Friday: what are you reading? (11/10)

[ufcasey]

What books have you read this week? What are you currently reading? Like/Dislike any of them?

QOTW:
Do you get annoyed by Christmas stuff before it's Thanksgiving or are you happy to celebrate Christmas cheer for more than the ~32 days between the two holidays? If you don't celebrate Christmas and/or Thanksgiving: how do you feel about stores being closed (or at least they used to be, that's changing more and more) on a holiday you don't celebrate: annoyed or just used to it/don't mind? These questions are brought to you by the millions of Christmas flyers in my mailbox this week.

[travella]

I am still reading Born A Crime. I'm enjoying it. I have to admit that I had no clue who Trevor Noah was when I started reading it.

Qotw: I don't like when Christmas comes out before Thanksgiving. However, I have to admit that in the last couple years I have started shopping before Thanksgiving because December is extremely busy so I have become part of my own irritation....

On the flip side of the store question, I don't mind stores being open because I have ran out for batteries and medicine on Christmas before and was grateful there was something open. I do feel bad for the workers because I have had to work on Christmas and other major holidays before (I was voluntold to work) and no matter how much extra money you make it always ruined the holiday.

[rainbowchip]

I'm reading Queen of Shadows. I feel like I need to finish this series but I don't love it.

QOTW: I don't like anything Christmas until after Thanksgiving. I feel like it makes the Christmas season less special to have it last for 2 months.

I'm also a bit jaded because my husband worked in retail and he has never celebrated thanksgiving with our kids because he always has to work.

[sassypants]

Nov 10, 2017 10:35:13 GMT -5 rainbowchip said:

I'm reading Queen of Shadows. I feel like I need to finish this series but I don't love it.

QOTW: I don't like anything Christmas until after Thanksgiving. I feel like it makes the Christmas season less special to have it last for 2 months.

I'm also a bit jaded because my husband worked in retail and he has never celebrated thanksgiving with our kids because he always has to work.

This. SO much this.

I've lost my hold again for Seven Stones to Stand or Fall but I should get it back shortly as I am number 1 for two copies. In the meantime I have started another library book, Ghostland: An American History of Haunted Places. I'm not terribly far into it yet but I like it so far.

QOTW: Not exactly what you asked, but I hate when stores are open on Thanksgiving. It's the one major US holiday that isn't religion-based and is therefore the most inclusive (except for Jehovah's Witnesses who don't celebrate anything). Leave ONE day for the most consumerist nation to stop buying things we don't need. All that stuff will still be there the next day. Spend time with people instead of stuff. 

[MrsAxilla]

I finally finished Sleeping Beauties (4 stars) and now I'm on Wings of Fire, which is the first book in a middle school series about dragons that my son highly recommended (and pestered me to read - lol). It's okay. It's obviously not as good as he thinks it is but it's nice to have someone together.

[Wallflower]

I'm reading "Nobody but You," a romance by Jill Shalvis. It's 3rd in a series and I'm enjoying it (and have enjoyed the series). I finished "Death of a Ghost" by M.C. Beaton and was actually pretty disappointed ... I enjoyed the TV series for Hamish MacBeth (her detective), and my mother loves this series, but I found it to be really anti women (constant swipes against women, very one-dimensional female characters). And there was a scene with an abandoned cat that just about stopped me cold (I'm an old maid with cats, so pre-disposed to always want the kitty to be happy).

QOTW: I am my father's daughter! The rule was and will always be that you don't start decorating or listening to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving. I'll do some shopping, but that's mostly because I like to pick things up for other people when I find them. My mother is the opposite - she's been watching lots of Hallmark Christmas movies for a few weeks and brought her decorations out today to start setting things up.

And I absolutely hate seeing others have to work on the major holidays, especially for very "consumer-driven" stores. Groceries? I get it, at least for limited hours. Department stores? That's just greed.

