It has been a WEEK. I started off reading a fair bit, but then on the same day I had my first sort of car accident type thing (parking lot ding) and my kid got sick and it turns out it’s COVID – after four years of dodging it. The symptoms have mostly been minor, thankfully, and it’s seeming to be better than the cold we had last month. So far I’m testing negative, but we’ve been quarantining until my kid and husband (who probably has it but we are running low on tests so aren’t testing yet as he has no symptoms) both test negative or I test positive. We shall see. Oddly it’s not as scary now that it’s happening and so far hasn’t been a huge deal, but I may eat those words if I do have it and it goes badly for my various medical issues. Fingers crossed! Anyway, because of that I’ve mostly been watching Netflix and making crochet animals for my kid to cuddle while we aren’t able to spend as much time together. It’s been a good distraction. We’ll see how things go this week as to whether I’ll be reading more.
Just Shelved
I loved Frank and Red, which was one of the books recommended to me by Joanne. I absolutely loved it! It’s a lovely story of intergenerational friendship, human nature, trauma, grief, friendship and community. I loved the characters in this book, and the humour was excellent. I think picked up another random book from my audiobook TBR – Beverly Bonnefinche Is Dead. It was okay, but honestly I’ve already forgotten a lot about it. Then I decided to finally read Strong Female Character – a memoir of Fern Brady’s diagnosis and experiences with autism. It’s excellent – funny, of course, but also informative, emotional and raw. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone.
Currently Reading
There was a Jeanette Winterson quote in one of the books I read last week and it reminded me I really needed to read Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, so I started it. It’s well written, but also has a lot more religion in in than I had expected, and that’s not an area I particularly enjoy. I’ll probably finish it, though, because it’s not very long. I’m still slowly reading Are We Having Fun Yet, and I’m really enjoying it.
Up Next
As always, no idea what’s up next! We shall see!
That’s it for me this week! I hope you guys are having a more joyful week than I am, and that you’re all healthy! Have you read any of these books? Do you have any to recommend that are good for gripping your whole attention and distracting you? Any other great heartwarming books with humour? I could use any recommendations you’ve got!
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 also link up with The Sunday Salon post each week hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz (and sometimes include some of her content prompts).
We avoided COVID for four years, too, but I suspect that this is what we had in July. It certainly is going around here, and the vaccines we have taken did not stop this strain. I hope your reactions to it are mild and that it goes quickly.
I am tempted by your thoughts about Frank & Red. Sipsworth is a novella I enjoyed, but that may be because of the similarity in age of the main character to me.
My kid had a quite mild case – probably the only person to get COVID and not be tired! Lol! My husband hasn’t been so lucky though, he’s on day four and it’s been up and down, but still feeling pretty rough. Definitely sicker than he usually gets, and less predictable curve. Crossing my fingers he starts improving soon! We’ve been super careful and I have been quarantining as much as possible, so I haven’t tested positive yet, but it’s probably just a matter of time. Hoping at least it’ll be less exposure if I’m wearing a mask and staying in the other side of the house, but we shall see! It’s kind of like a science experiment….
I really enjoyed Frank and Red and would recommend it. I am attracted to Sipsworth – I’m in my early 40s, but with all my medical issues and the solitude and general curmudgeonliness they have created, I tend to relate strongly to older characters as well!
I am so sorry your kid has COVID. I’m glad it seems mild so far but I really do hope you won’t catch it.
That memoir sounds fascinating! I’m autistic myself so may relate. I’m going to look it up and see if I can read it.
Thanks! My kid seems to be pretty much fine now, it was pretty mild. Husband is not faring so well, but it’s day one so we’ll see. Hopefully it won’t get too much worse! I’d definitely recommend the memoir, it was a quick and really interesting read. Funny but also does hit all the serious and important notes as well. I hope you enjoy it if you do give it a try!
Sipsworth is on my holds list at the library. You have quite a few books here I will be interested in.
Sorry to hear about the covid. It’s a miserable thing and my husband and I got it last month after dodging it for 4 years. So awful. Hope everyone is feeling better.
I’m visiting you from Sunday Salon linkup.
Tina
I’m hoping to get around to Sipsworth soon, I’m intrigued! Oh, that sucks. We’ve never had it before either, but it seems a lot of people are getting it for the first time now. Something to do with less measures in place, skyrocketing rates and people doing less to avoid it. Was it bad for you? My kid had a very mild case, easier than the cold we had earlier in the summer. Husband is not having a great time right now though, but says it’s kind of like the flu so far. Crazy how much it varies between different people! I’m glad you guys are better now!
I hope you and your husband escape Covid! I just came home from Ireland with it but so far my husband is in the clear despite our sharing close quarters. I’m extremely susceptible apparently and have no immunities against it, even though this now makes 6 times for me over four years!
I’ve been reading The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman which although it’s about the tragic story of King Arthur has a lot of humor and I found it very absorbing, but, looking at your current books, it might not be your cup of tea! Maybe Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld, or Tom Lake by Ann Patchett?
So far I have been able to complete a blog post and do some visiting and commenting, but am mostly listening to audiobooks instead of reading due to headache and sinus pressure. 🙁
Oh no! I’m sorry to hear that you’re sick as well. I hope it’s mild and that you recover quickly! Husband has it now as well, but I’ve been wearing a mask and making myself scarce, so so far I seem to be okay. We shall see. Kid is now pretty much back to normal, so that is a relief, just hoping husband makes it through without too much discomfort! Thank you for the recommendations. I’ve never read a Lev Grossman, but that seems like one I might consider, if it’s funny! I have Tom Lake on my TBR and I think the Sittenfeld as well, but I hadn’t started either – I’ll look at the library and see if I can get either of them! I hope your head clears soon, but in the meantime I hope you enjoy your audiobooks!