Sunday, June 19, 2016

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:



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)

14 comments:

  1. I can't wait to read your review of Mystic Summer. That one is definitely on my TBR list. I am also looking forward to reading With Malice this summer. Enjoy all of your books!

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  2. Both The Giels in the Garden and With Malice look good to me. I saw a glowing review for Girls in the Garden somewhere and read the blurb and it sounds good and mysterious. :) The Winemakers looks good too but I may just be a sucker for thast kind of cover. :)

    Enjoy Game of Thrones tonigte! We're almost done w/ the season- yikes!

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  3. Can't wait to here your thoughts on With Malice!

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  4. With Malice looks really good and I'm curious about the Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper. On and Mystic Summer - I love that cover! Have a great week!

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  5. I hope everything goes well with the Mystery Dinner Theater! Sounds like you and your family had a nice Father's Day. :-) We took my husband out for a movie today (although it really was more for my daughter). We got him doughnuts this morning as well. He's taking a nap now. His idea of an ideal day. LOL

    Umbridge is such a horrible person--and worse because she believes she's on the side of righteousness. We love the Harry Potter world in our house.

    River Road is one I've been really wanting to read. I read a series by the same author under her psuedonym a couple years ago and loved it so much. Backman's latest is another I am looking forward to reading.

    I hope you have a great week, Christina!

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  6. Mystic Summer is on my wish list...and I loved The Girls in the Garden. Enjoy your week, and thanks for visiting my blog.

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  7. I am drawn towards The Winemakers, hope you are able to get back to it eventually. I read on a Kindle and the e-arcs never expire which is really helpful!!

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  8. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed Mystic Summer. I just recently downloaded and am hoping to read it during an upcoming camping trip.

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  9. River Road and With Malice look very intriguing. I hope you enjoy reading this week.

    My It's Monday! What Are You Reading? post.

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  10. I recently purchased the Fredrik Backman novel and I'm super keen to pick it up soon - here in the UK it is titled 'My Grandmother Sends Her Regards & Apologises'.

    I read the Arthur Pepper book a week or so ago and it made for a fun read - one of those books that leaves you with a happy feeling.

    Happy reading!

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  11. I Will Send Rain looks good. I just picked up a copy from NetGalley. Happy Reading!

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  12. Mystic summer looks like a good read. Glad you liked it. I hope you enjoy your other books as well. Great picks.

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  13. Order of the Phoenix was my least favorite and I can't bring myself to reread it. If we could get an Umbridge free abridged version, then I would rethink it.

    My Sunday Summary

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  14. I really want to read Mystic Summer and The Winemakers! It sounds like you had a fun weekend. :)

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