[ufcasey]

Read:
The Stars Are Fire by Anita Shreve - historical fiction; 4 stars; this was really good but I do wish the narration was more from the heroine's point of view rather than some kind of omniscient third party narrator that also knows the heroine's thoughts
The Sea King (#2 in series) by C.L. Wilson - fantasy/romance; 3 stars; this was actually a disappointment because I *love* all the other books this author has written, but not this one.
Mine Till Midnight (#1 in series) by Lisa Kleypas - historical romance; 3.5 stars; there's a ghost storyline I didn't much care for, but otherwise this was good. I accidentally read the third book first, so now I'm reading the rest in order
We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy by Ta-Nehisi Coates - non-fiction; 3.5 stars; this was a bit dry compared to his other book, Between the World and Me (highly recommended). Some parts were definitely more interesting than others, but all of it
gave me a new perspective and a lot of new information about America, slavery, the civil rights era, and everything that has happened since including Obama's presidency. It's definitely worth a read but the section on Incarceration I had to drag myself through (maybe I just wasn't in the mood that day to read something dense, who knows)

Currently Reading:
The Cruelest Month (#3 in series) by Louise Penny - mystery; there's just something so enjoyable about this series despite it's plot being generally focused on various murders LOL
Seduce Me at Sunrise (#2 in series)  by Lisa Kleypas - historical romance; I'm a big fan of this series, even more so than her Wallflowers series (and some of those characters make a cameo in this series - fun!)
The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne - historical fiction; no update, still reading when I can
A Game of Thrones, Volume 2 by Daniel Abraham - graphic novel; no update, still reading when I can

QOTW:
I like Thanksgiving way more than I like Christmas so the Christmas creep annoys me. I like the trees and all that, but can't we show Thanksgiving a little respect before we whip out the tree and lights? Also the commercialism of Christmas makes me sad, and I am not even particularly religious. The stores being open on Thanksgiving Day pisses me right off.

[snshne322]

I'm finishing up The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale. I'm really, really enjoying it. I'm listening to Something About You by Julie James. It's just OK.

QOTW: Now that DS is 5 and really into the holidays I'm far more open to decorations and music earlier in the season. I do wish there was more of an emphasis on Thanksgiving decorations.

I don't really know how to feel about stores being open. Ultimately, I don't want any one forced to work on a Holiday. It would be nice if people wanted to volunteer for double time/comp time, but I seriously doubt a business could function like that so I vote stay closed. I used to have to work a 2 hour shift at Dunkin' Donuts in high school for Thanksgiving and that stunk. I can't imagine having to do the whole day. I'm spoiled that my business closes.

[abs]

I should finish Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter this evening. It's good but not great. I feel like the book isn't as concise as it could be but I am enjoying. I've definitely been on a suspense/thriller kick lately.

QOTW: Well my 6 year old has been ready for Christmas for a month now, lol! Her excitement is contagious and I am definitely more willing to put the tree up before Thanksgiving now for her and don't mind the Christmas creep too much. I do wish all stores were closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

[ally]

I finished Fever for IRL book club.  It was good and an interesting story about "typhoid Mary".

My hold came up on Caravel - I am a little late to the group read.  I am not far, but it is keeping my attention so far.  I will read through the discussion post once I have finished.

QOTW: I programmed the 24/7 Christmas music channel into the Sirius in my car last weekend, but I haven't really listened to it.  (DH was with me, so I actual had him do it!)  We won't decorate until the day after Thanksgiving.  One exception is is there is a warm/sunny/dry day a week or two before for outside stuff, though we wouldn't have them on. 

I do not shop on Thanksgiving or Black Friday or Christmas.  Though I have stopped for gas, seen a movie, and eaten at a restaurant on a holiday, so I find it hard to get worked up over one store/business being open at the same time that I have taken advantage of others being open.

[charlatti]

I'm reading An Unkindness of Magicians by Kat Howard, which is kind of love so far. It's about magical people living in modern day NYC and the magical battle for control of the Unseen World. Cool concept and nicely executed.

QOTW: I prefer to hold Christmas stuff until after Thanksgiving but it's not something I can get too worked up about. I wish nothing was open on the big holidays except limited grocery stores, gas stations, and such, and those only as long as the workers get OT pay.

[tacokick]

I’m reading The Party by Robyn Harding. It is kind of boring. The major incident happened by page 71 and while I am sure there is some “reveal” coming, I’m on page 251 now and nothing major has happened and what has happened is pretty predictable.

