What I’m Reading Now (6/4/18) – A Double Shot

You’re getting another double shot of books this week because I was out of town for Memorial Day weekend and didn’t post that day! I did get some reading done on that trip, though!

Last week, I felt myself heading into a reading slump after two DNF’s in a row. Then, I got a last minute approval for the ARC of Us Against You, my most anticipated book of the year! Couldn’t have come at a better time as it stopped the impending slump in its tracks.

If you haven’t seen it yet, my 2018 Summer Reading List is up on the blog! Check it out for something fun, fast-paced / intense, substantive, or a bit different for your beach bag!

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Get your TBR lists ready! Now that summer has unofficially kicked off (Memorial Day is the start of summer in my book!), let’s take a look at some of the books coming out later this summer that I’m most excited about! I’m hoping to add many of these books to my 2018 Summer Reading Guide over the next few months. _ I haven’t read most of these books yet, but almost all of them have been read and recommended by at least one of my most trusted recommendation sources. LINK IN PROFILE _ For my best picks for summer reading that I’ve already read, check out my 2018 Summer Reading Guide (link in profile). _ What book are you most excited for this summer? Mine is Us Against You for sure! * * * * * #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookgram #amreading #bookworms #instabooks #instabook #booktalk #booklovers #booklover #bibliophile #biblio #bookaddict #bookaddiction #badassbookbabes #summerreading #summer2018

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I finished reading…

What I'm Reading Now

 

The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll (May 15, 2018)
Highly recommend if you’re into Real Housewives and/or interested in the behind-the-scenes of reality TV. A dark, wild ride with some crazy personalities! It would make a great beach read and I’m adding it to my 2018 Summer Reading Guide! Mini review to come.
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Tin Man by Sarah Winman (May 15, 2018)
I liked this novel, but not as much as I expected to. It’s quiet, reflective, and the tone reminded me of Our Souls at Night…and pulled at the heart-strings at times. But, I felt a certain distance from the characters and wished Winman had included one main character’s (Annie’s) perspective.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

The Mockingbird Next Door by Marja Mills (July 15, 2014, Audiobook)
I adored this investigative memoir about Mills’ experience living in Monroeville, AL and her friendship with Harper and Alice Lee. The audio plunked me right down in Monroeville and I felt like I got a good sense of the Lee sisters…in an unsensationalized way. Pair it with Episode 172 of From the Front Porch Podcast.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

I’m currently reading…

Us Against You

 

Us Against You by Fredrick Backman (June 5, 2018)
The sequel to Beartown (my review) is my most anticipated book of this year! I’m almost halfway through and breathed a sigh of relief to be back in Beartown. This one is more political, more sinister, and more centered on the grown-ups so far.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

I tried, but wasn’t feeling…

What I'm Reading Now

 

Florida by Lauren Groff (June 5, 2018)
DNF at 17%.
Short stories are always hit and miss for me, so I hesitantly picked up this collection. I wasn’t a fan of the first story, did like the second, but the third totally lost me. From the bit I read, it seemed like a very dark, depressing take on life in Florida.

A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza (June 12, 2018)
DNF at 29%.
I had high hopes for this novel because of its rave reviews and I liked it alright, but I just kept waiting for something to happen. I read the 3 star Goodreads reviews and the main complaint was the novel didn’t have much of a plot. So, I figured things weren’t going to pick up. For a novel like that to work for me, the writing has to sparkle and I thought this writing was just average.

Upcoming reading plans…

Great Believers

 

The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai (June 19, 2018)
I’ve actually already read the first 7% of this novel set in 1980’s Chicago amid the AIDS epidemic and the writing seems promising! I put it down temporarily when I got a last minute approval for an Us Against You ARC, but am looking forward to picking it back up…especially now that I know Susie at Novel Visits is loving it!

was reading…

One Year Ago: I’d just finished one my favorite books of 2017, but it was also divisive.

Two Years Ago: I was finishing up candidates for my 2016 Summer Reading Guide (which I must have published later in the year back then!).

How was your reading week?

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19 Comments

  1. Beth F wrote:

    I too have Us Against You, which is on my list for this coming week. I had a great reading week last week but not sure how this week will pan out.

    Posted 6.4.18 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Hope you love it – will be interested to see what you think!

      Posted 6.10.18 Reply
  2. renee wrote:

    That’s so disappointing to hear about A Place for Us…I had high hopes for that one! I can’t wait to hear your final thoughts on Us Against You, there were many things about it that didn’t work for me which I didn’t expect after loving Beartown

    Posted 6.4.18 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I don’t think you’re alone with Us Against You. I loved it, but not as much as Beartown. And now I’m confused about whether there’s a third book coming. It didn’t feel like that at the end.

      Posted 6.10.18 Reply
  3. Wendy wrote:

    Oooh, The Great Believers sounds good! I was a home health nurse in the late 80s-early 90s and cared for a lot of AIDS patients in Chicago. This sounds like a must-read for me.

    Posted 6.4.18 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I’m loving it so far. The characters are great…we’ll see how the second half turns out. Would be interested to see how your perspective shapes your opinion of it if you read it.

      Posted 6.10.18 Reply
  4. I don’t know what to think about Us Against You anymore. I’ve heard so many different takes on it, but want to hear your final thoughts. It may be one I just wait for my library hold to come in on and there are a zillion people ahead of me, so that will take awhile!

    Posted 6.4.18 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Review coming soon…

      Posted 6.10.18 Reply
  5. I think I’d like The Mockingbird Next Door too. The Favorite Sister sounds really good as well.

    Posted 6.4.18 Reply
  6. So happy to hear you’re liking Us Against You so far!! I’m already planning on picking it up asap tomorrow!

    Posted 6.4.18 Reply
  7. Lisa wrote:

    I just added Mockingbird Next Door–Thanks! GREAT, useful post!

    Posted 6.4.18 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      You’re welcome!

      Posted 6.10.18 Reply
  8. The Great Believers looks really great! I’d be interested to hear what you think about it when you finish it after Us Against You. I was wondering, what makes that your most anticipated book of the year?

    Posted 6.4.18 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Because I absolutely adored Beartown last year (one of my favorites of 2017) and Us Against You is the sequel!

      Posted 6.10.18 Reply
  9. Kathy Martin wrote:

    Your books are all new to me. I got a surprise NetGalley approval that stopped any potential reading slump in its tracks. I was having a hard time choosing what to read next until it arrived. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

    Posted 6.4.18 Reply
  10. Allison wrote:

    Looking forward to your reviews of Us Against You and The Great Believers. I don’t think I’ll bother with Florida; short stories are already hit and miss, and Groff’s Fates and Furies wasn’t for me.

    Posted 6.4.18 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Good decision 🙂

      Posted 6.10.18 Reply
  11. Thanx for the great update and picks! I am about to read The Great Believers and Us Against You (loved Beartown too!!) but unfortunately The Favorite Sister was a DNF for me. The characters were so awful and I didn’t love the plot. I surprisingly disliked it (loved her first book) but after reading your review I realize maybe its because I am not a fan of reality shows? Happy Reading!!

    Posted 6.5.18 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Yes – I can totally see how Favorite Sister would be awful if you want some likable characters and aren’t into reality TV!

      Posted 6.10.18 Reply

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