This week, I’m linking up with Sheila at Book Journey for It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?
I just finished reading…
Cry Father by Benjamin Whitmer
The first chapter of this “story about men, their fathers, their sons, and the legacy of violence” blew me away, which caused me to purchase the book after reading the Amazon sample. However, it devolved into a litany of meaningless violence without much of a storyline and I ended up not liking the book at all. I’ll be posting a mini review soon.
I’m currently reading…
The Bishop’s Wife by Mette Ivie Harrison
This murder mystery set in Mormon Utah comes out on December 30. I’m almost halfway through and it’s pretty good so far. There’s a bit of Under the Banner of Heaven-style Mormon scandal and a somewhat of an expose feel about some of the practices of the Mormon church…plus a missing person mystery.
Affiliate Link: Pre-Order from Amazon
I tried, but wasn’t feeling…
Mermaids in Paradise by Lydia Millet
Though the premise of this book (“mermaids, kidnappers, and mercenaries hijack a tropical vacation in this genre-bending sendup of the American honeymoon”) sounds absolutely preposterous, I loved the writing in the first paragraph that Catherine at Book Club Librarian shared on Tuesday Intros. However, once I got into the book, I thought the writing was really uneven and lacked rhythm…it was actually hard to read. Millet showed flashes of hilarious brilliance, but often went way over the top and lost me. I made it about 20% through before putting it down.
The Means by Douglas Brunt
I loved Brunt’s 2013 novel about Wall Street, Ghosts of Manhattan. I read the sample of this one and ended up not buying the book (for now). Brunt’s witty and spot-on social commentary that made Ghosts of Manhattan so good was missing in the first chapter. However, I probably will end up going back to this one over the holidays…I liked Ghosts too much not to give this one a better shot.
Next, I’m going to try some backlist books…
The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy
I read this one years ago and loved it, but can’t remember all the details. I try to re-read at least one Pat Conroy at the beginning of every year…last year I tackled The Great Santini and The Lords of Discipline.
The Wife by Meg Wolitzer
Ever since I read The Interestings, I’ve wanted to read something from Wolitzer’s backlist. Shannon at River City Reading’s review led me to The Wife, which has been sitting on my Kindle for months now!
This Town by Mark Leibovich
I’ve had this political satire sitting on my Kindle since this summer…it’s high time I give it a go!
What are you reading?
The Bishop’s Wife looks amazing.
Now I am curious about the wife! I like this author!
Under the Banner of Heaven-style Mormon scandal makes The Bishop’s Wife sound pretty appealing to me. Will keep an eye out for your review. I’m planning to read The Wife next year, too… thanks to Shannon.
Sorry some of your books didn’t meet your expectations. I hope you have a good week.
I’m intrigued by The Bishop’s Wife. I’m interested to hear what you thought of it!
I loved The Prince of Tides, both the book and the movie with Barbra Streisand and Nick Nolte.
The Wife was also another one I enjoyed, and I have added this author to my favorites list.
Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
I really hope you end up liking The Wife! It’s such a great, quick read…I think you’ll get caught in Wolitzer’s snappy writing right from the beginning.
I’m looking forward to it…I loved her writing style in The Interestings…
Okay, so good to know about Mermaids in Paradise (I’m going to take that one out of contention for now) and I’m definitely still interested in The Bishop’s Wife! I, too, loved The Interestings; did not know about The Wife! I am currently reading The Language of Hoofbeats by Catherine Ryan Hyde; I’m enjoying it, so far.
I just read a revue of The Language of Hoofbeats on BookNAround…I’ll be interested to hear what you think! The Bishop’s Wife slowed down a bit and I’m hoping something big happens soon to pick things back up again!
I wasn’t feeling Mermaids either, but plan to pick it up again next year.
Sorry to hear that Cry Father and some of your other recent choices were disappointing. At least it seems the others balanced out the bad. Mermaids in Paradise is still sitting in one of my piles. I will eventunally give it a try.
Thanks for the mention and for visiting my blog.
I started This Town sometime over the summer, but didn’t get very far before I put it down. I think I was too embroiled in lots of local politics to be able to see politics for the absurdity that it is… I’m hoping to give it another try.
Hmm – that’s not encouraging! But, it’s been awhile since I’ve read a political satire, so hopefully I’ll enjoy it. I’ll keep you posted 🙂
I loved Prince of Tides. & once had Conroy sign a book for me after standing in a line that wrapped around the store. Right now I’m reading Still Alice because the movie is coming out soon. Cheers.
thecuecard.com