After a nasty spat with DNFs, I feel like I’m back on track with my reading! It took jumping on a September release really early, but I’m glad I did!
In other exciting news, I’m going to finally have some nice built-in bookshelves for the first time in a decade! And, oddly, I don’t really have any books to fill them with since I read almost exclusively on my Kindle
I don’t have a ton of shelf space, so I’m planning to be very selective about what makes the cut. I’m attempting to acquire the books for bargain prices (i.e. library sales, gently used hardcovers, etc), so it will take me awhile to get everything together. And, I’m going to share the process with all of you! Each time I acquire a new book for my library, I’m going to share it on Instagram! I might even ask for some recommendations and advice along the way. Follow me on Instagram at @sarahsbookshelves to keep track of the library building (#buildsarahsbookshelves)!
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I finished reading…
Little Fires Everywhere
This is probably the book I’ve been most anticipating all year…and, to my relief, it’s really good! It’s got a bit more action than Everything I Never Told You (my review) and I think will have an even broader appeal. Review to come closer to publication, but I recommend pre-ordering it or putting in an early hold at your library if you can!
Affiliate Link: Pre-Order from Amazon
I’m currently reading…
Shadow of the Lions
I’m a little over halfway through this mystery/boarding school novel (for my fellow Virginians, it’s set at a fictional version of Woodberry Forest School, the author’s alma mater) and the story has been gradually picking up speed. I’m totally into it! And fellow St. C grads, our alma mater gets name-checked a time or two!
Affiliate Link: Pre-Order from Amazon
Upcoming reading plans…
Unless one of my library holds comes in, I’m going to continue with August releases!
Emma in the Night
Walker’s last novel, All is Not Forgotten, kind of drove me crazy, but I also couldn’t stop reading and got a great Spoiler Discussion post out of it. So, I’m willing to give her latest thriller a chance. This time around, she writes about “two missing sisters, a twisted family, and what happens when one girl comes back…”.
I was reading…
One Year Ago: I was reading a recent Oprah’s Book Club selection that I thought was alright, but not mind-blowing.
Two Years Ago: I read an awesome Grit Lit thriller that was one of my favorite books of 2015!
How was your reading week?
So glad Celeste Ng’s new book gets a thumbs up! Everything I Never Told You was a favorite a few years ago – I’ll get on the library list asap.
Was one of mine too!
Guess what? Quicksand is a Kindle Daily Deal for $1.99!!!
Thanks for the heads up Wendy!
Thanks for the tip – I tweeted it out!
So happy Ng’s new book is good. I can’t wait to get a copy! And yay for bookshelves!
Oh, wow, real built-in bookshelves sounds sooo nice!! Have fun filling them up! Emma in the Night is on my TBR, looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
I just requested Little Fires Everywhere from Netgalley. I sure hope I get it!
Good luck!
Glad to hear that Little Fires Everywhere does not disappoint. I didn’t like All Is Not Forgotten very much, so have been hesitant about Walker’s new book, so will be interested to hear what you think.
The book shelf project sounds really fun. It would be so special to have only favorites on it. I have the same book issue as you because of reading Kindle books so much. Almost all the books on my bookshelves are old. Right now I’m reading an actual book (Stay With Me) and it’s the first real book I’ve read this year!
I didn’t really love All is Not Forgotten either, but I’m so far way more into Emma in the Night. But, I’m only 40% through. We’ll see.
My hard copy books (which are currently in boxes) are like a time machine! It’s like time stopped in 2008 (which was when I got my Kindle)!
I started and finished Emma in the Night in one sitting (I was actually floating in a pool but I was not leaving the pool until I finished it). I found the characters compelling, and the mystery did confound me for a long time. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
I’m so glad you found something for your DNF slump, I’ve been there a lot this summer and it’s no fun! Love the bookshelf idea, I have several at home myself and I’m slowly filling them with my 5 star reads and all time favs that I find used on Amazon and at the library. I love being surrounded by so many of my favorite books!
Ah, bookshelves! I love all my new shelves. I moved 50+ boxes of books this time and love having places to put them. I also find myself reading mostly on my Kindle these days but I will buy a print book if I want it for my keeper shelves. Come see my week here. Have a great week!
I’m jealous of your bookshelves! I am in desperate need of some more space for all the books I haven’t read…ha ha! My keeper collection is actually quite small, but I have hundred of other titles I’ve collected along the way waiting to be read before I will most likely pass them on (my threshold for keeping a book is quite high).
I bookmarked Little Fires Everywhere on Amazon. I could pre-order it, but I try not to do too many of those.
I really enjoyed Emma in the Night, and that family reminded me of so many I’ve worked with over the years…which did not interfere with my enjoyment of the book.
Have a great week, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
Little Fires Everywhere is on my wishlist. The old place is nearly ready. Meanwhile, we’re happily settled in our temporary apartment. Come see what I’m reading
I’ve been debating about whether or not to read Little Fires Everywhere. Everything I Never Told You wasn’t really for me, so we’ll see…
Book shelves!! Damn, I sent my copy of Swans to another friend last year or I would send it to you. That definitely needs a place of prominence!
Ooh built in bookshelves, on my dream house list. I have one and it is full primarily from library sales, some review copies and some autographed books. So excited to see yours as you build it!
I’m so excited to follow along in your bookshelves project; I still refer back to your library project with Ann (it’s Ann, right?) from some time ago, when I need a little decorating inspiration! Okay, waiting to see how you feel about Shadow of the Lions; that might be a good August option!
Yes, it’s Anne! And so glad to hear that!
I think you’d like Shadow of the Lions…not 5 stars, but a solid 4!
That feeling when you enjoy a book you’d been anticipating, and yay for a successful read – wishing you much the same for August.
Oo… The bookshelves sound exciting!
Thank you 🙂
Built in bookshelves are the dreeeeeeeeam! Definitely looking forward to seeing how you fill out your library 🙂
I know, right?! They’ve been a dream of mine for awhile!