Monday, August 13, 2018

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (2)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted at The Book Date and is a way to share what we've read in the past week, what we're currently reading, and what's next!


Read:


I finished three books this week which is HUGE for me. I just moved to a new city, and my job and classes haven't started up yet, so it's been a great time for reading.

1. The Austere Academy by Lemony Snicket


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I was inspired to re-read this series by the amazing Netflix TV adaption. I still love the wit and dry humor of these books, and the little easter eggs in the drawings and references.


5/5

2. Rust and Stardust by T. Greenwood


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I was lucky enough to win an ARC of this book through Goodreads. The book is based on the true story of the kidnapping of Sally Horner, the girl who inspired Nabakov's Lolita. Told from the perspectives of Sally, several of her family members, and various people she crosses paths with during the two years she was held by her kidnapper, Rust and Stardust was haunting and well-written, and nuanced in a way that these kinds of stories usually aren't. For more, see my review.


4/5

3. The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin


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This is the first book in a long time that has kept me hanging onto the edge of my chair, reading frantically way past my bedtime. My bedtime is 10pm sharp, but still. This book was crazy. I love an unreliable narrator, and Mara Dyer delivers. Strange things have been happening to her for some time now, but it's hard to tell whether she's crazy, has a stalker, or has supernatural powers. Spoiler: it might be all three.


5/5


Currently Reading:

I like to impose crazy reading quotas on myself, which is why I'm always reading a nonfiction book and self-help book slowly, and at least one other book at a quicker pace.

1. John Adams by David McCullough


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I haven't gotten very far into this one, but I loved 1776 by the same author. It'll probably be a few months before I finish, because 1) I'm only reading a couple pages a day, and 2) it's 651 pages long!

8% read

2. The Brain Fog Fix: Reclaim Your Focus, Memory, and Joy in Just 3 Weeks by Mike Dow

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I'm at the very beginning of this one as well, but the author speaks really convincingly about brain health and its connections to what we eat, which is what the first couple of chapters are on. Especially striking to me were the stats on the connection between diabetes and Alzheimer's. I'm excited to learn more and start the three-week program at the end.

4% read

3. Legendary by Stephanie Garber

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I LOVED Caraval when it came out last year, and I've been itching to start this sequel. I love how atmospheric this series is, and the descriptions and writing are lush and beautiful without going too purple-y. I'm loving Legendary so far as well.

25% read

Up Next: 


Catch-22 by Joseph Heller


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I'd love to know what all of you are reading as well. Have a great week!

26 comments:

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    1. I'd definitely recommend! It was engrossing without leaving me in a pit of despair like some abuse books do.

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  2. The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin has been on my TBR for a longtime...and I loved the adaptations of 1776 and John Adams...maybe I should try the books...

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    1. I'd definitely recommend continuing the Mara Dyer series! I read the first one in 2011 I think, and it was so easy to jump right back in. I was literally on the edge of my seat reading that one.

      John Adams is good so far, but it's definitely a big time commitment! Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. Rust and Stardust sounds so good. The Evolution of Mara Dyer has been on my TBR forever.

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    1. I would highly recommend both! I just picked up the third in the Mara Dyer trilogy today, and I've already read more than half, which is super unprecedented for me. It's just so mind-twisty and brilliant! Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. I was inspired to re-read the Lemony Snicket books by the Netflix series, too! I haven't gotten to them yet, but the whole time I was watching it I thought about how much I loved the books as a child. I haven't read Catch-22, but it's on my list.

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    1. Isn't the Netflix series wonderful? They've done a great job at capturing the spirit of the books, imho. Hopefully I'll enjoy Catch-22! It's been hit-or-miss for the classics for me.

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  5. Hi Amanda! Wow, I am impressed with your book selection and what you are reading. I haven't read Lolita, although it is on my bookshelf but Rust and Stardust looks and sounds good. That brain fog fix non fiction book sounds interesting too and I am happy you liked the evolution of Mara Dyer. Thanks for visiting. Just fyi. Owlcrates July box is about My Plain Jane.

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    1. Yes, it was a great reading week! Thanks for the tip about OwlCrate, I've had to cut back on my budget lately which meant cutting it out, but I'll check out the box and see if I can indulge myself a little! Thanks for stopping by :)

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  6. The premise of Caraval really appeals to me, even though I haven't read it yet, so I really need to binge read that and Legendary at some point. And I've seen The evolution of Mara Dyer around but never really knew what it was about. It definitely sounds intriguing!

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    1. Legendary is great so far, but I'm not enjoying it quite as much as Caraval, although the writing is still really beautiful.

      It's been years since I've binged books like I did the Mara Dyer series - I just finished the third in less than a day which is crazy fast for me. They are such quick reads!

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  7. So glad you enjoyed Rust and Stardust as I just brought it home! Have a great week.

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    1. I hope you enjoy it as well! It's one of those tragic stories, but beautifully written and nuanced. Thanks for stopping by!

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  8. I liked your comments about Rust & Stardust. It was a book I DNF'd earlier this summer, but now I'm wondering if I should go back and give it a second chance. I've seen several positive reviews. I hope you have a great week.

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    1. I can definitely see why you might have put it down - it didn't draw me in fully until maybe halfway through. It was one of those books that got better in my mind the longer I thought through it.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  9. Rust and Stardust sounds so good! And I loved Legendary. I was the same way, I loved Caraval and couldn't wait for Legendary!

    Have a great week!

    Erin @ Cracker Crumbs
    https://crackercrumblife.com/2018/08/12/the-sunday-post-its-monday-what-are-you-reading/

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    1. I just finished Legendary and loved it as well! Thanks for stopping by :)

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  10. I'm all admiration for your having more than one book on the go at a time. I tried a few times, but they just get jumbled in my brain which makes for interesting reviews!

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    1. It's more impatience than anything, haha! And it's nice if I'm not super into one book, I can just swap over to the other one. There's definitely some fun crossovers when I'm reading more than one book though - like in Rust and Stardust and The Evolution of Mara Dyer, the novel Lolita was mentioned. I love those little coincidences!

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  11. I love that you're rereading A Series of Unfortunate Events, I've found that rereading series I loved when I was a kid is my favorite type of comfort reading now

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    1. Definitely! I am always re-reading books from my childhood for that very reason. Currently A Series of Unfortunate Events, and Harry Potter. Thanks for stopping by :)

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  12. I haven't read anything by Lemony Snicket and I really should pick up this series. I think the John Adams book is in my TBR pile somewhere. The Evolution of Mara Dyer isn't something I would usually read, but the write up on Goodreads sounds fascinating.

    Thanks for visiting my blog.

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    1. Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler is his real name) is consistently so funny and clever in his books. I'm a huge fan! If I ever finish John Adams I will definitely post a review and let everyone know if it's worth the page count.

      The Mara Dyer series really surprised me by how engrossing and intricate the mystery is. Highly recommend! Thanks for stopping by :)

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  13. Woosh. That is a huge book! I have 1776 on my shelves...somewhere. My bookcases are such a mess right now. I need to hunt that down. Happy almost Sunday!

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    1. It is a clunker! Definitely intimidating to start, but SO well researched.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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