I skipped last week becauseI had a lot going on and didn’t finish any books. This week went marginally better, though! So let’s get into it.
Just Shelved
I finished off On Critical Race Theory, and it was actually a fairly easy read in terms of writing and complexity, though obviously not in terms of content. It’s a great overview of what Critical Race Theory really is (thus busting some of the myths that have been attached to the term), and some of the historical events and perspectives that are the basis of its creation. I also listened to We Still Here, which is short but deeply impactful. It looks at some of the racial disparities that were brought into stark relief by the Black Lives Matter movement and the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s short, and has a question and answer format that makes it easy to follow. I then decided to re-read The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry because I think there’s a film coming out based on the book, and I wanted to refresh my memory. It was pretty much as I remembered – endearing characters, engaging plot and pulls on every heart string you possess. Still a favourite.
Currently Reading
Last time I did a Monday post I had these same two books and what I wrote then has not changed:
“Yep, still the same list as last week! I am planning to finish The Myth of Normal this week, and I’m considering switching to the audiobook of the new John Irving, mainly because it’s quite long (I neglected to check the length before choosing it) so I just don’t have time to sit and read for as long as it will take!”
I’ve made some progress on The Myth of Normal, and am about 20% of the way through the John Irving and am finding it entertaining so far. I’ve also added in Fun Home, which is a graphic novel memoir about Bechdel’s complicated relationship with her father. I’ve started it and it’s really well done so far, so I’m looking forward to finding time to finish it.
Up Next
I’m waiting for the audiobook of I Want to Die to come out – it’s not a hard read, but I am struggling to find time to sit and read the digital galley, so I think it’ll go better that way. It comes out tomorrow, so I’m planning to read it as soon as I finish The Myth of Normal. I’m also interested to try Intimations. It’s a short read, but it’s supposed to talk about the experience of lockdown during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, so I’m curious to see what she’ll share. I’ve also never read a Zadie Smith book and keep meaning to, so it seems a good place to start.
That’s it for me this week! What are you guys reading? Did you finish any good books last week? Have you read any of these?
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.
I love the depth of your books here! I need to add a few of these to my list too. I’m #2 on the holds at my library for the Myth of Normal. But I’m currently reading “The Body Keeps the Score” so I’m not sure if those are different enough to be reading at the same time?
Thanks! I’ve been lucky to get a few books from Netgalley recently, so those combined with the books I’m picking up by mood are making for a pretty good mix! I haven’t read any of Mate’s other books, so I can’t tell you specifically if those two books would be too similar. I will say though that The Myth of Normal encompasses a range of topics – trauma, addiction, abuse, chronic illness, parenting – and then ties those in to the effect they have on the mind and body. He references some of his other books in the appropriate sections. So I feel like there would probably be a chapter or two that are walking the same ground, and then some ideas scattered through the book that would be familiar. So it could either be too similar to read at the same time, or it could expand on the topic and add in some related ideas. Might make it harder to remember what you read in which book though, if that’s something you’re worried about!
Nice variety in your reads lately! AJ Fikry is a favorite of mine, too! I’ve read it twice and am looking forward to the movie. But I need to find someone to see it with me because I KNOW what happens & my husband doesn’t like sad movies (neither does my best friend).
Fun Home is wonderful!! The graphic novel is brilliant, and we went to see a play based on it that was great, too.
Enjoy your books this week –
Sue
Book By Book
I loved it almost as much this time. It was a very different experience reading it now though after having a kid. That changed some of the feelings I had surrounding Maya, and made it a little harder to just sink into the cosy feels. Still an excellent book though, and full of wonderful bookish content! I’d go to it with you, if we actually knew each other and didn’t probably live on opposite sides of the world and it weren’t a pandemic! We can exchange notes after watching it, anyway!