What I’m Reading Now (9/30/19)

what I'm reading now

 

I feel like I could be slipping into a reading slump and I’m trying desperately to stave it off! Believe it or not, I’ve read most of my 2019 ARC’s (I have 2 or 3 more to go) and am waiting on some library holds to come in for books I’ve been looking forward to reading.

I’m also starting to think about my TBR list for Nonfiction November (kicking off on Monday, October 28)! 

Podcast

Mini Episode 31, featuring Kailey from @kmc_reads talking about emotional books, aired last Wednesday!

And, a full length episode will air this Wednesday featuring Cristina Arreola (Senior Books Editor at Bustle)…plus, a big announcement for the podcast!

New on the Blog

  • Nonfiction November Announcement…I’m co-hosting Nonfiction November again this year and it will kick off on October 28! Check out my post for the schedule of events.
  • 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!

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…

what I'm reading now

 

All This Could Be Yours by Jami Attenberg (October 22, 2019)
Jami Attenberg’s latest is super dark, but I loved it! I suspect this will be a divisive book and not everyone will be able to relate to it…but, for those reasons, it would be awesome for book clubs. Mini review to come.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

Come to the Edge by Christina Haag (June 1, 2010) – AUDIOBOOK
Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have finished this memoir about Haag’s long relationship with JFK Jr. if I hadn’t been listening to it on audio (I’m more forgiving of audiobooks…is that weird?). But, a decently interesting look at what it was like to grow up with and date such a legendary personality.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

I’m currently reading…

I read about 10% of 3 different books before (possibly?) making my choice…we’ll see if this one sticks.

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

 

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood (September 10, 2019)
I’m about 15% through the sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale and the first 10% was ROUGH. I had a lot of trouble orienting myself to who was speaking and the time period we were in. I actually had to ask a friend who’d already read it to help me out and that made things clearer. 10-15% was much better. We’ll see how the rest pans out. But, why oh why couldn’t they just put a slight bit of orienting information at the beginning of each chapter?!
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

Upcoming reading plans…

I’m honestly not sure, but maybe this one (although it was one of the books I sampled a bit of before settling on The Testaments and it didn’t bowl me over)…

Things We Didn't Talk About When I Was a Girl by Jeannie Vanasco

 

Things We Didn’t Talk About When I Was a Girl by Jeannie Vanasco (October 1, 2019)
An upcoming podcast guest recommended this memoir about a girl who decides to confront the male friend who raped her years later…you’ll hear more about it on Episode 32 airing on October 2.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

How was your reading week?

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what I'm reading now

 

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9 Comments

  1. Stick with The Testaments. I had the same disorientation but it gets a bit better as you go on. I generally had positive feelings towards the book itself.

    Posted 9.30.19 Reply
  2. Hmmm…I’ve been on the fence about The Testament since I first heard about it, so never requested a review copy. It’s been so long since I read The Handmaid’s Tale (and I didn’t watch the series) that I feel like I first would need to reread it. Still not sure if I want to bother.

    I know exactly how you feel as if you’re on the edge of a slump. I don’t have much left to read either and am not quite sure where I’ll be heading after the last few ARCs. It could get ugly! I also don’t have much in nonfiction I’m interested in, so would appreciate any tips on that front.

    Posted 9.30.19 Reply
  3. I listened to America’s Reluctant Prince and it’s probably all I need/want to know about JFK Jr.

    Posted 9.30.19 Reply
  4. Tina wrote:

    I’m definitely looking forward to All This Could Be Yours- her book All Grown Up is a favorite of mine.

    Posted 9.30.19 Reply
  5. I’m in the same spot in The Testaments and also feeling disoriented. I’ve seen a lot of great reviews so I’m trying to just breathe through it and trust that I’ll get to a point where it’s not a problem 🙂 I think part of the issue is that it doesn’t change perspective every chapter–but I think it did at the very start? So every time a new chapter begins, there’s a moment of trying to figure out who’s speaking, even if it’s the same as the last chapter. When the narrator changes like that, I feel like it should be handled more consistently.

    Posted 9.30.19 Reply
  6. Beth F wrote:

    I’m with Susie. It’s been too long since I read Handmaid’s Tale (I read it when it came out; I’m that old). We’re still in season 1 of the series, and I have no clue how much was in the book and how much is new (I only remember the gist of the story). I have The Testaments in audio, but I bet I don’t ever get to it. *shrug*

    Posted 9.30.19 Reply
  7. Kathy Martin wrote:

    I have quite a few 2019 review books still on my stack. I haven’t read The Handmaid’s Tale even though it is on my Kindle. I’m not nearly ready for Testaments. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

    Posted 9.30.19 Reply
  8. Sally Valente wrote:

    I read Handmaid’s Tale when it first came out. I haven’t seen the TV show .
    I thought I would have a real problem navigating through the beginning of the new book. But after a few pages,I just settled in and as it went along there were references to the original story which made them ” ok , I remember that “.
    I loved the book VOX . If anyone liked that book there should be no problem with this book . There are the same chilling statements referencing the volatile political climate of today and the fight for women’s rights.
    I would agree a tiny synopsis might be a good idea for background info but I think it is a stand alone book in its own right.
    And yes, I’m a big Margaret Atwood fan.

    Posted 10.1.19 Reply
  9. Valerie S. wrote:

    Like you, I’m much more “forgiving” of audiobooks than print books. Glad to know I’m not the only reader who does so. I’ve listened to audiobooks for 20 years so I’ve learned which books will be best for me in each format.

    Posted 10.4.19 Reply

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