IRL
Thanks to so many of you who have asked about my Lab, Jerry, and sent us well wishes. He’s doing very well and started back on his regular diet of kibble today. He inhaled it in record time so it seems his jaw has healed nicely. He’ll get his last melanoma vaccine and some X-rays in a couple of weeks.
We had a great vacation in Whistler. The kids love the ski and snowboarding school and I love that I can read and relax while they’re there! Unfortunately, the very day we came back my son started getting sick and of, course, the next day my daughter was sick too. They missed 2-3 days of school. Today we’re having our second nor’easter of the week so another day home for them. And the school has already called a snow day tomorrow. CALGON TAKE ME AWAY!!!
WHAT I READ
IN ORDER OF STAR POWER (CLICK TITLES TO BE TAKEN TO MY REVIEW):
Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance – I Loved this novel about a boy raised by wolves. Magical realism for fans of literary fiction.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine – As my first audiobook, it did not disappoint. I love quirky characters. This book was much more than I had anticipated. Oh, the feels!!
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas – There’s a reason this one is on so many lists of favorites. If you haven’t read this book, you really should.
The French Girl – Decades after a young French woman goes missing, the six Oxford chums who were the last to see her alive are under suspicion.
The Naturalist – A computation biologist seeks to solve a series of brutal murders.
The Storm King – I’ve yet to finish the review for this one. (Coming soon!) A respected NYC surgeon is called home after the discovery of the body of his high school girlfriend.
Promise – In the aftermath of the 1936 tornado in Tupelo, Mississippi, two families – one black, one white – find a way to reconcile their past and present.
In Every Moment We Are Still Alive – A father must face moving on without his wife whom he lost during the birth of their child.
DNF
The House of Impossible Beauties: A Novel – DNF’d at page 129. My major issues were pacing lack of connection to the characters and lack of interest in the plot. I would have never believed that a book about the 80’s NYC drag/ ball culture scene could be boring but it felt like it was going nowhere.
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk – I purchased this as an audiobook. I was more than half way through when I decided to DNF it. I liked Lillian well enough but I didn’t connect with the story at all. I really wanted to like this one. I may give it a go in print form at some time again in the future.
OTHER POSTS
When the Moon Was Ours – 4.75/5 star Throwback Thursday mini review.
In the Quiet – 4 star Throwback Thursday mini review.
AROUND THE INTERWEBS
I didn’t do a very good job of keeping track of posts to share during the latter half of the month but here are a few I really enjoyed from the beginning:
Just reading Lory at Emerald City Book Review’s post, What’s Saving My Life This Winter ,made me feel more grounded at a time when I myself was feeling stressed.
Pages Unbound Reviews post, Trends I Think We’ll See in Book Blogging in 2018, definitely reminded me that I need to do more discussion posts.
Cait at Paper Fury posted this funny and accurate list of What Bookworms Really Want (FT. A List That’s Totally Achievable Don’t Look at Me Like That)
Melissa Chu posted a very thoughtful piece called The Definitive Guide on How to Read Properly.
I hope you had a fantastic February. Cheers!
I really want to read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas…after loving Heart’s Invisible Furies! Now to find the time…
That’s always the biggest bookworm problem! Darn that need for sleep.
Great news about Jerry!! I feel for you with the snow days, let’s hope winter leaves soon and you’re stocked with wine and books these next couple days:) I love this format for a wrap up, heading to check out the posts from around the web
Thanks, Renee! Plenty of wine and books here but I haven’t gotten through enough of either! If I could remove the petty sibling bickering from the equation, perhaps I could get more than 2 loads of laundry accomplished in a day.
Whistler is such a great place to go winter or summer! It looks like your reading month was terrific and I love the links you’ve shared. How did I miss those? Hunker down and stay warm!
Thanks, Susie! We’d love to go in the summer too. I really want to see the bears and the Orcas so I’d love to combine it with a trip to Vancouver Island.
What a fun trip and I’m so glad to hear that Jerry is on the mend; I hate it when my doggies are not feeling well! I really felt like Eleanor Oliphant just got better and better, the more I read; I’m so glad you enjoyed it, too!
Thanks, Tara! I’m still having Eleanor withdrawals. I loved that book!
Good to hear Jerry is on the mend – another fab reading month for you!
Thanks, Cleo! He’s doing better than I could’ve ever expected.
I’m happy to hear your dog is doing better! Ugh! I’m sorry to hear the family has been sick followed by snow days… I’m sure you are more than ready to get back into your normal routine.
It looks like you read some great books in February! I need to check out your reviews for The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas & Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine because they’ve both been recommended to me.
I’m sorry to hear you DNF Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk… I remember LOVING the cover when it came out last year (last year?). Hopefully you’ll give it another go and enjoy it more.
Happy reading in March!
Glad you had a good vacation. SOrry the kids got sick. We have been sick so much this year – I am over it!!! ANd I also need these snow days to end. ISn’t it spring??? Glad you liked Eleanor Oliphant. Have a great March!
Thanks, Grace! Sorry you’ve all been sick too. I’m hearing we may get more snow before it’s all said and done but I’m in denial!