It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organise yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date. And here we are!
It's been another quiet, good week here. Weather still hasn't really settled into early summer, we've had a few cold blasts. However planted out my tomatoes, some of my beans are up, but I think snails might have been busy before I got the bait out, so have replanted some. I've also put down pea straw in places as mulch so will be interested to see how that works.
I have written three posts for challenges I am hosting. I know challenges are a little stressful so I am cutting back on ones I do. The one I have posted - Women's Fiction Reading Challenge 2016 I should have titled .... Reading Celebration. Less of a challenge and more read for enjoyment because we can, because those books are there! I will also host again the Full House reading challenge and one more that is aimed at me, while inviting anyone else who wants to join. That will be posted next week.
I know you will all have been rocked by the terror attack on Paris, we live in a world that needs so much light in the darkness. Let us stand together against all hatred and terror.
What I read last week:
I had a DNF this week, my first this year, the book was so long and I just didn't get enough connection with the characters. Decided I have so many books I wasn't willing to cause my reading self to suffer any further after 40%. Won't mention the book but if you follow me on Goodreads you'll see it.
What I am reading at present:
Still listening to:
Reading:
Sat on my TBR shelf way too long, and now with the DNF I need an author I know I like.
Up next:
The Pagan Stone Nora Roberts
Sidekick Auralee Wallace (YA. Australian author)
Posts from the last week:
- Stars of Fortune Nora Roberts
- Incapable Ainslie Paton
- Clean Katherine Ashenburg
- Fitreaders
- 2016 Women's Fiction Reading Challenge Sign Ups
That is cool that you read Christmas quilt, I will be reading that soon. Did you like it?
ReplyDeleteYes I did like it Viki, I had started reading the series and I think while this one is listed at #8 it fits in as number 2 if that makes any sense!!
DeleteThat totally make sense. It is a great series hopefully you will get to read more of the series sometime.
DeleteYou got a lot of reading done this week! I'm sorry about the DNF. It's tough to put a book aside, but it is worse to be slogging through a book that isn't working for you.
ReplyDeleteI hate a DNF, I usually try to slog through but this one was so long.....
DeleteI had a DNF this week too. It was a hard call, but I couldn't do it. It happens - there are just too many books out there to spend time on one I am not interested in.
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas Quilt looks good!
I loved The Book Thief and The Thirteenth Tale. I've got to get back to Big Little Lies.
ReplyDeleteWe did good with tomatoes this year, it was so nice having them from the garden.
ReplyDeleteI don't do a ton of challenges but I have a few in mind for next year. I also like to keep it kind of low key, no pressure. :)
I loved Big Little Lies!
I hope my tomatoes go well, sometimes I get some and sometimes.... failure!
DeleteI loved The Book Thief and Big Little Lies. I have had a few DNF books this year. Sometimes Iblose interest or end up not liking a book. I have too many on the TBR pile to keep going:)
ReplyDeleteExactly
DeleteI'll be watching for a couple of your reviews. I haven't listed my DNF books this year yet in case I try again.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the challenges but sometimes forget to follow through with links. I think I probably met the Full House but I didn't link the titles so I would be going back to link them.
I hope your garden starts growing nicely. :-) Good comments about needed light in a dark world.
Have a good week!
Martha you lead such a busy life I can understand the linking time is just not there!
DeleteAnd I spent yesterday winterizing my yard! You read two of my favorite books last week--The Book Thief is my all-time favorite and The Thirteenth Tale was an awesome Gothic read. Enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteYes both were great reads Jen.
DeleteI also had a DNF this past week...maybe I'll read it at another time, but you are so right...with lots of good books out there, it doesn't make sense to struggle with books we're not enjoying.
ReplyDeleteI loved Big Little Lies...hope you are enjoying it, too.
I am curious about Dear Carolina.
I am enjoying Big Little Lies and Dear Carolina was a southern story, well written.
DeleteI used to persevere through books, with virtually never a DNF but with less time and energy I need to get smarter lol. Nothing beats home grown tomatoes, they just taste so much better! We fertilised our veggie plot again on the weekend and have bucket loads of green tomatoes on, hopefully it won't be long till they ripen.
ReplyDeleteHope you're enjoying Big Little Lies, I liked it, although it's not my favourite of hers. hmm I vaguely recall seeing The Thirteenth Tale on my kindle, must have a look. I think I should ban myself from reading challenges next year ... I have failed miserably at linking up even though I've probably read all the books ... *sigh* I really don't know why I struggle with it so much. I have no problems linking reviews & updating goodreads and netgalley. I love Women's Fiction but don't let me join Kathryn lol
Yes the linking is the annoying aspect of challenges. I have the time now I am retired, but I will be cutting back 2016. I tend to do every link at the same time as NetGalley and Goodreads!
DeleteHappy reading this week :)
ReplyDeleteMust make sure I follow you on Goodreads as I'm wondering what you didn't finish.
ReplyDeleteI've never read Big Little Lies - one of those many books I didn't get around to and now struggle to find the time to read!
