Sunday, February 2, 2020

Week # 5 in Review - 2020 - Monthly Reading Summary



January has come and gone and I'm happy that our winter weather and temps have been milder than usual. January was a good month for me in terms of really enjoying what I read (for the most part). I finished 9 books  and had (1) DNF.  (I'm really behind on reviews but, hope to do some mini reviews this week.)

 (7) Fiction and (2) NF - (5) audios - (2)-eGalleys and (2) print 
  1. The Guardians; John Grisham - 4/5 (audio/library)
  2. Surfside Sisters; Nancy Thayer - 4/5 (audio/library)
  3. American Dirt; Jeanine Cummins - 5/5 (eGalley)
  4. Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don't Know; Malcolm Gladwell - 3.5/5 (audio)
  5. The Stars Are Fire; Anita Shreve - 4/5 (reread/print/library/book group)
  6. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone; Lori Gottlieb - 5/5 (library/print)
  7. The Secrets We Kept; Lara Prescott - 3.5/5 (audio/library)
  8. A Good Neighborhood; Therese Anne Fowler - 4.5/5 (eGalley)
  9. Olive Again; Elizabeth Strout - 5/5 (audio/library)

    DNF - The Violent Bear it Away; Flannery O'Connor



     This Week's Winners
        (loved them both)







                                                           
                                                           
                                                                   This Week's Movies
                                                                 (2 more winners!)














We loved 1917 - it wasn't at all what I had expected and we both thought it was wonderful!

I read Olive Kitteridge 10+ years ago and loved it and, let me tell you Olive, Again was just as good. I was so sad to have finished Olive, Again, that I immediately decided to watch the miniseries, as a refresher to the original "Olive" and, boy was I happy I did - so much to love above this series and a beautiful Maine setting as well. The prickly "Olive" was played by Frances McDormand. who was perfect for the role.  (I am now very tempted to buy copies of both books). Have you read Olive Kitteridge or Olive, Again? Don't miss them!

The rest of the week included 3 days of yoga, dinner with high school friends (always fun catching up) a trip to the library and a visit from granddaughters - always a treat as well. Oh, yes, and we also caught up on Season 10 - episodes 1 and 2 of Curb Your Enthusiasm (we both needed something to laugh about after, a dreadful news week). It was so funny !

February Reading Plans - I actually haven't started another book after Olive, Again.  I need to find another winner...any suggestions?

Possible February Reads - The Red Lotus; Chris Bohjalian and The Great Believers; Rebecca Makkai and The Heart's Invisible Furies; John Boyne

The end of the week is my husband's birthday so I'm making reservations at a favorite restaurant that we tend to hit only on a birthday as it's not that close to home but, worth traveling for.

How was you month?

38 comments:

  1. This winter has been mild here as well and I hope it stays that way! I'm way behind on my reviews as well.

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    1. Kathy, I find it tough to get motivated to write reviews lately.

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  2. That was a darn good month! Happy Birthday to the Hubby from all of us!!!

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  3. No real winter at here. I'm eager to see 1917! After all this time, I probably should read Olive Kitteridge. Don't know why I never did, but I need to read it before Olive, Again.

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    1. I really did not want to see 1917 but, the hub sees a lot of movies I want so I figured I should. So happy I did, it's not your typical violent war film.

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  4. What a wonderful month of books for you. I haven’t yet read the Olive’s I hope to though.

    Wishing you a great reading week, and have a lovely birthday dinner.

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    1. Thanks Shelley, I hope you will try and enjoy Olive K sometime soon.

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  5. I, too, loved both the Olives plus the tv series with Frances McDormand, who is perfect in any role she plays. I was interested to see you gave five stars to American Dirt. I hope to read it sometime this month. I am appalled that her publisher felt it necessary to cancel the author's book tour for fear of violence. Is that really what we have come to in this country?

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    1. Dorothy, I think it's awful that her book tour was canceled. What has become of some people these days?

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  6. My month was good, mostly taken up by some long reads and four books for reading groups. Good luck in February. I am looking forward to seeing what you choose.

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    1. Thanks Judy. I'm impressed you participate in 4 different reading groups. I could handle (1) more at most.

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  7. Ok, you've helped convince me to see 1917. I am hearing that it isn't just a typical war movie and that's good.

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    1. Yes, Helen, not a lot of violence as one might expect from a war film -- which was nice.

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    2. Yes, Helen, not a lot of violence as one might expect from a war film -- which was nice.

