It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? Button
" data-orig-size="474,356" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" aperture="aperture" /> Hosted by Kathryn from Book Date, this is a weekly event to share what we’ve read in the past week and what we hope to read, plus whatever else comes to mind. Here is what I read the week ending 25 June 2018. To learn more about each book, just click on the book cover!The books this week have been absolutely amazing. Eye strain prevented me from reading as much as I wanted (I really need to start wearing my glasses when working on my cross-stitch), but damn were they good. I hope the next bunch is equally impressive.
FINISHED SINCE THE LAST UPDATE:
Book Cover Image: The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware
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Book Cover Image: Lifel1k3 by Jay Kristoff
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Book Cover Image: Exit West by Mohsid Hamid
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Book Cover Image: All the Little Lights by Jamie McGuire
" data-orig-size="267,400" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" aperture="aperture" />Ruth Ware does it again. Her latest novel is a classic Gothic novel that feels like it takes place in the early 1910s/1920s rather than the 1990s and 2010s during which it occurs. The story is a tad predictable, but this lessens none of the suspense or thrills of the story. If anything, I think this is her strongest novel to date with its atmosphere, Rebecca-esque characters, and general mystery. She is firmly in my must-read camp now.
I am in love with Jay Kristoff. His books slay me. They are SO well-written and so creative. His latest is a geek lover’s dream with all sorts of AI, robots, and everything mechanical. His post-apocalyptic world is frightening and yet eerily realistic. And his characters! Oh, his characters. I ADORE them. With this book, he has become one more must-buy author.
I finally finished Mohsin Hamid’s latest novel via audio. It took me longer than it would have had I read it, but I am glad I chose the audio version. I don’t think I would have finished it had I been reading it. I say that because I was rather unimpressed with his story of mysterious doors that allow people to travel across the world and the immigration crisis this causes. There is no doubt Mr. Hamid’s writing is gorgeous. Every sentence is a careful creation intended to maximize the impact of the sentiment he is trying to achieve, whether it is merely a description of a physical place or an emotion felt by the main characters. Still, once those main characters stepped through their first door, the story fell sideways for me, even though I know that was not his intention. We get so much about Nadia’s and Saeed’s home country, the violence tearing it apart, and the changes in life such violence has on the citizens. Comparatively, we get almost nothing about the refugee crisis even though this is a good two-thirds of the story. We get somewhat of an insider’s viewpoint with Nadia and Saeed, but they are only two people – educated, with money, no formal ties to anyone. What about the families? What about those without money? I just wanted more than what I received.
Jamie McGuire’s newest novel is so sweet and beautiful with a most welcome and surprising twist. This story about young love and loyalty has layers to it as it touches on emotional abuse, mental health, racism, bullying, and loss. While others might find Elliott’s and Catherine’s relationship to be unrealistic, I loved it. There is an innocence and purity to it that was a balm to my soul. It is the type of novel that requires time to just sit and reflect upon its beauty upon finishing.
DID NOT FINISH:
Nope.
CURRENT READ:
Book Cover Image: Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts
" data-orig-size="263,400" sizes="(max-width: 197px) 100vw, 197px" aperture="aperture" />CURRENT LISTEN:
Book Cover Image: Ain’t She a Peach by Molly Harper
" data-orig-size="258,400" sizes="(max-width: 194px) 100vw, 194px" aperture="aperture" />NEXT UP:
June Review Copies (finally):
Book Cover Image: Blood Will Out by Jo Treggiari
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Book Cover Image: A People’s History of the Vampire Uprising by Raymond A. Villareal
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Book Cover Image: Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl
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Book Cover Image: When Life Gives You Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger
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Book Cover Image: The Book of M by Peng Shepherd
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Book Cover Image: The Ever After by Sarah Pekkanen
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Book Cover Image: Eden Conquered by Joelle Charbonneau
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Book Cover Image: The Completionist by Siobhan Adcock
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Book Cover Image: Providence by Caroline Kepnes
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Book Cover Image: The Dependents by Katherine Dion
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Book Cover Image: My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows
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Book Cover Image: Last Seen Alive by Claire Douglas
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Book Cover Image: Remind Me Again What Happened by Joanna Luloff
" data-orig-size="266,400" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" aperture="aperture" />So, what are you reading?
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