Who else gets ridiculously excited when library holds come in?? Ironically, two much anticipated books arrived while I was in Ireland. So, I had to ask the library to keep them a bit longer than usual. I wasn’t missing out on Us Against You and An American Marriage! I just love libraries. As usual, I’m linking up with Jana Says and Modern Mrs Darcy for their mini book reviews this month.
P.S. The photo below is from our recent trip to Ireland! I just posted the first part of my trip recap if you want to see what we did!
Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland
This week’s Reading Roundup!
Work Book (for lunch time reading):
Us Against Youby Fredrik Backman – I consumed Beartown in less than 24 hours, so it’s safe to say I was eager to continue the series. I’m about halfway through and am finding this just as thought-provoking as Beartown. Hockey is still the centerpiece, but at it’s heart this deals with human emotions, feelings, and reactions that are familiar to us all.
House Books:
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones – This book is popping up on book lists, blog posts, and bookstagrams everywhere. A newlywed couple is ripped apart when the husband is sentenced to jail for 12 years. Although the wife fiercely believe he’s innocent, the passage of time and proximity of the best man at their wedding threatens their marriage. When the husband is suddenly released early, he returns to a different life than the one he left. Full Goodreads review here!
Kindle Books:
The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton – I’m a diehard Kate Morton fan, so I was thrilled to hear she’s releasing a new book in October. Fortuitously, I discovered NetGalley last month and was actually approved for an ARC of her novel!!! Unfortunately, this one doesn’t quite live up to her other amazing works. Full Goodreads review here!
Audio Books (listening on Scribd):
When Life Gives you Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger – The Devil Wears Prada is classic chick lit with memorable characters. In this third book, Emily takes center stage. It’s tons of fun to listen to and I’m laughing along while in the car.
From Around the Web:
The Great American Read – If you haven’t heard, PBS is hosting a nation-wide search for America’s favorite novel. Check out the website for the 100 contenders and vote for your pick!
The Great British Bake Off is Back! – Turns out, Season 5 in the US is actually the third season aired in England. Here’s a list of a few other differences you’ll notice this season.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Recipe – With the upcoming release of the movie on Netflix, this is the perfect post to get ready! The Hungry Bookworm is a delightful blog that features reviews paired with recipes inspired by the book.
Check out Reading RoundUp #42 for more of my recent reads!
*Disclosure – I earn a tiny commission if you purchase any items through the links above and the price you pay is the same. Thanks for supporting my reading habit!
![[#partner @forgereads] I did a happy dance when I found this ARC on my doorstep yesterday!! Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe is a magical realism novel that's being compared to Sarah Addison Allen. I'm so excited to jump in to this Southern story! .
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.#bookstagram #cafe #southernfiction #fiction #magicalrealism #pie #books #bookblogger #bookmail #ARC #booklove #baking #familylegacy #magic](http://scontent-ort2-2.cdninstagram.com/vp/20c352b1ffb121ab9ef6a9ea67fdcc9d/5D88FCD0/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/s640x640/64378769_459566628192584_6609169123559093128_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-2.cdninstagram.com "[#partner @forgereads] I did a happy dance when I found this ARC on my doorstep yesterday!! Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe is a magical realism novel that's being compared to Sarah Addison Allen. I'm so excited to jump in to this Southern story! .
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. What are your favorite magical realism authors or books?
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31 Comments
Amanda
July 6, 2018 at 2:09 pmIt’s so refreshing to stumble upon a blog full of book love! Gosh, I used to be such a big reader, and now I can’t even remember the last time I really sat down and read a book. It’s so sad! This was inspiring though, so maybe I’ll finally do just that this weekend! xo
Rachel Kamery
July 6, 2018 at 3:04 pmThank you! This is my outlet when friends and family get tired of me talking books ha. You should definitely go read this weekend!! If you need suggestions, I love book matchmaking 🙂
Angela
July 6, 2018 at 8:26 pmI’m with you – I love when library holds come in! Except when I don’t time them well and I get 5 or 6 at a time! I LOVE Kate Morton, so I’m really glad to hear you’re loving her new book! I’ll have to wait til October to get my pre-ordered copy.
Kathy Martin
July 9, 2018 at 12:24 pmI am ashamed to admit that I don’t even have a library card. Between my own TBR mountain and review copies, I don’t need anything else to read. I hope you enjoy all the books you are currently reading. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
Kathryn Trask
July 9, 2018 at 4:33 pmI love the library too, especially when I get very new just released books from there! I would like to read An American Marriage, and have been seeing it around in lots of places.
SMD
July 10, 2018 at 8:36 amI am filled with glee when library holds come in. I picked one up yesterday!
ShootingStarsMag
July 10, 2018 at 9:41 amI’m so curious about An American Marriage – such a heartbreaking premise, and sadly one that seems to too often happen (innocent people in jail, though obviously I don’t know if HE is innocent as I need to read it…) I hear Oprah is turning it into a movie!
-Lauren
Rachel Kamery
July 10, 2018 at 8:22 pmI didn’t know that! That’d be interesting to watch.
