What I’m Reading Now (7/16/18)

Last week was filled with night-time activities, which aren’t my favorite because I love my downtime and sleep. My son had his first swim meet (which was fun, but looong), I had a night tennis match that ended at 10 pm, and we had a storm that knocked out power and A/C, so I didn’t get much sleep over the course of the week…which led to getting a summer cold. I’m hoping to rest up this week.

Last week, I shared my Q2 Go-To and No-Go Book Recommendation Sources (by tracking my recommendation sources using my Rock Your Reading Tracker, I’ve improved my “successful” reading by 43% over last year!) and my July 2018 Books to Read…and Skip.

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My not-so-new-anymore bookshelves got some accessories…including some cool bookends! Incidentally, we do not own an actual dog, despite having dogs on our bookshleves. I love dogs and would like one eventually, but I really don’t feel like taking care of one more living creature right now. The dog will have to wait until my kids are a little more self-sufficient…⠀ _⠀ ⠀ I’ve organized my bookshelves by color and only my very, very favorite books earned a spot (I read on a Kindle, so keeping my bookshelves selective is unexpectedly not that hard for me…I have to purchase hardcovers specifically to go on the shelves).⠀ _⠀ ⠀ On my rainbow shelf are:⠀ – 2 of my favorite books of 2014 (Station Eleven and Shotgun Lovesongs)⠀ – 1 of my favorite books of 2016 (The Mothers)⠀ – And the first Meg Wolitzer I ever read (and loved). She’s since become an auto-buy author for me!Sidenote: Since I took this picture, Meg Wolitzer’s The Female Persuasion has been added to my rainbow shelf.⠀ _⠀ ⠀ How do you organize your bookshelves? What are some of your favorite bookends?⠀ *⠀ *⠀ *⠀ *⠀ *⠀ #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookgram #amreading #bookworms #instabooks #instabook #booktalk #booklovers #booklover #bibliophile #biblio #bookaddict #bookaddiction #badassbookbabes #shelfie #bookends #bookshelves @riverheadbooks @megwolitzer @britrbennett @aaknopf @emilystjohnmandel⠀

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I finished reading…

what I'm reading now

 

Fruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras (July 31, 2018) 
This debut had all the pieces of a great book for me, but it was missing the intangibles. Check out my review for more details.

The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner (January 5, 2016) – Audiobook
I liked this memoir by a girl who grew up in a polygamist Morman family in Mexico and Texas…but, I think I read it too soon after reading Educated. They were similar for sure. I’d still recommend it, though, especially if you like fringe religion / dysfunctional childhood stories.

The Banker’s Wife by Cristina Alger (July 3, 2018)
Completely satisfying summer thriller that (shockingly) is not really domestic despite the unfortunate title! It’s set in the world of private Swiss banking. Review coming on Thursday.

I’m currently reading…

Distance Home

 

The Distance Home by Paula Saunders (August 7, 2018) 
Tyler Goodson, Manager at Avid Bookshop in Athens, GA (one of my go-to book recommendation sources) rated this dysfunctional family debut novel set in the American West 5 stars. I thought I’d knock out an August release while waiting for my next library hold to come in…

Upcoming reading plans…

I Am, I Am, I Am

 

I Am, I Am, I Am by Maggie O’Farrell (February 6, 2018)
I’ve been hearing rave reviews of this memoir that I’ve had on hold at the library for months now. I kept suspending my hold (Did you know you can do this? Find out more here.) because I was drowning in new release ARCs. But, I have a bit of a break in my reading schedule and I think my hold should come in this week.

was reading…

One Year Ago: I was reading an awesome Swedish courtroom thriller!

Two Years Ago: I was reading a book featuring a totally demented psychologist.

How was your reading week?

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20 Comments

  1. Susan wrote:

    July started out so promising with my reading then after my first two books it is sort of going down hill. I have finished three books and the first one I read is my favorite of the month so far. In order of what I read they are “The Perfect Couple” by Elin Hildebrand, “Bring Her Home” by David Bell, “A Gathering Of Secrets” by Linda Castillo. One A book and two B’s. Elin Hildebrand is a author I always look forward to reading her “beach books” yearly. Linda Castillo’s Kate Burkeholder series is one I look forward to as well although this last book started out dark which I seem to be losing my appetite for with mysteries and thrillers. I am finishing “Ain’t She A Peach” by Molly Harper which is OK so far the author is new to me.
    Hopefully I will find more good books to read this month not sure what is next.

