Last week wasn’t great on the reading front…I DNF’d a couple books, one of which I’d JUST shared on the Summer 2019 Book Preview podcast episode (airing on May 15). But, the good news is I saved some mediocre books from ending up on my 2019 Summer Reading Guide (coming on May 21)!
Podcast
Episode 17, featuring Jaclyn and Rachael of The Pingel Sisters book blog aired last week!
Episode 18, featuring Allison from the Mind Joggle book blog talking about books about motherhood, is coming on Wednesday.
New on the Blog
- May Book of the Month picks are due today…I’ve got commentary on all the selections.
- 2019 Rock Your Reading Tracker – I used my “Rock Your Reading Tracker” this year to track all my reading stats in real time and figure out who my best recommendation sources are…and, my reading QUALITY improved 42% from last year! The new and improved 2019 tracker is now available for $14.99…get more details here!
Hosted by The Book Date.
This post contains affiliate links (plus: here’s your Amazon Smile-specific affiliate link
I finished reading…
The Body in Question by Jill Ciment (June 11, 2019)
This courtroom drama is all about the jury….and I was riveted. This book went to places I wasn’t expecting and packs a lot into 192 pages. But, it’s not for everyone. Mini review coming.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
I’m currently reading…
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides (February 5, 2019)
I’ve recently figured out I’m more likely to enjoy a psychological thriller if it contains an actual psychologist or psychiatrist…so, I figured I’d give this one a shot since it came recommended by some of my trusted sources. I’m almost halfway through and it’s super creepy…I’m into it.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
I tried, but wasn’t feeling…
Golden Child by Claire Adam (January 29, 2019)
DNF at 3%
This one came down to the writing style. I almost didn’t even say I DNF’d it because it really was more of a sample.
Park Avenue Summer by Renee Rosen (April 30, 2019)
DNF at 16%
This historical fiction about a woman who went to work as Helen Gurley Brown’s secretary at a failing Cosmopolitan magazine was billed as Mad Men meets The Devil Wears Prada. Unfortunately, it was really average for me…nothing about it was standing out.
Beyond All Reasonble Doubt by Malin Persson Giolito (June 4, 2019)
DNF at Page 132
I loved this Swedish legal thriller author’s last novel, Quicksand (my review), but this one just dragged and dragged. By page 132, the lawyer still hadn’t officially decided to take the case that was at the center of the story. The really bad part is that it’s the first book I share on next week’s Summer 2019 Book Preview podcast episode. I literally DNF’d it right after recording the episode. I hate it when that happens!
Upcoming reading plans…
Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner (June 11, 2019)
I haven’t read Jennifer Weiner’s fiction in ages (but, I did recently like her memoir, Hungry Heart), but this novel is supposedly her most ambitious one yet. It follows two women for their entire lives and addresses women’s changing roles in society. Ashley Spivey liked it.
How was your reading week?
Pin this post…
Too bad about Park Avenue Summer. Maybe you had to remember when Cosmo changed or when Helen Gurley Brown wrote Sex and the Single Girl, but I really enjoyed the period details and the behind-the-scenes look at the magazine’s transformation. Was it the best book ever? No. But I liked it.
That’s too bad about Park Avenue Summer. I was thinking about listening to it, but need a great story for that.
Excited to hear that Summer Preview podcast. I think I’m going to run mine on the 23rd. There are quite a few books to be excited about this summer.
Glad you’re liking The Silent Patient. It was really fun.
Cannot wait for the upcoming podcasts!!
I’m so sad you didn’t like Golden Child…when I finished, I didn’t love it, but man, I can’t get that book out of my head!! I read it in January and it’s still one of the books I think about first.
I’ve heard great things about Park Avenue Summer, but don’t really think it’s for me.
Oh I can’t wait to hear what you think about The Silent Patient! I loved it. And The Body in Question sounds up my alley.
I have lots of teen memories tied up in reading Cosmo, so I am curious about Park Avenue Summer. Mrs Everything looks good too.
Have a great reading week
Bummer about Park Avenue Summer. I enjoyed it as a summer/beachy read. I don’t read too many of those books, so hopefully this means you have some even better ones on your list!
I have The Silent Patient coming up–I’m looking forward to it!
I didn’t DNF any this week but I did set two aside for later – which may or may not ever come. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
The Silent Patient sounds like a good one – hopefully it’ll stick for you.
Hopefully this week will be better reading for you. My weekly updates
Sorry about Park Avenue. I really liked it, but did think it might be too chick-lity for you.
Don’t feel bad about your summer DNF, I’m DNFing one of my spring picks, bringing my success rate down from where I said it was on the episode. Sigh…we do the best we can, right?
I just finished Miracle Creek and I am following your “doctor’s orders” and chasing it with Southern Lady Code! Miracle Creek was fantastic. I loved American Housewife so I have high hopes for Southern Lady Code.
Can’t wait to hear what you think of Mrs. Everything. I love Jennifer Weiner’s fiction and adored her memoir.
I just read At the Wolf’s Table by Rosella Postorino which is about the female food tasters for Hitler. It’s a very fast read and a page turner.
I also just finished The Unwinding of the Miracle by Julie Yip-Williams a memoir which traces her journey as she learns of her cancer and just as importantly who own story of being born blind as a Chinese baby in Vietnam Nam and goes on to achieve a Harvard degree and travels to every continent by herself . And it is so much more. It is honestly told and stays with you.