Many of y’all know I’ve been in the process of moving. The week before last was a full “unpack the boxes” push. We’re now at a point where, while we still have a lot to do, the house is functional…so, this past week I got back to somewhat of a regular routine (i.e. exercise, trying to take care of my back, errands other than unpacking boxes, etc.).
The highlight of the week was that I got convinced to try a Deep H2O workout class. I was told it would help my injuries, but I was resistant because I’d always considered “water aerobics” the workout for people who don’t really want to work out. Well…it was legitimately hard (I didn’t wear the floatation belt) and I actually liked it! Consider me officially 70 years old because I’m going back this week!
Finally, I posted a list of my favorite campus novels last week. And, man, y’all came back with so many recommendations for me…my campus novels TBR list is exploding! These looked especially appealing:
- All These Perfect Strangers
by Aoife Clifford from Malcolm Avenue Review
- The Groves of Academe
by Mary McCarthy from Rose City Reader
- Lucky Jim
by Kingsley Amis from Rose City Reader
- Bobcat and Other Stories
by Rebecca Lee from Estella’s Revenge
- Commencement
by J. Courtney Sullivan from Alissa
by Aoife Clifford from 
by Mary McCarthy from 
by Kingsley Amis from 
by Rebecca Lee from 
by J. Courtney Sullivan from Alissa#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.
This was a winning week for the library collection! I got not one, but two, new books and they were both thoughtful gifts! Susie at Novel Visits (one of my favorite book bloggers…if you don’t read her blog, you should!) mailed me A Little Life (my review) and my mother-in-law gave me Gone with the Wind
Hosted by The Book Date.
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I finished reading…
The Resurrection of Joan Ashby
The only reason I manage to finish this doorstop this week is that I skimmed a good portion of the second half. I loved/hated this book because, well, stories within stories. Discussion post coming soon.
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This true story about a star student-athlete who seemed to have everything going for her on the surface, yet committed suicide her freshman year of college is a must-read for parents in general, but particularly parents of young athletes. It was great on audio.
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I’m currently reading…
Exit West
I’m about 30% through his novel that’s gotten a lot of buzz this year…and, I’m pretty blown away by the searing writing so far. I’m OK with the magical realism now, but we’ll see how things progress.
Upcoming reading plans…
Sourdough
I loved Sloan’s quirky novel about bookstores, Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore
I was reading…
One Year Ago: I was reading the latest Herman Koch novel.
Two Years Ago: I had just finished a fantastic Southern, Gothic mystery!
How was your reading week?
Aaah, Gone with the Wind! I adore that story (racial concerns aside). Scarlett is such a strong, horrible, compelling character. Congrats on adding both books to your library!!!
Sourdough was a lot of fun. Quirky. Hope you like it. Yay on settling into new house and getting books for your shelves. I didn’t read blogs last week (busy personal life), so I need to see your list of campus novel.
Glad to hear it – I’ve heard some mixed things!
Can you believe I never read Gone With The Wind? I love the movie, though, so I should totally give it a shot. Enjoy your books!
My It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? post.
Yes! The movie left out so much!
I’m going to wait for your final thoughts on Exit West but I might try it as an audiobook if you love it. I’ve read the online stories the author of What Made Maddy Run wrote before the book and it was just haunting and so sad. I read an excerpt of the book last week as well. I agree, it’s definitely a must read for parents, especially if you’ve got teenagers
Gone With the Wind was the first hardback I received when I first started my library. I love that book so hard. Scarlett is my hero. Yes, she is selfish and rather horrible, but she doesn’t take anything from anybody and I love it!
I have not read anything about What Made Maddy Run but having seen my son spiral into a severe depression because he was not running where he thought he should be I don’t know if I can. I never realized how much pressure kids put on themselves these days to be the best, and when they aren’t? Well, we struggled to keep him motivated and on target all year long because he could not shake the previous track and cross-country seasons. My daughter seems to have a better take on her activities, but we constantly monitor her for any signs of burnout or undue pressure she’s applying to herself.
Glad life is returning to some semblance of normal! I’d love to be able to join in on the discussion of Joan Ashby, but not enough to read it. I’m very curious to hear all about it though. I hope Exit West continues to work for you. As you know, I loved it on audio.
I have a stack of books to re-read, including Gone with the Wind, Rebecca, Jamaica Inn, etc.
Sourdough looks like one I might enjoy, although I haven’t read Mr. Penumbra…
I don’t know if I’ll read Dr. Mr. M, as I had mixed feelings about The Dinner. In spite of those mixed feelings, I watched the movie The Dinner this past weekend…and wow, that was a chaotic story that had a stunning ending…it just stopped. I don’t remember how the book ended…Hmmm.
Enjoy your week, and settling in. Water aerobics sound good…I am ready to try anything!
Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
I hated Gone With the Wind when I read it because I hated Scarlett O’Hara. I should try it again now that I’m not 20 years old. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I’m adding Sourdough to my wishlist. Come see what I’m reading.
I’ve seen a couple of your books around the blogosphere but the others are all new to me. Enjoy them all. I hope the water therapy works well for you.
Oooh, Commencement! Good one!! You have quite the range of choices this week, Sarah! I’ve just finished Quicksand and…whoa! What a read! I’m so glad to hear that you all are settling in; take care of that back!
I read Exit West and enjoyed it- I’ll be interested to see how you feel about it when you are done.
I finished it and adored the writing and the beginning of the story, but felt like the story kind of petered out towards the end 🙁
I was in the same space as you- feeling cheated and utterly betrayed by Joan Ashby. Furious. I moved on by re-reading Goodbye, Vitamin for bookclub and was faced with a group of women who didn’t like the book! WHUT?!
I’ve started Salman Rushdie’s newest, but am am feeling that as much as I love the way he uses words he simply has too many in this novel. You would hate it!
OMG – why didn’t they like Vitamin?!
I’ve never read Rushdie…I kind of just think of him as Padma’s ex-husband, but I realize that is entirely unfair to him.