Fri 1/18 check-in - what are you reading?

[minzy]

What have you read this week?

QOTW: Do you have any plans for the weekend/Martin Luther King, Jr. Day?

[minzy]

I read:

What the Eyes Don't See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City by Mona Hanna-Attisha, about the recent Flint, Michigan water crisis.  She is a pediatrician advocate who was able to produce data showing increased levels of lead in the blood of Flint children.  It's almost told like a mystery, and as she unravels pieces of it you sense the urgency she feels to protect a (several times over) vulnerable population.  She helped raise flags to the issue, she stood for kids and science when others in authority told her there wasn't a problem, and she's helping shape the solution, too.  She seems like a total badass and also someone who could be your close friend.  Although she's lived most of her life in the US, her parents fled Iraq, and she tied in some stories of her family's heritage/identity.  I thought the book was GREAT.  Highly, highly recommend.

The Line Becomes A River - Dispatches From The Border by Francisco Cantu.  He's a former U.S. Border Patrol agent.  It's a slightly scattered memoir of various interactions and experiences of his time working on the US-Mexican border.  I thought the strongest part was the final third, after he had left federal service and when he befriends "Jose," an undocumented man.  Jose went to Mexico for his mother's death, and was captured as he tried to get back to his family (including wife and three American born sons) in the U.S.  Cantu struggled with how to help, now knowing both sides of the issue.  I think the message is that immigration is a complex issue involving real people, not just statistics and a political talking point.  The book has been out a year, but it feels timely to read now while the government shutdown drags on over building the wall.  

QOTW: We're hosting a sleepover Saturday night for a couple of neighbor kids.  Monday the kids and I are signed up for a service project with friends.

[meowmaps]

minzy I have both of those books on my list! Based on your assessment, I'm really looking forward to reading them.

I'm about two-thirds through Becoming. I'm really enjoying it but it's a bit of a slower read than I expected. I have to get it done this weekend because it's due next week along with another 400+ page book I've got.

QOTW: Nothing exciting going on here. My husband started a new job this week so I think he'll want to stay at home and relax. I'm not complaining because my back is bothering me and it's supposed to be really cold on Monday.

[rainbowchip]

I'm currently reading You by Caroline Kepnes. It's creeping me out!

QOTW: DD has basketball tomorrow morning the we are hoping for a playdate. Sunday I have to go to my SILs norwex party. I've been learning more about MLMs through various podcasts and I'm not real excited about going. Monday we have dentist appointments scheduled.

So all in all super boring weekend. Lol

[monkeyfeet]

I’m reading Warcross #2. Ha! It’s entertaining me!

No plans. Mon is going to be cold....

[pinotgrig]

rainbowchip - there’s a Netflix series based on the book! I’ve not had a chance to watch it yet, but I think it could be good.

This week I read:
Intensive Care: A Doctor’s Journal 3*
An American Marriage 4*
Into the Water 1*

Currently reading Behind Closed Doors and Children of Blood and Bone. Liking both so far!

QOTW: it’s going to be a pretty low key weekend. The kids’ daycare is closed and I’m off, so I’ll take them to the gym childcare and then we’ll hang out at home.

[rainbowchip]

Jan 18, 2019 12:15:29 GMT -5 pinotgrig said:

rainbowchip - there’s a Netflix series based on the book! I’ve not had a chance to watch it yet, but I think it could be good.

I actually started reading this book now because a friend posted on FB how good the Netflix show was! I also didn't realize the book had a sequel until I put it on hold at the library. I grabbed the second book (Hidden Bodies) right away. I plan to read both and then watch the show.

[abs]

I started reading I'll Be Gone in the Dark this week but it was freaking me out and giving me nightmares so I stopped. I started Slayer by Kiersten White last night. So far I am intrigued. I mean a book set in the world of Buffy? Yes please.

I finished Two Can Keep a Secret early this week. It was okay but not as good as her first novel. It reminded me too much of Fear Street meets Richie Tankersley Cusick's Trick or Treat and both of those were better (says my 1991 memories).

QOTW: No plans! DD wants a playdate. I'll try to make that happen.

[pinotgrig]

abs - You’re the second person in a matter of a few days I’ve heard say that about that book! I just picked it up from the library this morning. 🙈🙈

[ally]

I have finished:
Transcription, Kate Atkinson, 2* - I skipped about 30% of the book as I was just a bit bored.

I am currently reading:
The Winter of the Witch, Katherine Arden - I should finish tomorrow.
Milk & Honey, Rupi Kaur - I don't usually read poetry, but saw this recommended.  It is short. 

