Friday! (7/13)

[ufcasey]

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

Reminder: Book club discussion for "Warcross" by Marie Lu will be on July 25!

QOTW:
Now that we're half way through the year, what has been your best moment so far? (could be something fun you did, something nice that has happened, something funny you witnessed etc.)

[rainbowchip]

I'm still reading The Thief. I'm at like 93% so I should finish it today.

I have Sweetbitter and Warcross checked out so I'll be starting one of those next. I also want to check out the Big Library Read. It's a cowboy version of Pride and Prejudice and I'm all about P&P.

QOTW:
I got a promotion at work!

[charlatti]

I finished Crazy Rich Asians, which was a lot more fun than I expected. Frothy is an excellent word for it. Now reading The Paragon Hotel by Lyndsay Faye (blurb from the back: "A gun moll with a knack for disappearing flees from Prohibition-era Harlem to Portland's Paragon Hotel"), which is good but a little slow. The characters are well drawn, though, and the story is pretty interesting.

QOTW: I could say our entire beach trip, but the best moment was probably the sunset walk after a stormy afternoon. Sunset on one side, distant lightning on the ocean opposite -- pretty fabulous moment to experience with family and friends.

[mrspez07]

I’m in the middle of Beartown and listening to The Life We Bury.

The first one that comes to mind is our entire day in Santa Cruz last month. We had to cancel our entire Europe trip because DH was Ill 2-3 weeks prior, but he felt good enough to visit home (east Bay Area of CA) for part of that time. We have been making Santa Cruz a regular stop when we’re there, and this particular trip couldn’t have been more perfect. Lots of time in the sand and water and riding rides.boys were so good and happy. Low stress.

[wesleycrusher]

We're going to need more wine by Gabrielle Union- just finished it last night and it was excellent. She is such a strong woman.

Brain on Fire: My month of Madness- Susannah Cahalan. DH and I listened to this on audiobook while traveling last weekend.  It was good, but I didn't love the narrator. DH and I plan to watch the movie this weekend.

American Gods- Neil Gaiman- very good , not the usual type of book I'd read but it was for a book club.

The Cheerleaders- Kara Thomas (YA thriller) Reminds me of Sara Shepard (Pretty Little Liars). it was only ok.

Not Quite Not White- Sharmila Sen (promotional copy, this doesn't come out til August).  Memoir, she was born in India and came to the US as a child.  It was good, but I don't think it came to any real broad conclusions, more so it's about her own experiences.

To read: I started Warcross, I'm about 1/4 of the way in. Also started listening to Redshirts by John Scalzi (audiobook narrated by Wil Wheaton) and have the Alienist by Caleb Carr and Cork Dork by Bianca Bosker (for a book club, but I don't drink wine so I'm not looking forward to this one) up next to read.

QOTW: Best moment of 2018 was adopting DS! We finalized in April after 2.5 years of fostering.

[kelliebeans104]

I finished two books this week that I feel like I was reading forever, not because they weren't good but I just had no time.

I finished Half Blood Prince. 5*s of course
A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki 3*s
I also listened to Florida this week on audio and really liked it. Lauren Groff is coming to do a reading/signing at one of my local bookstores in two weeks and I can't wait to go!

I'm currently reading Call Me by Your Name by Andre Aciman, which is really good so far.
I'm also reading Deathly Hallows too.

QOTW: I went down to Austin for the SXSW (South by Southwest) festival which was so much fun. Highly recommend both Austin and the festival.

[wesleycrusher]

Jul 13, 2018 9:14:53 GMT -5 kelliebeans104 said:

I finished two books this week that I feel like I was reading forever, not because they weren't good but I just had no time.

I'm currently reading Call Me by Your Name by Andre Aciman, which is really good so far.

I read this last month for one of my book clubs! It was a really good discussion.

[kelliebeans104]

Jul 13, 2018 9:16:08 GMT -5 wesleycrusher said:

Jul 13, 2018 9:14:53 GMT -5 kelliebeans104 said:

I finished two books this week that I feel like I was reading forever, not because they weren't good but I just had no time.

I'm currently reading Call Me by Your Name by Andre Aciman, which is really good so far.

I read this last month for one of my book clubs! It was a really good discussion.

This movie was my absolute favorite from last year so I'm a little nervous reading the book that it will taint the movie for me (which usually I'm worried about the movie ruining the book) but I'm just trying to keep them separate and enjoy them both for what they are.  #timotheechalomet4lyfe 

[wesleycrusher]

Jul 13, 2018 9:21:45 GMT -5 kelliebeans104 said:

Jul 13, 2018 9:16:08 GMT -5 wesleycrusher said:

I read this last month for one of my book clubs! It was a really good discussion.

This movie was my absolute favorite from last year so I'm a little nervous reading the book that it will taint the movie for me (which usually I'm worried about the movie ruining the book) but I'm just trying to keep them separate and enjoy them both for what they are.  #timotheechalomet4lyfe 

I haven't seen the movie, although some of the other people in the book club did. It's on my list to watch. I do know there's a scene at the end of the book that wasn't in the movie that people wished was there.  

