Reading RoundUp #31
After a recent trip to the library where I picked up four books, I’m reading whenever possible this week. Here’s a look at what I recently finished and what I’m reading this week!
This week’s Reading Roundup!
Work Book (for lunch time reading):
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly – Since the movie received a lot of Oscar attention, I’m excited to see it. However, I always read the book first if I can. To be honest, this isn’t quite what I was expecting. It’s a nonfiction book, so there is A LOT of historical and scientific detail. I think I’ll enjoy the movie much more since it’s condensed into a shorter time frame.
House Books:
Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan – I’m reading Colgan’s novels pretty much nonstop lately. In this story, a young woman moves to a remote island town after her life is turned upside down. She’s a baker and quickly wins over most of the residents with her creations.
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen – I came across this author on another book blog and Garden Spells seemed the most intriguing. Well, it’s become one of my favorite books that I read this year! The story focuses on the Waverley sisters, but all of the characters bring something to the table. I love that each family has a subtle form of magic, making it seem more realistic and possible.
Cujo by Stephen King – Jay suggested this one to me a while ago and I’m finally picking it up. I started reading it at night and had to switch to a different book before I went to bed! The beginning is definitely a bit creepy. I’m excited to keep reading, though (during daylight of course…)
Kindle Books:
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman – After finishing Garden Spells, I was still in the mood for a little magic. I found this book while browsing through my library’s eBook website. I keep seeing the movie pop up on one of my streaming services, so I’m pleasantly surprised to discover it’s a book.
From Around the Web:
Book Club Suggestions – Shameless plug for one of my own posts here. I shared my list of books that I think would be great reads for a book club and for some unknown reason it’s become one of my most read posts. So, if you’re in need of ideas check it out!
Christmas Dinner at Hogwarts – Tickets for this event are already sold out, but it sounds so amazing I couldn’t help but share. Imagine enjoying a Christmas feast in the actual Hogwarts set?? Plus you get a wand and a studio tour. Sigh.
AirBnBs in Ireland – I’m beginning the planning process for our Ireland/Scotland trip next year. Since we won’t be able to stay in chain hotels everywhere, we’ll most likely use AirBnB. Here are a few neat options!
*Disclosure – I earn a small commission if you purchase any items through the links above. Thanks for supporting my reading habit!
I held off on watching Hidden Figures until last week — my plan was to read the book first too but it just didn’t happen that way. I’m so glad I saw the movie … but I still kind of want to read the book too. Cujo is awesome!
I just loved the movie! Actually much more than the book. The book is great if you want to get into nitty gritty details, but it’s a bit all over the place.
I loved Little Beach Street Bakery. The way she wrote about and described the scenery just made me want to move there too lol.
Oh yes, me too! I find with all her books that I’m itching to move to a small town and open up a bakery, or dessert shop, or chocolate store after reading : )
I haven’t read the other Little Beach Street books but I have the Christmas one checked out from the library right now and am excited to read it I’m hoping they don’t really need to be read in order! I really enjoyed Hidden Figures (the movie), but still want to check out the book eventually.
I’m trying to get my hands on the Christmas one! Hope you enjoy it.
I love Allen, and Alice Hoffman as well. She just released the prequel to Practical Magic. It was good.
I read Little Beach Street but couldn’t get into the summer one.
Sounds like you’re reading some great books! I still need to see the Hidden Figures movie. I never got the chance when it was in theaters.
And I would LOVE to have dinner at the actual Hogwarts set. how fun is that?
-Lauren
Garden Spells sounds interesting to me. I like books with a little magic or fantastical element to them. Adding it to my TBR! I only recently learned that Practical Magic was a book and I loved the movie. Now I need to track down the book!
Hidden Figures was a wonderful movie! I’ve been interested in checking out the book, but based on your review, I might just end up being happy with my movie experience. And speaking of which, I loved the Practical Magic movie but wasn’t as big of a fan of the book – that being said, if you haven’t seen the movie, you should! Since you enjoyed the book. (It’s a lot different though.) And absolutely check out The Rules of Magic – the prequel just came out in October and I loved it.