Plan to start (available from the library):
Age of Miracles, Karen Thompson Walker
Hunger, Roxane Gay

QOTW: I have IRL book club tonight and a yoga and meditation class Saturday morning.  Then hibernating while it (hopefully) snows. I have to work on Monday, DH has off.

[Vespasia]

I finished the Crueslest Month by Louise Penny last night. Definitely my least favorite so far. I have zero interest in the drama over his old case. I might need to look into which other books feature it heavily and either skip or go into them with low expectations.

I just picked a Desperate Fortune by Susanna Kearsley back up. Hoping it's either more engaging than before.

QOTW: We were supposed to go away this weekend but cancelled because we're worried about icy roads on Monday.

[Vespasia]

ally I had the same experience with Transcription. What a disappointment.

[dontlook]

Jan 18, 2019 12:52:44 GMT -5 abs said:

I started reading I'll Be Gone in the Dark this week but it was freaking me out and giving me nightmares so I stopped. I started Slayer by Kiersten White last night. So far I am intrigued. I mean a book set in the world of Buffy? Yes please.

I finished Two Can Keep a Secret early this week. It was okay but not as good as her first novel. It reminded me too much of Fear Street meets Richie Tankersley Cusick's Trick or Treat and both of those were better (says my 1991 memories).

QOTW: No plans! DD wants a playdate. I'll try to make that happen.

I got through a few chapters of I’ll be gone in the dark and had to quit. I’m a chicken and I knew it would give me nightmares.

This week I read:
Until It Fades by KA Tucker
Two By Two by Nicholas Sparks
Both were exactly the light fluffy reading I needed after reading more serious books.

I’m currently reading:
Cherry by Nico Walker. This is the strangest book I have ever read and I doubt I will finish.
How To Walk Away by Katherine Center. This one is good so far.
West Elm just became available but I want to finish one of my other books first.

[travella]

I finished The Wedding Date, 3.5*. I started Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave. I've had this book on my to read list since 2016.. It has been difficult to read the language used/mindset of some in the book at times, but I'm loving the main character and the storyline so far. I have one other book that's been on my list since 2016 that I'll read soon, but I just got The Winter of the Witch and I can't wait to start reading it.

QOTW: The kids have a birthday party this weekend. I'm also trying to talk my husband into going to the Safari Park this weekend.

[snshne322]

This week I read:

As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner
Frozen Tides by Morgan Rhodes
The Perfect Game by J. Sterling
Heartless by Michelle Horst
Hail Mary by Nicola Rendell

The last three were all romances. I thought I needed some quick light reads after some heavy ones, but they were all crappy and I regret reading them. Every romance trope that drive me crazy.

[msmerymac]

I'm still reading Beartown, and I also started An American Marriage because it's due back at the library in 3 days (oops) and I'm also reading Notorious RBG.

QOTW: I don't have Monday off, but my husband might. We're planning on going to a Burns Supper tomorrow if we don't get too much snow (I feel like that's the issue every year).

[staceymcgill]

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark messed me up too!! I hung a sheet over the sliding glass door because I kept thinking someone was watching me. Had to quit that early.

I just finished Paperback Crush about all the series like babysitters club, sweet valley, etc. It was something mindless and nostalgic after something that gave me nightmares.

Now I’m reading One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus. It’s alright so far but I’m only 15% in.

[msmerymac]

ally, have you enjoyed other Kate Atkinson books? I like her books, but I find them a bit slow. So I'm not sure if Transcription is similar or markedly worse than the others?

Also, I LOVED Hunger. Hope you enjoy.

[tacokick]

I read The Au Pair by Emma Rous
Hippie by Paulo Coelho
Black Sheep by Rory Scholl this week. I’m reading the new Ruth Reichl galley now.

QOTW: nothing exciting! My husband is on call and it is supposed to be bitterly cold so we will be probably trying to keep warm

[dorothyinAus]

I read Withering-by-Sea early this week and then started Probable Claws. Then life became stressful in the I'm-ready-to-say-EFF-IT-and-turn-it-all-over-to-the-people-who-are-complaining-since-they-can-do-it-better kind of way. I'm hoping to get back to it this weekend because I picked up the next-in-series in the Withering-by-Sea series at a buy 1/get 1 sale on Wednesday.

QOTW: It's not a long weekend here in Australia, that's next weekend for Australia Day. This weekend I have no real plans expect to go play with my in-laws' dog with some bubbles and read. I need the escape and to be away from the internet for a while.

[mrspez07]

I just finished The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny (audio) and am close to finishing You will Know me by MeganAbbott.

