Monday, September 1, 2014

It's Monday . . . What Are You Reading?

Good morning . . . and Happy Labor Day! I'm posting on Book Journey's weekly meme about the books we are reading and what is ahead for us. Wow, is it really the end of summer? Yikes, the calendar does not lie. It's a terrible cliche to say "it went by really fast," but . . . . It went by really fast!

We just spent a few days in Niagara Falls for a little end-of-summer fun. Kind of corny, but the falls themselves are a magnificent sight to see, and the offspring loved the whole thing. Tomorrow is the start of the new school year in our house.

Last week on the blog, I posted reviews of these two novels:

My review of Helen Oyeyemi's Boy, Snow, Bird is here. I expected to love it, but unfortunately, the novel fell short of my expectations. The Undertaking by Audrey Magee, which was a finalist for the 2014 Bailey's Women's Prize for Fiction, is a bleak but powerful book about two ordinary Germans during World War II. You can read my review here.

Here's what I have been reading:

Laird Hunt's Neverhome: A Novel is the story of a woman who disguises herself as a man to fight in the Union Army during the Civil War. I'm not finished yet, but so far, it's been a great read. Neverhome will be published Sept 9, and I'll post a review soon.

Up next for me . . .

Jessie Burton's The Miniaturist, set in 17th century Amsterdam, has generated a lot of buzz all summer. Isn't that a gorgeous cover? I try not to be overly influenced by cover art in my reading selections, because . . . well, duh, don't judge a book by its cover! But the art on this one can't fail to entice readers of literary historical fiction. I'm hooked before I've even started!

Hope everyone has a lovely Labor Day to end the summer! What's on your reading agenda for fall?

6 comments:

  1. I start school with students tomorrow too. Today is rainy and great for reading. It might be the last time I have any reading time this week. Happy reading!

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    1. Rainy days are great for curling up with a book! Unfortunately, I'm curled up with organizing school supplies and laundry today, but....maybe I'll get some reading time tonite!

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  2. Thanks for your review of Boy. I think I'm going to pass on it, based on your review.

    It is nice to cull some so-so books from my TBR.

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    1. At least for me, it wasn't a winner, unfortunately.....

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  3. I love the cover of the minaturist, I want to read it based mostly on that:) The undertaking looks like it would be an amazing read also

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    1. The Undertaking is absolutely a good (although bleak!) read . . . I do hope it will get some attention among literary fiction readers in the US. It releases in the US today.

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