Hey there! Welcome to It’s Monday, What Are You Reading!
I love being a part of this and I hope you do too! As part of this weekly meme I love to encourage you all to go and visit the others participating in this meme. Fair warning… this meme tends to add to your reading list!
Can you even believe it is December? I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! We did here. For the first time in 4 years both my boys were home. Brad has been in the Navy for the past 4 years but is now out as of mid October! 😀 On Friday, my College Son Justin went back to Mankato as he had to work and everyone went back to life as usual so my cousin Cheryl and I went to the cabin in Finland Minnesota. It was a fantastic time hanging out with her! We just came back this morning where I dropped her off at her car and went to the Library to help with the holiday decorating. It was fun!
Here is what I posted here last week:
Retrieving My Readers -a post about where I have been and where I am going
Coreyography by Corey Feldman (wow. This one was good on audio)
Goat Mountain by David Vann (hmmmm…. not what I was expecting)
It was a good week, I have a few (ok… maybe more than a few) more book/audio reviews to post this week. Here is what I am reading and listening to right now:
Alice Love is twenty-nine, crazy about her husband, and pregnant with her first child.So imagine Alice’s surprise when she comes to on the floor of a gym (a gym! She HATES the gym) and is whisked off to the hospital where she discovers the honeymoon is truly over — she’s getting divorced, , she has three kids, and she’s actually 39 years old. Alice must reconstruct the events of a lost decade, and find out whether it’s possible to reconstruct her life at the same time. She has to figure out why her sister hardly talks to her, and how is it that she’s become one of those super skinny moms with really expensive clothes. Ultimately, Alice must discover whether forgetting is a blessing or a curse, and whether it’s possible to start over…
After listening to The Husband’s Secret by this same author and enjoying it, I was more than curious about this one. About half way though I am really enjoying it!
Lady Catherine, the Earl, and the Real Downton Abbey, a transporting companion piece to the New York Times bestseller Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey, tells the story of Catherine Wendell, the beautiful and spirited American woman who married Lady Almina’s son, the man who would become the 6th Earl of Carnarvon. The couple presided over Highclere Castle, the grand estate that serves as the setting for the hit PBS show. Following the First World War, many of the great houses of England faded as their owners fortunes declined in the new political and social world of the 1920s and 1930s. As war loomed, Highclere’s survival as the family home of the Carnarvons was again in the balance—as was peace between the nations of Europe.
Using copious materials—including diaries and scrapbooks—from the castle’s archives, the current Countess of Carnarvon brings alive a very modern story in a beautiful and fabled setting, paying particular attention to the staff who provide Highclere Castle with continuity between generations.I just started this one this weekend at the cabin and have not got far but think it is going to be interesting!
Now the anchor of The O’Reilly Factor details the events leading up to the murder of the most influential man in history: Jesus of Nazareth. Nearly two thousand years after this beloved and controversial young revolutionary was brutally killed by Roman soldiers, more than 2.2 billion human beings attempt to follow his teachings and believe he is God. Killing Jesus will take readers inside Jesus’s life, recounting the seismic political and historical events that made his death inevitable – and changed the world forever.
I was not sure I was going to read this one. I have listened to Killing Lincoln and Killing Kennedy but this one…. yet a friend told me it was really interesting so in I go. 😀
Not sure what the next book will be but whatever it is… I am looking forward to it. I also am excited to see what you are reading as we kick off the next 4 weeks of holiday craziness of parties, gift giving, time limitations, family and friends.. and boy… I sure hope there is room for books too. 😀
On a sadder note.. my heart goes out to the loss of Paul Walker, one of the stars of the Fast and Furious movies who died in a horrible car crash yesterday.
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I didn’t get much reading done this last week, so my list remains the same. The Downton Abbey book is still on my wishlist.
Indeed, very sad about Paul Walker.
I just realized tonight there was one before this Downton book…I am not sure how that fits with the one I am reading. So glad to see you here Jamie 🙂
Glad you had a great Thanksgiving. We did too. I am watching the Return to Downton Abbey show to get caught up before Season 4 begins.
What???? What is this return To Downton Abbey show? EEEP! Now I have to look this up! 😛
I’ve been reading a book a day lately. My best was Mortal Instruments:City of Bones. NOW I understand all the fuss! On the TBR shelf is Buried Leads by Lyn Dee Walker, Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, and Ordained Irreverence by Mcmillan Moody
I agree on the Mortal Instrument books. I just finished the fourth and still need to write my review. Great books!
I am watching the Downton Abbey 4 season here in NZ at the moment. The Lady Catherine and the Real Downton Abbey book sounds fascinating. I like books like that so I must check it out.
Its good and apparently the real story!
I bet you loved having both of your boys with you for a change!
It was incredible Kathy!
Ooh…I didn’t know there was a second Downton Abbey/Highclere Castle book! I read Lady Almina and that was very interesting…sounds like this one covers some of the same time periods (and plot points!) as the TV show. Very intriguing! I hope you enjoy reading.
Thats funny Cheryl because I didnt know there was a “first”. LOL I thought this book was it until tonight 😀
How wonderful to have both boys for Thanksgiving. I spent Thanksgiving with the two kids who live nearby…and then on Saturday, we all met with my second son and his kids at a restaurant. Lots of fun!