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  8. Sounds like you had a good reading month and no, I haven't read the Olive books. One day I suspect. Have a good week and hope your husband's birthday celebration dinner goes well and is very tasty.

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    1. Kay, Try the Olive K audio books, I think you will like them.

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  9. I remember hearing about Olive Kitteridge around the time I started my blog - in fact, I believe I even won a copy of the book then. Sorry to say that I haven't read the book yet but you've made me curious again about the book.

    Our December winter was very mild but January has been super cold. I'm waiting for the warm days coming our way over the next couple of weeks. Enjoy your week and happy birthday to your husband!

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    1. Thank you. I like this milder weather but, I know I'll wake up one day soon to a huge snowstorm LOL

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  10. You have read some wonderful books this year and we are only one month in. I loved Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, too, and now I'm eager to read Olive Again and American Dirt. I am a big fan of Olive Kitteridge. So happy you liked the new book just as much.

    I'm so glad to hear that you liked 1917 so much. I want to see it, too.

    I wish I could recommend a sure-thing for your next read. The two that come into my mind are both nonfiction, and you may have already read them. They are The Only Plane in the Sky and The Body (by Bill Bryson).

    Have a wonderful week!

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    1. Deb, Bryson's The Body was one I wanted to try so thanks. Olive, Again has my highest recommendation - especially the audio. I was very surprised by how much I liked 1917.

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  11. What a great reading month! I haven't read Olive Kittridge but I've been wanting to and now I'm curious about the mini series! I look forward to seeing what you pick up next and hope it's a winner. Have a great week!

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    1. Katherine, Try the Olive miniseries - it's wonderful. If u have HBO, it's free otherwise, on DVD, perhaps from the library.

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  12. I'm glad to see that you gave American Dirt such a high rating. I've nominated for a book club read this year and I hope all the controversy hasn't ruined everyone's reactions. We'll see.

    I'm also glad to see that you enjoyed Olive, Again and A Good Neighborhood. I have those to read, as well. I loved Maybe You Should Talk To Someone (listened to the audiobook) and have recommended it to several friends who have also loved it. I highly recommend The Hearts Invisible Furies. It was a favorite of mine in 2018. If you enjoy mysteries, I just finished Two Girls Down by Louisa Luna and thought it was exceptionally good.

    Happy reading!

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    1. I put Two Girls Down on hold at the library after you really seemed to love it. I think you will really like: American Dirt, Olive, Again and A Good Neighborhood.

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  13. How did I not know there was a series about Olive?! I can totally see Frances McDormand playing her. You had a wonderful bookish month and sounds like lots of fun is ahead this week!

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    1. Iliana, the Olive miniseries is wonderful. If u have HBO, it's free otherwise, on DVD, perhaps from the library

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  14. I noticed Nancy Thayer on your list and I'm reminded of how much I enjoy her books...and how I'm behind on her latest ones. I'm glad you enjoyed American Dirt. I hope to start it soon.

    Have a great week.

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    1. I have a lot of Nancy Thayer books to catch up on but, she is comforting, when I need an enjoyable happier read.

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  15. It's been mild here as well but we need more rain and snow. My weekly update

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  16. You had so many excellent reads in January! I only read two books, but one was the huge Trollope novel so I don't mind. I was thinking of rereading Olive Kitteridge before Olive, Again but maybe I'll rewatch instead. Enjoy the birthday celebration!

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  17. Thanks JoAnn. The Olive miniseries is wonderful. I watched instead of rereading and it worked well as a refresher.

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  18. Oh man, I loved The Hearts Invisible Furies and The Great Believers so much! Looking forward to A Good Neighborhood.

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  19. You are off to a great start on 2020. I hope to read Olive Again soon, and I purchased a copy of American Dirt just this afternoon that I hope to read sometime this month, too. The author of that one is said to be getting death threats now; it's not as bad as what happened to Rushdie all those years ago, but it's disgusting to see this kind of thing happen to an author and any bookstore owner who would dare offer her a public forum.

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  20. My husband & I thought 1917 was good too. Really puts one into the War at ground level. I also liked the first Olive novel a decade or so ago and hope to get to Olive Again soon. I haven't seen the Olive miniseries but would like to.

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  21. For California, the weather is all over the place. Was 80 degrees for the Super Bowl. Then it dropped 50 degrees the next day. We also had 90 mph winds which caused some damage to the surrounding areas. Right now it's so cold outside that the building I am in is having a hard time heating. It feels like it's about 50 in here.

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  22. I didn't read the original Olive and didn't even realize there was a mini series! Looks like I need to try at least one of those :)

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