I’m typing this post in an airport on the way home from a great weekend with friends from college. I hadn’t seen some of these girls in years and it was so refreshing to slide right back into the old comfort level. There’s nothing like old friends! I even got some good reading time in…thanks to a roomie who loved sleeping in and a couple long plane flights!
For anyone who missed it, my Rock Your Reading Tracker is now available for purchase here! What’s special about this reading tracker? It automatically compiles your stats in real time…and helps you pick better books for your reading taste by enabling you to track your recommendation sources. I’ve been using it for a few months now and love being able to see my stats as I go! And, I know I’m going to love all the hours I’ll save tallying up numbers at the end of the year.
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I finished reading…
An American Marriage
Loved this one! One of my top 2 books of 2018 so far! Full review coming soon.
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Wedding Toasts I’ll Never Give
This collection of essays flips wedding toasts on their heads…focusing on real talk about marriage with all its joys and challenges. Not the gushy platitudes that fill many actual wedding toasts. It’s contemplative, a bit sad, but also real and honest. If you prefer things less sugarcoated, this collection is for you.
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All the Castles Burned
I was pleasantly surprised by this debut, campus novel! It’s a classic coming of age story with some family drama, clas issues, and basketball. Mini review coming.
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I’m currently reading…
The Great Alone
I’m sure fans of The Nightingale have been anxiously awaiting Kristin Hannah’s next novel. I’m literally JUST starting this family story set in 1970’s Alaska (i.e. only a few pages in), but have heard wonderful things from Susie at Novel Visits (one of my Go-To Recommendation Sources), so my hopes are high!
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I tried, but wasn’t feeling…
The Almost Sisters
DNF at 13%. I know so many people have loved this one, but I was hot and cold on it. I loved the parts about Birchie, a fiery Southern grandmother, but was zoning out at other times.
The Wedding Date
DNF at 22%. This debut novel was billed as a smart and fun rom-com style story. Roxane Gay loved it and I was hoping it would be a good candidate for my 2018 Summer Reading Guide. Sadly, I felt the rom-com angle a bit too much. The dialogue felt cheesy and I wasn’t seeing the smart snappiness I was hoping for.
Upcoming reading plans…
Continuing with February releases…
Sunburn
Y’all probably know I’m skeptical of thrillers, but Annie at From the Front Porch podcast (one of my Go-To Recommendation Sources) loved this one and said it was a different kind of thriller, which definitely appeals to me.
I was reading…
One Year Ago: I read one of my favorite backlist books of list year.
Two Years Ago: I read one of my Best Debuts of 2016!
How was your reading week?
Bummer about Almost Sisters. I loved that book. It did take me a good bit to truly engage with the book so I can see why you might DNF. Love your blog. The book ideas are always helpful.
I know 🙁 Also could have been timing…personal life was chaos when I was trying to read it.
I don’t read many thrillers, but like Laura Lippman’s books. Will be curious to hear what you think about Sunburn. Glad you had such a great weekend with old friends!
So I really liked it! And I’m so picky with thrillers, so really glad to have another thriller author to rely on!
I’m really interested in hearing how you like that new Kristin Hannah novel. The Nightengale really surprised me-she made a nice transition from chick lit to some nice, meaty reads.
Unfortunately I’ve already DNF’d it…
Glad you had such a fun weekend. I’m not sure why, but I almost feel relieved that you didn’t go for Almost Sisters. I’m looking forward to hearing what you think of The Great Alone, especially the ending. Have a great week!
Haha – of course I want to know why…
I read The Almost Sisters earlier this month, and I wasn’t a fan of it at all. I was really surprised, because it has such great reviews on Goodreads.
Well glad to hear that b/c so many others loved it! I’ve been second guessing my decision…
Looking forward to your thought on Great Alone. I’m curious about All The Castles Burned. Glad you had a great trip.
Unfortunately have already DNF’d Great Alone…
I, too, look forward to your thoughts on Kristin Hannah’s new book. I used to read her back in the day, but haven’t for some years. Also, curious about your reaction to SUNBURN. I’ve read one review, I think, and am a bit skeptical about what I will think. That being said, I have really liked some of this author’s standalone books – have not read her series as yet. Glad you had a fun time with old friends.
I liked Sunburn! It’s not a traditional thriller, which is maybe why I liked it…haha!
