Happy Friday, everyone! It’s a big day here for the Gilmores. We’re closing on our Ann Arbor house. Next week the movers arrive and by Thursday I’ll be on the road, driving five days to Michigan. I’ll be crossing the Cascades and the Rockies, as well as the Continental Divide. I’ll even get to check another state off my never-been-to list: South Dakota. It’s all nerve-wracking and overwhelming, but the finish line is in sight.
All of this means I’m saying goodbye until mid-November. I’m not leaving you high and dry without reading options, though! I’m writing madly trying to get reviews ready of some of the great books I’ve read this month. I’ll post them before I go, though, so probably won’t be able to respond to comments until things settle down.
And I’ll be working as I drive—thanks to the library and my friend, Susie at Novel Visits. I’ve got six books to listen to while I’m in the car (title links to Goodreads synopsis, cover goes to Amazon if you want to purchase):
After the Flood by Kassandra Montag
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
Fall and Rise: The Story of 9/11 by Mitchell Zuckoff
Dopesick by Beth Macy
Think Like a Freak by Steven Levitt
Catherine the Great by Robert Massie
I realize the nonfiction is all pretty heavy. It’s entirely possible I won’t be able to listen to Fall and Rise because I’ll need to pull over too often to cry, but I find listening to nonfiction easier than reading it in print.
How about you? Do you prefer fiction or nonfiction when you’re driving? Have you read any of these books? Thoughts?
As always, thank you all for your support and your patience throughout this long, drawn out process. Goodbye for now, but I’ll see you on the other side! Well, almost…it’s not quite the East Coast, but I will be in the Eastern time zone. Until then, I hope you’re having great reading adventures!
Yes! I also prefer NF on audio. After the Flood is very good! I had not heard of this 9/11 book – everyone is talking about The Only Plane in the Sky….but I was in DC (working on Cap Hill) on 9/11 so am avoiding for now. Safe travels!
Oh my gosh, that must have been awful. Probably not a subject you need to read about.
What mountain is featured in that picture? Good luck on your move!
I don’t know which one exactly. I did an image search for Rocky Mountains USA, made sure there were no copyright issues and used it. Once I’m on the road I hope I can replace it with a photo I’ll take!
Safe travels!!!
Thank you! I’m also going to try to get caught up on podcasts, bu I’m worried I’ll have to stop too often to make note of recommendations from you and Nicole!
Safe travels and good luck on your new adventure!
I read and loved Fall and Rise and Dopesick – I prefer listening to nonfiction too and both are excellent on audio! I also read A Constellation of Vital Phenomena. It was also a 5 star book for me.
I own After the Flood so will be watching for your thoughts.
Happy listening!
So excited to hear this about Constellation! I loved The Tsar of Love so was hoping this one was as good.
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts. It’s a darker theme for sure but one that has stayed with me.
Travel safe and HAVE FUN! Can’t wait to hear from the other side. I’m listening to the “other” 9/11 book right now. Obviously gutting. This one is on my list so we can compare notes. I listened to Dopesick. Again, gutting but important. I thought well done and good on audio.
ENJOY!
Happy Driving!! And maybe The Only Plane in the Sky?? Heard the audio is fantastic!
Thank you! I read your review and you said it was really difficult- maybe even made you cry? I can’t do that while I’m driving! Which is why I may not even listen to the 9/11 book I have.
No! I don’t want you to go. I’ll miss our lunches and long chats about books and so much more, but I know we’ll always stay in touch. I hope everything about Michigan ends up being a very pleasant surprise.
I hope you had a good road trip and are safely at your new home. Did you end up renting your place in Seattle or selling it? I guess I like both nonfiction & fiction on audio … but whatever it is it can’t be too dense … as audios like that are difficult to focus on.
The road trip was wonderful. I loved being alone and not having to worry about anything more than getting from point A to point B. We’re still looking for tenants at the Seattle house- which is unsettling because everyoen said it would be so easy to rent.
I ended up doing better with the nonfiction on audio. Fiction seemed to drag.