Friday 4/12 - what have you been reading?

[ufcasey]

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

QOTW:
You win a prize of $200 - what would you spend it on? (rules: can't be for something boring like 'my cellphone bill')

[msmerymac]

I finished The Remains of the Day and I started Hit So Hard by Patty Schemel, in honor of the 25th anniversary of the release of Live Through This (April 12, 1994) AKA the best rock album of the 90s!

Still working on Belleweather by Susanna Kearsley as well.

QOTW: A Shinola watch strap for my Apple watch: www.shinola.com/watch-straps/apple-watch-compatible-strap-oxblood.html#/sku=20149278-sdt-004728081

[ufcasey]

Forgot to post last week (again), so in the past TWO weeks I have read:

Serengeti Valor; Nightingale; and Bond Proof (The Twelve Systems Chronicles, #5, 6, and 7) by E.G. Manetti
4 stars, 3 stars, and 4 stars respectively/sci-fi-ish romance
This series is my weird obsession, but I am all caught up now and have to wait for the next one to be published

This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel
4 stars/fiction
A really great insight into what it would be like to raise your youngest son as the daughter she really is.

Wayfarer's Keep (The Broken Lands, #3) by T.A. White
3 stars/fantasy romance
I *really* liked the first two books, but this one was kind of a let down. I hear the author is writing a fourth focusing on other characters but I think I will stop here.

The Night Before by Wendy Walker
2 stars/psychological thriller
This book was kind of terrible. How does a person have a 'caring' sister who never asks about the full name or photo of the person you previously dated or the person you are about to go out on a date with? Seriously.

Rules of Redemption (The Firebird Chronicles, #1) by T.A. White
4.5 stars/sci-fi-ish romance
OMG I LOVED THIS. I can best describe this as perhaps what would happen if the character Kate Daniels was written as existing in the future where we travel in outerspace. I'm trying to not oversell this, but I really did enjoy it quite a lot and I will anxiously await the next book being published.

What I Did For a Duke by Julie Anne Long
4 stars/historical romance
One of the funniest/wittiest books I have read in this genre in a while. Definitely recommend if you like this genre.

White Chrysanthemum by Mary Lynn Bracht
3 stars/historical fiction
Liked the book because it shines a light on the atrocity that was 'comfort women' in WWII, didn't like the actual book itself that much

Rapture in Death (In Death, #4) by J.D. Robb
3.5 stars/romantic suspense
Only 44 more books to go in this series! LOL! This was pretty good minus one upsetting scene that I didn't see coming and wasn't handled the best way to my '19 standards for a book written in '96.

Total so far for the year: 48

QOTW:
I would go buy myself some new shirts - I did a closet purge recently and may have done it a little too well ha!

[meowmaps]

I finished Where the Crawdads Sing. I enjoyed it but I do think it's a tad overhyped.

I also started and finished Inheritance by Dani Shapiro. I've never read anything of hers before and I really liked her writing style. I might have to read more of her other stuff.

I started A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn last night. Liking it so far.

QOTW: A massage and pedicure at Red Door Spa.

[estrellita]

I've been slacking. Still reading Circe and still enjoying it! Probably about halfway done if not more.

I also listened to True West (was one of the Audible original choices, Kit Harrington was one of the actors for the reading, it's a play). Honestly.. not a fan at all.

If I had $200.. hmm. If I could be totally frivolous I'd get a tattoo. But really I'd probably get a bike or a new cell phone or something!

[rainbowchip]

Finish
King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo 4*
I should have done a reread on the whole Grishaverse before I picked this up because I kept confusing stuff that happened in Throne of Glass and Children of Blood and Bone with what happened to these characters. I still really love this universe though.

I Have Lost My Way by Gayle Forman 4*
I really enjoyed this one. The story was good. I think there may be a sequel which I would definitely read.

I picked up Getting Hot With The Scot by Melonie Johnson. I won an ARC through a goodreads giveaway. My hold for There There came in so I will probably put down GHWTS for that.

QOTW: Jeans and/or dress pants. I've gained some weight so my bottoms are limited. I always tell myself I'm going to lose weight but I'm really kidding myself.

[Vespasia]

Apr 12, 2019 9:38:37 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

I finished The Remains of the Day and I started Hit So Hard by Patty Schemel, in honor of the 25th anniversary of the release of Live Through This (April 12, 1994) AKA the best rock album of the 90s!

Well now I feel old as hell. Thanks! 

[monkeyfeet]

I’m nearly finished with Becoming. Up next is There, There.

QOTW - a new swimsuit

[susiebw]

I haven't commented on this thread in ages. So, hi again!

