It's Monday 3/30! What Are You Reading?

Book By Book

Ah, Monday morning – my quiet spot of sanity in the midst of chaos! Actually, last week was a good one – no extra illnesses, no last-minute trips, no emergencies for a change. I got a lot done, including a lot of blogging. This week will be less productive but still very busy. My mom is coming into town for a couple of days, and we are going to my neighborhood book group Wednesday night – yup, she travels for 3 hours to go to book group with me! Should be lots of fun. Then, of course, Friday is a holiday and the start of my son’s spring break. So, don’t expect to hear much from me this week!

Lots of great reading at our house last week:

• I am still reading The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon for my neighborhood book group. I read it about 5 years ago for another book group and didn’t love it, but so many people who have similar book tastes to me have told me over the years that this is their favorite novel that I decided to give it another try. I am enjoying it much more than I did the first time.
• I finished listening to Finding the Worm by Mark Goldblatt, a middle-grade audio book about a boy whose best friend has cancer. It’s set in 1970, and I loved it – it is heart-breaking, yes, but also funny and spot-on in its portrayal of middle school kids and the era.
• I am now listening to Mosquitoland by David Arnold, a teen/YA novel about a quirky teen girl named Mim who takes an impulsive road trip from Mississippi to Ohio to visit her mom. It’s a little confusing at times (one reviewer described Mim’s narrative as kaleidoscopic!) but absolutely captivating and filled with interesting characters.
• I started a new graphic novel that I’ve heard great things about – Relish: My Life in the Kitchen by Lucy Knisley. It’s a combination memoir and cookbook, all told with a wonderful sense of joie de vivre. I am loving it so far.
• My husband. Ken, finished Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand and says he is looking forward to our local racetrack opening for spring!
• Ken is now reading First Wave by J. T. Sawyer, a post-apocalyptic novel, on his Kindle.
• Jamie, 20, has been working his way through the 10 books of the Dead series by T.W. Brown, in between classes, parties, and his new (first-ever) job. I doubt he will read much this week because he is in Florida for spring break with 8 of his friends!
• Craig, 17, is reading The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald for his American Literature class, using my old copy from high school filled with my scribbled notes which he says is “just like the Half-Blood Prince!”

Blog posts last week:

Top Ten Books from My Childhood/Teen Years I’d Like to Revisit, including some I loved sharing with my own sons

Review of The Law of Loving Others by Kate Axelrod, a teen/YA audio book

Review of Here by Richard McGuire, a unique and fascinating graphic novel

A Day in the Life, a fun event last week, with a summary of my day – and lots of pics!

2015 Audiobook Challenge First Quarter Update – I’m on my 8th audiobook of the year

Saturday Snapshot - winter? spring? The weather changes are making my head spin!

What are you and your family reading this week?    

What Are You Reading Monday is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey, with a kid/teen version hosted by Unleashing Readers.