My Week in Books {5/20/20}

Time for some real talk: I’m not sure right now how long I can maintain posting because we just put my grandpa on Hospice care. Of course he is my priority and I will be devoting a lot of time to him, my grandma, and my own family…basically, I know I’m going to be stretched thin and I can already see that my reading life is going to be the first to suffer and the first to go.

It’s ok. My grandpa has led a full life, defying doctors and medical opinions his whole life. He’s 92 years old and he’s tired. I understand all of that. But he is one of my best friends and I will miss him so much – I already do. But life ends for all of us – I know this. But it sure doesn’t make it any easier for those of us left behind.

I’m just going to take everything day by day here. I hope to keep a schedule up but if I don’t, I know you’ll be here when I get back. And I’m so grateful for that! 💛

Before moving onto some #minibookreviews, here are a few links to some recent posts in case you missed them:

• Top 5 Tuesday: Opening Lines
• My Week in Books {5/13/20}
• Top 5 Tuesday: Worst Rulers
• Top 5 Tuesday – Cute Romances
• My Week in Books {5/7/20}

What have you been reading (and loving) this week?

Last Week’s Reads:

📱 *** The Last Train to Key West by: Chanel Cleeton

I really, really enjoy Chanel Cleeton’s writing. Something about her books suck me in and won’t let me go until I finish reading the last story. The Last Train to Key West was no exception, though it’s a bit of a departure from her previous two books.

TLTtKW seemed to have more of a mystery element to it. There are three protaganists – Helen, Mirta, and Elizabeth – and each of them have a wildly different background and motivations, but their stories are connected and it doesn’t fully come together until the last pages. As all three of these women are caught up in an impending hurricane on the island of Key West, the stories begin to merge and culminate in a satisfying ending.

This story will make the perfect beach or pool companion this summer. If you’ve read books by Cleeton before, you will recognize her style and appreciate this story…preorder from your favorite indie now or use the link before to support all independent bookstores! (#affiliatelink)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |Berkley | Pub Date: June 16, 2020 | 400 Pages | Ebook (ARC) | Purchase via Bookshop

Currently Reading:

📖 *** Big Summer by: Jennifer Weiner

I don’t know. This book is good in the fact that I’m having a hard time concentrating and I can easily dip in and out. But I also think I’m missing some stuff in my current state of mind and I don’t think it’s getting a fair shake. It’s so hard to know what to do right now – read or forget it? Maybe some backlist books would be better right now…that I don’t have any obligations to review or read?? 🤷🏼‍♀️

Atria | Pub Date: May 5, 2020 | 368 Pages | Hardcover | Purchase via Bookshop

DNF (aka: Not For Me and/or Skipping For Now):

📖 The Tattooist of Auschwitz by: Heather Morris

Setting aside for now. My brain isn’t in the right place to accurately judge (for lack of a better term) right now.

DNF | Harper | Pub Date: January 27, 2018 | 262 Pages | Paperback | Purchase via Bookshop

📖 Lily and the Octopus by: Steven Rowley

So, so sad to DNF this one because I really enjoyed The Editor, but this one just wasn’t working for me. I just couldn’t buy into any of the story and finally called it quits at 57%. I’m still looking forward to his next release though (which I think is coiming out soon 🤞🏼).

DNF | Simon Schuster | Pub Date: June 7, 2016 | 307 Pages | Paperback | Purchase via Bookshop

📖 Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by: Samin Nosrat

COMPLETELY the wrong time for this one right now. Setting aside to come back to when things calm down.

DNF | Simon & Schuster | Pub Date: April 25, 2017 | 480 Pages | Purchase via Bookshop

#DNFingWithoutApologyin2020

(#partner #freebooks: All books noted by asterisks (***) indicate I received the book for free from the publisher, the author, or another promotional company to review. All opinions are my own.)