I've been listening to Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe for a while now, and really enjoying it.

This week, I finished reading An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green (5 stars), and started Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan.  I really loved AART, but I don't want to say much about it.  It was ever-so-slightly sci-fi, but just a really well-told, interesting story with good, relatable characters.  Two Boys Kissing, so far (about 75% through), is pretty great, too.  I'd love to talk about it when I finish - I know at least a few of you must have read it.

QOTW: A new tattoo.  Or some new clothes.

[ssmjlm]

Finished Hudson by Laurelin Paige. Really good. Enjoyed the male POV of the trilogy.

Currently reading: Us Against You
OMG this is so much better than Beartown so far. I was afraid bc a friend said he liked the first one, better, but I struggled through that one.

QOTW: probably expensive shoes

[wildrice]

I am still muddling through the book my FIL wrote. I've been reading it for almost 2 weeks now. It's not great. It has picked up a bit, but it lacks character development and jumps around a lot, names a lot of characters and places and historical references, and I've just found it hard to get into. I'm about halfway through. I feel bad because I want to be supportive, but I also can't wait to be done reading it.

The book I read before this one was really slow too, so I'm feeling like I'm in a rut with reading. Boo.

QOTW: Definitely clothing. I'd love to get another pair of Rothys and a few more springy dresses. I'm actually headed to some stores after work to return some things I ordered online, and I might get some other things in their place. I wish someone would give me $200 to do so!

[spedrunner]

This week I am reading:

something in the water by Catherine steadman
So far I am engaged and enjoying! 

The girl he used to know by Tracy Gary is graves 

I finished:

a grown up kind of pretty
meh. 2.5 stars 

qotd
either a sephora indulgence or anthropology for some fun things I would not normally buy myself 

[spedrunner]

Apr 12, 2019 15:05:15 GMT -5 wildrice said:

I am still muddling through the book my FIL wrote. I've been reading it for almost 2 weeks now. It's not great. It has picked up a bit, but it lacks character development and jumps around a lot, names a lot of characters and places and historical references, and I've just found it hard to get into. I'm about halfway through. I feel bad because I want to be supportive, but I also can't wait to be done reading it.

The book I read before this one was really slow too, so I'm feeling like I'm in a rut with reading. Boo.

QOTW: Definitely clothing. I'd love to get another pair of Rothys and a few more springy dresses. I'm actually headed to some stores after work to return some things I ordered online, and I might get some other things in their place. I wish someone would give me $200 to do so!

I’m considering getting rothys.  Trying to purchase more sustainable things 

[krystee]

I read two chick lit type books that are so unmemorable that I don’t actually recall their names. Both were fine but not GOOD. I am starting Daisy Jones and the Six tonight, and I’m looking forward to it.

I’d spend $200 on new pendant lights I want for the kitchen!

[Vespasia]

I'm about 80% through The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. I'm really enjoying the format and can't wait to see how it all comes together. It did take a little while to get used to though, especially since my brain has been pretty worn out this week!

QOTW: Probably a bunch of stuff for our South Africa trip. Hiking shoes, travel pillow and mask, and other things like that.

[dontlook]

I finished Matilda with DD.
The Other Woman by Sandie Jones (3.5 stars).
Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker (4) very cheesy but exactly what I needed.

QOTW: a tattoo or mani/pedi or make up.

[msmerymac]

spedrunner, let me know if you want a $20 code. I LOVE Rothys. The Flat is my favorite.

[tacokick]

Read:

Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal
When I was White by Sarah Valentine
The Wife by Meg Wolitzer

All were fine but nothing I was super excited about.

Reading:
Too Much is Not Enough by Andrew Rannells

I also read bits of Bad Blood but I knew most of it so just read the parts I wanted more details on.

QOTW: an insane chef’s tasting menu (autocorrect wanted that to be embrace or embryo?!! tasting is a legit word!)

[sassypants]

I'm doing a reread of Good Omens but I'm almost done. I think I'm going to pick up The Secret Life of Tudor Women rather than going back to The Invention of Murder. It just hasn't kept my attention. Well, unless a library hold comes in.

QOTW: Either some new clothes or put it toward a new computer. Mine is slowing down pretty significantly.

[travella]

I finished Pieces of Her by Karin Slaughter, 2*. My expectations were set high by the beginning of the book, but the book really fell flat. I started The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck.

QOTW: There is nothing I really want at the moment so I would probably spend it on last minute preparations for the ball that is coming up and go more out on what I already have planned- nails, hair, etc..