    Thanks for all the reviews you do on the blog and being honest when you don’t like a book it helps us readers to know who to read and who to skip.

    Posted 7.16.18 Reply
  2. Sounds like a tough week and then to end up with a cold. Yuk! I hope it clears up quickly.

    I’d wondered about The Sound of Gravel. Maybe I’ll wait and take it in during Nonfiction November. I think you’ll enjoy I Am I Am I Am. It will make you think about your own life. I haven’t heard much about The Distance Home, so look forward to hearing if I should go for it, or not.

    Posted 7.16.18 Reply
  3. Kathy Martin wrote:

    Nice assortment of books. It also sounds like quite a busy week. Our power flickered during a thunderstorm too. Power was out for less than a minute and then it took many minutes to go around the house and reset all the electronics. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

    Posted 7.16.18 Reply
  4. I hope this is a better week for you!

    I read The Sound of Gravel a few years ago and liked it quite a bit. I think I’d like The Banker’s Wife too.

    Posted 7.16.18 Reply
  5. Torrie wrote:

    So sorry you’re sick! Summer colds are the worst!

    And you can suspend holds at the library?! I think my mind just got blown…definitely needing to look into that!

    I’ve been curious about I Am, I Am, I Am (wow, that’s weird to type out) ever since I read her This is the Place earlier this year and quite liked it, so I’ll be curious to read your review to see if it’s worth picking up.

    Posted 7.16.18 Reply
  6. I enjoyed I Am I Am…a book I actually bought. I also loved The Interestings when I read it a while ago. In fact, I think I’ve read most of her books.

    Enjoy your week…and those are great bookends.

    Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

    Posted 7.16.18 Reply
  7. Allison wrote:

    Ugh, we’ve had summer colds, too! I think allergies have made them worse–lots of sniffling and coughing around here.

    I’m with you on the dog comment you made on Instagram. I’m a total dog person and we actually have a dog that I adore. He’s 12.5 and very healthy, but my kids have started making rumblings about getting a puppy after he’s gone. And I just can’t even imagine another young, needy creature to care for right now. It won’t happen for a while. I have friends who seem to thrive on the chaos of lots of pets, evening activities, parties, etc., and I just do not.

    The Interestings was my first Meg Wolitzer, too!

    Posted 7.16.18 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Well after reading your post today, it sounds like a puppy is the last thing you need!! Loved the post, btw!

      Posted 7.19.18 Reply
      • Allison wrote:

        Thanks! And the dog ran away today, after my four-year-old left the door open by accident. So I got to manage finding him with both girls at home alone with me (luckily he didn’t get too far). But yeah–hard no on the puppy right now 🙂

        Posted 7.20.18 Reply
  8. The Distance Home sounds good. For most of today I’ll be on the road, driving home after an eight day road trip. My weekly updates

    Posted 7.16.18 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      It’s really great so far – halfway through!

      Posted 7.19.18 Reply
  9. Mel wrote:

    Your reviews are so helpful in figuring out what to add (or sometimes remove) from my TBR list! I’m adding The Banker’s Wife and eagerly awaiting to hear what you think of I am, I am, I am!

    Posted 7.16.18 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      So glad to hear that – thank you! Starting I Am soon!

      Posted 7.19.18 Reply
  10. I hope you have a great week and get more sleep! I’m a morning person who’s mostly useless at night. Night is for reading and sleeping. I love your doggie bookends! I read The Sound of Gravel last year and really liked it. I still haven’t read Educated.

    Posted 7.16.18 Reply
  11. Steven wrote:

    I just ordered The Banker’s Wife even before your review. Looks to be a great, riveting read.

    Posted 7.17.18 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      It’s a great page turner! Hope you love it!

      Posted 7.19.18 Reply
  12. da-AL wrote:

    so glad I found your site! anything to do with promoting good fiction provides a service to all 🙂

    Posted 7.17.18 Reply
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    Posted 7.18.18 Reply
  14. I really want to read The Banker’s Wife. it’s on my library queue so i am hoping to get it in the next few weeks. I love the reviews so i am intrigue.

    Posted 7.18.18 Reply

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