This is a link-up that has been going on for a long time, but that I keep forgetting to join! It’s a weekly post that encourages bloggers to share what they have read in the past week, what they’re currently reading and books they’ve recently added to their TBRs. Originally started by Sheila at Book Journey, it is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. Now let’s dive in!
Read last week:
I finished Monogamy earlier in the week. I’m still trying to figure out what I think of it. I was drawn in pretty quickly, and definitely wanted to know what was going to happen. But I also felt like it went on a lot longer than it needed to. There were at least three points where I knew it wasn’t over based on how much was left, but really felt like it could/should have been. I’m just not sure what to think. I listened to Twelve Years a Slave on audiobook and it is one I’m so glad I finally got to. I’m not going to lie – it is tough to read. It’s the story of a free Black man who was kidnapped from his home in the northern United States in 1841 and sold into slavery in the south, where he remained for twelve years. His story tells us in detail what he had to endure and witness during those twelve years of enslavement, and what it took to finally regain his freedom. It is, as you would imagine, harrowing. But I think it’s such an important book to read, because it is one of the few first person accounts that exist of slavery during that time. I also read She Came to Slay, which is a pictorial biography of Harriet Tubman’s life. The writing is a bit uneven, but I read it for the facts, which it provides in abundance, and I’m glad I picked it up. Harriet was an amazing person, and someone I am glad to have learned more about.
Currently reading:
I’m enjoying both of these so far – I’m expecting to finish both of them this week!
Up next:
Possibly. You know how I am with TBRs. But these are a few I either want to get to or need to read before they’re due back to the (virtual) library!
What about you guys? What did you read this week? What are you reading now, and what’s up next? Have you read any of these, and if so what did you think?
A weekly post that encourages bloggers to share what they have read in the past week, what they’re currently reading and books they’ve recently added to their TBRs. Originally started by Sheila at Book Journey, it is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.
There There is such a slim but powerful little book! I read it in October/November and I kind of feel like I need to re-read it a second time before I can properly review it.
I can definitely see that! So far each section is a different character, and I just know I’m going to have trouble keeping them all straight by the end. But it’s so well written and has the perfect balance of serious and entertaining, has characters who should be figures of pathos but have found strength in their circumstances and people who are bravely going for what they want in life. I like that it’s so varied in terms of the lives of the characters – which I think is the point, to show that Native Americans have a huge range of experiences and lives just like anyone else and can’t be stereotyped. I love the tone. I love the people I’m meeting in it so far. But I also have this sneaking suspicion that because of that, it will well and truly break my heart at some point! I look forward to hearing your thoughts and talking to you more about it when I finish it! (I’m kind of saving it because I don’t want it to be over!)
Welcome to the What Are You Reading? link-up! I’m not very consistent about joining, but it’s so interesting to see what others have on their shelves. I think Twelve Years a Slave would be a very important read, but I can see how it would be difficult. Thanks for reminding me to keep it on my list and hopefully get to it sometime!
Thank you! I know I won’t join in every week – I have chunks of time every year when I don’t read at all, and even when I do read sometimes it’s not even a book a week! But I think it’ll be a good way to keep track of what I’m reading – particularly if there are books I read part of but didn’t finish. I don’t add those to my “read” shelf on Goodreads and I don’t review them, so I have no record of them anywhere! I am really glad I got to Twelve Years a Slave finally. I have a lot of feelings I’m still sorting through! I’d definitely recommend it. I listened to it on audio after starting it in hard copy, and I’m glad I made that choice. It made it feel more immediate and impactful, I think. I hope you find time to get to it at some point! Thank you for stopping by!
I like Sue Miller’s books, but I just let my e-book copy of Monogamy go back to the library early because I realized I wouldn’t have time to finish it before it expired. I’ve put a new hold on it and will make time for it when it comes back around to me! I liked Redhead by the Side of the Road, but I like all of Anne Tyler’s books! There, There was an amazing audiobook, and I would like to reread it in print sometime.
This was my first of her books. I was rushing when I finished the post for today and didn’t really read back what I wrote about the Miller book. I meant to add that I think it was just not exactly my type of book – it’s a lot more about the family relationships and interactions and dramas, which I find interesting to a point, but books that are all about that tend to lose my interest by halfway. That said, this one held my interest better than most of those types of books I’ve read have managed to, so I think it was pretty good, despite my lukewarm response! If you’re a fan of hers I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. I think I still gave it like a 6 or 7/10, so it definitely wasn’t a bad read, and I’m glad I got to give her a try! I’ve only read one of Tyler’s books before, so I’m interested to see how I get on with Redhead! I haven’t heard much about it yet, so I’m going in with a blank slate! I have tried There, There in print and didn’t make it far (again, my fault not the book – just the wrong time and I got distracted) so this time I’ll be trying the audio, so I’m pleased to hear that you loved it! I’m even more excited for it now! Thanks for stopping by!