Oh my gosh, y’all! June weather, June busyness, and June books…they’ve all stunk! This past weekend was really the first time we’ve had summer weather where we live. I was in jeans and long sleeves last week, but finally got some great beach time in this weekend. The schools are just crushing us with inconsequential tasks, events to attend, and early dismissals, so life has been pretty chaotic.
And, the icing on the cake has been that almost all my June review books have left a lot to be desired. I think I’ve sampled and/or DNF’d more books than I’ve actually finished this month. I guess this is payback for my epic May…
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I finished reading…
Small Hours
I probably made a mistake reading this book about marriage right after another book about marriage (Standard Deviation
I’m currently reading…
One True Thing
Anna Quindlen is fast becoming a go-to author for me (though, I realize I’m super late to this party). She truly gets life and that shines through in this emotional gut-wrencher about a daughter going home to care for her mother while she’s dying of cancer. It’s exactly what I needed to pull me out of this epic June slump.
PS – I also just listened to her essay collection Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake
I tried, but wasn’t feeling…
The Bright Hour
I’d heard so many great things about this memoir prior to publication (even a comparison to When Breath Becomes Air), but the writing was uneven for me. There were poignant sections about Riggs’ illness, but then she’d go off on fairly boring philosophical tangents about various works of literature and authors. DNF’d at 14%.
Stephen Florida
I’ve had fantastic luck with sports fiction lately (Trophy Son
Upcoming reading plans…
This psychological thriller was a Book of the Month Club May selection and my library hold has finally come in! I’m hoping it will make a good addition to my 2017 Summer Reading Guide.
I was reading…
One Year Ago: I was reading a thriller that ended up on my 2016 Summer Reading Guide.
Two Years Ago: I was reading a 5 star thriller (a rarity for me!).
How was your reading week?
All that school stuff used to kill me. The upside is that June is almost half over… hang in there. I just love Anna Quindlen!!
We’re down to the last 2 weeks of school…and sometimes I wonder if the school system has any rationale for loading things up like this. I feel like no one over there is paying attention.
I’m so late to the Quindlen party, but thrilled I found her!
I’ve always liked Anna Quindlen. Glad to hear she’s still reliable.
I just started reading her late last year (why had I not read her earlier?!) and since then have read 4 of her books!
Yeah, I’m glad I’m past all that school stuff. Last week was gorgeous here but the humidity is back this week. I hope your reading life settles down.
I’m jealous you’re done with it!
We’ve had gorgeous weather and have one week of summer vacation down already … but that means I’ve been driving all over town getting my kids to all of their summer activities!
One True Thing is wonderful. For years I thought of it as my favorite book. I’m actually afraid to reread it now that I am a mother myself.
I read that one late last year and absolutely loved it…an easy 5 stars!
Sorry that your reading has been off. I hate that! I looked at Stephan Florida several times, but wrestling? And, I don’t like the cover
Here’s hoping July works out better all the way around!
You know how I love sports fiction…even about sports I’m not into, but he was just a narrater I couldn’t listen to.
I will keep Anna Quindlen in mind as a goto author. I hope you have a terrific summer!
Her perspective on life is just so grounded…and you too!
Thank you for your consistently valuable reading advice , Sarah –have always loved Anna Q-
You’re very welcome! And I’m thrilled that I finally started reading her even if I’m super late to the party!
The end of the school year is always chaotic. I’m glad to finally be able to relax and get settled. I’m always disappointed when a book that gets good buzz doesn’t work for me. I had one like that last week. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I absolutely love anything by Quindlen, and One True Thing was awesome. I even have the movie, with Meryl Streep and Renee Zellweger.
Since We Fell looks like one I’ll enjoy.
Thanks for sharing, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
One True Thing was amazing – read it late last year! Didn’t realize it was also a movie!
We are in the rainy season here in FL, but it usually just means an afternoon thunderstorm, quick rain and done. Last week we were considering building the arc. It rained significantly six days!!! My lawn is very green, but my lawn service can hardly keep up..ugh.
I’ve like Anna Quindlen for a long time, I don’t think I’ve read this older title, but will add it. Hope your slump ends soon. I’ve been hit and miss in June too, but hey, it’s only the 12th right?
I do not miss the end of school year madness. Now with just one left in college my biggest concerns are getting all his “stuff” back and forth!
