Weekly Wrap-Up: 8/28 – 9/3/17

Happy Sunday bookworms!

If you are here in the U.S., I hope you are enjoying your holiday weekend.  My husband and I have been taking advantage of some of the Labor Day furniture sales for some new pieces needed for our new house.  I’m not a fan of shopping in general, but furniture shopping (especially with a toddler) is now on my list of least of least favorite things to do.  It’s up there with car shopping and getting a root canal.  This week we have to make a decision on our kitchen appliances.  We’ve been to Lowe’s so many times over this first month of renovations, my daughter cringes at the mention of “Lowe’s.”  Wish me luck.

Enough about all that, let’s talk books!

*Weekly Wrap-Up is a weekly post where I feature what posts were published on the blog for the past week, any bookish/blog happenings, what I recently finished reading, what I am currently reading, what I will be reading next, noteworthy posts around the bookish blogosphere, and any interesting bookish articles I came across.

Friday 9/1

August 2017 Wrap-Up + Book Haul + Hiatus Update

» In case you missed it, I announced that I am returning from my hiatus in my August 2017 Wrap-Up + Book Haul + Hiatus Update.  Even though things are still just as busy with the house remodel & getting our current house ready to put on the market and move, I cannot go another month without blogging.  I need it for my sanity.  If this means my reading will slow down a bit, so be it.

I started to catch up with a few of my fellow book bloggers this weekend, and will continue to do so this coming week & weekend.  I’ve missed everyone!

*Book titles link to Goodreads

Recently finished reading:

» The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton

Feelings in a few thoughts:  despite the title, this book is not only about Ava Lavender, but also about those she descends from – we don’t meet Ava until much later in the book ¤ magic realism ¤ “The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows” portion of the title is spot on – there is definitely something strange and beautiful about this book ¤ definitely not a light hearted read – this book is filled with tragedy ¤ contains triggering content ¤ I cannot put my finger on what it was about this book, but it has a very whimsical feel that entranced me

» Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

Feelings in a few thoughts: multi layered story – really enjoyed how the author let the story unfold ¤ character study of a dysfunctional Chinese American family ¤ set in 1970s Ohio (my home state) ¤ mystery vibe not a thriller ¤ themes: racism, sexism, interracial marriage, parents projecting their dreams & ambitions onto their children, loss & grief

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Currently reading:

» Now I Rise (The Conqueror’s Saga #2) by Kiersten White

Status: 42%

» The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by (Guide #1) by Mackenzi Lee

Status: 10%

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On Deck:

» The Passenger by Lisa Lutz

From the author of the New York Times bestselling Spellman Files series, Lisa Lutz’s latest blistering thriller is about a woman who creates and sheds new identities as she crisscrosses the country to escape her past: you’ll want to buckle up for the ride!

In case you were wondering, I didn’t do it. I didn’t have anything to do with Frank’s death. I don’t have an alibi, so you’ll have to take my word for it…

Forty-eight hours after leaving her husband’s body at the base of the stairs, Tanya Dubois cashes in her credit cards, dyes her hair brown, demands a new name from a shadowy voice over the phone, and flees town. It’s not the first time.

She meets Blue, a female bartender who recognizes the hunted look in a fugitive’s eyes and offers her a place to stay. With dwindling choices, Tanya-now-Amelia accepts. An uneasy―and dangerous―alliance is born.

It’s almost impossible to live off the grid today, but Amelia-now-Debra and Blue have the courage, the ingenuity, and the desperation, to try. Hopscotching from city to city, Debra especially is chased by a very dark secret…can she outrun her past?

With heart-stopping escapes and devious deceptions, The Passenger is an amazing psychological thriller about defining yourself while you pursue your path to survival. One thing is certain: the ride will leave you breathless.

» Jackie @Death By Tsundoku gives tips on how to start a book club → Building Better Book Clubs: How to Start a Book Club

» Fadwa @WordWonders shares some books with black MCs (many #OwnVoices books) → WORD WONDERS’ TBR EXPANSION : Books with Black Main Characters

» CW @Read Think Ponder shares some historical fiction recs → Book Recs: Invisible Narratives in Historical Fiction

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» Happily Ever After: 17 Multicultural Fairy Tales to Delight Every Child

» The Best Grown-Up Reads of September 2017

What are you currently reading?

What will you read next?

Have a wonderful week, and happy reading