[msmerymac]

I finished a lot since last Friday - I was still on vacation. Back to work on Monday, but did a lot of finishing up of stuff.

Yes We (Still) Can by Dan Pfeiffer
Through the Grinder by Cleo Coyle
Calypso by David Sedaris
Dawn and the Big Sleepover by Ann M. Martin (trying to read each one before I listen to the BSCC podcast episode about it)
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

I'm currently reading Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. It's not really what I expected, but I'm still very early in the book.

QOTW: It's been... not a great year. But my trips to Memphis and, more recently, Vermont were very nice.

[minzy]

I finished Factfulness by Hans Rosling et al (4 stars). I also read China Rich Girlfriend (#2 in Crazy Rich Asian trilogy), 3 stars. It had been a few years since I read the first one and I had forgotten many of the details. Some of it was so petty and ostentatious (which I know is the point) but I couldn’t really get into it.

QOTW: I don’t know if I could pick just one great moment of the year so far, but some highlights include seeing my husband’s elation when “his” team won the Super Bowl, throwing a fun Winter Olympics party, seeing old friends at my high school reunion, and doing various “memory making” things with my kids. I’ve read more books and volunteered more hours so far this year than probably ever, and that’s been great, too.

[msmerymac]

Jul 13, 2018 9:21:45 GMT -5 kelliebeans104 said:

Jul 13, 2018 9:16:08 GMT -5 wesleycrusher said:

I read this last month for one of my book clubs! It was a really good discussion.

This movie was my absolute favorite from last year so I'm a little nervous reading the book that it will taint the movie for me (which usually I'm worried about the movie ruining the book) but I'm just trying to keep them separate and enjoy them both for what they are.  #timotheechalomet4lyfe 

I try to see every best picture nominee each year, and Call Me By Your Name was my favorite from last year - followed by Lady Bird, which was a very different Timothée Chalomet role!

[msmerymac]

Jul 13, 2018 9:47:56 GMT -5 minzy said:

I finished Factfulness by Hans Rosling et al (4 stars). I also read China Rich Girlfriend (#2 in Crazy Rich Asian trilogy), 3 stars. It had been a few years since I read the first one and I had forgotten many of the details. Some of it was so petty and ostentatious (which I know is the point) but I couldn’t really get into it.

QOTW: I don’t know if I could pick just one great moment of the year so far, but some highlights include seeing my husband’s elation when “his” team won the Super Bowl, throwing a fun Winter Olympics party, seeing old friends at my high school reunion, and doing various “memory making” things with my kids. I’ve read more books and volunteered more hours so far this year than probably ever, and that’s been great, too.

Ugh, I have to watch my husband's team win the Super Bowl, like, every other year. I think I was more excited when my team FINALLY made the playoffs again this year than he was the last time his team won, since it's become so routine for him.

[ufcasey]

Read:
Blaze (#2 in series) by Suzanne Wright
3.5 stars/paranormal romance
The first book was great because the premise was so original. This second one was good, but it didn't add much to the first book. I'll give the next book a try though

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
5 stars/fantasy
I don't even know how to describe this, I just loved it. Thanks to all the people on here who have mentioned reading it on here, that's how I found out about it! I'm on the waitlist for the next book!

Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas
3 stars/historical romance
If you read one Kleypas book, this should NOT be it. Read the third or fifth book in her Hathaways series instead.

Only Human (#3 in series) by Sylvain Neuvel
2 stars/sci-fi
What a disappointing end to a trilogy I really liked up to this point! This one just bored me most of the time. Ugh!

Total so far for the year: 77

Currently Reading:
Power of Five by Alex Lidell - fantasy romance; It's written kind of like a YA book and then, bam, some very non-YA scenes. So yeah, not sure about this.

All In (#2 in series) by Emma Scott - contemporary romance; just started.

QOTW:
My husband and I went on a two week vacation to Europe without kids and that was pretty amazing - the highlight probably being going paragliding in Switzerland. Just breathtakingly beautiful and a lot of fun!

[secretlyevil]

Finished: The Hate U Give - it is a must read for everyone, such a great book.

Reading: The Alice Network by Kate Quinn, really enjoying it.

ETA: QOTW - the year has flown by, every year goes by faster and faster. I think the visits with my sisters, mom and H's out of state siblings have been the highlights.

[mx27]

Currently reading (and about to finish) "Everything I Never Told You" by Celeste Ng. Such a captivating, yet depressing read! I will definitely need something light and fun for my next book. As a mom of two kids, this book has me thinking a lot about favoritism and how I can avoid favoring one child over another. Also, the importance of allowing your children to be their best selves and pursue their own interests.

QOTW: I have three - baby finally sleeping through the night, visiting family, and reconnecting with a friend.

[krystee]

Slow week for me. I have watched Anne With An E or Nannette on Netflix most nights! I am currently reading The First Time I Lied, a new book by Riley Sager. Not far enough in for a real opinion yet.


