Monday, June 28, 2010

It's Monday -- What Are You Reading?



It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. It's is a weekly event to celebrate what we are reading for the week as well as books completed the previous week.

For nearly two weeks, I have had a series of disappointing reads.  Last week it was Shanghai Girls by Lisa See.  This week I finished two that were less than stellar:

Finished:
The Icing on the Cupcake by Jennifer Ross
Embers by Sandor Marai

And I didn't finish one, which in hindsight, I probably should have finished over the other two:
Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard

It's been a while since I've absolutely fallen in love with a book.  I'm due an "I can't put this down -- why don't you kids stay in front of the TV a little while longer" novel.

Currently, I've hijacked my husband's Father's Day present.  Do you ever do that -- buy him something you secretly want for yourself?  I bought TWO things for him with that M.O. -- James Taylor and Carole King's CD, Live at the Troubadour and Anthony Bourdain's Medium Raw.

Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook

So far, it's everything you'd expect from Anthony Bourdain -- language, drugs, alcohol and food.  I adored Kitchen Confidential and DVR regularly, No Reservations -- but I haven't found the groove yet with this book.  It's a series of essays -- so it is a bit disjointed.  I just finished a splendid chapter called LUST, on various meals he has eaten both domestic and exotic.  I think when he is writing about food he is brilliant. 

My TBR/Reading ADD issues continue this week.

I made two book purchases over the weekend:

The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly McNees
Deftly mixing fact and fiction, Kelly O'Connor McNees imagines a love affair that would threaten Louisa's writing career-and inspire the story of Jo and Laurie in Little Women. Stuck in small-town New Hampshire in 1855, Louisa finds herself torn between a love that takes her by surprise and her dream of independence as a writer in Boston. The choice she must make comes with a steep price that she will pay-for the rest of her life.

The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott

This is a relatively new novel, so I was completely surprised to find it marked down 50% at Barnes & Noble over the weekend!  As a B&N member I received an additional 10%, so this hardback novel was only $12.  Cheaper than a paperback!  I'm not sure why - is it not selling? 

And

A Long Long Time Ago but Essentially True by Brigid Pasulka
Whimsical, wise, beautiful, magical, and at times heartbreaking, A Long, Long Time Ago and Essentially True weaves together two remarkable stories, reimagining half a century of Polish history through the legacy of one unforgettable love affair.

A Long, Long Time Ago and Essentially True


I've been enchanted by this cover since this book was released.  And, as the winner of the Pen/Hemingway award, I'm hoping it merits its accolades.

My previous TBRs are still lurking in the stack....but my attention as been drawn elsewhere.  I'm sure by next week, something else will have lured me away from the above!

What are you reading this week?

12 comments:

The1stdaughter said...

Oh, Anthony Bourdain...sounds really really good. And yes, often I find myself thinking, "oh, this will be perfect, it will get so much use from both of us". lol

Have a fabulous reading week and if you have a minute check out my Reading Week at There’s A Book.

Sheila (Bookjourney) said...

The Lost Summer is suppose to be a good one so I hope it really is for you and helps you break through to a book you love. :)

I hate that when you run into a stream of mediocre, unmemorable books... by the time you get tot he great one you devour it!

Here's to an awesome reading week. May we both find "the book". :D

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

I read The Lost Summer...fairly recently and loved it.

I'm intrigued by A Long, Long Time Ago...

Here's my Monday, and BTW, I just signed up to follow you.

http://laurel-rain-snow.blogspot.com/2010/06/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-june-28.html

Nora said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog :)
It's a shame you can't find any amazing reads right now. I had the same problem until I read I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings :)
I really hope you enjoy th next books on your list :)

Esme said...

Try Summer at Tiffany

bermudaonion said...

I can't wait to see what you think of Lunch in Paris!

jlshall said...

I've got the LM Alcott book on my TBR list - sounds intriguing. That was a great find! Hope you enjoy all your reading this week.

Anonymous said...

A Long Long Time Ago but Essentially True by Brigid Pasulka looks wonderful and I see what you mean about the cover.

Bailey said...

Sorry about the reading rut! Those are no fun. I have heard good things about The Lost Summer but haven't looked into it myself. I'm interested to hear your thoughts!

I'm reading The Hunger Games currently, and the rest of my picks are here - http://windowseatreader.blogspot.com

Julie said...

I've been hearing about The Lost Summer - all good. I hope it makes up for the dearth of good books for you recently!

Julie @ Knitting and Sundries

Beth(bookaholicmom) said...

I loved The Lost Summer. I hope you enjoy it as well. I hope you find a book that knocks your socks off!

Helen's Book Blog said...

Don't you just love and hate your TBR stack?! It seems to grow when I am not paying attention! And, I cannot read fast enough to whittle it down