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

Hosted by The Book Date.

I’m determined to keep the fantastic reading streak that started in May alive. I’m making a big effort to rein in my ARCs (I haven’t requested a single ARC since talking about how I Should Read Fewer ARCs a few weeks ago) and will be maintaining a low tolerance for books that aren’t working for me through the summer. Based on this week, things are looking good.

Triathlon Training:
Training lightened up a bit last week in preparation for race day. I tried out my new wetsuit in open water and it really does make you more buoyant! The water wasn’t as cold as I’d anticipated, so I think I’ll be fine in my sleeveless wetsuit. The only hiccup was the neckline rubbed me a bit in the back…I’m thinking some Vaseline can fix that. I also did my final brick workout…this one was interval sets (15 min bike/10 min run X 4) to practice transitioning from the bike to the run and I felt pretty good. One week of (super light) training left…

I finished reading…

Grunt, Mary Roach


Grunt
 by Mary Roach (June 7, 2016)
Fascinating and weird, but I did get a little bogged down in the details at times. Mini review to come.
Affiliate Link: Pre-Order from Amazon

I’m currently reading…

Before the Fall, Noah Hawley


Before the Fall
 by Noah Hawley (May 31, 2016)
I’ve been on the hunt for a fantastic thriller for months now and, based on the first 20%, I’ve got high hopes that this one could be it. Written by the creator of the TV show Fargo (I loved Season 1), it kicks off with a plane crash off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard.

Upcoming reading plans…

Homegoing, Yaa Gyasi


Homegoing
 by Yaa Gyasi (June 7, 2016)
Shannon at River City Reading came back from BEA (Book Expo America) raving about this multi-generational debut novel set in Ghana.




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36 Comments

  1. Mary Roach was talking about Grunt on NPR last week, but it didn’t sound like a book for me. I enjoyed Stiff and might pick up Grunt sometime. Before the Fall and Homegoing were both mentioned in yesterday’s NYTimes book review. Homegoing sounds excellent. Good luck on race day!!

    Posted 6.6.16 Reply
  2. Lindsey wrote:

    Homegoing is on my summer tbr list too! I can’t wait to hear what you think of it.

    Posted 6.6.16 Reply
  3. I’ve heard good things about Before the Fall. I’m so impressed with your training!

    Posted 6.6.16 Reply
  4. I have all three of those on my TBR! I can’t wait to hear what you think.

    Your training is impressive and enviable! You are going to rock that race~

    Posted 6.6.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Hope at least one of them works for you! And thank you – I hope so, we shall see 🙂

      Posted 6.6.16 Reply
  5. Grunt sounds super super interesting. I’m not sure if I’m ready to pick it up though. I’m currently about halfway through Euphoria, and loving it!

    Posted 6.6.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I’ve heard such good things about Euphoria – need to find the time!

      Posted 6.6.16 Reply
  6. Oh I absolutely loved Fargo! I’ll have to pick up Before the Fall soon. Good to know you’re liking it, thrillers are always a hit or miss for me.

    Posted 6.6.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Thrillers have been mostly miss for me the last year or so, so I kind of took a break from them. But, I’m 100% down for an amazing one!

      Posted 6.6.16 Reply
  7. Catherine wrote:

    Sounds like I’ll let Grunt slip by. I got a copy of Homegoing before BEA with high praise from the Random House rep. Started it last night and so far so good.

    Would Bandaid’s Friction Block work on the back of your neck? I think it’s a miracle in how it protects feet from rubbing and blistering. It is so amazing that you do this. I can’t even imagine…

    Posted 6.6.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      You’re welcome – ha! Glad Homegoing is working so far.

      And – I’ve got Body Glide, which a couple people have told me works well. So, I’m going to try that since I already have it from my half marathon.

      Posted 6.6.16 Reply
  8. Amanda wrote:

    I haven’t read a Mary Roach book yet – sounds like this one shouldn’t be my first. I need to try one of them really. I have a copy of Before the Fall staring at me on my desk right now. You’re kind of making me want to throw over my TBR to try it!

