Monday, February 1, 2016

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Fast and Furious Addition)

Thanks to The Book Date!

So here’s the scoop fast and furious. 

I have finished:

Since finishing A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara last week, which was a BIG book in every way imaginable, I needed something to balance my brain from it. So I chose The Financial Lives of the Poets by Jess Walter. Walter also wrote Beautiful Ruins, which left me lukewarm. However, this book was so much fun. Hilariously depressing. Akin to novels by Joshua Ferris, but Walter came before. It had a wee bit of a Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas style, too.

American Housewife by Helen Ellis. I said this about it on Goodreads:

“This is a hard one to rate as I have read quite a few short story collections, which I felt more feelings for. That said, some stories are so outstanding! Ellis has such a cool voice. I really like "The Wainscoting War", "Dumpster Diving With the Stars" (Woo hoo!), "Hello! Welcome to Book Club", "The Fitter", and "How to be a Patron of the Arts". The first half stories felt fresh and unique. I feel bad, though, saying the second half seemed so similar. Nothing unique. Even observing this, I had so much fun with this collection. I have been and am an American housewife.

3.5 stars!”

What am I currently reading?

The Story of a New Name (The Neapolitan Novels, #2) by Elena Ferrante. If you haven’t started this series, DO! I love everything she has written. I’ve been hanging on to two of her other novels,Troubling Love and The Lost Daughter, for almost a year. Since they are short, I intend to bring those on a secret vacation next week. Why secret? Because I have absolutely no idea where I am going. Hubby says he will give me “climate’ for packing purposes two days out. WHAT? 


That’s me! What about you?

6 comments:

Elizabeth said...

I want to read American Housewife.

It looks like you had a good week.

I hope you are having a good Reading Tuesday.

Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My It's Monday, What Are You Reading

Gina said...

Hi Elizabeth! American Housewife is good. Don't you love the cover. It made me laugh more times than I can count. Really clever!

I had a GREAT reading week last week and over the weekend. Unfortunately, it's come to almost a screeching halt. So busy. Too busy. I just sat down this very second to answer you then finish up Dream Work, a collection of poems by Mary Oliver.

Heading over to check out what you're up to reading-wise!

H. Buchholz said...

Just stumbled upon this blog and then put American Housewife and Financial Lives of the Poets on hold and my local library! Thanks!

Jamie Miles said...

Back to my Goodwill finds stack, I'm reading The Hours. Knew nothing about it other than it was made into a movie with Meryl Streep. And up for Oscars a few years ago. Well, the writing is amazing, Michael Cunningham -- and I'm enjoying it but I want to finish it because it's depressing. Ugh.

Gina said...

Oh, I am so excited to have you! Those two books are fun. Let me know what you think after reading them!

Gina said...

I want to know what you think about The Hours after finishing. I recently finished a depressing, heavy book. You need something light, sister!

I should be reading every unread book I have at the house. But...I can't help but buy more. Just finished one called The Portable Veblen. It was awesome and unique and hilarious.