Hello, reading lovelies! As I started prepping for this post the date kept jumping out at me. Guess what? Today marks my 6th year as a book blogger. I’ve written reviews of over 1,200 books. It’s a lot to contemplate, but, for once, I don’t have the words. Last week was a busy week of family and travel that left me behind in my writing so I’m going to keep it simple today. I’ll come back later in the week with my thoughts about my book blogging adventure.
Basically, this Monday finds me with a lot of reading, but almost no writing. Here’s the scoop (title links go to the Goodreads synopsis):
Just Finished
My recent reading had a simple theme: new releases from authors I already trust. I’m happy to report—none of the three disappointed! Reviews for each will happen sometime this month. The Secrets Between Us is the sequel to The World Between Us and, for once, you can judge a book by its cover. The cover is gorgeous and so is the novel. The Banker’s Wife falls neatly into the summer reading genre—a thriller with more than a passing resemblance to current politics and how bad things can get at the intersection of the world’s wealthiest men and no principles. I loved Caitlin Moran’s novel, How to Build a Girl (my review) and now Dolly Wilde, with all her tender exuberance, is back in How to Be Famous.
Reading Now
Tangerine was highly recommended to me, by virtually every blogger I know so I was desperate to get my hands on a copy. Sadly, it’s a popular novel so I was #142 in the hold requests at my library. And then, because sometimes the book gods do smile down on needy readers, I saw a copy on the Peak Picks table of a library branch I don’t usually visit. I know, as a former librarian, I’m biased, but libraries are one of the most undervalued, but most wonderful, necessary government agencies we have. I’ll definitely be reviewing this gem.
Up Next
These are my choices once I finish Tangerine. Do I go dystopian, apocalyptic with social issues overtones in An Ocean of Minutes (love the title!)? Or do I stick to what sounds like more standard summer reading, with All These Beautiful Strangers? It checks a lot of boxes for me: wealth, mystery, prep school, teen years. But will it deliver?
What are you reading this Monday?
Oh so glad to hear the Umrigar novel is a good one. I liked her novel Everybody’s Son. Happy Blogiversary to you too! I enjoy all your reviews & thoughts so I hope you’ll continue on with your Guide. Actually I think I mentioned your blog in my last post … which talked about Love & Ruin. I liked your thoughts on it about Hemingway’s narrative parts not being really necessary; I pretty much agree though luckily it didn’t deter me too much towards the end. I reviewed Tangerine in May and liked it. It could make a good movie too. Hmm.
Happy belated 6 years! That seems like so long, sitting here at only one year in 🙂
Looking forward to your review of Tangerine. And, An Ocean of Minutes looks intriguing–and I love that cover!
Oh dear. I was not able to stick with An Ocean. It was science fiction abotu the future set in 1998. I did not have the brain capacity to keep it all straight. Plus, it was depressing which is not a good look for me these days.
Congrats on the annniversary! i really want to read The Bankers Wife next month. I am on a reading slump! Womp womp! I am looking forward getting out in the next few days!
Slumps are the worst! Do you have a strategy that works for you? For me it’s either go back to an old favorite or just leave books alone and read magazines and watch TV. Kind of a reset.