I’m gradually working my way through Quindlen’s backlist…read Miller’s Valley last year and Every Last One (my favorite of hers so far!).
Enjoy schlepping the college one’s stuff! I remember when my mom helped me with all that.
How was Miller’s Valley?
I’ve not read Anna Quindlen but am going to start!
This reminds me that I need to pick up more Anna Quindlen. Every Last One is the only one of hers I’ve read and it was excellent.
I’m finally reading Commonwealth and loving it, so June is shaping up to be a good reading month!
I adored Every Last One…my favorite of hers! So glad you’re loving Commonwealth – I loved that one too! And Patchett and Quindlen remind me a bit of each other.
Sorry to hear June hasn’t been great reading wise… There’s still half for the month for it to improve. Happy reading!
I’m adding Since We Fell to my wishlist. The move is really happening. We have temporary housing squared away and most of our home library in storage now. Come see what I’m reading this week.
I hear you. My reading has come to a virtual standstill lately because of an insanely busy schedule and books that are just meh. I am hoping the next few kick it up a bit. I have too much to read to get bogged down in books that are interesting but slow-going because they are not that interesting.
I hope you have a great week!
Even the words “sports fiction” freak me out. I have no idea why because I love RUNNING fiction! I just automatically assume sports fiction is not my jam. I’ll have to try and put that weird thinking aside and try the ones that worked for you!
Aw, I’m sorry to hear that your June has been crappy so far. I read a bunch of excellent YA this weekend, for what that’s worth! But now I’m reading a backlist book by an author whose latest book I loooooved, and so far it’s underwhelming. Hopefully it’ll take a turn for the better in the second half.
I like Anna Quindlen’s nonfiction more than her fiction, but glad you’re on the bandwagon. I really want to read that Lehane.
Lots of Candles was the first nonfiction of hers I’ve read..will definitely have to read more!
Hi !
Came across your website and found Siracusa !
Listened to it on audio and really ended up liking it ( especially after visiting Amalfi!)
At first I had to realize that I didn’t have to like the characters . But really kept my attention .
I’ll look forward to more. Read Anna’s “blessings” which was great and ” Good Dog Stay”( total tears)
So I’ll wait for your review and maybe read that one .
I love book ideas and reviews so I will be excited to follow your suggestions! Thank you !
I’m listening ironically to ” Not a sound” by heather gudenkauf.. good so far .
I seemed to be in the huge minority on not enjoying ” Sea of Tranquility enough to finish , I don’t know why, but too many others to try . Thinking of Beartown next !
Enjoy the summer !
I’m so glad you liked Siracusa! The characters are definitely not likable…but that doesn’t generally bother me.
I’d like to read more of Quindlen’s nonfiction, so I’ll keep those in mind!
Beartown is excellent – one of my favorites of the year! Would definitely recommend it!
PS- just added White Fur and Do Not Become Alarmed to wish list so I don’t forget them.Do you get credit if directed from your blog to amazon?
Thanks
Yay! Glad to hear it!
And – yes, I do get a small commission if you buy anything through my Amazon links 🙂
HOME by Harlan Coben Coben is a proven talent over the years. I’ve read several of his previous thrillers. This one has a very high rating with comments backing it up. Just started, but it’s going to be excellent, I can tell already.
The end-of-school year stuff is throwing huge wrenches into my routine, too. And this year, we’re ending on a Monday. Who came up with that?? I hope things will settle down for you soon and that your next book picks will be great again.
That is weird! We end on a Friday, but the last day of school is 45 min long…what’s the point?!
I don’t have the children/school chaos that you do, but I agree on the rest of your feelings about the month so far. I’ve been traveling so my reading was cut in half and I’m not loving anything yet either. Maybe I’m wrong, but this year has been poor overall. Very few things stand out.
Thanks for vetting Small Hours- I was just getting ready to read it! I have Standard Deviation so I’ll read that (later).
I think you’ll like Standard Deviation…I’d choose that over Small Hours for sure! Snarky commentary on marriage and introverts/extraverts.
I’ve had some great reads this year, but they haven’t been the literary fiction type books that typically end up in my top 10 for the year. I’m about to start putting together my best books of the year so far list…will be interested to see how that shakes out.