Hosted by The Book Date.
I think my reading mojo is back! I read some great books last week and there are a number of upcoming releases that I’m excited about. For the next few weeks, I’ll be focusing on potential last minute additions to my 2016 Summer Reading List, which will come out on May 26 (just in time for Memorial Day weekend!). I also participated in Armchair BEA for the first time, but I bailed on the last two days. Oh well, I guess I can still check it off my 2016 Goals?
On the triathlon training front, last week was recovery before the final 3 weeks of hard training. Now that my tires are fully inflated, I’m getting faster on the bike and my running sprint splits are coming down a bit. But, I noticed something weird. I run faster after getting off the bike than I do on an individual run, during which I’ve felt kind of sluggish lately. Maybe someone can make sense of that for me! And, I ordered a couple wetsuits to try on for race day (early June Connecticut water is still freezing in my book!).
I finished reading…
The Girls by Emma Cline (June 14, 2016)
I selected this debut novel that I’d long been anticipating for my Mother’s Day reading and thoroughly enjoyed it, though it was different than I expected. Review to come.
Affiliate Link: Pre-Order from Amazon
I’m currently reading…
The Mother by Yvvette Edwards (May 10, 2016)
I’m almost halfway through this novel about a mother grieving the loss of her teenage son. By the end of the first chapter, I could tell it would be an emotional doozy. But, I’m enthralled.
Upcoming reading plans…
The After Party by Anton DiSclafani (May 17, 2016)
I’m pretty sure I’ll need something light following The Mother. I’m hoping this novel about 1950’s Texas socialites fits the bill…and is good enough to make it onto my 2016 Summer Reading List.
I enjoyed The Girls, and it was different than what I expected, too. I’m up next in the library queue for The After Party. Of course, “up next” could mean six months from now. haha
Haha – hope you get to it soon! I’m downloading the sample tomorrow morning.
I think the description for The Girls is a little misleading – it’s much less about the cult/plot and much more about what it’s like to be a teenage girl. Glad to hear good things about The Mother! It’s one I’ve been hoping to get to.
Absolutely! The murders are really far in the background. I’m almost 70% through The Mother and it’s intense. Very, very good. A small possibility of 5 stars depending on the last part, but definitely 4.
The Girls looks interesting. I hope you enjoy reading this week.
My It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? post.
I’m looking forward to The Girls and love the cover of The After Party… not sure about The Mother , so I’ll wait for your thoughts.
It’s super intense, but excellent. I’m nearing the end.
I’m glad to hear your slump is waning! I’m looking forward to hearing more about your thoughts on The Girls.
Great writing and much more subtle than I’d anticipated. Very teen angst, coming of age. Yay for slump being gone!
Glad you joined Armchair BEA. It gets pretty wild half way through. I usually have to pre-write my posts so I don’t get behind!
I’m reading THE LIE TREE by Frances Hardinge and it’s really great so far.
I pre-wrote the first two and then kind of lost motivation. Also, the topics didn’t really speak to me in the second half.
Both The Mother and The After Party look terrific to me.
I am reading the After Party now…but I really just started it…her other book wasn’t light reading so I am not expecting this one to be.
Oh, interesting. I didn’t realize her other one wasn’t light. Goes to show you!
I haven’t heard of any of these. They do sound interesting. Here is what I read last week. Happy reading!
I’m so excited to get to The Girls, and The Mother is on my list as well–can’t wait to hear what you think when you’re finished! Interesting that your runs post-biking are faster; maybe it’s just a mental thing? Or are you not stretching before your standalone runs? If you’re looser post-ride, you could move faster in your run without realizing it. Just my two cents 😉
I do stretch before my runs, but it still takes me awhile to warm up. Maybe after bike is faster b/c my legs are warm?! It’s not easier per se, I just seem to go faster than I feel like I’m going, which is the opposite of how I feel at the start of an standalone run.
I’m almost finished The Mother…super intense and excellent.
I’m looking forward to your review of The Girls. I can’t wait to read that one.
Just based on cover alone, I really want to read The After Party. That sounds delish! I just started Big Little Lies, which is about conniving mums at a prep school.
I listened to that one a few years ago! Unfortunately, after trying 3 of her books, I’ve decided Moriarty isn’t for me. Too much focus on mommy politics.
The After Party has definitely caught my eye, can’t wait to hear what you think of it!
I am definitely looking forward to your summer reading guide. I had mixed feelings about Yonahlossee Riding Camp, but am curious to see what her new book is like. The Mother looks interesting too, but maybe too depressing!
This will be my first rodeo with Disclafani…though I’ve heard of riding camp. Will see how it goes.
The Girls will be coming up soon-ish for me! (GAH why can I never get ahead on my galleys!!!!) I also bailed on the last two ABEA days… so yeah, it’s all good.
Haha – I feel better now 🙂
I just finished The Girls last week. I agree that it is not what you would expect. I enjoyed it, but not quite as much as the hype had me anticipating (which seems to be my downfall with highly anticipated books). I can’t wait to read your full review!
I’m with you. I was expecting a 5 star book and will probably give it 4. But a 4 is really great! Sad what over-hype can do 🙁
Everything you’ve got looks good! Thanks for sharing your books.
I don’t know what to make of The Girls, so I will be looking for your review. I am pretty sure I won’t be able to read The Mother but maybe your review will convince me?
I finished The Mother today and am posting a mini review on Thursday!
I am going to download The Girls in audio. I’m really curious about it. I’ll be interested in what you think about The After Party. I didn’t finish The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls. I found it kind of boring. So, when I set it down and couldn’t find it, I didn’t bother to look very hard. I hope you enjoy every reading minute this week. 🙂
Ha – well that’s a sign it was a good DNF! I started After Party this afternoon and am intrigued so far, but am only 5% in. I’ve never read Riding Camp, believe it or not.
Hmm, I’m intrigued by your thoughts on The Girls; also, I read Shannon’s comment and I’m a little less excited about it now, after having just expressed my luck with ARCs this year – hahaha! I’m still interested in reading The After Party; I know that it just came out today, so I need to grab a copy!
I think you’d really like The Girls, but just don’t go in thinking it’s going to be some thrill ride focused on the murders b/c it’s not really about that. I started After Party today and I’m intrigued so far, but only 5% in.
Good Luck with your Triathlon! The After Party is one that I’ve been looking forward to so much i’m almost afraid to read in case it doesn’t live it up to everyone’s glowing reviews!
I started After Party today and I’m intrigued so far…but am only 5% in.
Hi Sarah
I came across your site Via Pinterest 🙂
I am very much Interested in Shelter by Jung Yun & look forward to reading further reviews
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you read Shelter – it’s my favorite of the year so far!