I was on vacation last week, so I’m bringing you two weeks worth of books! And, my reading has been on fire lately. I’ve been intermixing upcoming releases I’m really excited to share with you with library holds of books I missed from earlier in the year. This routine is working for me and I’m going to try to keep it up through the Fall.
Podcast
There will NOT be a new podcast this week.
Episode 27, the Fall 2019 Book Preview with Catherine from Gilmore Guide to Books will air on Wednesday, August 21!
New on the Blog
- 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!
Opportunity to Stock a Teacher’s Library
Ashley Spivey (of #SpiveysClub Facebook Group and a guest on Episode 7 of the podcast) is putting together an effort to #clearthelist…teachers that usually spend their own money on additional supplies for their classrooms create Amazon wish lists for supplies that we can purchase for them!
Emily (@ejlouws on Instagram) has a ton of books on her list and I need your help clearing it! I’ve kicked it off, so click on this link to purchase some books for her classroom!
Hosted by The Book Date.
This post contains affiliate links (plus: here’s your Amazon Smile-specific affiliate link
I finished reading…
The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott (September 17, 2019)
I’m calling it now…I think this historical fiction will be a big book this Fall! It’s suspenseful, it’s incredibly readable, and it’s a dang good story based on an actual CIA mission. Mini review coming.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid (June 7, 2016)
Ever since loving The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
Necessary People by Anna Pitoniak (May 21, 2019)
The plot of this one is very similar to another book about a messed up NYC friendship (can you guess which one it is?)…maybe a less outrageous version of it. But, I really liked it and it made a great beach read! Mini review coming.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
I’m currently reading…
The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo (June 25, 2019)
This debut family saga is long one, but multiple trusted recommendation sources (Novel Visits and Gilmore Guide among others) say it’s worth the pages! I’m about 20% through and am really liking it so far…it took me a minute to focus on the writing and keep all the sisters straight, but I’m engrossed now.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
I tried, but wasn’t feeling…
Going Dutch by James Gregor (August 20, 2019)
It was supposedly similar to The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P, which I loved (my review), with a gay protagonist. But, this version didn’t work as well for me. The writing is good, but also kind of pompous in a Jay McInerney, New York City way (but, having lived in NYC for over 10 years, I didn’t mind this that much). But, I just got kind of bored listening to this guy whine about everything in his life.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
Upcoming reading plans…
Unless a library hold comes in…
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett (September 17, 2019)
I absolutely adore Ann Patchett and also adore when she tackles dysfunctional families, so it’s safe to say I’m a tad excited about this book. Actually, it’s the Fall book I’m most excited about! Really hoping it pans out…
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
How was your reading week?
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I have Going Dutch on my mid-list — hope I have better luck if I get to it.
I would have sworn I have The Secrets We Kept but it’s not on my spreadsheet. I’m going to have to remedy that.
So glad you liked One True Loves! It’s the perfect book to read in the summer!
I agree with you that Taylor Jenkins Reid has upped her game with her last two books, but I still really enjoyed listening to One True Loves. Glad you’re enjoying The Most Fun. It just gets better!
I’m super excited about The Secrets We kept, I’m hoping Fall’s new release books are better than this summers!
Interesting assortment of books. I don’t read that kind of book but love hearing about books that wouldn’t otherwise hit my radar. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I’m reading The Most Fun We Ever Had too. I do love dysfunctional family sagas and hope this one holds up to the end.
I also have The Dutch House and looking forward to it! I just requested The Secrets She Kept, thanks!
I’m looking forward to your fall release episode. Not much is calling to me so I’m hoping for some inspiration
Yay- you liked Necessary People! I’m very curious to know which book it reminds you of. Without having read the book, my guess is that one that was made into a movie with Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick (A Simple Favor?)
Your books look tempting. Thanks for sharing, and enjoy your week.
I have a guess on Necessary People. Just based on your synopsis I’m going to say Social Creatures. Yes? Which means I’m not sure I should read this one because I really did not like that novel.
I’m almost halfway through The Reckless Oaths We Made by Bryn Greenwood and if I were vetting it for you, I’d say no. I’m finally into it but she makes one of the key characters so odd it’s off-putting to read (he only speaks in Medieval English). I loved All the Ugly and Wonderful, which was also a bold choice, but I think this one is not going to fare as well.
Enjoy your books. My weekly updates
I actually just read Maybe In Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid for the same reason that you’re going through her backlist too. It was good… but really not as good as I was expecting due to my love for Daisy Jones and Evelyn Hugo. So I’m happy to see your assessment of One True Loves is similar to mine of MIAL.