Kay
July 10, 2018 at 10:36 amUs against you is basically on everyone’s list with varying reviews. I love that since its one of my net reads!
kristen
July 10, 2018 at 10:40 amyay for netgalley and The Clockmaker’s Daughter! it’s on my list so fingers crossed it’s as good as her others. glad you’re enjoying Us Against You. I also devoured Beartown in less than 24 hours so I was expecting the same lol which is probably unfair!
Rachel Kamery
July 10, 2018 at 8:21 pmUs Against You didn’t have the same sense of urgency and can’t put it down nature as Beartown, but it’s full of those amazing human insights that Backman writes like no one else can. Plus, all the same characters are here so I honestly thought it was very very close to being as good as Beartown.
Kasey Holloway
July 10, 2018 at 11:11 amI’ve heard people are either loving or hating An American Marriage, still not sure if I am wanting to read it or not! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Rachel Kamery
July 10, 2018 at 8:19 pmSo far I probably fall somewhere in the middle. It’s not one of my favorite books I’ve read this year, but the characters are unique and I like that some of it is written in letters.
Megan @ The Hungry Bookworm
July 10, 2018 at 12:27 pmFirst of all, THANK YOU for the shoutout on my Guernsey post/recipe. Much appreciated 🙂
Secondly, I NEED to read An American Marriage. I’ve had it since it was a BOTM (I can’t even remember…earlier this year), but I keep putting it aside for other reads. I’ll try to make it a point to pick up this month or next. And, The Clockmaker’s Daughter sounds fascinating. I’ll have to check it out when it’s released.
Rachel Kamery
July 10, 2018 at 8:18 pmYou’re welcome! That’s one benefit of a library hold – it forces you to read right away!
Tanya
July 10, 2018 at 1:36 pmI’m really looking forward to the new Kate Morton book. Thanks for the reviews!
Brittany
July 10, 2018 at 3:09 pmI had no clue there was a follow-up to Beartown! It was such a great book, and with the ending I guess I just assumed it was a stand-alone.
Rachel Kamery
July 10, 2018 at 8:16 pmIt definitely could be a stand-alone, but the sequel is absolutely worth reading. It picks up right where the first one left off and continues the stories of all the characters. If you liked Beartown you’ll love this as well.
Olya @ The Siberian American
July 10, 2018 at 3:37 pmI have The Clockmaker’s Daughter on my NetGalley too, and I can’t wait to read it!
Alexandra Consolver
July 10, 2018 at 3:54 pmSo excited for Guernsey!! I have been watching TGBBO’s new season too. Though just episode by episode. Enjoying it so much. I was sad when I ran out of episodes on Netflix! Netgalley is great, until I over-requested and had a low review rating. hahha I caught up and am in more of a groove with it now. 🙂 I hope to get the Morton book! 🙂 Hope you had so much fun in Ireland! XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
Rachel Kamery
July 10, 2018 at 8:15 pmHa I felt the same way when I watched the last one on Netflix. Thankfully PBS comes through for us!
Laura
July 10, 2018 at 6:08 pmI just requested When Life Gives Your Lululemons from the library! There are 30 people ahead of me in line but I’m still excited!!
Rachel Kamery
July 10, 2018 at 8:11 pmHopefully it goes by quickly!
Pam
July 10, 2018 at 7:32 pmso many I want to read on your list. I loved Beartown and can’t wait for Us Against You. American Marriage is also on my tbr. I attended a book event where Lauren Wiseberger talked about her new book. I haven’t read the first two so I’m going to work on that this fall. Pam 🙂
Rachel Kamery
July 10, 2018 at 8:10 pmThat book event sounds like so much fun! I follow her on Instagram and love seeing what she’s up to – she seems like a blast.
Jana @ Jana Says
July 10, 2018 at 7:47 pmAfter waiting like 5 months, I finally got a copy of An American Marriage and I cannot wait to read it!
Rachel Kamery
July 10, 2018 at 8:10 pmThat’s such a long time! Hope you enjoy it.
Kelly Mongan
July 15, 2018 at 1:43 pmI love everything about this roundup! I’m currently reading Us Against You, as well, and An American Marriage is next on my list (waiting for it to arrive at the library). In its place, I’m reading A Place for Us at the moment and I love it so far. Also have been looking forward to When Life Gives you Lululemons and didn’t even think to get it as an audiobook – that might be my next audible pick! And I must say – The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society already came out in the UK and I loved every moment of it. It made me want to read the book again, though, so that’s also on my TBR. The list just keeps growing!
Stacie @SincerelyStacie
July 16, 2018 at 9:37 amI’m anxious to read Us Against You. I listened to Bear Town on Audio so I’m doing the same with this one. It’s next up on audio for me!
Torrie
July 18, 2018 at 3:38 pmHa ha, I’m totally the same way about my holds coming in at the library! And my hold for Us Against You just came in, so I just started that one this week (though I haven’t had as much time to read it yet as I’ve wanted, so I’m not far!). I’m also thinking I want to jump on the An American Marriage train because like you said, it’s cropping up everywhere, and I can’t stand being on the outside!
Elena
July 24, 2018 at 6:40 pmI have been reading raving reviews about An American Marriage but I have held off because I think it will be a hard read/heartbreaking and I honestly am not ready for that right now. Life is busy and hectic enough right now that I think lighter reads will help keep reading relaxing in this season vs adding extra weight and sadness. But I hope to get to it eventually