Sunday Post (4)/ It's Monday, What Are You Reading

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next. In Sheila's absence you can participate by sharing your post on Twitter #IMWAYR.

It's been an eventful couple of weeks with a girls trip to Williamsburg, Virginia and a visit home to see my parents this past weekend. I had fun in Williamsburg and got to see Jamestown as well. I wish I could have spent some time in Colonial Williamsburg but the rain derailed our plans a little. Still I liked what I did get to see and the trip was relaxing. I definitely want to go back sometime to see the historical sites as the focus was more on shopping and relaxing this trip. 

Over the weekend I finally got to see the film version of Still Alice on DVD. It was very sad and emotional though I did catch a few differences from the book. I thought Julianne Moore was fantastic. Kristen Stewart appeared to just be playing herself. I kind of wished they'd chosen someone else to be Lydia. Overall the movie was really good. Some of the most powerful scenes in the book made it into the movie but it was different to just see it and not be in Alice's mind experiencing her thoughts and fears though Moore did a pretty good job of emoting with just her facial expressions the confusion Alice felt. 

Last two weeks on my blog:

Inside the O'Briens by Lisa Genova (review)
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (review)

Books read:

The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas (reread)

I liked this audio version of The Burning Sky. I thought the author did a good job of bringing Titus and Iolanthe to life. I kind of felt frustrated with Iolanthe at times, especially in the beginning when she refuses to acknowledge the danger she's in, but I don't remember feeling that way when I read the print version of the book. I'm planning to listen to the audio version of The Perilous Sea too in preparation for reading the final book.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

I liked this fantasy inspired by Beauty and the Beast. I don't always like books with faeries but this one worked for me even thought the pacing was a little uneven.

Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

I initially really liked the Pushing the Limits series though I struggled with some of the later books. This one is the first in a new series featuring bikers. I didn't entirely like Oz, the male lead or the bikers in Reign of Terror and their way of life. Some of it just seemed a little chauvinistic. I don't think I will be continuing with the series though that doesn't mean this book won't appeal to other readers.

An Appetite for Violets by Martine Bailey

This is the book my afternoon book group is reading for our May discussion. I thought it was really interesting. It is set in the 18th Century and has details about servants' lives and cooking/recipes from that time period. There is also a little romance, a mystery and some sinister secrets. The main character is an undercook, Biddy Leigh, kind of a 1700s Daisy from Downton Abbey. I think readers who liked Longbourn will really like this.

A School for Unusual Girls by Kathleen Baldwin

This was a fun YA historical mystery about a group of girls who don't quite fit into Regency society because of their skills and intelligence. The main character in the first book is Georgina whose chemistry experiment goes awry leading her parents to send her to Stranje House to whip her into shape. Readers who enjoy historical mystery and intelligent heroines will like it. There is also some romance between Georgina and a British Lord/spy.

The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler

Elyse is visiting Oregon for the summer to heal after she permanently loses her voice in an accident. Since she was an aspiring singer who had just gotten a big break in her career this is particularly heartbreaking. The book is written in a lovely descriptive and lyrical style. I also liked that the main character is from Tobago and we get to learn about the culture, food and traditions of the island. The Oregon coastal setting is also very appealing. The only weird thing is the mystical mermaid stuff. I did like that there are characters named Ursula (not a villain) and Sebastian and a ship named the Never Flounder. No Ariel though :)

Currently reading:

The Tower, The Zoo and the Tortoise by Julia Stuart

What I plan to read next:

Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey