Now that Canada Day (and July 4th for my American friends) is behind us summer is officially ON! With all three of my mini me's at home full-time for the next 10 weeks it's going to be interesting to see just how much reading I'll get done. We are definitely a busy family (my husband always lovingly refers to me as "The Stay-at-Home Mom Who's Never Home"). Yup, me of little attention span needs to get out and DO things or I get bored. During these busy summer weeks I find that I tend to only get reading time if I get up earlier than the kids (so NOT happening!) or stay up late into the night reading (a much more common occurence).
We here in Ontario are just finishing our first full week of summer vay-cay and it's been a busy week already! Canada Day festivities, sleepovers, 7km bike rides (even before my morning COFFEE! That's dedication, people!) and an amazing trip to the beach! Lake Erie was great yesterday and the Bookworm Family had a fabulous time relaxing, building monster sand castles, catching some waves and yes, even reading a bit on the beach!!
As for my reading this past week? Well, it was a little hit and miss for me. Definitely nothing I'd write home about, unfortunately. I picked up "Evernight" by Claudia Gray. It's a Young Adult (YA) novel that is very reminicent of the "House of Night" series by P.C and Kristin Cast since the story revolves around a residential school for vampires. Think of a Vampire Hogwarts. It was just OK for me. I'll post it's review shortly.
After that book I picked up "The Other Twin" by Katherine Stone. It sounded like a good beach read (I even brought it to the beach yesterday) and sounded like a sinfully good Sydney Sheldon-type romp into the world of secrets, betrayal and scandal. Oooooo. Unfortunately it didn't have the twists and turns that I was hoping for. This review will also be posted as soon as possible. I've been focusing on recipes lately (and hangin' with the family since Brad is off this week so blogging has been put lower on the list of priorities).
Late last night I picked up "Catching Fire" which is the second book in The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. I've been looking forward to catching up with Catniss Everdeen and see where the author takes the story. "The Hunger Games" was an absolutely fabulous read. A perfect summer read!
So, what has everyone been reading. Reading Roll Call time! What did you think of the books you read? Would you recommend them? Also, what books would you highly recommend for others to read this summer?
I've just finished reading The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen. I will admit to picking it up based on the cover. It is a quick read with a happy ending - good for the beach!
ReplyDeleteNicole - I occasionally pick up books based on the pretty picture on the cover too. Sadly that didn't work out for me very well this week. :(. Apparently the old adage is true - you can't judge a book by it's cover!! ;). I'll keep 'The Peach Keeper' in mind. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI just finished Night Road by Kristin Hannah. A great summer read! Made me cry a bit, and I am not a cryer ;) with fiction anyways. Her book Firefly Lane is also a good one.
ReplyDeleteHappy Wednesday~
Katy - I think read a few of Kristin Hannah's books (but neither of the books you mentioned sounds familiar). You know you've read a LOT of books when you can't even recognize titles anymore. *sigh* What I do remember from her books is that I liked her writing style.
ReplyDeleteCan I jump in too?!? I am playing catch up on some great series that I'm sure you have probably read...I just finished the final book of Sara Donati's Wilderness series - The Endless Forest. It was amazing, but I was sad to come to the end of the series. I felt like I was saying goodbye to a bunch of really great friends. I'm now reading a fluff book that I got for free from the Kobo site - Once a Cowboy. It's okay so far, but I'm not expecting much. My next book is No Humans Involved by Kelley Armstrong. I have you to thank Laurie for my addiction to Ms. Armstrong lol!! And the coolest thing is, I got to meet her when she did a reading/signing in my town a couple of months ago. Love her!
ReplyDeleteApril from Comox, BC -- of course you can jump right on in! I love me loads and loads of comments and book chattin'!! :)
ReplyDeleteFirst off? I Adore (with a capital A) Sara Donati's 'Into the Wilderness' series!! Amazing series and, like you, I felt really sad when I finished the last book about a year ago. It DID feel like losing friends. How good is a book if it can make you feel like that, right?
I'm so happy I got you hooked on Kelley Armstrong!!! Love her writing (and love that she's Canadian and from my neck of the woods)!!
As for you meeting Kelley?? I'm trying not to hate you right now. Kidding! I'm simply totally and utterly jealous that you got to meet her! She is right up there in my top three 'Authors I Gotta Meet' list (J.K. Rowling is at the top - FYI).
Thanks so much for your comment. I'm looking forward to chatting more with you about books. It seems we have very similar tastes!!