Oh, yes, old friends are like comfort food.
I loved The Great Alone…and I’m looking forward to Sunburn. An American Marriage is also on my list.
I am a third of the way through The Almost Sisters, and while I’m not feeling it quite yet, I am hoping…
Enjoy your week, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
Yes, they are! How’d Almost Sisters end up for you?
I’m glad you had a good trip! I’m excited to read The Great Alone.
Sad to hear you couldn’t get through The Wedding Date! I’ve heard some mixed things but will probably still pick it up. Looking forward to the Lippman book since I believe Megan Abbott recommended it as well!
I liked the Lippman – and I saw the Megan Abbott blurb too…that sure doesn’t hurt!
I’ve been anxious awaiting your thoughts on All the Castles Burned (you are my go-to opinion on campus stories!) and I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it, as well as An American Marriage (definitely on my list). I hope you had such a fun trip; Austin is the BEST!
I mean, it’s not Secret History or If We Were Villains, but it’s a good read! Especially for a debut.
Your trip sounds so fun! I’m halfway through An American Marriage and while it started off rough for me, I’m liking it more and more. I think The Great Alone will be up next so I can’t wait to hear what you think. Have a great week!!
It didn’t start rough for me, but my love for it definitely grew the farther I read.
Sounds like you had a fun time with old friends. I haven’t read any of the books you mention. However, I am a big fan of thrillers and will be curious to see what you think of Sunburn. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
Liked Sunburn!
I should get both The Great Alone and American Marriage from the library fairly soon. Really looking forward to both. After just finishing, and not particularly enjoying, Black Chalk I think I’ll give All the Castles Burned a pass.
Currently reading A History of Loneliness by John Boyne. No doubt, he can write AND tell a great story.
Oooh – so glad to hear that about History of Loneliness! I’ve been wanting to read some of his backlist ever since Heart’s Invisible Furies!
Black Chalk isn’t for everyone…the tone of All the Castles is really different from that. Even though they’re both campus novels, I didn’t even write down Black Chalk as a comp title for All the Castles.
I’m excited to hear that you liked An American Marriage. I’m really looking forward to that one! You mentioned that it was one of your top two books of 2018 so far – what’s the other?
Love the blog and am currently reading Beartown on your recommendation!
Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan – a memoir!
And thank you – hope you’re loving Beartown!
Gorgeous reading nook. Hope many happy reading hours for you. I can’t wait for The Great Alone to publish. Sorry you zoned out on The Almost Sisters, I did enjoy that one.
Thanks! And most people did – I know I’m in the minority…
Just finished The Great Alone and it was REALLY good! Hope you enjoy it!
I think we differ on this one…I ended up DNFing.
I can’t wait to read American Marriage. It’s on my review stack and I only have a few books to read before I get to it.
Hope you love it and things are going well for you! Can’t wait to hear more about your new endeavor!
Thanks! They are! Just working through the paperwork drama of starting a new business. 🙂 I’ll be sending out an email update in the next couple weeks.
I’m sure it’s a ton of work! Awesome – put me on the email list! sarahsbookshelves@gmail.com
Will do!
My reading week was strangely dude-heavy. This is what happens when I try to read more comics! So many comics are by dudes! It is astonishing how few women there are! But I started a comic called Descender that I’m really enjoying, so that’s been good.
I’m not a comics person, but glad they’re hitting the spot for you…whatever works, I say, dudes or not!
Love you reading nook!
I want to read the Kristin Hannah book, too!
I’m sorry to hear that The Almost Sisters wasn’t doing it for you; it was one of my favorite reads of 2017!
You’re not alone..I know I’m in the minority on that one!
The Great Alone is on my wishlist. Come see what I’m reading.
I’m very excited to read An American Marriage and The Great Alone! Joshilyn Jackson is kind of hit or miss for me. I Loved Gods in Alabama but couldn’t get into other books of hers. Almost Sisters has been getting so much buzz in the different book groups that I’m a part of, but I’ll probably pass.
I am reading Song of Praise of a Flower by Fengxian Chu. It’s her memoir of her life in China from childhood. It’s kind of like a collection of stories from her past to the present. Not always a happy story, but it gives a good glimpse into life there at times. It’s very good!
Glad you’re enjoying it!