It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 25 September 2017

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. To learn more about each book, just click on the book cover!

It was a much better reading week. I found myself reading more in public places because scrolling social media and seeing the headlines this past week was more than I could handle. So, bad news and an insane president make for more time for reading. Who knew?

FINISHED SINCE THE LAST UPDATE:

Book Cover Image: The End of the World Running Club by Adrian Walker

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Book Cover Image: Notorious RBG by Irin Carmon andShana Knizhnik

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Book Cover Image: The Clockwork Dynasty by Daniel H. Wilson

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Book Cover Image: Ringer by Lauren Oliver

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I was not certain what to expect from this post-apocalyptic novel. The title would indicate that it would be tongue-in-cheek. It is not. In fact, it is quite serious in its examination of mental fortitude, society’s ills, ennui, responsibilities, and survival all while our anti-hero races against the clock to reunite with his family. I was captivated, so much so that I stayed up until 2 AM on a work night to finish it.

I regret not learning more about RBG earlier in my life. She seems like such an amazing woman. Granted, her work schedule is more than I would ever want to do, I appreciate her commitment, her wit, her compassion, and her fight. She is my hero.

Daniel H. Wilson’s newest novel starts out slow, but when it picks up, it picks. up. Holy cow. What a strange and wonderful story about ancient robots who walk among us.

The conclusion of Lauren Oliver’s unique duology is every bit as impressive and engaging as the first novel. In fact, now that I knew what to expect with how the book was structured, I think I enjoyed this one more than the first.

DID NOT FINISH:

Book Cover Image: This Darkness Mine by Mindy McGinnis

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I can read a lot of strange things; odd plots never bother me. The plot for this new novel by Mindy McGinnis probably would not have bothered me were it not for a few things. First, Sasha Stone is one of the more unpleasant narrators. She is self-righteous and stuck up. A veritable mean girl without the posse, the fashion sense, and the popularity. She is one step below an automaton in her emotions. So when her world starts spinning out of control because of a dead twin sister she reabsorbed into her body in utero, I could care less. The spark of emotion actually made her more likable. Then there is her clarinet playing. I am here to tell you that you cannot get splinters in your mouth from practicing the clarinet too often. The reeds are not made out that type of wood. I played for nine years, often for hours at a time, as did my friends, and they never got splinters. I have friends who play professionally who have never gotten splinters. That Ms. McGinnis even included this in her novel bothers me so much that I have no desire to read the rest of the novel. There were other things I found with the plot, like the dead sister speaking to Sasha through homework assignments, having cognizant thoughts and feelings, and the like. Between Sasha, the whole twin plot, and the wood splinter claim, it was more than even I could handle.

CURRENT READ:

Book Cover Image: The Waking Land by Callie Bates

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This cover!

CURRENT LISTEN:

Book Cover Image: Get Well Soon by Jennifer Wright

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Whoever recommended this audiobook to me, I want to hug and kiss you. Entertaining, hilarious, and educational, this book is so my thing. I want to binge-listen all day long.

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