QOTW ( @ related)

Best moment was having my second baby safely in my arms. I had a scary pregnancy with five visits to the hospital for high (and I mean HIGH) blood pressure. The day I gave birth it was at stroke level and I also had to have a c-section, which I was terrified about. When he was out and I didn't have to worry if one of us (or both) wasn't going to make it anymore, and he was perfectly healthy, it was the biggest relief, and I instantly fell in love with him.

[bex]

I finished Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane. It was good, just not quite what I was expecting and not quite as good as I had expected.

Also finished An American Marriage by Tayari Jones. Really liked this one; I had no clue what it was about besides a marriage haha but ended up really enjoying it.

Currently reading The Summer That Melted Everything. Like it so far (about 50 pages in).

[spedrunner]

Read:

Faithful by Alice Hoffman
4/5 stars. I loved this so much, I can't believe I put it off for so long thinking I would not like it .  It was very dark and depressing BUT i fell in love with the main character and felt connected to her

The High Season by Judy Blundell
2/5 stars
This was supposed to be a light beach read, which it was, but i really thought it was way too fluffy for my liking. I also felt there were so many characters it was difficult for me to keep track.  I did not feel connected or sympathize with any of them 

Mistakes We Made (But Not By Me) by Carol Tavris
2.5/5 stars
Very philosophical, talked a lot about the dissonance theory. I felt like it was a whole lot of nothing!  Same things over and over just slightly worded different?

Currently Reading
Cutting for Stone
I am having a REALLY hard time getting into this, I don't really know what is happening or going on? Bit confused.  
Hoping to stick it out and it changes??

The Stolen Marriage by Diane Chamberlain


QOTD: 
getting a clean bill of health for myself, mom and dad <3  Best news all year

[MrsAxilla]

Jul 13, 2018 9:38:49 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

I finished a lot since last Friday - I was still on vacation. Back to work on Monday, but did a lot of finishing up of stuff.

Yes We (Still) Can by Dan Pfeiffer
Through the Grinder by Cleo Coyle
Calypso by David Sedaris
Dawn and the Big Sleepover by Ann M. Martin (trying to read each one before I listen to the BSCC podcast episode about it)
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

I'm currently reading Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. It's not really what I expected, but I'm still very early in the book.

QOTW: It's been... not a great year. But my trips to Memphis and, more recently, Vermont were very nice.

Meeting you was one of my highlights from Memphis! Hugs, chica! ❤️

[MrsAxilla]

I finished Z: a novel of Zelda Fitzgerald, kind of on the heels of The Paris Wife. I liked them both, but now I hate F Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway - lol. I'm reading Station Eleven now.

QOTD: meeting the bassist from Phish after he played with his side band at a brewery two miles from my house. I didn't get a picture "with" him because some damn kids distracted him, but that's me in the hat.

[sassypants]

I'm about 3/4 of the way through The Outsider by Stephen King. It's compelling in that traditional SK way, and now I need to read the Mr Mercedes trilogy.

QOTW: I got paid to speak to symphony patrons about the history of transportation in Virginia in advance of a world premier of a new orchestral work by Michael Daugherty. This involved a stipend and travel expenses to Portsmouth, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach in April. That was pretty cool.

[Gato]

I finished The Immortalists and Selfie. The Immortalists kind of annoyed me the whole way through. Some very good observations about family and how we live our lives, but the characters themselves... I just didn't think their actions were very believable or justifiable based on what the author chose to tell about them.

Selfie, however, was super interesting. Storr did a lot of great research and, while I didn't agree with all of his conclusions, he did make me think really profoundly about what a self even IS.

Now I am starting Girls Burn Brighter by Shobha Rao.

QOTW: Hmm, this is hard to answer since my year so far has been dominated by my dad's dying process. Not a lot of good moments there. What has made me happiest is seeing my ten y.o. daughter, who is wonderful but just really different from other kids, find a true best friend at last.

[travella]

I am still reading Something in the Water. I am enjoying the book, but I just haven't had much time to read this week.

QOTW: Spending time in AZ with my parents. It was nice seeing them and they brought the ATVs with them so the kids had a blast driving around in the sand.

[Nonny]

I'm still working on Code Girls, and I've started Crow Lake because I need to get that read by Thursday for my book club.

QOTW:  Going to Australia, and happening upon a tree filled with flying foxes outside of the Cairns library.  You can see video of them here in my recap post on the travel board.

[ssmjlm]

I finished The Woman in the Window. It was pretty bad and predictable. Why are publishers continuing to print books with women who are helpless and can't get out of their own way? I think that's why I like the Stillhouse Lake series so much. The main character in that book isn't taking shit from anyone.

I'm currently reading Bring Me Back, but I'm so/so on it. Her 2nd book was pretty bad and I just feel like authors need to stop churning out books and focus more on writing.

QOTW: My daughter graduated from pre-k in June. She's at the same daycare through summer, but that basically hit us that she is growing up and will be in elementary school in the fall.

[gibbinator]

I just finished the Secret Garden. First time reading it. I found the story quite compelling but was rather shocked by the casual racism. Different times I suppose.

My favorite thing of the summer was probably being on a super mario themed parade float. I was kamek the wizard. Had a great time