I did some big blog and podcast behind the scenes work this week (stay tuned for a blog redesign soon and I think I’m getting a podcast editor…at least for some episodes!)…and worked my way through a long book!
Podcast
There WILL be a new podcast this week.
Episode 27, the Fall 2019 Book Preview with Catherine from Gilmore Guide to Books will air on Wednesday!
New on the Blog
- Weekly Podcast Episodes are Back…and YOU Can Be on the Show…apply to be on a mini episode of Sarah’s Book Shelves Live to share your best book recommendations! All you need is Skype and a Smartphone.
- August 2019 Books to Read (and Skip)…I’ve got two excellent debut novels for you!
- 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
We’re still trying to clear this list!
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), through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
I finished reading…
The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo (June 25, 2019)
This debut family saga has been getting raves all over #bookstagram and from people I trust. I really liked it, but I did think it was needlessly long. Mini review coming.
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I’m currently reading…
A Nearly Normal Family by M.T. Edvardsson (June 25, 2019)
I need a little break from the character-driven family dramas (I adore them, but I’ve read a lot this year…and luckily they’ve mostly been fantastic!), so I’m going to try this Scandinavian legal thriller. I’ve been enjoying courtroom dramas this year and have had better luck with thrillers coming out of Europe than the U.S. Plus, Angie Kim recommended it for Book of the Month in June. I’m starting this tonight, so I don’t have anything to say about it yet.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
I tried, but wasn’t feeling…
The Last Stone by Mark Bowden (April 2, 2019) – AUDIOBOOK
DNF at 55%
This true crime about two girls that disappeared from a mall in the D.C. suburbs in the 1970’s by the author of Black Hawk Down and Killing Pablo was just too tedious to follow on audio. A large chunk of the book is the suspect being interviewed by the police and changing his story numerous times…it was hard for me to keep track of the little discrepancies on audio…and I don’t think I care enough to pick it up in book form.
Upcoming reading plans…
I was planning to read this after The Most Fun We Ever Had, but they’re both family dramas, so I need a recovery book in between. So, unless a library hold comes in, Ann Patchett will be up next!
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…
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How was your reading week?
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I read “The Most Fun We Ever Had” and I agree with you I liked it but I thought the book ran on to long could of used some editing down. I’ve taken a little break this summer from reading so many mysteries, thrillers, police procedurals which has been nice but these family dramas can drag on too long.
A Nearly Normal Family and The Dutch House look very tempting.
Enjoy your week, and thanks for sharing. Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
Great week! I’m definitely going to read The Most Fun but damn is it a chunk.
TMFWEH was a little overly dramatic at times and I almost quit reading. It was good but not great for me.
The Last Stone was a bit tedious & repetitive in print too. I don’t necessarily think that was the author’s fault, more to do with how the story itself played out.
The length had me hesitating on The Most Fun We Ever Had, but once I got into it I forgot all about the length. I think you’ll really enjoy a Nearly Normal Family, but be aware that the court stuff doesn’t really come into play until the third part.
Hoping to get to The Dutch House soon, too.
I’ve heard good things about A Nearly Normal Family, I was curious about The Last Stone.
Have a great reading week
Loved A Nearly Normal Family. Multiple POV storytelling is really becoming one of my favorite.
I hope you enjoy whatever you choose to read. I don’t read family dramas very often. I prefer mysteries and science fiction. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
A Nearly Normal Family sounds really good!
I agree with Kathy — A Nearly Normal Family does sound good.
Thanks for suggesting “after the end”.
I really liked it but was thrown a bit when she switched gears . I saw an interview of the author and now I’m eager to read her other books which are mysteries.
I like to read my Scandinavian mysteries when I need a change of pace and Jo Nesbo is a favorite go to. But there are so many others out there too.
Very excited about the new Patchett book. Just loaned a friend her Commonwealth which I didn’t want to end. It deserved all the accolades it received.