8/1 What you're reading the first week of August is...

[Stacey]

I'm happily finishing up The Last Aloha. An historical fiction about Hawaii, the Hawaiian monarchy and how it became a state. I'm also looking forward to reading James Michener's Hawaii. I've heard his historical fiction books are fantastic.

Next up is The Violets of March: A Novel.

[Theresa]

I'm going to head over to the library in a little bit to pick up State of Wonder and Next to Love. It's going to be a difficult choice: which to start first.

Stacey, I just put a hold on The Violets of Marchand am looking forward to it.

[Caroline]

I'm reading Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe by Bill Bryson. This is my first Bryson book. I know he's supposed to be a funny writer, and I am enjoying this. I have had some LOL moments. :D After reading Still Missing, I wanted something uplifting.

[Gretchen]

I started listening to The Last Child by John Hart. Barely into it but liking it.

Also, reading Backseat Saints by Joshilyn Jackson. I've started this book twice before and couldn't get past 2nd chapter. However, this time I just started with chapter 3 and I'm thinking that might have been a better start to the book. Enjoying it a lot.

[Leslie]

Let me know about Last Child Gretchen. I've tried it two or three times now and never get far. But all I hear is good things!

I'm reading "Then Came You," by Jennifer Weiner and have the new Amanda Eyre Ward on the burner after that. I love when I have great books waiting!

[Mary]

I'm really looking forward to Amanda Eyre Ward's new one, Leslie. I have it on top of my stack but I need to get to a couple of others first. Be sure to let me know what you think!

[Heather]

I started Look at Me by Jennifer Egan yesterday. I'm about 100 pages in and enjoying it immensely. The novel shifts between 2 narrators; Charlotte, a model whose face was destroyed in a car accident and reconstructed by plastic surgery and the 16 year old daughter of her former best friend, also named Charlotte. All the supporting characters are as flawed and fantastic as the narrators. I can't wait to find out what happens to all of them.

[Heather]

Stacey wrote: "I'm happily finishing up The Last Aloha. An historical fiction about Hawaii, the Hawaiian monarchy and how it became a state. I'm also looking forward to reading James Michener's Haw..."

Historical fiction is my favorite genre and Michener is one of the granddaddies. I always put him in the same class as James Clavell. They both tell sprawling, meticulously researched stories with great characters

[Laurel]

Finishing Sarah's Key and getting ready to read The Map of Time.

[Melissa]

I'm reading The Kitchen God's Wife. I'm enjoying it more than The Joy Luck Club.

[Tina]

I just finished Then Came You, good book.
Now I'm about to read Save Me

[Melki]

My friend and neighbor loaned me a book calledThe Brothers K. It's her second favorite book of all time. Her absolute favorite is Moby Dick, so I was not sure what to expect from this title, but it's a wonderful story about a family living in the 1960s. A bit too much baseball for my taste, but otherwise, it's perfect!