It's Friday! (3/9)

[ufcasey]

What have you read this week? What are you currently reading?

QOTW:
Which would you prefer - being an only child to normal but overbearing helicopter parents or being one of 19 children like the Duggars with some stringent rules about modest clothing/dating etc?

[bex]

I read The Radium Girls this week (5 stars, can't wait for our discussion on it!) and am currently reading The Alice Network by Kate Quinn. I'm about halfway through and love it so far. I have two other books from the library waiting that are due back in 2 weeks so I need to hurry lol.

Umm....I think being one of 19 would be a harder childhood in many ways but you would probably be a more functional adult because you would be independent, but the rules re: dating and such would kind of throw that out the window.

I thing being an only child to helicopter parents could be hard as you become an adult, but might be a better childhood in itself.

[rainbowchip]

I have been super sick for the past week so I haven't gotten any reading in.

I'm still in the middle of Little Women and it's really not keeping my attention.

I started What Happened today and was already tearing up just reading the intro and first few pages.

QOTW: I think I would pick only child. I can't deal with super conservative rules.

[Vespasia]

I'm currently reading American War by Omar El Akkad. It's really interesting and well written but I feel like it takes more concentration than my usual books. It's set in a dystopian United States so I have to really pay attention to the terminology and I can never remember which states are "Red" and which are "Purple." I wish it was easier to switch back to the map on Kindle. I'm doing a lot of traveling this weekend so I should have some uninterrupted time to read. Not sure that it's the best choice for a beach vacation though!

QOTW: Helicopter parents all day long. I don't need the sexual baggage that would come from a Dugger-style cult upbringing. 

[sassypants]

I finished Atlanta's Oakland Cemetery and really enjoyed it. I moved on to Adriana Trigiani's Kiss Carlo now, but I'm only 10% in so the jury is still out. I've liked most of her other books, though.

QOTW: I think both options are rather extreme and have their issues. I'd advocate for a more middle ground approach.

[litskispeciality]

Welcome Turbo!

I had a great week and read 90% of "Without Merit", I should finish tonight. I have another book to start but I forgot the name as it's sitting on my kitchen table. I'm a book behind goal for the year, but doing well page wise.

QOTW: I would be a single child all the way. The Duggard stuff drives me crazy, and I think you'd get lost in the shuffle.

[ufcasey]

Read:
Love in the Afternoon (#5 in series) by Lisa Kleypas - historical romance; 4.5 stars; this was one of the best of the series, but the whole series is pretty great and probably should be read in order
A Rule Against Murder (#4 in series) by Lousie Penny - mystery; 4 stars; I think this series just gets better and better as it goes along
The Ugly Duchess by Eloisa James - historical romance; 2.5 stars; The beginning was so good! And then it just went terribly wrong.
Devil's Paw (#4 in series) by Debra Dunbar - PNR; 4 stars; another series that is getting better as it goes along!
Burn Bright (#5 in series) by Patricia Briggs - PNR; 4 stars; someone please read this book so we can discuss the Bran thing in it! Not an exciting fast paced installment, but I still read it in a day anyways haha

Did Not Finish:
Shadowcaster (#2 in series) by Cinda Williams Chima - this book was a complete mistake, introducing more new characters who interact during the same timeline as the first book, so you already know how some of it is going to end and these characters aren't nearly as interesting as the ones in the first book. I'll stop here and pretend this spin-off of my beloved Seven Realms series never happened.

Total so far for the year: 27

Currently Reading:
The Dry by Jane Harper - mystery; I have strong suspicions about whodunit but I'm really liking this

QOTW:
I don't think I would necessarily mind having so many siblings/lack of parental involvement due to having so many siblings, but I think the modesty/dating cult-like dynamics would far outweigh the pros. So I'd pick the helicopter parents.

[monkeyfeet]

Finished The Nest, which was ok. About 80% finished with Little Women.

I also must have a rebellious streak because I feel like it would be fun to have a huge family and could get away with a lot do to the number of siblings, but I’m also an introvert, so the amount of noise in that house might kill me the first day!!

[ssmjlm]

Finished: Inarticulate by Eden Summers. It was a prime reading freebie, but really good. Solid 4*. I could not put it down.

Currently reading: Lie to Me by JT Ellison. Not impressed so far, but going to keep reading.

QOTW: Only child, I'm such an introvert and could not handle that many people.

[kelliebeans104]

I finished Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella. I needed a light read after finishing Origin and then The Bell Jar.

I'm currently reading Still Me by Jojo Moyes, which I really like so far. Also a reread of Prisoner of Azkaban. I'm listening to The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin. Different than what I thought but I'm liking it.

QOTW - Definitely only child. I need my space and my liberal values lol.

[litskispeciality]

Mar 9, 2018 15:12:27 GMT -5 kelliebeans104 said:

I finished Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella. I needed a light read after finishing Origin and then The Bell Jar.