I am not a huge Christmas person so I don’t give it one thought or another really. I do like going to cultural bazaars this time of year (for the food!!) and they are all pretty early to avoid the holiday rush despite being pretty Christmas themed. It makes sense for them to do that attendance-wise.

My husband is Jewish so that isn’t an issue. Oddly, he is the one who wanted a tree so we finally got one a couple of years ago after 10 years of no holiday decorations. It is fake and we will probably put it up after Thanksgiving.

[jmliongrrrl]

I'm still reading The Dark Tower (last book in King's Dark Tower series). My library loan expires soon and I hope I can finish it in time! I'm listening to The Last Original Wife. I don't much care for it.

QOTW: I love Christmas! I've already started my holiday shopping. I usually decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving and have been eyeing up some new decorations at Target. My husband and I both work in hospitals, so we rarely get to see our family on the actual holiday. I hate working holidays, but at least there is always a good pot luck with the coworkers. I don't think stores should be open (other than convenience stores I guess).

[mrspez07]

I am nearly done with The Nest on audio. If I keep up the audio trend, I’m going to get through a ton of books! I have a 20-25 minute commute each way and listen some at work when I’m doing non reading/writing tasks.
Also still reading In My Own Hearts Blood

I don’t mind Christmas items for sale in mid November, but seeing Christmas decor/lights behind Halloween costumes at Target the week before Halloween was a bit much. I also am not a fan of the stores decorating too early.
I don’t mind stores being closed, especially on Thanksgiving, it’s 1 major American holiday and is non-denominational, so it’s the perfect one to be closed on. I wish the open early for Black Friday trend would die. My dad works part time at a public golf course. This year if the weather is nice, the district is going to require someone to work. It’s always been closed but apparently people go on and play free (not fenced). It’s ridiculous you would make an hourly employee sit in the pro shop all day for 6 people who want to play golf. All of the staff requested it off.

[krystee]

I just finished Sunshine Sisters by Jane Green (much better than her last one) and I'm about to start The Child Finder.

QOTW: Bring on Christmas! I put generic fall decorations up for September, October and early November, so by now I am sick of them and ready to move on to Christmas! That said, once December 26 comes, I am DONE. Christmas is over, and I wish winter was over too. I wish all stores were closed on Thanksgiving (excluding grocery stores in the morning).

[dorothyinAus]

I'm still reading Sidney Chambers and the Dangers of Temptation. Overnight insomnia also allowed me to read A Parfait Murder and make a good start on The Blueberry Cupcake Mystery, a couple of Kindle freebies.  A Parfait Murder has one of the most ingenious murder methods I've read.  I'd love to see something like that in a longer, more fleshed out mystery.

QOTW:  I am a strict Christmas is Advent to Twelfth Night kind of person.  Mincemeat pies and Christmas puddings have been in the stores here since August and that is way, way too early!  I do not like the rushing of the seasons. There is no Thanksgiving here in Australia, though I celebrate anyway. (I've gotten many people yelling at me when I wish them a Happy Thanksgiving!) But based on what I've seen in the US, Thanksgiving as a holiday is getting lost in the shuffle between Pumpkin Season and Candy Cane Season and that's a shame.

[rootbeerfloat]

I read Turtles All the Way Down by John Green last week.

I don't decorate until Thanksgiving weekend, but I do like to get a head start on shopping/prepping, so the onslaught of Christmas doesn't bother me (beginning Nov 1 anyway).

[pandora89]

Currently reading The Child by Fiona Barton.

Thanksgiving in Canada was beginning of October and I love Christmas so I am all for bringing out the Christmas stuff the day after Halloween.

[aurora]

Just finished In a Sunburned Country and trying to decide what to pick up next. I want to re-read something comfortable but I also want to try out my new Kindle and don't want to buy a Kindle copy of a book I already own. Decisions, decisions.

I'm also listening to A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny. I've decided these are fun for audiobook listens.

QOTW: I prefer Christmas to start after Thanksgiving, but of the two I prefer Thanksgiving so I'm obviously biased.