This week was a long one. Mostly because I was sick (again). But also because I was kind of in a reading funk; I’ve just been having trouble getting into anything lately. And the power went out for most of Friday (when all I wanted to do was come home from work and take a hot shower and have a cup of tea). But I got through it, and in the end, managed to finish two books.
On Friday, I decided to take advantage of the blackout and read a book on my phone. My local library had Caraval, so I borrowed an ebook through Overdrive. I actually read the entire book in about three or four hours during the blackout, which made it semi-bearable. I’ve almost bought this book three times now in Target, and I am so glad I kept putting it back on the shelf. Because I didn’t love it. And I would have been kind of upset if I’d spent that much money on it. The story was okay. The characters were fine. But the writing made me want to pull my hair out. I kept reading just so I could find out what happened and not wonder about it later. But it was not an enjoyable read. I’ll have a full review up tomorrow and you’ll find out why I didn’t like it. (I did initially rate it three stars on Goodreads, but just bumped it down to two, because the more I think about it, the more I realize I didn’t care for it all that much.)
I also finished the audiobook of Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology. I love when Gaiman reads his own audiobooks, because his voice is almost as magical as his writing. And this one was no exception. I absolutely loved this book! It was entertaining and fun and I learned a ton about Norse mythology, which is something I hadn’t read all that much about. I think he did a brilliant job, and this might just be a book I will read again and again, even if it’s just a story or two at a time. Highly recommend it! (Side note: Gaiman just announced a sequel to Neverwhere – my favorite of his books – called The Seven Sisters, and I’m so excited about it!)
Currently, I’m working my way through an ARC of Blood Rose Rebellion by Rosalyn Eves, which I am enjoying for the most part (though it’s reminding me why I sometimes feel like I’ve grown out of YA). I’m also slowly working on Mr. Fox by Helen Oyeyemi. I’m really enjoying this one, but it’s kind of dense, so it’s taking me like a month to read. Which I’m kind of okay with. And I just started the audiobook of The Night Circus by Erin Morgestern. I loved this book when I read it a few years ago, and have been wanting to reread it for a while, and I think the audiobook might be a fun way to do it.
This week, I’m also planning on reading Out of the Fire by Nathanael Green and Evan Ronan. I absolutely adore their Tomahawk and Saber series, and this is a relatively new release that they were kind enough to send me a copy of. It looks incredible, and I’ve been waiting until I’m in the mood to really appreciate it. Hopefully I’ll have a review up for you soon!
I hope you’re all having a great weekend! Let me know what you’re currently reading in the comments!
I’m sorry that you’ve been sick again this week, I hope you’re feeling better now. It’s good you were able to read a book during the blackout but a shame that it didn’t live up to your hopes. I hope your next read is a better one.
Here’s my weekly wrap-up post: https://rathertoofondofbooks.com/2017/02/19/weekly-wrap-up-19-feb/
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Thanks! I am starting to feel a bit better 🙂
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Currently reading The Animators and not loving it. Also trying to slowly work my way through The Count of Monte Cristo reading a chapter or 2 before bed each night.
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That’s the way I tackle most classics, too! I’ll be starting on The Grapes of Wrath soon, I think. I read The Animators last month and didn’t love it, either.
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Currently reading Paradise by Toni Morrison. She is the god of my world.
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I need to read that! I’ve read Song of Solomon and The Bluest Eye, and for some reason I have trouble connecting with her writing, even though I do like it. Which of her books do you recommend I try next?
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I haven’t read Song of Solomon yet, but I have it! And I loved The Bluest Eye – but my favorite is definitely Beloved. As for what I recommend, it really depends on what you’re into! If you want some straight-ish historical fiction, I would go with Jazz. It plays with POV in a way I’ve never seen before, so it’s really worth the read. If you’re a fan of fantasy and darker stuff, you should go with Beloved. =]
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Thanks! I’ll definitely go with Beloved next (and keep Jazz in mind for later – they both sound great). I liked The Bluest Eye more than Song of Solomon, but I think that’s because I read it for a college class, so I might try and reread it soon to see how I feel.
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Nice. =] I’m excited to hear what you think about Beloved!
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I’m reading a couple different things: The Witches of Eastwick, Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, and In Defense of Food. Enjoying them all for different reasons.
I’m looking forward to your review for Caraval! I recently read a really positive review of it so I’m interested in reading yours before I decide just where the book sits on my TBR.
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I’m definitely in the minority in not liking Caraval. My hopes were so high, because everyone else seems to love it, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
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Well, after reading your review, I’m thinking I might be more in your camp. I like flowery language at times, but it definitely has to make sense! The examples you picked out make it seem like I might have a rough time with Caraval. It’ll definitely be a library checkout if I do make it to reading this one 😉 Thanks for the review!
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It’s not too bad if you read quickly, because it’s a little easier to ignore. I have a masters in English, so I’m more sensitive to it than most, and there are a lot of books I don’t like that everyone else loves.
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Good to know 🙂
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I hope you’re feeling better 💕
I’m also a bit fluish and I know how shitty it can be especially if you can’t just stay in bed all day! I’m so sad to hear that you didn’t like Caraval, I’m intrigued to read your review 😊
I hope you have a good week.
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Thanks! I hope you feel better, too!
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