Sunday, October 5, 2014

A Week in Books






What I Read Last Week





Now this is what I call a good reading week:  One brilliant novel (A Month in the Country...a Booker nominee, a Guardian Fiction Prize winner...could there be a movie adaptation?), one nonfiction book, and two versions of a children's classic from the 1001 Children's Books You Must Read list. 

I can't say enough about a Month in the Country. Tom Birkin is a WWI vet, traumatized by the war and a bad marriage, who takes a job in a country church uncovering an old mural. It's a healing summer for Tom, with friendships and work that helps him rethink religion, marriage, and even life. A Month in the Country is a short read, a one-night read even, so I can't think of a single reason why you shouldn't take it on. Somehow, in reading it, after a long string of current novel disappointments, I remembered why I love novels. 

I Survived: Five Epic Disasters is a nonfiction takeoff of a very popular new middle grade series of books of fiction based on true disasters. So, a nonfiction version of fiction books based on nonfiction events. (I think I said that right.) The author makes great choices in her selection of disasters, mixing some well-known events (Titanic) with some lesser-known, but equally powerful stories (Blizzard of 1888). These I Survived books fly off the shelves and I can't think of any reason this book won't also. 

My online book group is reading Swiss Family Robinson this month. Our leader set me free when she revealed that scholars say there is no one single authoritative version. Okay. So, shall I read the 496 page version, written on a ninth grade reading level? Or shall I go for the 112 page adaptation, written with third graders in mind? Should I choose the 72 page graphic novel? I settled on the last two. And I think I chose wisely. Plenty of action and adventure and quite readable to boot. I'm pretty sure I read some version of this as a child as I've always had a secret longing to live in a treehouse. 

           






What Arrived Last Week


Nothing makes me happier than when I receive a book set in France. Nothing except, perhaps, receiving two books set in France. There is just something about scenes from Paris on the cover that completely mesmerizes me. I'm quite certain that I will find both of these books delicious.

           







What I'm Reading Now

I'm almost at the end of The Perfect Score Project and I have to say that I cannot imagine a more perfect book for you if you are interested in aiming at a fabulous score on that oh-so-important test in your near future. Debbie Stier covers everything, takes a look at every possible test-help, shares all the tips-and-tricks she finds. A very good investment of your time and money, for all you you SAT-ers and parents of SAT-ers out there.

And Real Fast Food? A big yes. We want to eat things that are good for us, right? And that taste good? And that are easily prepared? Yes, yes, yes.           







So what do you have for me? Have you run across something I should be reading? 
How was your Week-in-Books? And what are you reading today?!


What is the Sunday SalonImagine some university library's vast reading room. It's filled with people--students and faculty and strangers who've wandered in. They're seated at great oaken desks, books piled all around them,and they're all feverishly reading and jotting notes in their leather-bound journals as they go. Later they'll mill around the open dictionaries and compare their thoughts on the afternoon's literary intake....That's what happens at the Sunday Salon, except it's all virtual. Every Sunday the bloggers participating in that week's Salon get together--at their separate desks, in their own particular time zones--and read. And blog about their reading. And comment on one another's blogs. Think of it as an informal, weekly, mini read-a-thon, an excuse to put aside one's earthly responsibilities and fall into a good book. Click here to join the Salon.

The Sunday Post is a meme hosted by Kimba at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's a chance to share news and recap the past week.

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at The Printed Page. We share books that we found in our mailboxes last week. 
 It is now being hosted here.


Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which you can share the books you've acquired.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between!  This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from! I love being a part of this and I hope you do too! As part of this weekly meme Book Journey loves to encourage you all to go and visit the others participating in this meme. 

28 comments:

  1. Interesting books! I hope to read The Chameleon Club novel sometime soon!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, what a nice selection of books! From the nostalgic to the current and timely topics. I love books about France...enjoy!

    Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

    ReplyDelete
  3. That's what I call an AMAZING week - 4 reviews + new books! I've been eyeing The Chameleon Club for a while now (I like the cover hahaha). I hope you have an even better upcoming week, Deb :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a good week. I'm happy I decided to read what I want.

      Delete
  4. I didn't realize there were so many different versions of Swiss Family! I definitely didn't know that there is a graphic novel version. I like to read those for the 24 Hour Readathon. Thanks for the idea :D

    Have another great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A Month in the Country would be great for the Readathon, too. Short and wonderful.

      Delete
  5. Month in the Country sounds very interesting. I like a book that connects me to a character. Looks like France is on your menu:) Books are a great way to travel. LOL
    here is my Sunday Post - http://fuonlyknew.com/2014/10/05/whats-new-on-my-bookshelf-81-and-the-sunday-post/

    ReplyDelete
  6. A Month in the Country sounds fantastic. How did it get on your reading list? Is it a new book? I felt the same way about The Perfect Score process though it seems like things are getting crazier and crazier when it comes to the SATs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know how it got on my list. Maybe it was on the Mood-Boosting list?

      Delete
  7. I didn't know that Swiss Family Robinson doesn't have an authoritative version. I must have read an adaption for kids -- probably from Scholastic.

    ReplyDelete
  8. No definitive version of Swiss Family? I didn't know that... interesting. and I can relate to the treehouse thing- my favorite attraction at Disney World as a kid was the Swiss Family Robinson attraction. Climbing all those steps, way up there... I read the book as a kid but hardly remember it now. Hmm...

    A month in the Country sounds nice... and Chameleon Club has a nice cover.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Very interesting about no definitive version of The Swiss Family Robinson! I'm going to have to look into that more. Thanks for sharing and recommending A Month in the Country. It's always nice to be able to find a short satisfying read for those times when you don't want to invest yourself too much! Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hmm. I'm curious about the Francine Prose book. I'll have to check that out! Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love the Swiss Family Robinson. I really should revisit that again someday!
    Enjoy your new books!

    have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'll be interested in what you think about the 100 Places in France book. I wish I'd picked the graphic novel version of SFR right now!

    ReplyDelete
  13. A Month in the Country sounds wonderful... on to the list it goes!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Nice reads you got. I also enjoy reading books set in France. That's my dream country. Haha! I Survived: Five Epic Disasters looks like an interesting read. :) Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I think I will check into A Month in the Country!. I feel like I could use a month in the country, but that probably isn't going to happen. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wait there's no definitive version for Swiss Family Robinson? I'm definitely intrigued by that! The Nigel Slater book looks interesting. I wanted to like Eat but it didn't work for me so I've wanting to try others. I do love a book set in France. The 100 Places book looks very intriguing. Since it will be at least a decade before I get over there I can't quite decide if that's just tormenting myself or allowing me to live vicariously! Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  17. How can you not be a lover of Swiss Family Robinson I say! I am a new GFC follower for ya today tho!

    Guy Vestal @ Counter Culture Critic - My Monday

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love the idea of the Swiss Family Robinson graphic novel. I wanted to try it with my son, but I'm not sure he's up for the whole book yet!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm drooling over your Paris/France books and even more exciting I'm spending 3-not-long-enough days there in a few weeks time. I'm off to check out A Month in the Country since you're recommending it so highly. Have a great week and happy reading :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. my son loves the I survived books, I haven't seen that one, ill have to track it down for him


    Here's my It's Monday post

    ReplyDelete
  21. Nice books, Deb. Lovers at the Chameleon Club is on my wish list, and I'm really curious about A Month in the Country.

    Thanks for visiting my Sunday/Monday post.

    ReplyDelete

I hope you will leave a comment so I know you have visited. If you stop by my blog, I will always stop by yours.

Note: Disqus commenting is only available on the web version of the blog. Please switch to the web version if you are using a mobile device.