05 April 2020

Sunday Salon - 5.April.20

Today I'm choosing to join in with Deb at Readerbuzz for a bit of interaction with people outside my house. LOL 

As they describe it:
There are no real requirements to linking up at Sunday Salon. Sunday Salon is simply a place for us to link up and to share what we have been doing during the week. Sunday Salon is a great way to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. 
Some of the things we often talk about at the Sunday Salon:

  • What was your week like?
  • Read any good books? Tell us about them.
  • What other bookish things did you do? 
  • What else is going on in your life?


Without further ado, here's my week in summary for The Sunday Salon.

What I Read

Where the Sun Will Rise Tomorrow by Rashi Rohatgi

Leela and Maya are motherless sisters in 1905. There's a certain stigma about their upbringing without a mother, but their father has raised them well and they are a bit more independent than their peers.
I finished reading this last weekend and reviewed it at Books I Think You Should Read, where I gave it 3 out of 5 stars. You can read the full review and enter to win your own copy - the giveaway ends April 9.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.



Adequate Yearly Progress by Roxanna Elden

I doubt I'm the only one to think that this satire about the fictitious Brae Hill Valley High is even funnier if you know the author also has non-fiction books about education published previously. She knows too well what is popularly done...wrong. The teachers' struggles in her fiction definitely ring true. I received this one from the publisher and NetGalley for my honest review, and I gave it 3.5 out of 5 stars. Read my full review here.




Educated by Tara Westover

I finally reached the top of the library wait list on this one. I know a lot of people read it last year (and the year before? 2018 Reader's Choice Award from Goodreads). While I've heard it compared to Where the Crawdad's Sing, I have to say I preferred Crawdads. But I'd also have a hard time comparing them, outside of the main character's background (kind of). I mean, Crawdads is fiction, and Educated is an actual memoir - a real life! I'll be writing my review for Educated soon - I think I'll give it 4 out of 5 stars.



Currently Reading


Jack Kerouac is Dead to Me by Gae Polisner

Getting ready to dive into this one this afternoon. I received a copy for my kindle from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.


Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

Okay, this one has said I'm 'Currently Reading' on my Goodreads for more than a week already, and I haven't started it. But I really do want to read it! A friend said it was her favorite of our book trivia books, but then the event was canceled, so my sense of urgency is gone.
I have several reviews due in the next couple weeks, but hopefully I can focus and fit this one in too.




Bookish

Yes, as mentioned above, our Adult Battle of the Books has been canceled. Our team has still be trying to meet up from home each week, but I struggle greatly with technology. I missed last week's meeting while trying to log on to Skype the whole time. Ugh.
In other news, publishers are still working! I got a follow-up from another last night asking if the book they sent has arrived. I don't know - LOL. I'm consolidating my trips later this week to go by the post office and pick up my prescriptions. I want to wait long enough to make sure the rent check from my tenants is there too. So I'd LOVE to see what's waiting at my PO box, but I'll wait a few more days....

Off the Blog

Uh, yeah. Still staying home. Trying to shower every 2 - 3 days. Hahahaha.... Usually just hanging out in my PJs, keeping up on laundry and dishes and trying to clean something else each day. And cooking dinner each night, which is so not my favorite.
Hoping the weather warms up soon! I'd love to get out more and get some fresh air, but I hate the cold.
Kids start distance learning officially tomorrow. They're very happy to have something to focus on.

Three Good Things

1. Everyone in my immediate circle is healthy so far.
2. Hubs is still working (from home) doing his regular job and receiving his regular pay.
3. I do love sleeping in (although that is offset by missing all the kids I usually work with too early in the morning...).


What's the best thing in your world this week??

9 comments:

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

I finally got around to Educated recently, too. I liked it a lot, even though the author is young and still developing as a writer. Her father was a troubled person, careless with other people, especially his children. I was surprised to see how close the author's bond remains with her parents and siblings, despite their terrible behavior toward her. It was a sad read.

I'm glad you are able to find some good books to read during this time. It has been difficult for me to read during the last few weeks. I was finally able to finish something other than children's books yesterday. I hope I can continue to do that.

So happy you joined us in Sunday Salon, and I hope you will return whenever you like. It's a great way to see what others are doing, especially during this confusing time.

bermudaonion said...

I was blown away by the story of Educated but felt it lacked emotion. I was one of the few people who didn't love Crawdads.

I've been trying to keep a regular routine in place in these crazy times but am having trouble focusing on books.

Yvonne said...

Educated looks like a good read.

I'm pretty much doing what you are - staying home, laundry, cooking (I hate doing that), reading and watching TV.

Take care and stay safe!

Literary Feline said...

I like Educated, but wish the author had waited a bit before publishing it too give herself a bit more emotional distance. I feel she has not quite processed through it all, if that makes sense? Anyway, I haven't read Where the Crawdad's Sing and so can't make a comparison. Distance learning starts up officially for my daughter on the 13th. They are doing a practice run this week to get everyone used to the programs they will be using. It's all so very different for us. I hope you have a good week. Stay healthy and well.

Carol said...

I enjoyed Devil in the White City. Hopefully, you can get around to reading it.
Everyone I know is healthy so far too, which I'm thankful for.

JoAnn said...

Glad you and your family are all safe and well, and tat you've had some good reading to keep you occupied. I listened to Educated a couple of summers ago. Appreciated the story and the writing, but the experience was mostly unpleasant. Still, I'm glad to have read it. I absolutely loved Crawdads! Hope you have a good week.

Katherine Nabity said...

I hope you get to Devi in the White City (it's one of my favorite nonfiction books), but it's dense and definitely a focus investment. Be kind to yourself about it. ;)

I haven't done any Skype in a long while; I've been dodging any of that sort of thing thus far.

Stay well, and have a great reading week!

Lynn said...

Adequate Yearly Progress sounds like a fun read! I'm going to check it out!
I've owned Educated for some time but still need to read it.

Stay safe!

Nicole @ Boundless Bookaholic said...

I haven't read any of these books. I've been working from home for 3 weeks, and probably will for another 3+ weeks. It's nice, but at the same time, I'm going a little stir crazy since I live alone, and we have a stay at home order in place for like all of April.