I have just the usual weekend plans and work on Monday. DH and the boys will go see a movie on Monday without me.

[meowmaps]

Jan 18, 2019 15:28:22 GMT -5 staceymcgill said:

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark messed me up too!! I hung a sheet over the sliding glass door because I kept thinking someone was watching me. Had to quit that early.

I just finished Paperback Crush about all the series like babysitters club, sweet valley, etc. It was something mindless and nostalgic after something that gave me nightmares.

Now I’m reading One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus. It’s alright so far but I’m only 15% in.

I liked this one!  I hope it grabs you as you read further on.  

[closertofine]

I finished Grapes of Wrath. I didn't love it, but I am glad to have read it. I also read Go Set a Watchman, and for that one, I'm glad ot have read it but actively disliked it. Just started Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty tonight. It is too soon to have an opinion.

Planning to be snowed in this weekend. The kids and I are going to bake cookies, drink hot chocolate, work on a jigsaw puzzle and read Harry Potter. I'm looking forward to it.

[Nonny]

I'm reading An American Marriage right now, I think I'm about half way through and I'm really enjoying it so far.  I'm also reading The Sandman Vol. 6: Fables and Reflections.

QOTW:  I'm hosting an after Christmas ornament exchange on Sunday at a wine bar, and my H is super busy at work because it's review time, so he'll probably have to work Saturday.  I also plan to make ice cream, because I've got a craving for pralines and cream and that resulted in me buying a giant tub of pralines at Costco yesterday.

[ssmjlm]

So apparently I can't keep my authors straight. I thought the book I raved about last week was by the same author as another book I loved, but while their first names are both Penelope, one is Penelope Ward and one is Penelope Bloom. I still stand by my recs, though! (blonde moment, lol)

I'm working my way through Believe Me by JP Delaney. I'm having a hard time getting into. It's reminding me too much of The Girl on the Train with the whiny down on her luck main character.

I don't think I posted my review of An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena. It was definitely better than The Couple Next Door, but I can't decided if the obvious clues were on purpose or if she really thought the reader wouldn't figure it out.

QOTW: I'm visiting my parents this weekend (kid free, whoo!) for my mom and I's annual scrapbooking weekend. We spend the weekend in a hotel ballroom with 70ish other women scrapbooking for the weekend. Sometimes we stay at the hotel, but this one is local to my parents so we just go home at night. I'm hoping to get 90% of 2018 done. I've got my laptop and am plowing through my photos on shutterfly.

[mrspez07]

Jan 18, 2019 13:48:55 GMT -5 Vespasia said:

ally I had the same experience with Transcription. What a disappointment.

I did too. Felt like I was missing something I should have caught most of the time. Just not fully developed or something.

[ally]

Jan 18, 2019 15:29:36 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

ally , have you enjoyed other Kate Atkinson books? I like her books, but I find them a bit slow. So I'm not sure if Transcription is similar or markedly worse than the others?

Also, I LOVED Hunger. Hope you enjoy.

I read Case Histories #1 and Life After Life and recall liking both.  This one was just boring, like something was off or missing

Hunger has great recommendations!

[charlatti]

Jan 18, 2019 15:29:36 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

ally , have you enjoyed other Kate Atkinson books? I like her books, but I find them a bit slow. So I'm not sure if Transcription is similar or markedly worse than the others?

Also, I LOVED Hunger. Hope you enjoy.

I love the Jackson Brodie books but definitely agree that the pacing can be slow. It’s a lot of character study rather than plot. I couldn’t get through Transcription at all, though. 

I’m currently rereading a Jackson Brodie — When Will There Be Good News. I needed something non-taxing but also not too fluffy, so a reread fit the bill.

QOTW: we’re expecting something between a foot of snow or an hour or two of rain; forecasts are all over the place. Planning laundry and reading for today and catching up on work stuff the rest of the weekend.

[sarahswim]

This week I read The Nest (Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney). It was fluffier than I expected but I liked it overall. Next should have been It All Falls Down (Sheena Kamal) but I couldn't get into it-I didn't realize it was a sequel and I never read the first one. Whoops. It's going back to the library.
I started Fish in a Tree (Lynda Mullaly Hunt) followed by Wishtree (Katherine Applegate) both for my book club.

QOTW: This weekend is H's grandma's 97th birthday. Every year on MLK day we go out to lunch to celebrate, so looking forward to that.

[fernweh]

Finished The Stranger in the Woods last night and have been reading The Paris Wife all morning.
QOTW: No plans for the weekend. H works retail but happens to have Monday off so we will spend the day together. Probably just watching movies and relaxing at home.