It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? (6/20/16)

Hosted by The Book Date.

Last week felt a bit frantic…my daughter finished up her pre-school year on Wednesday, my son “graduated” (with a ceremony and all!) from pre-school on Thursday, I had lots to do to get ready to leave for vacation later this week, and we worked in a Bronx Zoo trip on Friday. However, I did manage to get in some good chunks of reading.

We’re heading South to visit family later this week, so next week will be quiet on the blog. There’s spotty Internet where we’re going and no TV for part of the week, so I’ll get lots of reading done! BUT…next week is also the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha and I’m having major heartburn about how I’m going to watch the coverage (I almost love the trials more than the actual Olympics…such high stakes!). Fingers crossed we get a good Internet connection so I can live stream it. 

I finished reading…

Dear Fang With Love, Listen to Me


Dear Fang, With Love
 by Rufi Thorpe (May 24, 2016)
Vera (the main character) totally won my heart. Review to come.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

Listen to Me by Hannah Pittard (July 5, 2016)
This was not what I expected…and Pittard used a very different voice/writing style than in Reunion. I’m still processing it.

I’m currently reading…

Never Leave Your Dead, Diane Cameron


Never Leave Your Dead
 by Diane Cameron (May 16, 2016)
I figured I’d just take a quick peek at this true story of a WWII veteran (the author’s stepfather) who murdered his wife and mother-in-law long after returning from war. But, I just can’t stop reading…it’s a mind-blowing story.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

Vacation reading plans…

Here’s what I’m considering taking along for my vacation reading. This is way more books than I’ll end up getting through, but I need to have options! Let me know if you’ve read any of these…

Here Comes the Sun, Sons and Daughters of Ease and Plenty, The Heavenly Table, Salvage the Bones, Dinner with Edward


Here Comes the Sun
 by Nicole Dennis-Benn (July 5, 2016)
This debut novel about a Jamaican resort community and the people who work at the hotels was on Redbook’s 21 Books by Women You Have to Read This Summer list and Shaina at Shaina Reads had good things to say about it.

Sons and Daughters of Ease and Plenty by Ramona Ausubel (June 14, 2016)
I’ve heard great things about this novel with a plot similar to The Nest from a couple bloggers I trust.

The Heavenly Table by Donald Ray Pollock (July 12, 2016)
My first foray into Pollock, who I’ve heard writes amazing gritty fiction.

Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward (August 30, 2010)
This National Book Award winning novel about a poor family in Mississippi battling a massive hurricane has been on my backlist TBR forever.

Dinner with Edward by Isabel Vincent (May 24, 2016)
This is my “something that sounds comforting”/nonfiction option.




Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

29 Comments

  1. Yes, options on vacation is a MUST! Nice for you since you’re primarily e-reader, so saves on packing space. Hope you have a good time! 🙂

    Posted 6.20.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Absolutely! I just need to stock the e-reader in advance since the wireless is spotty where we’re going!

      Posted 6.20.16 Reply
  2. Beth F wrote:

    Dinner with Edward is up later this week for me. I’m going to check out the other titles on your lists.

    Posted 6.20.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I read and liked the sample!

      Posted 6.20.16 Reply
  3. Kathy Martin wrote:

    Your book choices are all new to me. I’m curious about Never Leave Your Dead. I hope you have a great vacation with lots of reading time. I travel with a stocked Kindle. My only problem is deciding which of the hundreds I should read first. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

    Posted 6.20.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I travel with a stocked Kindle as well…since the Internet is spotty where we’re going, I just need to stock it with what I want before we go!

      Posted 6.20.16 Reply
  4. Those books have amazing covers! I hope the insides are just as good.

    And we always need vacation options. What if nothing works???

    Posted 6.20.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I know, right?! The thought is terrifying!

      Posted 6.20.16 Reply
  5. Naomi wrote:

    Never Leave Your Dead sounds devastating (in a can’t-put-it-down kind of way). It’s making me think of Unbroken, which was another amazing WWII story (without the murder).

    Have a great vacation! Hope you get lots of reading done *and* get to watch the swimming trials.

    Posted 6.20.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Yep – it is definitely devastating. And there are elements that remind me of Unbroken, but this book focuses much more on the mental illness side than what actually happened to him during the war (though that is covered, it just comprises a much smaller portion of the book).

      Posted 6.20.16 Reply
  6. I’ve got Dinner with Edward on my radar, so will be curious to hear what you think. Also interested in your take on Listen to Me. Have a great trip… hope you find a way to tune in to the swimming trials!

    Posted 6.20.16 Reply
  7. Amanda wrote:

    Oh I really really want to read Sons and Daughters! Bring that so I can hear about it! Have a great trip!

    Posted 6.20.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      That’s #1 on my list! I’ve heard good things from 2 bloggers I trust!

      Posted 6.21.16 Reply
  8. Melinda wrote:

    I’ll be waiting for your Dear Fang review…that looks like a very interesting book!

    Posted 6.20.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I’m thinking about scheduling that one for when I’m away.

      Posted 6.21.16 Reply
  9. Lindsey wrote:

    Have a wonderful vacation! I fully agree with bringing lots of reading choices for your trip, but I would vote to start with Sons and Daughters of Easy and Plenty. I love Ramona Ausubel!

    Posted 6.20.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      It’s #1 on my list!

      Posted 6.21.16 Reply
  10. Kathryn wrote:

    Some serious plans there for your vacation reading wise. Hope you get some time in amongst being with small children which is always entertaining but time sucking!

    Posted 6.20.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Tell me about it – ha!

      Posted 6.21.16 Reply
  11. Busy lady! I hope you find some time for rest and relaxation on your holiday. Immersing yourself in books is a great way to spend that time – you’ve some great titles lined up. Enjoy!!

    Posted 6.20.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I do too 🙂

      Posted 6.21.16 Reply
  12. Congratulations on your two little ones! I love it when they get to go through a celebration. My godson had the cap and gown and all the celebration. The WWII story is really appealing to me. I love that era so much. I have Fang to get to sometime, but my books keep getting pushed farther and farther back when a new, pretty thing comes along.

    Posted 6.20.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Thank you! And this is a diff kind of WWII story than I’ve ever read before. I hope you give it a shot – it’s so short, why not!!

      Posted 6.21.16 Reply
  13. Here Comes the Sun is one I’m pretty excited about. And I love the swim trials, too!!! Have a wonderful vacation and a good reading week!

    Posted 6.20.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Yay – love finding other swimming fans! And I’m about 40% through Here Comes the Sun now…jury’s still out.

      Posted 6.21.16 Reply
  14. lani wrote:

    Sons and Daughters has gotten very mixed reviews on goodreads though..It had been on my radar list but I have SOOO many books to read I am trying to attack only the best of the best.

    Posted 6.21.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Yes- I saw that. But, 2 other bloggers I really trust loved it, so I’m going with their opinions!

      Posted 6.21.16 Reply
  15. Love that you included some variety in your vacation picks! I always get stuck in the lite fiction category when planning for a trip.

    Posted 6.21.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I think I’m going to check some nonfiction out from the library too – just in case I have terrible luck with my first picks!

      Posted 6.21.16 Reply

Get Weekly Email Updates!

Join our mailing list to receive all new blog posts in one weekly email. Plus, news of special updates and offers!

You have Successfully Subscribed!