Hosted by The Book Date.
My children were on Spring Break last week, so we scooted down South for a quick visit with family. I didn’t get tons of reading time…mostly because the weather was fantastic and we were trying to get outside as much as possible. But, we got in a zoo visit (my son is obsessed), some Easter egg hunting, some basketball watching, lots of bigwheel riding, and a couple great outdoor runs.
I’ve finished two out of eight sections of my online driving school and hope to take care of two more this week. Plodding along…
I finished reading…
Girls & Sex by Peggy Orenstein (March 29, 2016)
This book made me truly think about (and reconsider) the important things I’d like my children to know about sex and intimacy when the time comes. Of course, the landscape has clearly changed enormously since I was in high school and college…and I’m sure will be unrecognizable by the time my preschoolers get to that age. A worthwhile read for any parent.
The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney (March 22, 2016)
A solid beach read that I flew through.
I’m currently reading…
Sunday’s on the Phone to Monday by Christine Reilly (April 5, 2016)
I just started this debut novel about an eccentric family dealing with tragedy in 1990’s New York, so I don’t have any opinion yet.
Upcoming reading plans…
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly (April 5, 2016)
World War II historical fiction based on the real life heroine and touching the Ravensbruck concentration camp for women. I’m a little burned out of WWII fiction, so I’m going to give this a shot, but I’m not super hopeful.
Then, I’m going to do a little free range reading! Possibly The Tsar of Love and Techno by Anthony Marra.
I thought Girls & Sex was super important, too, and really wish it could be passed out to every parent. So excited you’ll be picking up Tsar or Love and Techno! It’s so great.
I agree @ Girls & Sex! And I think I’m starting Tsar tonight, as Sunday’s on the Phone and Lilac Girls haven’t really stuck. Looking forward to it!
Sunday’s on the Phone to Monday looks so good to me. I hope you love it!
I read 25% and it held promise, but started to not work for me. I’ve put it down for now, but we’ll see. Kind of odd writing style.
I’ve been seeing Sunday’s on the Phone to Monday a lot today as I visit blogs. I hope you enjoy it. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I have added Girls and Sex to my reading list after seeing your post. Have a good week! I loved The Tsar of Love and Techno by Anthony Marra.
Yay! It’s eye opening, that’s for sure. And I’ve heard so many great things about Tsar…think I’m starting it tonight!
Girls & Sex is going on the Goodreads list.
Yay! It’s eye opening!
I don’t have any children, yet I’m still really interested in reading Girls & Sex; I’m glad you thought it was a good contribution, Sarah. I’m loving The Nest; this family is so fantastically dysfunctional so, of course, just my kind of fun – ha! Keep prodding along with that defensive driving, my friend; maybe you can share some tips with us!! 🙂
I think Girls & Sex is applicable to non-parents as well…lots to mull over about differences in general attitudes towards sex b/w males & females. And so glad you’re loving The Nest! It’s going on my Summer Reading List for sure! Taking 3rd section of driving school tomorrow – UGH!
Hi Sarah! Several things: I thought Girls and Sex was a really important book for parents — but I hate the title. It’s just as important for parents of boys, but I think the title will mislead them. Second, I thought The Nest was an awesome beach read — just enough cleverness and substance. And third, I don’t think I could ever get tired of WWII books — but I couldn’t put Lilac Girls down. I still can’t stop thinking about it. I never knew about the Nuremberg Doctors Trial or that one of the infamous Nazi medical “researchers” was a woman.
I completely agree about the Girls & Sex title. Very important for boys to be aware of her insights as well. Particularly the stuff involving consent. I agree on The Nest! Pretty good writing and the story kept me engaged, but it read quickly. Glad to hear your take on Lilac Girls..I tried a bit of it today, but am going to read something else before giving it a real shot, but I’m not sure I have 500 pages of WWII in me right now.
I’m glad you enjoyed both books. The Tsar of Love and Techno sounds good too.
The cover of Lilac Girls is so similar to A Train in Winter. I wonder if they did that on purpose, or…? I hope you end of liking it!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13331205-a-train-in-winter
I like the point Ann Walters made about Girls & Sex being for boys, too. That makes me want to read it more, since I have both.
Absolutely agree about Girls & Sex! So much valuable stuff in there for boys (and parents of boys) as well.
Great selection of books. Have a great week.
I wasn’t all that fond about Marra’s other book, but The Tsar has been so highly praised at the Tournament of Books that I will likely give it a shot. And Girls & Sex is on my radar, too.
TOB is what got me excited about Tsar! I remember it from reviews and “Best of” lists last year, but my renewed interest is certainly b/c of TOB (and Catherine at Gilmore Guide).
What a fun title that is – Sunday’s on the Phone to Monday. I would probably read it just because of that title. Hope you are enjoying your week!
That cover of Lilac Girls is absolutely stunning, but I hear you on WWII fiction burn-out. I hate to say that my first thought was it sounds a bit too familiar to many other stories with a similar setting. I hope for your sake that it is surprisingly awesome.
Have a great week!
Yep 🙂 And I read a few pages of it today and felt a dragging feeling, so am going to read something else and come back to it later.
The Nest definitely sounds like a book I’d enjoy and Sunday’s on the Phone to Monday sounds pretty good, too. Hope you’re enjoying it.
The Nest might be perfect for your Florida beaching/pooling!!
Hhhmmmm…you know me and non-fiction. Is Girls something I would enjoy or should I pass it on to my SIL
– dealing with my two teenage nieces?
The Nest was definitely beachy, but the ending wasn’t one of my favorites. Will anything hold up to Swans? 🙁
I think you’d definitely enjoy some parts of Girls – it’s not just for parents. It’s sort of a feminist outlook on sex in general as well. And – I hated the Epilogue of The Nest…and the whole ending was a little too neat and tidy, but still was a satisfying light read for me.
Last week I finished Seven Days in May, 1962 political thriller. I thought it was great. Also The Sellout by Paul Beatty, part of my attempt to read the list of book for Tournament of Books 2016. Thought provoking, very funny, and discomforting as heck. This week I will read Contenders by Erika Krouse, The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith (the book from which Carol, the movie, was adapted.) Then Innocents and Others by Dana Spiotta. Due to the judging and comments on TOB I have decided to read The Tsar of Love and Techno. I loved A Constellation of Vital Phenomena. I don’t usually like books with connected shorts but this one sounds more unique for that genre.
Great week.
The Lilac Girls looks so good.
Sunday’s on the Phone to Monday looks good but different.
I hope you have been having a good reading week.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My It’s Monday, What Are You Reading
I just came out of the queue for the audio of The Nest, so I plan to listen to it next week or this weekend. I really want to read Lilac Girls; I’m hoping it meets the hype.
I read a few pages of Lilac Girls, but decided to go with Tsar of Love and Techno instead. I realized I just wasn’t excited about yet another WWII book and saw that it was 500 pages…that really sealed the deal for me! But, I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts!