What I’m Reading Now (8/21/17)

Whew! Last week was moving week…and things were obviously chaotic! I spent almost all day every day unpacking boxes (I now understand that it can take a full 1.5 days to unpack a kitchen) and did not do a ton of reading. However, podcasts made all that unpacking much more enjoyable!

Thankfully, we were able to take a break from all the moving nonsense with a quick family trip to the Chesapeake Bay area last weekend. Let me tell you, it was much needed!

#Buildsarahsbookshelves Library Update

I’m putting together a very selective library for my new (but small) built-in bookshelves and am sharing each book I acquire on Instagram (follow me at sarahsbookshelves)! And, I’m trying to acquire all these new books at rock bottom prices.

I didn’t acquire any new books for my new shelves last week, but I’ll do you one better…I actually got to see my shelves live and (almost) finished for the first time! You’ll see more in my upcoming post, but I’m leaning towards turning to Havenly for some free shelf styling advice.

My new babies…anxiously awaiting their books! @gates.interiors #buildsarahsbookshelves #bookstagram #bookshelves #bookshelvesofinstagram

A post shared by Sarah’s Book Shelves (@sarahsbookshelves) on

Hosted by The Book Date.

This post contains affiliate links.

I finished reading…

Hate U Give, Getaway Car


The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (February 28, 2017)

High readable, super compelling, and heart-breaking. An “issue” book that happens to also be, at its heart, a flat-out great story about a family. I can see why people are buzzing about this one. Also, an excellent choice for book clubs.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

The Getaway Car by Ann Patchett (August 25, 2011)
This slim little book (or, essay is probably a better term as it’s only 45 pages long) is Patchett’s thoughts and advice on writing. I’m not an aspiring writer, but Patchett’s advice and outlook on life and work is down to earth and applicable beyond writing. Without the benefit of being a writer myself, I suspect this is a must read for anyone that is!

Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

I’m currently reading…

Resurrection of Joan Ashby by Cherise Wolas


The Resurrection of Joan Ashby by Cherise Wolas (August 29, 2017)
This debut novel about a woman’s view of work and marriage was a last minute Netgalley request…before I realized it was over 500 pages long! I’m about 25% through and enjoying it…Joan’s struggle between achieving her professional goals and being a wife and mother is real.

Affiliate Link: Pre-Order from Amazon

South Pole Station by Ashley Shelby


South Pole Station by Ashley Shelby (July 4, 2017)
I read about 10% of this one…it was fine, but wasn’t blowing me away. And, since it was a library hold, I wasn’t feeling any pressure to continue with something that didn’t blow me away.

Upcoming reading plans…

Exit West by Mohsin Hamid


Exit West by Mohsin Hamid (March 7, 2017)
I’ve been shying away from this critical darling because I’m not a fan of magical realism, but finally put it on hold at the library after reading the first few pages at a bookstore (the writing is great!) and seeing Susie at Novel Visits mention it’s a good choice for readers who think they don’t like magical realism.

was reading…

One Year Ago: I was on vacation and didn’t post a Monday update!

Two Years Ago: I had just finished my first Sprint Triathlon!

How was your reading week?

Get Weekly Email Updates!

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

29 Comments

  1. hillary wrote:

    I really need to read the hate you give.I keep hearing so much about it. I have exit west from a Book of the Month Club Selection. I am hoping to get to it soon.

    Posted 8.21.17 Reply
  2. Renee wrote:

    Love your new bookshelves! I haven’t read Exit West either due to the magical realism so I’ll be curious to see what you think…maybe you’ll sway me:)

    Posted 8.21.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I’ll keep you posted…it’s a library book so low risk! Will bail as soon as it doesn’t work for me!

      Posted 8.21.17 Reply
  3. Majanka wrote:

    Those new shelves look amazing! Even better than new books 🙂 I hope you enjoy filling them with amazing books.

    My It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? post.

    Posted 8.21.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Haha – I don’t know about that but thank you!

      Posted 8.21.17 Reply
  4. I thought The Hate U Give was outstanding. I love your new shelves!!!

    Posted 8.21.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Thanks!

      Posted 8.21.17 Reply
  5. Beth F wrote:

    Awesome shelves! I’m assuming there will be a cushion there for a window seat and reading spot.

    Good luck with the rest of the move.