I've enjoyed all of Sarah Addison Allen's books and have The Peach Keeper on the shelf waiting for me. I recommend them when you're looking for something light yet intriguing - a bit of magical realism thrown in for good measure - food plays a part in her books too.
ReplyDeleteThe Sara Donati series has been on my tbr list since I read and enjoyed a couple of contemporary novels by her using the name Rosina Lippi.
I just started a mystery by Deborah Coonts: Wanna Get Lucky? It is set in Las Vegas.
I'm finally reading A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews, as soon as I finish some of the books that I bought in "preparation" for our trip to France this summer, including A Year in Provence. I know it's old news, but I'm not a big memoir reader so it's interesting to see how a successful travel memoir is done.
ReplyDeleteI am reading the The Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks. It about a small village in England that was devestated by the plague in the 1660's. Slow moving, very melodic, peaceful read. I read it once about 4 years ago and then picked it up again because I am lacking anything good to read in my personal library. Sigh, I may have to, gasp, go to the library and start borrowing instead of buying.
ReplyDeleteI have a question about this series by Sara Donati. Is it anything like Diana Gabaldon's series? Because I did not like that series at all. I am going to the cottage next week and I need some good books, so I am trolling your blog for some good summer reads and everyone is raving about iot. When I went onto Chapters, it's write-up was a little like Gabaldon's series and so I am skeptical. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI'm currently reading 'The Help' by Kathryn Stockett....such a great book. I'm only half way through but it is raved about for good reason!
ReplyDeleteI tend to read quick, easy reads during the summer though, and I always liked Roy MacGregor's book 'Escape'. He's an Ontario author and it makes me want to go out out east to cottage country some time (when the kids are a bit older!)
Aleisha, my best answer for you about Donati and Gabaldon is that they are the same but different. No help at all huh?!? LOL! First off, there is no time travel in Donati's books. Just straight up early 1800's American literature. It is fairly similar to some of the later books in Gabaldon's Outlander series, after Jamie and Claire moved to the US. And Donati even mentions Jamie and Claire in one of her books (a passing comment - they don't make an appearance or anything). I wish I had a straight up answer for you. I loved the Outlander series, and I loved the Wilderness series. I'm not sure if someone who dislike one would like the other or not.
ReplyDeleteLaurie...I have discovered that our tastes are so similar, that any time you give a book more than four stars I automatically add it to my Kobo wishlist! LOL! Oh...and we have very similar food tastes too...Mmmmmm potatoes! LOL!
ReplyDeleteWow! Love these comments!! Here's my answers to all the comments so far .....
ReplyDeleteMary - I'd definitely recommend the "Into the Wilderness" series by Donati. A really well thought out series that isn't nearly as heavy as Outlander.
Trisha - I own "A Complicated Kindness" but gave up reading it part way through because I just couldn't get into it. I can't even remember the premise of the book but it looks lovely stacked on my mantle with some other books!!
Aleisha - "Into the Wilderness" definitely has a different feel to it compared to Gabaldon's "Outlander". I really liked Outlander but struggled with the later books (I've never finished the series even though I own a signed copy of the 7th book!). Donati's series is a much easier read and not nearly as heavy, covoluted and doesn't drag like Outlander did.
Donati has a way of making you care about her characters and is able to have several characters carry the series instead of relying on one major couple like Outlander. Donati combines romance (non-cheesy), action, suspense, loss etc all into one compelling series. I love that she builds relationships (good and bad) among the characters that last throughout the series. You truly feel like you get to know the characters and like April mentioned earlier, you truly feel like you miss the characters when the series ends! I never had that feeling with Outlander. :( If you do choose to bring this read to the cottage let me know what you think of it.
Jamie - I adored "The Help" (one of only a few books that I've ever given 5 stars!). As for Roy MacGregor's "Escape"? I've never heard of it but I'll keep my eye out for it. Love reading Canadian authors. :)
April - Wow! I hope you enjoy all those ebooks on your wishlist. :) Glad to hear that people are getting a lot of use out of my wee blog. And it's always good to hear from other tater addicts too!! :)
I really enjoyed the hunger games series and can't wait for the movie! Great post! You have a wonderful blog! Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your sweet comment! I love making new blog friends! I am your newest follower and would love it if you would follow me too! Thanks so much!
ReplyDelete-Nikki
http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/
Nikki -- thanks for following me. I've checked out your blog and have fallen in love with the Cinnamon Chip Scones that you posted! Oh ya, right up my alley! Considered yourself followed as well.
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