I’ve entered that time of year where I’m reading less because I’m so tired when I go to bed that I don’t read as long as I normally would. And when I read a book slower, it takes me longer to finish it because (duh) I’m reading it slower, but also because it’s harder for me to get in to it a book when I read it in smaller pieces. Ugh. I think this happened at the end of spring last year, too.
But! Some good news! Our library called me yesterday and said I can do curbside pickup for the books that came in on hold for me pre stay-at-home order! Woot! I had just been in my account and noticed how the movies and books I have from March were due August 1st and was doubting they’d ever do curbside… so this is exciting! I wish I would have thought to ask them if I can return the stuff I have, and how I return the books I am picking up. They’ll probably tell me.
I hope them trying this means we can request new materials soon! I miss renting movies (especially old ones I don’t want to pay to rent) and getting some newer books faster in print. I am definitely thankful for the books I can get on Libby though!
On to two reads –
Images from Goodreads
[43] Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Young Adult / Romance, recommended on Sarah’s Bookshelves Live episode 56
Synopsis: Anna Oliphant’s father decided she should spend her senior year of high school at SOAP – the School of America in Paris – not where she lives in Atlanta, and has a group of friends and potentially budding romantic relationship with her movie theater coworker Toph. Anna reluctantly goes and struggles with being away from home, until she finds herself with a new group of friends she loves, with a particular interest in Étienne St. Clair… who unfortunately has a girlfriend.
Review: What a fun read! I love campus novels. And while this was published in 2010, it still felt very current! Some of the plot was predictable, but that didn’t bother me. There’s more to this series, focused on other characters, and I’d like to read those too.
Recommend? Yes!
[44] Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
Young Adult / Action and Adventure, recommended on Currently Reading episode 41
Synopsis: In this alternate history, the Battle of Gettsyburg is interrupted when the dead soldiers rise as shamblers (zombies). The Native and Negro Reeducation Act requires those children to attend combat school to learn to kill the undead. Jane McKeene is forced to attend a school in Maryland to learn weaponry and etiquette to become an Attendant to the wealthy. She excels at combat, but not at etiquette, and just wants to finish school to get back to her mom in Kentucky, when she accidentally stumbles across a conspiracy that derails her plans.
Review: This took me a while to get in to, but after I did, I didn’t want to put it down. I’m excited to read the sequel. I appreciated learning about the actual ties to history in the Author’s Note. The United States did have a system where Native Americans were sent to boarding schools to assimilate in to white cultural norms, the most famous being the Carlisle Indian Industrial Schools. I had no idea, but sadly, am not surprised to learn this about US history.
Recommend? Yes
Currently Reading: Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
Really nice that you’ll be able to get the library books and movies you requested. And the French Kiss book sounds interesting. Also, when I like a book, I love that there are others in the same series. I remember reading The Spellman Files years ago and being so happy to discover there were many more in that series. Plus the setting was San Francisco so I really loved being familiar with a lot of places mentioned in the book.
Yes! I’m excited! It will be weird to read in print again.
I am often intimidated by series books – like Harry Potter – because I want to read so many different things. I need to be more excited, like you are, that I get more of the story! I love reading books set in places I’ve been! Have you read the novel Sourdough, set in San Fran? It’s so quirky and fun – I really enjoyed it cause I had been there the previous year.
Did “Anna and the French Kiss” make you want to go to Paris??? I read somewhere that Stephanie Perkins didn’t even spend that much time in Paris before writing the book, but it still feels so vividly described. Or maybe that’s my brain filling in the gaps!
I felt like it was described well! It made me want to go back with YOU! I keep hoping you move to France so we can visit. Ha. My one trip there was a disaster 😉
Oh man, I was so excited when I saw you were reading Anna and the French Kiss. I still remember how much I enjoyed that book! It was just so sweet and fun. If I ever get to Paris (you know, provided we can travel again some day, haha), I’ll have to reread that book while I’m there. 😉
Curious about your thoughts about Next Year in Havana – my book club was split on our opinions of the book, but I really liked it!
I love that you saw it and were excited for me! It is so sweet and fun and I think your plan to reread it in Paris is perfect! I reread Angels & Demons in Rome and that was really fun. I feel like I just told you that on your blog recently? LOL
I liked it! I felt like the ending was too easy and wanted an epilogue though.
I love that you saw it and were excited for me! It is so sweet and fun and I think your plan to reread it in Paris is perfect! I reread Angels & Demons in Rome and that was really fun. I feel like I just told you that on your blog recently? LOL
I liked it! I felt like the ending was too easy and wanted an epilogue though.
That’s great that the library is allowing curbside pick up! I really want to read Dread Nation, it’s next on my list 🙂
Yes! I am so excited – I am reading a hard cover book now!
Awesome! I can’t wait to hear what you think 🙂