Wow! I haven’t done one of these in the longest time, but I severely need to get back in the habit of tracking my reading. I feel like everything has gone all helter skelter without me having all of my lists. The last time I attempted to do any kind of reading notes was way back on February 24, 2010. Basically a lifetime ago. So much has happened in the interim that I won’t even begin to try to catch up from there.
This past week was a big reading week for me. I finished Backseat Saints in time for my chat with author Joshilyn Jackson. (I have to say that it was so much fun talking with her about her blog, writing and having the Twenty Minute Book Club on Backseat Saints. There was a lot to discuss there, and we tried to hit upon as much as possible.)
One book that I started reading by accident is Bad Marie, and I say by accident because I picked it up just to get a feel for what the story was like and see if I would like the writing, and I could not put it down. The main character Marie, has just gotten out of jail for bank robbery and accessory to murder only to land herself into even more trouble when she takes off with the husband and child of one of her childhood friends. This book is the best! It’s almost impossible not to suspend your judgement. You just want to see what Marie will do and think next.
I also finally got around to reading The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott, and I spent half the time I was reading wondering why I
waited so long. I must have been trying to save the best for last. I was totally and realistically caught up in Louisa’s adventures during her lost summer. Kelly O’Conor McNees does a brilliant job at tying together her family life and the conflict that she might have felt about being in love and feeling that she would have to either choose marriage over career or try to juggle both. McNees even touches upon the sore spot that I like many other readers had with Little Women. Why couldn’t Jo marry Laurie? I’m still not over that one.
Other reviews and posts:
I love these reading post of yours! All these books sound like great reads.
Belle´s last [type] ..The Passage- by Justin Cronin
Thanks! They really do help me keep my head together, but are they first things to go when I get really busy.
sounds like you are making some great progress. I’m glad you back into the swing of things!
Serena´s last [type] ..Silver Lining to the Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge Failure
I like having these kind of posts for reference, but I tend to abandon them when I have a lot of other stuff going on.
I think that’s understandable with all the stuff you do have going on!
Serena´s last [type] ..Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris
I love that you started reading a book “by accident.” You’ve made me regret not taking Bad Marie.
I think I decided last minute that I wanted to read it. It wasn’t originally in my list, but I am so glad that I got it.
You’re so right about it being almost impossible not to suspend judgment on Marie. You just know you should be disapproving what she does and probably not really liking her as a character, but you can’t.
Jen – Devourer of Books´s last [type] ..Still Missing by Chevy Stevens – Book Review
I can only say that I was completely mesmerized and in a trance. The only way to describe it.
You have been bookishly busy with great stuff! I’m reading Backseat Saints next week and I can’t wait.
Lisa´s last [type] ..Captivity by Deborah Noyes
I had never read anything by Joshilyn Jackson before, so she was a nice discovery for me.
Yours are the third positive comments I’ve heard about The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott, in as many days. I guess I can resist no longer. I must add this one to my tbr too!
I love it! I like reading about the author because she had such a fascinating personal life and the way the book combine fact and fiction was really satisfying for me.
After reading Jen’s review of Bad Marie, the first thing I thought of was Lisbeth from the Millenium Series. As in, the girl does bad things and has bad judgement, but you still like her and want the best for her. My library had no sign of it last time I checked, but I’m going to be persistent.
Sandy´s last [type] ..Wordless Wednesday- Grand Canyon 3
I still haven’t read those books, but now that you mention this comparison, I am more inclined to check them out.
I liked Jo marrying the Professor…:D
I have a copy of Backseat Saints so now I’m very excited to read it and hopefully catch your interview of the author. I thought Bad Marie looked pretty interesting too…will probably read this one just because of how enthusiastic you are about it!! Thanks for the great and informative update Nicole!!!
Staci´s last [type] ..Guesthouse by Barbara Richardson
Oh Staci…you have just hurt my heart.
I think that bad Maries is a fascinating story to watch infold, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it garners some mixed reviews just because the things that Marie does are so reprehensible. Curious to see your thoughts if you pick it up.
I have nothing concrete gong on this year. It has been really kind of busy for me.
It is lovely to love a book which u picked up by accident
Hi Veens! I think you have quite a lot going on this year, just not with reading! But you are slowly getting back into things. Take your time!
I just started BAD MARIE too and can’t put it down either! It is so compelling; the author really draws you into Marie’s world. I can’t wait to finish it today and see how it ends.
Diane (bookchickdi)´s last [type] ..Naughty Nellie Oleson
I know! Isn’t it fabulous. I think there is a lot of morbid curiosity that drives that book. I just wanted too see what was going to happen next.
Well, now I simply must add BAD MARIE to my list! Oh, and the list is becoming soooooooooooo long. LOL!
I love this “reading progress” post. Do you keep a reading journal? I keep a journal of the books I read and it’s nice to go back every once in awhile and see what I read and what I thought about it, especially since what I choose to read and how I feel I about it might be influenced what I’m experiencing at the time. Bad Marie sounds interesting, another one to be added to my to be read pile.