Last week I talked about how it was great to finally have something to get excited about during March Madness (my husband and I both went to UVA). I’m just going to go bury my head in the sand now…
On a better note, I did finish 3 books last week! After I finish my current read, I’m going to be starting the final push to find candidates for my 2018 Summer Reading Guide (coming in May)!
Tools of Titans
I’m slowly working my way through Tools of Titans
On Prioritizing Your Time:
This concept first sunk in with me after reading Sarah Knight’s The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck
“Because most of us say yes to too much stuff, and then, we let these little, mediocre things fill our lives…The problem is, when that occasional, “Oh my God, hell yeah! thing comes along, you don’t have enough time to give it the attention you should, because you’ve said yes to too much other little, half-ass stuff, right? Once I started applying this, my life just opened up.”
– From Derek Sivers, Founder of CDBaby and HostBaby
Hosted by The Book Date.
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I finished reading…
Alternate Side
Not Quindlen’s best work. Full review coming on Thursday.
Not That I Could Tell
This “thriller” was my March Book of the Month selection! And, man, do I wish I’d skipped it. I kept waiting for something to happen, but it never really did. And, the resolution to the main suspenseful element wasn’t surprising at all. This book needed great writing and social commentary to carry it and it had neither. I skimmed the last 40% or so.
Glitter and Glue
I loved Corrigan’s Tell Me More
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I’m currently reading…
The Female Persuasion
I’m over halfway through and thoroughly enjoying Meg Wolitzer’s (one of my favorite authors) new novel! I’d heard it was kind of a feminist manifesto and it has that element, but it’s more the story of a girl, her friend, and her boyfriend trying to make it in the world. It’s such a treat to read Wolitzer’s writing again and I can’t wait to see how Greer (the main character) turns out.
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Upcoming reading plans…
How to Be Safe
I’m taking a bit of a risk on this novel about a female high school teacher who is named as a suspect in a school shooting while suspended from her teaching job. It hasn’t come recommended by a trusted recommendation source, but the premise looked interest.
I was reading…
One Year Ago: I’d just read two underrated gems.
Two Years Ago: I was reading a super eye-opening book about what young girls are facing these days.
How was your reading week?
renee
Well you might’ve saved me a long, boring read for Not That I could Tell…I may just skip it. I wasn’t impressed with Almost Missed You Last year but the premise of her new one sounded so good I thought I’d give her another try. Skimming is never a good sign though:( I’ve never heard of How to Be Safe so I’ll look forward to your thoughts on that one
Sarah Dickinson
Definitely skip it if you’ve already read her and weren’t a huge fan.
Wendy
I actually just finished Deena Kastor’s memoir (to be released in April) and it was fantastic! You know that feeling when you’ve read a really good book and nothing sounds appealing? That’s where I’m at right now.
Sarah Dickinson
That sounds like a good one! I love sports memoirs on audio…I’ll add it to the list.
And yes – it’s called the reading hangover! I usually try to pick something completely different than what I just read.
Susie | Novel Visits
Oh! I have How To Be Safe of my TBR list, too. I couldn’t resist the premise since it hits so close to home. Unfortunately, I didn’t get approved for the ARC, so will have to wait until after it’s released.
Looking forward to that review of Alternate Side. It should be interesting!
bermudaonion (Kathy)
I agree with your assessment of Corrigan’s work. I’ve read 3 of her books and Tell Me More was my favorite by far.
Sarah Dickinson
Well glad that was the first one of hers I read then!
Kay
Hmmm…well, I have Not That I Could Tell here, but am not in a rush, though it did sound good to me. So sorry about UVA. What a crazy March Madness this has been, right?
Sarah Dickinson
Totally crazy! lots of big upsets!
Kathy Martin
All of your books are new to me. Sorry about UVA. I don’t follow basketball but did hear about the upset. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
Sarah Dickinson
Even non basketball fans heard about that upset…it was epic!
Laurel-Rain Snow
I am enjoying Not That I Could Tell…and you’re right, not a lot is happening. But it is so good to read something that doesn’t make me want to throw the book…or puke. (Last week I read and didn’t like My Absolute Darling, for one).
I also enjoyed Alternate Side.
Thanks for sharing…and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
Sarah Dickinson
Oh man – I did not like the portion of My Absolute Darling that I read…have no idea why that thing was on so many Best Books of 2017 lists!
JoAnn @ Lakeside Musing
You got Wolitzer’s novel! Can’t wait to hear what you think. Also looking forward to your Anna Quindlen review. I’m sure I’ll read both novels.
Sorry about that UVA game – craziest thing I’ve ever seen during March Madness. Pretty surprised Syracuse is off to the Sweet 16, too…
Sarah Dickinson
I did and it was fantastic! In my top 3 of the year so far!
And, yes, thanks….go figure. We’re great at choking…
Allison
Kind of glad that I skipped BOTM this time; Not That I Could Tell looked like the best one, and it’s been getting a lot of recommendations, but it just didn’t sound all that compelling.
Also wanted to mention that I pointed my mom to your site recently! I got her a BOTM subscription as a gift and she’s been trying to figure out how to decide what to get. Your posts on the first of the month are super helpful.
How to Be Safe looks interesting. I’m looking forward to your thoughts when you get to it.
Sarah Dickinson
Thanks so much for pointing your Mom over here and I’m thrilled she’s finding those posts helpful! They’ve been getting more and more traction each month!
And I wish I’d skipped last month 🙁
Beth F
I’ve heard mixed things about Glitter and Glue. I’ll await your Quindlen review.
Pussreboots
I haven’t watched any of the Batchelor. Here’s what I’m reading
Sherie L
I read a debut by Rox Nay, Our Little Secret. It was a nice fast read and while I had looked for a little more depth in a couple of places, I enjoyed the read. I found myself casting actors into the roles and could easily see this as a movie. I could feel the tension and mixed signals coupled with obsession and stress that unfortunately seem too prominent in today’s relationships. Looking forward to see how the author’s writing style grows in her next book. Now I’m on to The Last Equation of Isaac Severy.
Tara
UGH, well, I guess I can now put Alternate Side and Not That I Could Tell on the back burner; thanks for the heads up, Sarah! I’m so glad you’re enjoying The Female Persuasion!
Arianna
Glitter and Glue was NOTHING like I expected, but it was a cute read (if I recall). Here’s what I thought of it! – http://www.shelfnotes.com/2013/11/glitter-and-glue.html – I hadn’t read anything else by her, though, before or since. (This was a BEA ARC.) I’d be interested to know if you think this is up to her normal par! Or if I should read something else to get a better sense of that author.
Sarah Dickinson
I thought Tell Me More was similarly written, but much better! Try that one!