Sunday Post (64) / 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.

I can't believe October is already here! It seems like just yesterday it was summer. Of course it was pretty warm for most of September. This was the first week that I wore a jacket again and wore long sleeves. Hopefully I won't have to get the sweaters out soon :)

This past week was busy with a visit from my parents and some relatives from Sri Lanka who are staying with them. Because my relatives like animals a lot, we went to an area farm that has exotic animals and a tour where you ride around in a wagon and the animals come up and eat out of your hand. I got to hand feed a deer and a llama. There were also various other animals including giraffes and zebras (we were told not to feed the zebras as they bite). I also worked more evenings due to my book group meeting on Tuesday and a kids clothing swap program. It was a three day event but the only donations we took in were from a coworker. Finally one man stopped by yesterday (the last day) and he took the donations and left. 

Lately we have felt pretty dejected over our library program attendance for adults, teens and kids. It is hard when you put a lot of effort and time into planning a program only to have poor attendance. My next program is a murder mystery dinner a week from Wednesday. Those are my most successful programs (aside from Bigfoot) but even that doesn't have the number of participants I usually get. I'm still excited about it and think it will be a good program. We may even have some last minute signups this week.

Last week on my blog:

Top Ten Books on My Fall TBR List

The Smoke Hunter by Jacquelyn Benson (review)

Books read:

These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner

I enjoyed this historical novel though it took a little time to get past the initial writing style and diary entry format. I love reading about wagon trains and prairie life and my book group members mostly liked the book too. I'm interested in reading the sequels someday.

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

I think this may be on my list of favorite books of 2016. I never know with Jodi Picoult if I will like her books or be annoyed but this one really exceeded my expectations. I hope to have my review up next week.

The Queen's Accomplice by Susan Elia MacNeal

This was a very quick read and even though I knew who the killer was early on, it was still interesting and enjoyable. There are some other story lines mixed in that will be followed up in the next book which will be set in occupied France. I can't wait!

The Perfect Neighbors by Sarah Pekkanen

I wanted to read something different after reading two historical novels so I picked this since it came out over the summer and I still hadn't read it. Wow, I liked it and it was another fast read. It reminded me of Liane Moriarty's books quite a bit. I had expected it to be more like Desperate Housewives but it didn't have that gossipy scandal feel. It was more thoughtful and I liked that.

Currently reading:

United by Melissa Landers

I only just started this and so far it is good. It is such a fun series and I will be sad when I read the last page but all good things must come to an end.

Currently listening to:

Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson (reread)

I loved Walk on Earth a Stranger when I read it last year and I wanted to familiarize myself with the story again before I read Like a River Glorious. Listening to the audio book is a different experience. I still love the story and enjoy the author's narration for the main character. She can do a convincing male voice too but unfortunately all of her male voices sound the same. 

On My TBR pile:

A Most Novel Revenge by Ashley Benson

I am looking forward to book three in the Amory Ames series. This time Amory and Milo are at a country house where a novelist has invited several people who were present years ago when a murder occurred at the same country house. Of course another murder takes place...

The Sheriffs of Savage Wells by Sarah M. Eden

This sounds like a pleasant historical romance and I like the idea of a female sheriff.