It's Monday 4/4! What Are You Reading?

Book By Book

Whew, another super-busy week, though a relaxing weekend. It was Spring Break for both our sons last week. We set up our pop-up camper at a state park about an hour away. Our high school son spent the first few days down there with his friends, hiking, fishing, and enjoying campfires (and loads of junk food!). Our college son went down to join them for a day and a night. Then, they both came back home (yes, all four of us together for dinner!), and we enjoyed some time with each of them. Friday, my husband and I took our turn and drove down to the park for the weekend. It was a very quiet, relaxing weekend. We took some walks (great hiking at this park), enjoyed our own campfires, and read a LOT. It got super windy and cold Saturday night, but we were warm & cozy in our camper.

We got home Sunday, and I thought, “Ah, finally, a full week with nothing scheduled.” Then, I realized that my mom is coming on the train today for a school function tomorrow, the furnace & a/c guy was coming at 8 am today, and we will have seven people for dinner tonight! Maybe next week will be quieter…(not likely!).

With our camping weekend, we enjoyed lots of great books this past week:

• I finished my latest review book for Publishers Weekly, The Book That Matters Most by Ann Hood, about a woman who is still reeling from her husband leaving her for another woman a year ago. She joins her friend’s book group and begins to heal, bit by bit, book by book. There is also a gripping side story about her college-aged daughter who is missing in Europe. It was an intricate story with plenty of emotional depth.
• Next, I read a book I’ve been dying to read: Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. My 16-year old cousin and I were both huge fans of Between Shades of Gray, so I pre-ordered copies of this latest Sepetys novel for both of us. It was just as good! Like her first novel, this one also focused on a little-known historical event from WWII time – the sinking of a ship full of evacuees (mostly women and children), where over 9000 people died. Why does everyone know about the Titanic (where 1500 perished) but no one has ever even heard of the Wilhelm Gustloff? As you can see, besides wonderful writing, great characters, and an engrossing story, this is another novel set against a fascinating historical backdrop.
• I am still enjoying the graphic memoir Something New: Tales From a Makeshift Bride by Lucy Knisley, one of my favorite graphic memoirists.
• And I have just started The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens, the next selection for my neighborhood book group.
• I have been listening to a middle-grade audiobook, The Lightning Queen by Laura Resau, set in the remote Mexican mountains in the 1950′s. It’s been completely captivating and wonderful on audio.
• My husband, Ken, finished a Christmas gift from me, The Girl in the Spider’s Web by David Lagercrantz. This was the continuation of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium series starring the character Lisbeth Salander. We both loved the first three books, and Ken says this fourth one is just as good!
• Ken is now reading one of my recent favorites, Station Eleven by Emily St, John Mandel. You can read my gushing review at the link!
• I believe Jamie, 21, is still reading The Good Knight, A Gareth and Gwen Medieval Mystery Book 1 by Sarah Woodbury. He says it combines two of his favorite genres, mystery and fantasy.

I managed a few reviews amidst the chaos last week, before we disconnected ourselves for the weekend:

TV Tuesday: American Crime, a unique and thought-provoking show

Nonfiction Review: The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander, an important book for all Americans

Fiction Review: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, a highly acclaimed novel I loved!

What are you and your family reading this week?    

What Are You Reading Monday is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, so head over and check out her blog and join the Monday fun! You can also participate in a kid/teen/YA version hosted by Unleashing Readers.