I loved What Alice Forgot, too, and I also had read The Husband’s Secret first. Enjoy!
I am flying through What Alice Forgot… hard to shut the audio off it is so good!!!!
How nice to have both of your boys visiting you! Looks like you’re back in the reading groove too.
It sure seems like it Laura – it feels so good!
Glad you had a wonderful thanksgiving with both your boys home … special times. I’m about halfway through What Alice Forgot too and I’m really liking it. Happy reading 🙂
Are you listening to it on audio? I am loving the narration.
I’m interested in what you think about Killing Jesus. I read your blog post about blogging again – so glad!! Also, so sad about Paul Walker!
Thanks Holly. I will be interested in what I think about Killing Jesus too. I am entering this one cautiously optimistic.
You have quite a varied reading week! I am in the midst of Police by Jo Nesbo…it’s pretty awesome but really long!
I listened to one Nesbo book on audio and found him a bit too graphic for my tastes… maybe the books dont come off as harsh 😉
I can’t wait until Downton Abbey starts again here even though the quality has seriously declined over the years. Oh, well. I’m glad your life continues to be blessed with great moments with family and friends and books!
I am concerned about the quality too Earl. I have heard a bit about this next season and I not thrilled at how they are starting it off but we shall see …. 😀
I haven’t seen Downtown Abbey but I’ve heard so much about it. I should probably check it out.
So very sad about Paul Walker.
Yes – you can find the first three seasons of Downton on dvd now… you must check them out 😉
Glad you had a good Thanksgiving, we did too but can’t believe its come and gone already. December already? Wow, Christmas will be here before we know it.
Have a good week.
I know…. the race is on. This is actually my least favorite time of year. I know.. I am odd. Too much loss in my life to love Thanksgiving through Christmas…. I basically just work on getting through it. Come on 2014! 😛
The real Downton Abbey book sounds fascinating.
I think it will be Joy. 😀
I’m glad you enjoyed your Thanksgiving. I didn’t think I would enjoy Goat Mountain and from your review I’m glad I didn’t pick it up. Now…Killing Jesus sounds interesting and I’ll look forward to your thoughts. Have a great week!
Thanks Martha – you have a great week as well.
I might have to try Killing Jesus! Sounds very interesting!
Glad you got to spend Thanksgiving with both your sons. I got to spend the day with all 3 of my kids and their families. I love those kinds of days!
Vicki I had to laugh (a bit) at your first line here. Sorry… its Monday morning and I am just up and on my way to the gym. 😀 I hope you do try it, I would love to see some reviews of it.
I’m listening to Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin and reading the final installment of the Caster Chronicles: Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia.
I am going to have to look at these titles Natasha – I do not think I know them 😀
I highly recommend Chasing Fireflies, I’m halfway done with the audiobook and I cried twice already! ☺️
Thanks! Audio is always a plus for me 😀
Hi,
i discovered this meme through another blog and this is the first time I’m participating.
I haven’t seen Downtown Abbey but I’ve heard a lot much about it. I must check it out!
YAY! Glad to have you here! Downton is something I never thought I would get into… and then I did. 😀
Lady Catherine looks FANTASTIC.
ENJOY your reading week.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My It’s Monday, What Are You Reading
Another giveaway on my blog if you want stop by that post too.
Giveaway
Thanks Elizabeth!
Looks like you have some good books ahead of you this week. I have heard wonderful things about What Alice Forgot.
I am so enjoying it! It is going to be fun to review!
Sounds like you had a lovely holiday weekend, with time for both family and friends – how nice! We were 100% family, visiting my hometown in Rochester, NY, with time for every branch of all sides of my family! Fun but also exhausting – your time in the cabin with a friend sounds wonderful!
I would love to read What Alice Forgot – I;ve been hearing a lot about it and it sounds fascinating.
Enjoy your books this week –
Sue
Book By Book
Book by Book is now on Facebook!
It was a nice mix Sue, spending time with Cheryl was a nice ending to a crazy week.
After loving The Husband’s Secret, I really want to read What Alice Forgot, too. I’m hoping to start Remains of the Day today; it’s the December pick for the “I’ve Always Meant to Read That Book” Challenge. Have a great week!
I think you will really enjoy it! I am listening to it on audio and can hardly shut it off!
I am trying really hard to finish The Abominable. It’s really an awesome read but it’s such a chunkster!
Chunksters freak me out a bit… but once finished I feel like a rock star! 😀
I really liked What Alice Forgot and her most recent book too, The Husband’s Secret.
Harvee
Book Dilettante
I finished The Husbands Secret last week and went right into What Alice Forgot. SO GOOD!
Hi Sheila – sounds like your Thanksgiving was great! We only had one of our boys here (the others had to work) but oldest son cooked, so it was wonderful!!
I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by Killing Jesus – it was very well done and researched, I thought. Can’t wait to see what you think!
How fun to have your son cook! I am excited to give the audio a try!
I heard about Killing Jesus, I didn’t realize he had other books on different people with the same title. Interesting… 🙂
He does and while I know they are a bit controversial on line (many say that he just takes other peoples research and doesn’t do his own) I find I do enjoy them and learn from them.
What Alice Forgot sounds so interesting. I will have to add it to my list!
Have an amazing week!