[mrspez07]

I’m listening to I’ll be Gone In The Dark, I’ll get to the book discussion eventually.
I’m reading the Witch Elm by Tana French and enjoying it a lot.
Also started a Louise Penny, but only as a break from IBGITD when it got too graphic, I’ll finish it and then get back to Louise Penny (I think it’s the 4th one).

$ would be spent on clothes for myself, and time to shop for them. Or a spa day. Or something I’d been eying for the house.

[aurora]

Unusually, I'm reading two books at the moment (three if you count my audiobook):

The Map of Salt and Stars on Kindle for my bus commute - very interesting but also difficult subject matter

An Echo in the Bone (re-read) for bedtime

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire -audio

QOTW: a pile of books? What else is there?

[Gato]

I finished Number One Chinese Restaurant, which turned out better than it started. Now I’m reading Nature’s Mutiny: How the Little Ice Age of the 17th Century Tranfsormed the West and Shaped the present, which is fascinating.

I’d use $200 to get a massage and facial.

[MrsAxilla]

I haven’t checked in in forever - new job

I’ll be Gone in the Dark - 3 ⭐️
Circe - 5 ⭐️
The Cruel Prince - almost done, probably 3 ⭐️

QOTD: I’d add some extra $ and buy DH a massage chair. He loved his and it broke years ago. Xmas and his birthday were pretty lean, but I have a new job and I want him to have it

[sarahswim]

This week started state testing at my school so I anticipate a decent amount of reading time during the week for the next few weeks. I read Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler. I just now realized they made a TV show based on the book but I don't know anything about it.
I just started Words on the Bathroom Walls (Julia Walton) and The Children's Crusade (Ann Packer).

We are going on an Alaskan cruise this summer, so if I had the $200, I'd get something for that-upgrade an excursion (family-oriented) or get a new raincoat for the trip (selfish-oriented)!

[Nonny]

I finished Homes for the BigLibraryRead, it was really interesting and I hope they do a follow up on the family in about a decade.

After pouring over everyone's suggestions in my book funk thread, and putting a bunch of stuff on hold and checking a few things out, I finally settled on All Our Wrong Todays, which I believe rainbowchip recommended.  I'm not very far in, but so far it's pretty quirky funny and weird and seeming to hit the spot.  

QOTW:  I'm torn between wanting to renew my FabFitFun Box subscription, or getting a massage (my shoulder is really sore right now).

[Nonny]

Apr 14, 2019 12:06:40 GMT -5 sarahswim said:

We are going on an Alaskan cruise this summer, so if I had the $200, I'd get something for that-upgrade an excursion (family-oriented) or get a new raincoat for the trip (selfish-oriented)!

Depending on which month the cruise is, and where you are going, you might not need a rain coat.  We went in May for our honeymoon (16 years ago, eeek!) and it only lightly sprinkled once when we were in Sitka I think.  But I did need a hat with a brim and sunglass (it is so bright on the water!).  I ended up paying out the nose for a baseball cap on the ship.  Don't me.  Bring a bring a brimmed hat.

[minzy]

It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve posted books... I’ve finished The Uninhabitable Earth - Life After Warming by David Wallace-Wells (it spells out the parade of horrors we can expect, and is not for the faint of heart, but I think information is power). I also finished Tweak (growing up on methamphetamines) by Nic Sheff (I felt frustrated too with each relapse, and I didn’t love this one). Then this week I read When Death Becomes Life - Notes from a Transplant Surgeon by Joshua D. Mezrich, MD (which was great - I laughed a little, I cried, I reminded my husband if I die anytime soon to donate, donate, donate every possible part of my body to someone else).

QOTW: If I had to spend $200, I’d probably get a dual chambered compost bin and either a pair of running shoes or something else made from something reused (like a bag from old billboards). Normally I would have said clothes, but I think I’m basically done with acquiring more stuff, and haven’t bought clothes in awhile (and don’t really want to).

[stephm0188]

It's been about a month since I've posted, so my list is a little longer:

The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis
Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld
The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict
American Duchess by Karen Harper
Kate: The Future Queen by Katie Nicholl
Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks
Forget You Know Me by Jessica Strawser
Before She Knew Him by Peter Swanson
One More Thing by BJ Novak (the only one on my list I didn't enjoy)
Becoming by Michelle Obama

[lyssbobiss, Command, B613]

Steph, I swear The Wife Between us is constantly by my side, like I KNoW I should like it, and I haven’t gotten the urge to even open it! What did you think!

I’m starting the woman in the window now, although it may end up being a bit reminiscent of Girl on the Train. Thoughts?
Thank you all!