It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? (1/30/17)

Hosted by The Book Date.

Thanks so much to everyone who shared their thoughts on the state of this blog last week! The basic gist of many of your comments boils down to this:

  • I should create whatever content brings me the most satisfaction (my blog readers be damned…haha!).
  • I have some readers who don’t necessarily share my taste in books, which is interesting. I’m curious what keeps them reading if its’ not the books.
  • Lists and discussion posts are popular (lining up with my pageviews data).
  • Others are struggling with the book review dilemma (i.e. least favorite posts to write and least viewed posts) as well, but no one has really figured out the key to this castle.
  • People seem to be (cautiously?) intrigued by the book recommendations project, which I’ll share more about later.

I’m still mulling over my next steps. But, I’m going to try some different things over the next few months to see what sticks. You might see me occasionally branch out from writing just about books, cut back on (though not eliminate) traditional book reviews, and try some new features.

And, I’d love to hear your feedback whenever you see new content!

This post contains affiliate links.

I finished reading…

Most Dangerous Place on Earth, Lindsey Lee Johnson


The Most Dangerous Place on Earth
 by Lindsey Lee Johnson (January 10, 2017)
This wasn’t the twisty page turner about demented high school students that I expected…it was more about the characters (don’t worry, some of those characters are definitely demented) and the writing was stellar. I preferred it this way.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller (February 7, 2017)
Another novel that wasn’t quite what I was expecting. But, I ended up really liking it. I’ll post a review after thinking on it a bit more.

Affiliate Link: Pre-Order from Amazon

I’m currently reading…

Desperation Road, Michael Farris Smith


Desperation Road
 by Michael Farris Smith (February 7, 2017)
I’m only 15% into this Grit Lit novel from the author of 2013’s Rivers. It didn’t grab me immediately, but I also don’t feel like I need to put it down just yet.

Upcoming reading plans…

A Separation, Katie Mitamura


A Separation
 by Katie Kitamura (February 7, 2017)
This might be the Winter 2017 novel I’m most excited about. It’s about an unraveling marriage and Rebecca Schinsky mentioned on Book Riot’s Holiday Recommendations podcast that she was also excited about this one. I don’t have an advance copy, so will have to wait for February 7.

How was your reading week? 

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38 Comments

  1. What keeps me reading this blog, despite not liking the same genres, is your voice. I’m sure it’s true for most readers with the same issue.

    I look forward to your reviews of the first two books. A Separation has me intrigued now.

    Posted 1.30.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Thanks for sharing that! And I remember one book we both loved – Concussion – I remember reading it on your recommendation and it ended up on my Best of 2015 list.

      Posted 1.31.17 Reply
  2. I was reading Jodi Picoult’s book but I didn’t finish it before the 2 weeks e-book limit. Even though I took my iPad off the wi-fi, the book magically disappeared from my library! Boo! Hiss! So I’m back on the list.

    In the meantime, I’m reading The Winter Over (a Kindle Daily Deal). It’s a thriller set in Antarctica–I was intrigued–and it’s not disappointing me. Kind of claustrophobic, if you want the truth!

    Posted 1.30.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I hate when that happens with library books…and am a little nervous to hear keeping your wifi off didn’t do the trick. Have they figured out a way around it?! I hope not!

      Posted 1.31.17 Reply
  3. Aside from Swimming Lessons, all the books here are new to me. I’ll stay tunes for more…

    Posted 1.30.17 Reply
  4. Beth F wrote:

    I had that problem with Rivers … liked it okay but it didn’t totally grab me and I don’t think I ever finished it. I still have the book, so maybe I’ll give it another try one of these days…. or not.

    Posted 1.30.17 Reply
  5. Kay wrote:

    I just love to hear what you have to say – plus, we do read a few of the same books. For example, I’m interested in A SEPARATION too. And I already have THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE ON EARTH in my Audible library. Look forward to reading whatever you’d like to share with us.

    P.S. You seem to visit me as well, even though I mostly read from the mystery/thriller end of things. LOL

    Posted 1.30.17 Reply
  6. Kathy Martin wrote:

    Even though we don’t often read the same kind of books, I like to know what is out there and what others are reading. I am also currently in a mystery/thriller period. Come see my reading week here. Happy reading!

    Posted 1.30.17 Reply
  7. I’m excited for A Separation, too (and also no ARC). Desperation Road? It got more interesting for me at about 55%, I’m at 80% now and it’s a good character study, but there are definite flaws. Not much help, I know! (I’ll email more tonight.)

    Posted 1.30.17 Reply
  8. All your books have me curious lol. You always make my TBR list get bigger.

    Posted 1.30.17 Reply
  9. I like your blog because I’m interested in the books you read. Swimming Lessons is one of the novels I’m excited to read this year. I’m glad you liked it!

    Posted 1.30.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Thank you 🙂

      Posted 1.31.17 Reply
  10. Lindsey wrote:

    It’s tough to figure out! It’s boring to write (and I imagine, read) just book reviews. But on the other hand, we’re all here because we love books and want to know which ones are worth our time. I’m not sure I have any answers either, but I will be interested to see what new directions you take!

    Have a great week!

    Posted 1.30.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Agreed! I’m hoping to figure out ways to still talk about books and share which ones I think are worth reading…just not in the book review format. Or…less in the book review format.

      Posted 1.31.17 Reply
  11. Glad to see you still liked The Most Dangerous Place On Earth even if it wasn’t what you expected. I finally got my hands on a copy from the library, so I’ll be reading it soon! Not knowing anything about Desperation Road, I have to ask – what is grit lit? Haha

    Posted 1.30.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Haha – Grit Lit is like dark, kind of violent literature…often set in the South…hence the “Grit”. I read a lot of it 2 years ago and haven’t read much since. Unfortunately, this one wasn’t holding my attention, so I put it down.

