Sunday Post (54) / It's Monday, What Are You Reading

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s 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 now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there today. I visited my parents over the weekend to celebrate Father's Day and my mom's birthday which was last Monday. We had a nice time together and on Saturday we met up with my sister at Starbucks and the four of us then had lunch together at an Indian restaurant. Saturday night we watched Race, the Jesse Owens biopic. It was pretty good and inspiring. I kept thinking that one of the actresses looked really familiar only to realize it was Carice van Houten from Game of Thrones, playing the German film maker Leni Riefenstahl.

This coming week I will be working on last minute stuff for the murder mystery dinner on Thursday. It is my last big program until our Mini Comic Con next month which I'm not as actively involved with. Other than that I don't have much planned. 

Last week on my blog:

Wanderlost by Jen Malone (review)

Books read:

738 Days by Stacey Kade

My review will be posted later this week. I liked this book but I did have some issues with the timeline of their relationship.

Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E.K. Johnston

While this book had a strong empowering feminist message, I think it did a disservice to young women who have survived assault because of the portrayal of Hermione (main character) in the aftermath of her rape. The author notes in the afterword that Hermione's experience is atypical (she had a ton of support). The protagonist seemed more concerned with her cheerleading than anything else and her behavior and that of those around her wasn't believable at all. There are many glowing reviews on Goodreads and from review journals but it is the heartfelt reviews of real survivors that informed my opinion of this book.

Mystic Summer by Hannah McKinnon

Mystic Summer was a quick read and one that I enjoyed. The main character's future plans are in question and she returns to her hometown where she bumps into her ex, now a single dad. 

I Will Send Rain by Rae Meadows

This is a sad novel with a very vivid setting (Oklahoma Dust Bowl). I don't know how people survived back then under such difficult conditions.

Currently reading:

The Winemakers by Jan Moran

I just started reading this but I will probably have to set it aside soon to start my book club books.

Currently listening to:

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling (reread)

Umbridge is so evil! Almost as evil as Voldemort. I am currently at the part where Dumbledore's Army is forming. I always liked reading that part at least.

On my TBR pile:

River Road by Carol Goodman

I plan to start this book right away when I get back to my place. I want to make sure I finish it before my book group meets next Tuesday.

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman

I was surprised to discover that I don't already have an ARC of this. My ARC must have expired. I am supposed to read it for evening book group. Hopefully a copy will arrive in time.

The Girls in the Garden by Lisa Jewell

New books received:

With Malice by Eileen Cook (library book)

Anchor in the Storm by Sarah Sundin (library book)

The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick (library book)