– Megan @ The Hungry Bookworm
I really want to get into Stephen King’s books but I just can’t do it. I actually just reactivated my Hulu subscription so I can watch 11/22/63 because I’m not sure that I’ll ever get around to reading it.
I tried reading 11/22/63 and didn’t even make it a third of the way through. However, I flew through the TV series!! It’s definitely worth watching. Plus, who doesn’t love James Franco : )
i’ll have to check out your post on book club suggestions – it’s hard to find a book that everyone in my book club wants to read and one that will be good to talk about. garden spells is on my shelf at home so glad you liked it!
Hopefully you can find one! If not, I actually have a second post from last year with more ideas: https://neverenoughnovels.com/2016/01/08/book-club-suggestions-what-to-read-next/ Good luck!
Now I’m very intrigued on reading Hidden Figures! I saw the movie, and I bet the book is amazing.
Sadly, the book didn’t quite live up to my expectations. It might just be my reaction, but it felt a bit haphazard and hard to follow the stories of these amazing women.
I’m reading another Colgan book right now but I love books about food so maybe I’ll go for that Bakery book next.
Yes! I also loved Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe if you haven’t read that one yet.
Loved the Hidden Figures movie! It was so well done. Garden Spells was a fun read too! I just got Practical Magic from the library this week and now I’m not really in the mood for it anymore, post-Halloween…lol. Might just wait til next year 😉
Ha the same thing happened to me with Practical Magic. I ended up abandoning it 1/4 of the way through. Ohhh well.
I do love Jenny’s books, Rachel … warm, homey, yummy!
Good morning from your neighbor at Anne’s!
I didn’t even realise that Practical Magic was a book first. I loved the film though. I might add this one to my never-ending TBR pile!
I love Sarah Addison Allen’s books. I’ve read The Sugar Queen and The Peach Keeper. She also posts little stories alot on her facebook page. Really love Jenny Colgan too! I just reserved the Christmas book for December. I will take on reading 11/22/63 sometime in 2018! There I said it so now I’m committed. The Hidden Figures movie was really great. I highly recommend it! Pam 🙂
Cujo! Wow, I read that in middle school. What were my parents thinking? 🙂
Oh man, I was scared reading it as an adult haha. I never would have been able to handle it in middle school!
After reading your review, I’m going to go ahead and watch Hidden Figures before reading the book! I am slowly making my way through The Devil in the White City right now, and it is a nonfiction with lots of small details and taking me so long to finish!
I love how you broke it down between ebooks, etc! I think I did 2 audio books, 2 physical, and 2 e-books. I’m a bit afraid of Cujo- the poor doggo didnt want to be bad! LOL
I love that you have a work book! I’ve been meaning to read Hidden Figures (mainly so I can watch the movie!) so your review has me excited to read it.
Sarah Addison Allen is one of my favorite authors. I love her subtle magical realism! The Sugar Queen and The Peach Keeper are my two favorites from her so far, though I always enjoy! 🙂 Glad you loved it so much!! 🙂 I want to read/watch Hidden Figures too. Though sometimes I struggle with whether or not I want to read a certain book. If it is a classic or fiction then maybe, Non fiction or memoirs are borderline. Xo – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
Thanks for the book club suggestions! I loved Ireland so much- try to visit the Aran islands if you’re on the western side of the country.
Thanks for the tip! I’m still working out our itinerary, but definitely want to see a lot of the countryside so I’ll look them up!
I read Little Beach Street Bakery earlier this year and it is still one of my favorite reads from the year! My TBR list is so long that, for whatever reason, I haven’t picked up another Jenny Colgan book. I’m thinking I will need to change that soon…any suggestions on which one to jump into next?!
Two others I thoroughly enjoyed by her were Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe and The Bookshop on the Corner. Have fun!