      Posted 1.31.17 Reply
  12. Naomi wrote:

    I think I missed your post last week, so I’ll weigh in now… I love 1) the way you organize your blog and posts, and 2) the personable way your write. I know a lot of book bloggers say the reviews are their least favourite posts to write and read, but they’re actually my favourite. I like the other stuff, too, but I love reading what others have to say about books almost as much as reading the books! Reading reviews often takes more time, though, so I find it tough to keep up with all the wonderful blogs I follow.

    I’m looking forward to your experimental content – it’s always fun to change things up a bit, even if you are perfectly content with the way things are!

    About the books… I read Rivers when it came out and thought it was okay, but not great. It’ll be interesting to hear what you think of his new one. And I’ll be watching to see what you have to say about Swimming Lessons!
    I’m hoping A Separation will be a good one to add to the Literary Wives list.

    Posted 1.30.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I do love hearing what everyone thinks about books I’m interested in and sharing my own thoughts…I’d just love to figure out a different format.

      And – I ended up giving up on Desperation Road. I just didn’t care that much what was going to happen next.

      Posted 1.31.17 Reply
      • Naomi wrote:

        A book I won’t have to read! 🙂

        Posted 2.1.17 Reply
  13. Anita wrote:

    All 4 of these books, while not new to me, are not on my reading list. See how much I learn from you. I simply can’t add every book I see, some I have to admire from afar.
    I’m enjoying your introspective look into your blog. I consider mine in flux too, often wonder if I should have added “book” to the title, leaving room for other topics. I don’t think it really matters….write what matters to you. 🙂

    Posted 1.30.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I hear you – so many books, so little time!

      And I’ve had the exact same thought about my blog’s name! But, I still want to write 80-90% about books…that’s the only thing I’m passionate enough about to devote all this time to, I just want a tad more flexible to do occasional posts about other things. Which I think I can just fit in anyway since they’ll be so sporadic 🙂

      Posted 1.31.17 Reply
  14. All new to me books. Hope your plans for changing up your blog work out, at least it is going to be a leap outside your box which is always fun.

    Posted 1.30.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Thanks!

      Posted 1.31.17 Reply
  15. Gina wrote:

    Oh, dang! I do come here for your reviews and I had Swimming Lessons high on my list to read. I think I’ll check out your review first. We seem to like many of the same books.

    Posted 1.30.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Thank you 🙂 I don’t think I’m going to eliminate them entirely, just cut back some. Swimming Lessons review will be up next week!

      Posted 1.31.17 Reply
  16. Okay, how did I not know about the designation “grit lit”? I only discovered it on Sunday in the New York Times Book Review, and here you are already saying it again to me ONLY A DAY LATER. “Grit lit.” It’s a real thing. How have I not known about this??

    Posted 1.30.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Haha! And I didn’t see it in the NYT Book Review! I have no idea where I first heard it, but it was a couple years ago.

      Posted 1.31.17 Reply
  17. Michelle wrote:

    I cannot wait to read Swimming Lessons, and I am going to have to see if BOTM still has copies of The Most Dangerous Place On Earth. Too many people are saying great things about it!

    Posted 1.30.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Hope you get your hands on Most Dangerous Place!

      Posted 1.31.17 Reply
  18. Love your list.

    I keep reading your blog because your content is interesting and everything is positive.

    Love the cover on Swimming Lessons. I just finished a book that was totally out of what I normally read, but it turned out to be an ok read.

    Have a wonderful week, Sarah,

    Elizabeth
    Silver’s Reviews
    My It’s Monday, What Are You Reading

    Posted 1.30.17 Reply
  19. Arianna wrote:

    Whoah, sounds like you are exploring the same existential book dilemma that we are over at Shelfnotes! I look forward to seeing how things shake out here – I totally understand where you are right now. With such a wonderful blog and such strong readership, I am sure you’ll find just the right fit.

    Posted 1.31.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Haha – yes – I thought about that when I read your recent post! At least you have the excuse of a new baby…which does completely shake things up.

      Posted 1.31.17 Reply
  20. Madeline wrote:

    I just finished “Faithful” which I found from an Independent Bookstore email I get via Green Apple Books in San Francisco. It’s short but excellent.

    I have “The Most Dangerous Place in the World” on hold and glad to hear you enjoyed it (although I’m hoping it’s not along the lines of Megan Abbott, whose books I despise).

    Your lists are great: even though you loved “Commonwealth” and I loved “Gentleman In Moscow.”

    I like reviews because there is more depth. From reading a well written review, I can figure out (usually) if it’s something I’ll like or not; regardless if it’s a positive or negative review. Good reviewers are hard to find.

    Posted 1.31.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Errr….I would say that Most Dangerous Place on Earth reminded me a bit of Megan Abbott. But, give it a shot and decide for yourself!

      Posted 1.31.17 Reply
  21. Tara wrote:

    Okay, well, I’ll be curious to read your thoughts on Swimming Lessons; I have this horrible (not quite that bad!) post that’s already scheduled to publish on its release day – ha! A Separation sounds intriguing; I need to look this one up!

    Posted 2.2.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I’m so interested to read your Swimming Lessons review. I definitely had some issues with it, but I really liked other parts. Will be interested to see if our issues are the same 🙂

      Posted 2.6.17 Reply
  22. Desperation Road and A Separation are both that I’m highly anticipating for 2017. I never got around to reading Rivers but maybe someday. 🙂

    Posted 2.5.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I ended up bailing on Desperation Road. Just couldn’t get interested enough.

      Posted 2.6.17 Reply

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