The Thirteenth Tale and The Book Thief were both books I loved and ones that have stuck with me. I've never read Lisa Moriarty but I keep hearing good things. Maybe one day...
ReplyDeleteOoh, I can't wait to see what you think of Big Little Lies...I've been waiting for forever to read it! The Book Thief and The Thirteenth Tale have also been sitting on my TBR list for far too long.
ReplyDeleteHappy Reading!
Just finished Big Little Lies and loved it!
DeleteI think I own a copy of The Thirteenth Tale but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. Great to hear about your 2016 reading challenges - I don't think GatheringBooks would be hosting one next year, so I am looking at reading challenges I can join. Will check out yours. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to get a handle on which reading challenges I'll be hosting and joining. I haven't made my hosting posts yet. I'll check out yours too.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your books and have a great week!
DNF's depress me no end! the waste of time and energy expended on something like that!
ReplyDeleteExactly, but I guess to let yourself bail is good, usually I try to hang in there, but not this time!
DeleteI had a DNF last week too, but it definitely wasn't my first of the year! Those are still always disappointing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great post Kathryn. Right now i'm in the middle of My February reviews for RT. Its sometimes hard to be reading Valentine's reads when Thanksgiving is next week LOL
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday my friend!
Oh my for sure Debbie! Out of season!
DeleteIt looks like you've had a good reading week. I've heard a lot of good things about The Thirteenth Tale - I look forward to hearing your thoughts on that one.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big DNF'er! I didn't used to be, but now I'm very much of the mind that there are too many books I hope to read and so won't waste time on those that I don't connect with.
Reading With Jade
I'm a fan of DNFing if a book just isn't working out. It's great that you almost made it the whole year without a DNF. :)
ReplyDeleteVery nice post as always.
ReplyDeleteI had a few DNF's this summer. Just couldn't get into them. I felt bad about not finishing them, but too many books out there I want to read to read something I am not enjoying.
I am reading THE SEAFRONT TEAROOM by Vanessa Greene. It is so cute and cozy. I am enjoying it.
I just finished WHITE COLLAR GIRL by Renee Rosen...excellent read as well.
I will be looking forward to what you think about THE THIRTEENTH TALE.
ENJOY summer as we head into winter. :) I love my garden tomatoes.
Have a wonderful reading week.
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My It's Monday, What Are You Reading
Of the 5 books you read last week, I have read 3. I'll be anxious to read your reviews of The Book Thief, The Thirteenth Tale and The Christmas Quilt. I don't have very many DNFs, mostly because if I purchased a book, I think I need to finish it and then I am an idealist, I always think it will get better in the next chapter! I should probably try to let that go, because as you say there are so many books to read and only so much time to do it.
ReplyDeleteI have only reviewed The Book Thief! The other two I enjoyed... but didn't have to write a review for them so just enjoyed!
DeleteThe Book Thief and The Thirteenth tale were wonderful. I also really enjoyed Big Little Lies...hope you do as well.
ReplyDeleteI read Dear Carolina and loved it! You have some wonderful titles on your list this week. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteI loved Dear Carolina...saw that you had picked it up...hope you enjoyed it!!! She is such a sweetheart! I'm eagerly awaiting a copy of her next book, due out next Spring. I've only read one of Jennifer Chiaverini's quilt series, and really need to read more...I've read a few of her historical fiction books and loved them.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Sorry about your DNF - that always stinks. But you read some good books last week, too! I loved The Book Thief - read it twice! And I enjoyed The Thirteenth Tale, too - some of my book group really loved it. Hope you enjoyed the books you finished last week.
ReplyDeleteHave fun reading this week!
Sue
Book By Book
I hope you're enjoying Big Little Lies! It's a good one!
ReplyDeleteI hate to DNF a book, but sometimes it's necessary. Not worth wasting time on books we don't like. Too many books to read! :)
I hope you have a great week!
I too loved Big Little Lies! I have a few DNF audio books on my kitchen table now. I keep them there to remind me to write something about them before I put them on the shelf for a potential later date :)
ReplyDeleteDear Carolina seems like a good one and I have The Thirteenth Tale already added, probably b/c of you.
ReplyDeleteBig Little Lies is great!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't have many DNFs, but sometimes it takes me a long time to get through a novel I'm not enjoying because I read others in between.
ReplyDeleteYou've reminded me I need to get my tomato plants in. I had a good crop last year so I'm looking forward to the same this year. Good luck with yours.
Thanks Yvonne I need all the good luck I can get with tomato plants!
DeleteI loved Big Little Lies! And I read The Thirteenth Tale a long time ago but remember enjoying it. I try so hard to avoid DNFs but it happens sometime. I'm currently reading a book that I've decided to skim. It's a nonfiction book that is more of a manual than what I was expecting. It's very good for what it is, so I want to give the author a decent review. But it's not the type of book the general public will enjoy just for fun.
ReplyDeleteI don't like DNFs either - I feel like it's a reflection on me, but like you my TBR pile is huge and it's better to leave it and find something to love!
ReplyDelete