What are you reading this week? (April 20 to April 26)

[Kate]

Hi Everyone! What are you reading this week?!

I just finished up the audio book for The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires. It was a very creepy and entertaining listen from start to finish.

What should I read next? The Glass Hotel or Stone Cold Heart Please leave your suggestions below

Happy Reading!

[Lauren]

I'm reading the second of the Brother Cadfael mysteries, One Corpse Too Many . I can see how these could start to get a little repetitive, but since a monk solving murders in medieval England is about as escapist as it gets, I'm still enjoying them.
And I vote for The Glass Hotel, so you can tell me if it's any good or not!

[Mirkat]

Just started Shine by Lauren Myracle for the Forever YA book club (which, by the way, was super fun last night!). Also still reading/listening to A Very Stable Genius: Donald J. Trump's Testing of America .

[Cassandra]

Mirkat wrote: "Just started Shine by Lauren Myracle for the Forever YA book club (which, by the way, was super fun last night!). Also still reading/listening to [book:A Very Stable ..."

Shine was a worthwhile read. It piqued my interest after it was accidentally named a finalist for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature years ago and the judges asked Lauren Myracle to withdraw instead of admit their mistake. Here's hoping you enjoy it.

I'm listening to the audiobook of Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance. My feeling so far is that it's good, but overrated. I would love to hear others' opinions if they have read/listened to it.

[Mirkat]

Did not know about the accidental nomination. "Oops. We didn't mean to nominate you. If you could just say you don't want to be up for the award, that would be great, thanks!"

[Lauren]

Cassandra wrote: "Mirkat wrote: "Just started Shine by Lauren Myracle for the Forever YA book club (which, by the way, was super fun last night!). Also still reading/listening to [book..."

I haven't read Hillbilly Elegy yet, so I'm interested to hear that! I almost feel like there's no way it could possibly live up to all the hype.

[Diana]

Finally starting Ruthless Gods, which I've been very much looking forward to.

Kate, I'm voting for The Glass Hotel. I love Emily St John Mandel and can't wait to get my hands on that one (...she said, gazing longingly at her library hold for said book. Might have to buy it!)

[Kathryn]

Lauren wrote: "I'm reading the second of the Brother Cadfael mysteries, One Corpse Too Many . I can see how these could start to get a little repetitive, but since a monk solving murders in medieval England is ab..." I loved watching the Brother Cadfael TV series. Maybe I'll check out the books!

[Kristin]

I just finished Fates and Furies and am about to start Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch, of which I’ve heard tremendous praise.

My vote would go for Mandel’s book, as Station Eleven ranks in my top 5-10 books of all time. I’ve made it a priority during this covid-crisis to read books I already own, but I look forward to reading The Glass Castle when this is all over.

I’ve also started (spurred by seeing YouTubers conduct 24-hour reading challenges) keeping track of how much time I read in an effort to see what 24 hours of (non-consecutive) reading looks like for me over a period of weeks. So far, Fates and Furies logged 7.5 hours. Just an interesting way for me to gauge reading, as I usually just think about reading in terms of books per year.

[Rebecca]

Actually reading a non-fiction book these past couple of weeks called Hudson Valley by David Levine which is nice, low stress night reading before bed.

And then I just started Nemisis by SJ Kincaid, which concludes a fantastic sci-fi series. Intense.

[Cassandra]

Kristin wrote: "I just finished Fates and Furies and am about to start Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch, of which I’ve heard tremendous praise.

My vote would go for Mandel’s book, as Station Eleven ranks in my top 5-1..."

I like the idea of tracking what 24 hours of reading looks like. Our youth summer reading challenge asks participants to track the amount of time spent reading, but it's never caught on with our adults. It seems to be a practice that they aren't interested in, and I think it's because it's easier to track books read instead of hours spent reading. This could be a good way to track activity for those who feel that their days are blending together during this trying time. Many people will keep meal or exercise journals, but what about reading journals?

[Mirkat]

Cassandra, I actually started book journaling back in January, but I don't track time spent reading (or listening)--beyond date started and date completed. I'm more interested in organizing my thoughts about/reactions to the content.

[Lauren]

Kathryn wrote: "Lauren wrote: "I'm reading the second of the Brother Cadfael mysteries, One Corpse Too Many . I can see how these could start to get a little repetitive, but since a monk solving murders in medieva..."

I've never watched the series, but now I think I might check it out! I'd love to see the scenes of medieval life that are described so well in the books.

And Rebecca, thanks for the recommendation- that Hudson Valley book looks like one I would love!

[Kate]

I am going to start The Glass Hotel this weekend. Thank you for your feedback :)

[Cassandra]

Mirkat wrote: "Cassandra, I actually started book journaling back in January, but I don't track time spent reading (or listening)--beyond date started and date completed. I'm more interested in organizing my thou..."

That's another good idea for journaling your reading! I used to do that for my assignments in college, but never kept up with it when it came to recreational reading. More ways to add meaning when the days blend together.