LINK-UP | IT’S MONDAY! WHAT ARE YOU READING?

I fell a bit more into my reading stride again this week, I think the announcement of the Women’s Prize Longlist rekindled some of my motivation to dive back into reading. I still only finished two books, but one of them took a few days, so I’m okay with that. And, as you may have noticed, the blog got an overhaul, so that took some time as well!

Read last week:

.   

I finally gave in to the hype after my mother insisted that Hamnet was gorgeous, and I read it. I hopped back and forth between the audiobook and text (didn’t have any trouble switching between the two) depending on whether I had time to sit and read or not in a given day, and I was definitely enthralled. Was it perfect? No. But it was damn good. Weather is the second Jenny Offill book I’ve read – I also read The Department of Speculation several years ago. That one completely threw me – I think my reaction to it upon finishing it was a resounding, “Huh?” This one seemed a bit more concrete and had more character development and, though it wasn’t plot-heavy, there definitely was a plot in there somewhere. I think it was overall good, and in places brilliant. I feel like Offill is one of those authors you read a book to find those few absolutely perfectly worded lines. I’ll go into more details on that when I review it, but for now let me just say that for a short book, it’s worth the effort.

Currently reading:

               

I’m part way through Redhead and so far I’m enjoying it much more than my last foray into Tyler’s work, A Spool of Blue Thread, which I found way too long and tediously involved with the minutia of the lives of a family that I never really connected with. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t my jam (those of you who’ve been here for a while will know I’m not big on overly detailed and long-winded family sagas). This is much more my speed. I cannot WAIT to find time to properly dive into Amanda Craig’s new book. It was selected for the Women’s Prize for Fiction’s Longlist that was announced this week, and I am beyond thrilled to see it there. I am a long-time fan of Craig’s, and was gutted that her last book, The Lie of the Land didn’t get more attention and acclaim. I’m really hoping this book gets more play. I’m still slowly progressing in There There (on audio) and Diary of a Somebody, both I’m enjoying but in no rush to zip through.

Up next:

.    .    .   

I had a brief conversation with Kamil from the YouTube channel What Kamil Reads on Instagram about A Children’s Bible – he just finished it and I was curious as to what he enjoyed about it and how the religious element was handled. He said it’s best to go in without knowing much, but that it’s a darkly humourous take and brilliantly written. Consider me convinced – I have ordered it and plan to dive into it as soon as I get it. My parents both love Craig Longmire’s books, and though I’ve tried to read this first book in the series several times, I’ve never made it all the way through. I found the audiobook from my library, so I’m planning to try it on audio and see if that makes it any easier. I think my main issue is that the first book is a lot of set-up – you’re being introduced to the characters, filled in on their lives and histories, getting to know the setting and how the police department is structured – but I watched the TV show so I’m already familiar with all of this. Which left me feeling like the book was dragging because I didn’t need all the set-up, but I also don’t want to just skip it… so I have just given up on it again and again. We’ll see if audio goes any better. A Place for Us has been on my TBR since before it even comes out, but I was recently reminded of it in one of Greg’s videos on his YouTube channel Supposedly Fun, I can’t remember which video it was (I think he’s mentioned it in a few), but he had such a positive reaction to it that I felt like I’d like to go back and finally get to it. Another one I found the audio of from my library. And finally, I’m still planning to try Pain and Prejudice for Acacia Ives‘ book club – I’m still not sure when I’ll get a chance to read it, but I’m hoping I’ll find a way to pick it up in the next two weeks.

That was it for my week in books! What about you guys? Did you read any great books last week? Have you read any of these? What are you reading now?

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.