I'm currently reading Still Me by Jojo Moyes, which I really like so far. Also a reread of Prisoner of Azkaban. I'm listening to The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin. Different than what I thought but I'm liking it.

QOTW - Definitely only child. I need my space and my liberal values lol.

Let's say I don't have google...is this related to the Me Before You books?

[minzy]

This week I finished two. Little Women (3*) and The Bright Hour - A Memoir of Living and Dying by Nina Riggs (4.5*). The latter was pretty morbid (she has two kids and dies from breast cancer at 39) but also really well written.

I don’t know about the QOTW, I guess I’d go the only child route.

[kelliebeans104]

Mar 9, 2018 15:18:16 GMT -5 litskispeciality said:

Mar 9, 2018 15:12:27 GMT -5 kelliebeans104 said:

I finished Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella. I needed a light read after finishing Origin and then The Bell Jar.

I'm currently reading Still Me by Jojo Moyes, which I really like so far. Also a reread of Prisoner of Azkaban. I'm listening to The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin. Different than what I thought but I'm liking it.

QOTW - Definitely only child. I need my space and my liberal values lol.

Let's say I don't have google...is this related to the Me Before You books?

Yes!  It's the 3rd in the series.

[Nonny]

I finished Darkness this week, which was a gawdawful thriller romance. Do not recommend.

I'm halfway through The Girl Who Wrote in Silk, which is for one of my book clubs and that I've seen a ton of people local to me just gushing over how amazing it is, and I'm kind of meh on it.  I feel like they are enjoying the local setting (Seattle, the San Juan Islands, etc.) and are overlooking that the contemporary main character sucks, and the part set in the 1880s feels kind of like I'm being whitesplained Chinese history.  

QOTW:  My mom was incredibly overbearing and overprotective when I was a teenager, but she was never so helicoptery that she would have called an employer to find out why I didn't get a job, and my siblings are significantly older than I am to the point where I was basically an only child growing up after about the age of 9, so I choose that option.

The Duggars, their religion, their parenting style, their philosophy, basically everything about them is shit, and in my view their lifestyle is significantly more detrimental to society as a whole than helicopter parents.  I think the children of helicopter parents eventually gain some freedoms and get their lives figured out, but kids in the Duggar situation are basically brainwashed and it's a much harder situation to escape.  Plus, helicopter parents generally aren't trying to enact laws and force their beliefs down the throats of others, so there's that too.

[aurora]

Mar 9, 2018 12:06:36 GMT -5 Vespasia said:

I'm currently reading American War by Omar El Akkad. It's really interesting and well written but I feel like it takes more concentration than my usual books. It's set in a dystopian United States so I have to really pay attention to the terminology and I can never remember which states are "Red" and which are "Purple." I wish it was easier to switch back to the map on Kindle. I'm doing a lot of traveling this weekend so I should have some uninterrupted time to read. Not sure that it's the best choice for a beach vacation though!

QOTW: Helicopter parents all day long. I don't need the sexual baggage that would come from a Dugger-style cult upbringing. 

Two things: I definitely agree on the maps. I wish my Kindle had a map and then return button with one press each, where you could set the map option similar to a bookmark. I know it has bookmarks, but there are too many clicks required.

Also, how is there anything better to do in a beach vacation than read on the beach with the occasional swim???

[aurora]

I finished Dragonfly in Amber and just started Towers of Midnight (book 13 of the Wheel of Time series). Both are re-reads. I'm definitely in an escapist mood.

QOTW: definitely an only child, mostly because of the Duggars misogynistic an other deplorable views.

[aurora]

ufcasey, I am on hold for A Rule Against Murder, so glad to hear it was good! I'm enjoying these on audiobook especially, though I sometimes have to rewind because I miss clues.

turbo, welcome! We can always use new people to talk books with.

[Vespasia]

Mar 9, 2018 20:38:27 GMT -5 aurora said:

Also, how is there anything better to do in a beach vacation than read on the beach with the occasional swim???

This particular book just seems a little heavy for a relaxing trip. I have 4 others waiting on my Kindle if I want a change of pace though!

[mrspez07]

I finished the audio of The Husband’s secret. I really liked the story. 4* it would be a good book club book.
I picked up Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane again. I almost gave it up a few weeks ago and am glad I tried again.
I started Radium Girls (audio) a few weeks ago and I can tell it’s wellwritten but I need to get over the yuck factor before I keep listening.

[ufcasey]

Mar 9, 2018 20:44:23 GMT -5 aurora said:

ufcasey , I am on hold for A Rule Against Murder, so glad to hear it was good! I'm enjoying these on audiobook especially, though I sometimes have to rewind because I miss clues.

turbo , welcome! We can always use new people to talk books with.

I listen to the audiobooks too for this series! I'm sad to report that I read recently that the narrator, Ralph Cosham, passed away back in 2014 so he narrated only up to book 10 (out of the series of 13 books so far). I was so sad when I read that because he does a fantastic job I think!

