I can’t put this book down” sort of way.
Wow – that is a ton of holds coming in! I thought Behold the Dreamers was good, but not great. And I hear you on Gentleman in Moscow…I just posted my review if you’re interested 🙂
I don’t know or use Litsy but wonder if you can grab covers from GoodReads or Amazon. Of course something more creative could be fun too. Here is my week. Happy reading!
Ooh – grabbing a Goodreads screenshot is a great idea! I did that with Audible the other day..
Aw, too bad – I had high hopes for Cruel Beautiful World.
I did too 🙁 Just finished it today and the ending drove me nuts.
Oh I’m sad about the Wangs! But this makes me glad it will be a library read for me. But I’m glad you had two great nonfics!
I was sad too…I really thought I’d like it.
Hillbilly Elegy sounds fascinating, I’ll have to see if my library has a copy. That’s one of the reasons I enjoy NF so much – it allows you to explore new cultures and parts of the world you’re curious about but might not actually want to visit – definitely cheaper, too! 😉
Agreed! I didn’t know much about this part of the country and the people that live there. Certainly opened my eyes.
I’m a mostly ebook reader too and love Litsy anyways! Yup, not a lot of pretty pictures on my account but I found it doesn’t matter anyways. I think most folks (at least true for me) like reading the blurb under the photos. With Instagram, I focus more on the photos, with Litsy, I focus more on the blurb (the picture enhances the blurb). If that makes sense at all…
I agree Litsy is a lot easier for an ebook reader than Instagram. At least we can tag books and create pictures without the book cover, but that have meaning for the book we’re reading…which wouldn’t translate as well to Instagram. I’m going to try out my first creative picture for Commonwealth.
Wow, another 5 star non-fiction?! Interesting. I’m totally with you on The Wangs. I made it to 50% and bailed there. Simply nothing compelling about them.
Unless, out twinness is really off I think you will love Commonwealth. I takes place in Virginia for goodness sake!
I can’t help you out on Litsy. I’m already overloaded by beautiful book pics on Instagram and can’t keep up. I may have reached my social media limit. *yells the cranky old woman*
Yep – I’m just as shocked as you are! That’s literally never happened to me before and I think I can count on one hand how many nonfictions have ever gotten 5 stars from me!
And I’m 10% into Commonwealth and am loving it so far! We shall see.
You should do Litsy…you can just post the same IG pics to Litsy!! Come on, come on! I’m liking it way more than I thought I would.
I would love to read Commonweath. I am yet to try Ann Patchett but would love to start. I will have to check back on your thoughts. I’ve seen Cruel Beautiful world around a fair bit in the blogging world. It has caught my attention, I will check back on your review.
Have a great reading week!
Amanda @ Mrs B’s Book Reviews
Started Commonwealth today and it’s great so far! I also loved State of Wonder…but didn’t love Bel Canto as much.
I’m planning to read “The Wangs vs. the World,” but from the blurb I’m worried the characters might be a bit shallow and materialistic. Yay for two five-star reads in a row — what a feat! I’ll have to check out “Hillbilly Elegy” — I’m intrigued by the cover and subtitle.
I signed up for Litsy when it first came out, but I only used it for about two weeks. When I take a good book photo I always post it on Instagram, and I felt stupid posting the same photo in both places — especially knowing it would be seen by some of the same people twice.
Yes, during the 25% of the book that I read, that is exactly what they were! And just annoying to have in my life!
I hear you on IG…I don’t use it much for books b/c of my e-reading, but Litsy seems better suited to me than IG for books.
I keep hearing a lot of chatter surrounding Litsy – I think I need to look in to it. I like the idea of it, but as you say, another social media account to keep up with… I’m not even that good at keeping up with Goodreads as it is!
I’ve been seeing Cruel Beautiful World around quite a bit recently, and have been intrigued by the title… Shame it seems to be a bit of a mediocre read for you.
Happy reading!
I don’t really focus on Instagram, so I guess Litsy will take the place of that for me.
And I finished CBW today…the ending drove me nuts.
I want to read Hillbilly Elegy. I grew up in southeastern KY so I am dying to know how the author tackles the issues that are tearing Central Appalachia apart theses days. I am one of those that have fled the region. I only go back for visits for my family. Every time I go back it gets worse and worse.
Wow – I’d love to hear your perspective if you do read it. I loved it, but don’t have any firsthand experience with that region. I felt like he brought up some hard truths about that region, but emphasized it’s a combination of the economy, drugs, politicians’ misguided attempts to help, and the general cultural attitude that has taken root in more recent generations of the population. I thought it was a pretty brave memoir…but, again, I have no firsthand experience to base my opinions on!
Tennis, how good!! I’ve been meaning to try to learn how to play tennis — I mean I know how the game works but I have never played it myself — for years, and I keep forgetting about it every time fall rolls around. Maybe this year will be the one!
(Lies. I know that it won’t be. I don’t know why I tell myself such obvious lies.)
Haha! That’s the way it’s been for me for years…I finally pulled the trigger. Hopefully you will too at some point!
Ooooh I’m excited to hear more about Hillbilly Elegy. Also sorry to hear about Cruel Beautiful World. Maybe I won’t bother.
Also, this is based on nothing at all really, but you seem like you’d be SO fun to play tennis with.
Haha! I’m super competitive (I can’t help it…child athlete issues that don’t go away!), but I try to rein it in when I’m doing anything other than competing against the clock while running/swimming/biking.