    Posted 6.6.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I listened to Stiff on audio and liked it…and I think I would’ve liked it even more if I’d read it instead of listened.

      Before the Fall is going really well so far – 40% in.

      Posted 6.6.16 Reply
  9. Naomi wrote:

    I have Homegoing in my pile, and I’m really looking forward to it!
    Where does your race take place? Is it near where you live, or will you be traveling?

    Posted 6.6.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      It’s in Stamford, CT…about a 30-40 min drive from my house. So, a little traveling, but nothing overnight.

      Posted 6.6.16 Reply
  10. stacey wrote:

    Great reads. Before the fall looks like a good one. Thanks for sharing and happy reading.

    Posted 6.6.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      It’s going well so far (at 40% mark)!

      Posted 6.6.16 Reply
  11. Tara wrote:

    I just stumbled upon Before the Fall for the first time today; I really hope you enjoy it! Also, I need to add Fargo to my Netflix list; I keep forgetting about it! I hope you’re feeling good about the race; you are trained and ready! You might see if you can locate some Body Glide (it looks like a deoderant stick); it works much better and lasts longer than Vaseline.

    Posted 6.6.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I have Body Glide left over from my half…yay! Will use that! You must watch Fargo!!! I still need to get to Season 2.

      Posted 6.6.16 Reply
  12. Hmmmm, I’ve really enjoyed Mary Roach’s other books, and I do read a lot of nonfiction, so I think I’ll have to pick this up. I appreciate her irreverent approach to information writing – nothing is sacred in her hands, which can make for a very entertaining read.

    Posted 6.6.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Love her irreverence – I like that quality in most people!

      Posted 6.6.16 Reply
  13. I’m first in line at the library for Homegoing. Hopefully, it will be one of the library books I actually end up reading… 😉 Have fun with your triathlon! Please let us know how it went.

    Posted 6.6.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Lucky!! I’ll give a brief race update in next Monday’s post!

      Posted 6.6.16 Reply
  14. I can’t wait to see what you think about Before the Fall. I chose that one as an add on to my book subscription package this month because it’s so hyped. I don’t usually like to go with the really hyped because they disappoint, but when in Rome… Way to go on the ARCs and good luck on the triathlon!

    Posted 6.6.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      It’s great so far…40% in! And thank you 🙂

      Posted 6.6.16 Reply
  15. Diane wrote:

    I’m long forward to After the Fall and Homegoing! Hope your reading streak continues Sarah.

    Posted 6.6.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Thanks, me too!

      Posted 6.6.16 Reply
  16. ENJOY your reading week.

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

    Posted 6.6.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Thanks, you too!

      Posted 6.6.16 Reply
  17. I just discovered my library finally lets you put books on hold prior to release date, so Homegoing is officially in the queue. Too bad I’m like 10th or something…

    Posted 6.6.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I just tried to do that at my library and couldn’t figure it out (or they don’t allow it) 🙁 But, I did manage to finally sign up for Overdrive, so yay for that! But, I’m going to sign up for Homegoing, maybe we’ll get it at the same time…

      Posted 6.6.16 Reply
  18. Athira wrote:

    I cannot wait to read Before The Fall! I’ve got high hopes for it too!! Good luck on the no-ARC reading. I am planning to slow down too so let’s see how it goes.

    Posted 6.6.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      It’s been going well so far, but I have a heavier ARC schedule in July. We’ll see how it goes!

      Posted 6.6.16 Reply
  19. Sarah R wrote:

    Before The Fall is my Book of the Month pick! My favorite judge picked it, and she usually doesn’t fail me!

    Posted 6.7.16 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Liberty?! She does have good taste, doesn’t she?!

      Posted 6.7.16 Reply
  20. Before The Fall is on its way to me in my BOTM box! Homegoing is a book I’m going to avoid for a while. Then, I’ll get talked into reading it. Then, I’ll love it.

    Posted 6.8.16 Reply

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