
I don’t know what I am doing differently but I am rocking it in the reading department these days. I am in the middle of my eleventh book since the beginning of the year! I haven’t read at this pace since Connor started high school five years ago.
FINISHED SINCE THE LAST UPDATE:
With Melissa Albert’s novel, I now have the first book I want to put on my Best of 2018 list. It is a fantasy/fairy tale lover’s delight – dark, ambiguous, ambitious, atmospheric, and fun. It says that it is the first book in a series. Please let the wait for book two be short. Please!
Anna Quinn’s novel is dark, dark, dark. It should come with a trigger warning on its cover because the repressed memories that Nora struggles to remember are heinous. Ms. Quinn pulls no punches in any of her descriptions. This makes the story more real but I can see a lot of readers not being able to finish reading it as a result. Still, the novel is not about traumatic childhood experiences so much as it is the body and mind’s ability to protect itself and heal when the time is right. It is about hope in the face of tragedy. I loved it for how much it made me squirm and for what she has to say.
Talking about traumatic experiences, Heather Morris’ novel details the true story of Auschwitz’ tattooist – the poor soul deemed worthy to permanently etch those damning five numbers on inmates’ arms as they arrive at the camp. It is a remarkable story of love and survival amid some of the worst conditions humankind has ever faced. Originally written as a screenplay, it does have that feel to it – as if each scene was blocked and staged for viewing. Yet the story told is fascinating and surprisingly hopeful amid so much misery.
The sequel to Vic James’ amazing series about class and privilege and people’s rights is heavy, heavier than I expected it to be. There is a lot of politics and intrigue going on in the book, which I hope means the next one will involve more action. However, you could not ask for a more timely story when talking about a resistance movement against a ruling class that sees those without as less than human.
DID NOT FINISH:
Yay!
CURRENT LISTEN:
Yes, I am still working my way through this one. I love when I get the chance to listen to it. Those chances are not very often these days.
NEXT UP:
February Review Copies:
So, what are you reading?

Oh, I want The Hazel Wood now!
I thought of you as I was reading it!
Eleven books, damn girl! That’s awesome! I have been reading like a crazy girl for the first half of January, but now I’ve slightly petered out. I’m bummed about it and I want to get right back into reading a ton. BOOKS ARE THE BEST.
Yeah, I seem to have found a book that has significantly slowed my reading pace. But I am still so far ahead that I am not worried in the least. It is fun getting ahead and reading all the books!
I think I have a copy of THE NIGHT CHILD perhaps. I’ll probably enjoy the suspense. Usually do. Good for you for all your reading. Sometimes it’s just like that and those times are great!
It isn’t suspenseful like you think it is. It is actually about a very serious topic and is not a mystery at all. I think people are getting confused by the fact that the synopsis mentions the main characters sees a face.
Does Hazel Wood leave off on a cliffhanger? I think I’m gonna have to read it. I have the new Matt Haig book, and am hoping it’s a good one!
It does not. There is room for a sequel, but it be a stand-along novel as well.
I’m really liking American Marriage right now! And congrats on all your reading…wish I could say the same. Life has gotten in the way.
Yay! Books that draw critical attention in advance of publications always make me nervous, so I am always glad to hear when people are enjoying them.