Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
To say that last week knocked me on my reading butt is an understatement. I began the week trying to recover from a reading hangover and foolishly stuck with a book that did me no good. Worse, I finished it, making it a ‘hate read’- because I knew it was not a good book, but was determined to see it through (I have no idea why). By midweek I had wised up, given up on new releases and turned to one of my go-to authors which cured me. Here’s hoping this week will be a better one for reading!
Just Finished
Oh boy…if you’re a woman and concerned about the direction our country is taking under this administration then this dystopian novel will light you up like a pinball machine. Compulsive reading. Review to follow.
I loved Circe and was fortunate enough to get to go to an event for its author, Madeline Miller. She talked about this translation of The Odyssey being more readable than any other she had come across. She made it sound so fun (yes, I know, not a word most people apply to Homer) that I thought I’d give it a try. It was the right reading at the right time.
Reading Now
I just started this novel about the aftermath of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima. The protagonists are an American soldier who was given a Japanese baby to foster and a young girl who survived the blast. The story moves from Japan to the U.S. and at some point will land in the Congo. I’m still trying to get a sense of where the story is going as it shifts in time, but I’m enjoying Perezagua’s writing.
Up Next
Goodread synopsis here Goodreads synopsis here
These two books are the last of the August releases I have in my TBR. Has anyone read either one or heard anything good or bad? There are Goodreads reviews available, but unless I know the reviewer I tend to be a bit leery of really good reviews before a book has been released. French Exit sounds light and fun while Sight seems to be more serious. Which may be what tips the scale for me.
What are you reading this week?
Kate W says
August 20, 2018 at 1:38 amI’ve got too many books on the go at the moment… trying to squeeze lots in before the Melbourne Writers Festival next week.
Can’t wait for your Vox review.
Susie | Novel Visits says
August 20, 2018 at 6:56 amI’m impressed that you took on Homer by choice! I read both The Iliad and The Odyssey (the full versions) for a semester long class in college and though the discussions were great and I’m glad I took that class, I won’t be reading either again! Let me know what you find out about French Exit. It’s one I’m curious about. Have a great week, Catherine.
Catherine says
August 20, 2018 at 5:36 pmWilson’s translation read like a big, crazy soap opera! It cracked me up.
I’ll keep you posted on French Exit. I decided to detour back to an early August book I bailed on very quickly. It wasn’t the book it was me so I’m giving it another shot.
Laila@BigReadingLife says
August 20, 2018 at 7:38 amI know nothing about it but I love the cover of French Exit!
Glad you recovered from your book hangover. Vox sounds interesting but I don’t know if I can handle it.
I’m reading a Ruth Rendell series mystery (Reg Wexford) and also my Classics Club Spin book, West with the Night by Beryl Markham. It’s slow going but I am determined to finish.
Catherine says
August 20, 2018 at 5:34 pmI think finding a mystery series that works for you can be the best way to fight a reading slump. My two go-tos are Louise Penny and Elizabeth George.
I had to read Vox during the day, not when I was trying to fall asleep because it made me so angry!
Renee (Itsbooktalk) says
August 20, 2018 at 3:37 pmYou’ve really made me want to read Vox asap…I love the pinball analogy!
Catherine says
August 20, 2018 at 5:31 pmI thought my head was going to explode. I could see any or all of it actually happening.