    Posted 8.21.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      You know it! And a pillow! And thanks 🙂

      Posted 8.21.17 Reply
  6. I want those shelves. Those are awesome! I’m glad you liked The Hate U Give. I’m also hesitant about Exit West. It sounds intriguing, but I’m not sure if I’d like it.

    Posted 8.21.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Thanks! And library makes it low risk!

      Posted 8.21.17 Reply
  7. Your new bookshelves are beautiful and what a fun project to fill them.

    I saw that you and Catherine were reading The Resurrection of Joan Ashby and thought about it, but the length kept me away. I’ll be anxious to read your reviews to see if I should reconsider.

    I so hope you like Exit West. I loved the story. My advice: just accept the doors!

    Posted 8.21.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      If I’d realized the length before I requested it, it would have kept me away too! But, I’m enjoying it…even if it will take me forever to finish it given the timing.

      And I’ll close my eyes and go with the doors!

      Posted 8.21.17 Reply
  8. Kathy Martin wrote:

    Ahh, unpacking! Every time I think I’ve finished, I find another box of two that I have to sort through. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

    Posted 8.21.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      No kidding! The boxes are endless.

      Posted 8.21.17 Reply
  9. I am so envious of those shelves! Beautiful…and when the books fill them up, you will be cozy.

    I am curious about The Resurrection of Joan Ashby, but I already have some lengthy books, so I will have to wait.

    Enjoy your week, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

    Posted 8.21.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I hear ya! I have another long one coming up (Twelve Mile Straight), so not sure what I was thinking!

      Posted 8.21.17 Reply
  10. Allison wrote:

    I may have to check out the Ann Patchett book. I’m a huge fan but I haven’t heard much about this one. I love it when she writes entries on the Parnassus Bookstore blog–her book recommendations are always excellent–and I’d love to read more about how she approaches writing.

    Posted 8.21.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I love her Parnassus blog! Getaway Car is almost a standalone essay – I also loved her full length memoir, This is the Story of a Happy Marriage.

      Posted 8.21.17 Reply
  11. Madeline wrote:

    Lovely bookshelves and the view out the window is delightful! Just don’t fill them up … remember more books will come 🙂

    Exit West didn’t do it for me. At the beginning the “magical realism” was fine. But then it became (for me at least) more Sci-Fi. I finished it but I’d give it 2* at best.

    For the recently moved, I recommend “The Long Haul” by Finn Murphy, a career mover. I’d moved twice before the age of 3 and many times after that. It was fun to see it from the “other side.”

    Posted 8.21.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      So true!

      Good to know about Exit West. I probably wouldn’t be giving it a shot if it weren’t so low-risk (library book)!

      Thanks for the recommendation!

      Posted 8.21.17 Reply
  12. Catherine wrote:

    I do love magical realism so will wait to see what you think. If you even like it, it will be a winner for me!

    Love the bookshelves. You’re going to have so much fun filling them. Does anyone else in the family get to put their books in them?

    Posted 8.21.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I didn’t know you loved magical realism! That surprises me!

      And – of course not – you think I’d let anyone else mess with my curated library?!

      Posted 8.23.17 Reply
  13. Michelle wrote:

    I read Hamid’s first novel and was confused by the magical realism in that one, so I have managed to stay away from Exit West. Magical realism and I don’t get along very well, but I will be curious if you enjoy it. I know that someone bought the rights to make it into a movie or TV show for what it’s worth.

    Posted 8.22.17 Reply
  14. nancy s wrote:

    I’m reading The Hate U Give now and really enjoying it. Read Exit West a couple months ago and I didn’t know about the magical realism component of it (so after the first door…I ended up going back and re-reading a section to determine that I wasn’t crazy). I got used to it and while it wasn’t my favorite element of the book, I thought it was a great novel about the immigrant experience.

    Posted 8.22.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      I’m sure it won’t be my favorite element either, but will just close my eyes and go with it. I am really interested in the immigrant experience part…

      Posted 8.23.17 Reply
  15. Those bookshelves – the stuff of dreams! Happy reading!

    Posted 8.22.17 Reply
    • Sarah Dickinson wrote:

      Yes, yes – I’ve been dreaming about them for years!

      Posted 8.23.17 Reply
  16. Diane D wrote:

    Congrats on the new home and I enjoyed all your reading nook/shelves pictures as well. Have fun decorating.

    Posted 8.29.17 Reply

Get Weekly Email Updates!

Join our mailing list to receive all new blog posts in one weekly email. Plus, news of special updates and offers!

You have Successfully Subscribed!