Sunday, October 2, 2016

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:




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.



17 comments:

  1. I'm glad you enjoyed Perfect Neighbors...I definitely thought it was a fun summer read! Good luck with your library programs. They sound awesome! I hope you have a big turn out for the dinner! Have a great weekend!

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  2. I have the first book in the Melissa Landers series, but I haven't had the time to get to it. Hopefully I will next year because I am going yo be cutting way back on ARC requests, so I have more time for personal reading. Hopefully fall will put people in a better frame for enjoying the library's programs. Have a fabulous week. :)

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  3. I think maybe this time of year is tough with back to school and everything. Hopefully October picks back up for attendance - I think your programs sound so fun!

    It sounds like you had a great time with your family! :)

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  4. For some reason I've not been able to get myself to pick up Walk The Earth a Stranger, even though I loved Carson's fantasy trilogy. Maybe listening to it would be a good way to enter in.

    I'm sorry your library events are under-attended. We LOVE the library events for big kids and they seem to be pretty busy whenever we check them out.

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  5. I hope attendance picks up! Your murder mystery event sounds like a lot of fun. And the farm visit sounds fun too. The Perfect Neighbors looks interesting and I'll watch for your review of A Most Novel Revenge as I'm a big fan of the first book.

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  6. I'm glad you enjoyed the Picoult. I did but probably not as much as you.

    I hope the murder mystery dinner goes well and is successful!

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  7. Some nice-looking books.

    I love the cover of A Most Novel Revenge.

    Nice on the family visit.

    ENJOY this week.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

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  8. Lots of great books - had a peek at your TBR Fall list and I have the Colgan book on my want to buy list, won't get to read it for awhile but will be a definite read. Nice to hear the Piccoult book was good another one on my buy wish list.

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  9. Sorry to hear your library program is having a bad turnout. The farm visit sounds like fun.

    "These is My Words" looks like a book I would like. I like to read stories about pioneers (and immigrants) and I love epistolary novels.

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  10. I loved The Perfect Neighbors...and plan to start Small Great Things next.

    Your library events sound good...hopefully the attendance will improve.

    Thanks for sharing...and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

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  11. I recently read my first Jodi Picoult and have heard nothing but good things about Small Great Things. I'll have to add it to my list. I loved Like a River Glorious when I recently read it. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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  12. I'm really looking forward to reading Small Great Things. Glad you enjoyed it.

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  13. The trip to see the animals sounds fun! Ah, I hope there are more sign ups for the library program.

    I'll be on the lookout for your review of Jodi Picoult's latest novel. I hope you enjoy all your upcoming reads.

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  14. What a great week of reading you had. I'm sorry the turnout wasn't to your liking; I understand your frustration. Maybe you could do a survey? It can be hard for families to get out especially with different aged kids who may have lots of extra curricular activities.

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  15. Sorry your library events have not been well attended. I attend the fall and winter events at my library, just too busy in the summer. I enjoyed The Perfect Neighbors too.

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  16. I have Small Great Things on my list I must read this week, ready for the release on the 12th. I'm glad to hear it is a book that exceeded your expectations.
    I have a couple of Sarah Pekkanen's book on my TBR shelf but not this one, I am keen to hear your thoughts. I also like the look of The Queen's Accomplice.
    I hope the efforts you put into your library programs will reap some rewards attendance wise.
    Have a great week!
    Amanda @ Mrs B's Book Reviews

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  17. Ooh I'd love to feed some animals, especially a deer! I find them adorable. I've fed a giraffe before; their tongue feels so weird! hah

    I'm sorry you don't get a lot of library attendance. I love attending library programs and I know they take a lot of effort sometimes, but it can be disheartening if people don't show or take advantage of them. I'd LOVE to attend a murder mystery dinner.

    -Lauren
    http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2016/10/hp-month-pretty-posh-weddings-discount.html

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