[tcu2003]

I finished An America Marriage by Tayari Jones - 5*. It was a great read and one I definitely recommend.

QOTW - only child.

[travella]

I finished Artemis and I'm currently reading Away From The Dark by Aleatha Romig. I'm loving this series! An I hate putting the book down, kind of love! It's a psychological thriller and the second book of the series. The series will easily make my list of favorites for the year!!

I'm also reading #40 of the Magic Tree House series. My daughter had the book assigned for school and it's her first chapter book assignment. She was a little nervous so I told her I'd read it too so she has someone to discuss the book with to help calm her nerves.

QOTW: Only child,no question about it!!

[aurora]

Mar 9, 2018 21:50:55 GMT -5 ufcasey said:

Mar 9, 2018 20:44:23 GMT -5 aurora said:

ufcasey , I am on hold for A Rule Against Murder, so glad to hear it was good! I'm enjoying these on audiobook especially, though I sometimes have to rewind because I miss clues.

turbo , welcome! We can always use new people to talk books with.

I listen to the audiobooks too for this series! I'm sad to report that I read recently that the narrator, Ralph Cosham, passed away back in 2014 so he narrated only up to book 10 (out of the series of 13 books so far). I was so sad when I read that because he does a fantastic job I think!

Oh, man, I didn't know he died. That is sad. He did a great job.

[abs]

I finished The Great Alone this week. I appreciated that it was something different from Kristin Hannah. It was hard to read at times but overall I liked it. Makes me want to go to Alaska!

Now I am taking a quick kid's book break and am re-reading The Agony of Alice. It has held up well over the years...I'm surprised how much of the book I remembered.

Next is either Still Me or trying to finish The Alice Network.

ETA:  Only child with helicopter parents please.  I grew up as an only child and it's not so bad!  Sounds way more appealing than having lots of brothers and sisters and constant noise...no thank you. 

[dorothyinAus]

I finished The Scottish Play Murder and began The Red Box. I'm enjoying it, but I've been going to bed late so I haven't been getting in as much reading time as I would like. Hopefully that will change this week. And we started Anne of Green Gables in our weekly Story-Time. I'm glad DH is enjoying it, I was worried he might not like a "girl's" book.

QOTW: I had friends in grade & high school who were from large Catholic families (6-15 children), so while it wasn't exactly the same as the Duggars cult, they were extremely religious families. I wouldn't have a problem being one of the children in those families. And I had friends who were only children of older parents and they were uniformly terrible people - selfish, entitled and precious. I'd much rather be one of many, even in a cultish family, because generally the individual children turn out as better, more likable adults than the only children.

[spedrunner]

Currently Reading:

Pachinko
:  I picked this up again, hoping to get through it. Its good just not motivating enough for me to "not put down"
Lee, Min Jin


Little Fires Everywhere


Killman Creek (Stillhouse Lake, #2)


Recently read:


Love Story: A Novel
by  Kingsbury, Karen (4/5 stars)  Beautiful story



Every Last Lie
  Kubica, Mary (3/5 stars)

QOTD: 
IF i had to choose one of those options, probably an only child. However, I always wanted and was envious of larger families and siblings. My brother, who was autistic and non verbal and the light of my life, passed away a few years ago. I wish I had other siblings to lean on
However, the duggars do not sound appealing in any way

[jmliongrrrl]

I finished reading Harvest Moon and Bring Me Home for Christmas by Robyn Carr and listening to Girl Walks into a Bar by Rachel Dratch. I did not care for the audiobook (I was expecting it to be funny) but I continue to love the Virgin River series by Carr.

QOTW: Is it possible to have 19 brothers and sisters in a non religious family? Are there at least 10 bathrooms in the house? Probably safer to be the only child.

[dorothyinAus]

Mar 12, 2018 21:39:45 GMT -5 jmliongrrrl said:

I finished reading Harvest Moon and Bring Me Home for Christmas by Robyn Carr and listening to Girl Walks into a Bar by Rachel Dratch. I did not care for the audiobook (I was expecting it to be funny) but I continue to love the Virgin River series by Carr.

QOTW: Is it possible to have 19 brothers and sisters in a non religious family? Are there at least 10 bathrooms in the house? Probably safer to be the only child.

My experience is the religious part isn't optional. All the really large families I know were quite religious, most were Catholic, not non-denominational Protestant cult, but religious nonetheless. Well, my grandmothers and great-grandmothers are from large (7 or more children), but they were born between 1865 and 1930, so times were decidedly different.

One of my high school friends was #5 of 10 children and when asked what she really wanted, her answer, in all seriousness, was "not to have to share a bathroom or a bedroom." Her house had 5 bedrooms (so 4 for the 10 kids) and 3 bathrooms for all 12 people in the house. None of the large families I knew ever had more than 3 bathrooms and more often than not, it was 2 full baths and a half bath downstairs kind of set-up.