Talk Healthy

Finished When the Moon is Low by Nadia Hashimi. I liked it. Didn't love it. You guys know I hate flowery language and descriptions, but in this case the language was maybe TOO simple even for my taste. It was very straightforward, I'll give it that. You'd miss something important if you skipped 2 paragraphs. Well, at least after the first 90 pages or so, which were background info on the mother. The rest of it is the family trying to flee Afghanistan (sp?) and get to England, where they have family. It's obviously very compelling, especially with today's Syrian refugees on our minds. I don't think I'd rooted so fervently for a character in a long time. The ending apparently pissed some people off on goodreads. Not me because I'd read those reviews and was expecting to be pissed, so I wasn't.

I have The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb, but I'm not sure I'll start it right away. I loved the other 2 of his books I've read, but his stories are depressing as hell (this one starts with Columbine) and I definitely need something lighter now.

Anyone read Love Virtually by Daniel Glattauer? A friend recommended it, it's short and seems to fit the criteria. I just don't know if I should buy the English or the Portuguese translation. The original's German, and many times the translation into Portuguese from another language is made FROM the English translation. And of course, in that case, I'd rather read the English translation.

I read Love Virtually. It was cute and better than I expected. However, it did NOT have an ending, which I frustratingly found out this morning after spending 2 hours to finish it. Have already downloaded the sequel's sample. It's called Every Seventh Wave.

I perused "Nature Anatomy," which had lovely artwork. Listening to the audio book of "A Tale for the Time Being," by Ruth Ozeki. It's intriguing for sure. I've barely even opened "The Absolute Sandman" but may spend some time with that tonight.

I finished The Perfect Comeback of Caroline Jacobs by Matthew Dicks. It was ok, not mind blowing or anything.

Now I've got a novel called A Window Opens by Elisabeth Egan. Liane Moriarty wrote a blurb for it, so I'm hopeful.

Finished Every Seventh Wave. Bleargh. Typical case of unnecessary sequel. He should have wrapped things up in the first one.

Then I started The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain. It kept being recommended to me by amazon, and I was skeptical. I thought this author would be a cheesy Nicholas Sparks-y type. You know the type, a book a year in the NYT bestselling list. I was wrong. So far (I'm 55% done), it's a gripping family drama/mystery that's kept me up later than usual for 2 nights. Nothing that will touch your soul or change your life, but very entertaining. I'll take it! I'll probably get another one of her books for our super long flights next week.

I read/skimmed Cabin Porn by Zachary Klein. It was mainly lots of pictures of gorgeous cabins in remote locations and blurbs about how they were renovated or built.

Now I'm reading Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It's excellent.

I just finished reading A Window Opens by Elisabeth Egan. I really enjoyed it. That's 80 books this year!

Next up is The Best of Enemies by Jen Lancaster.

I finished The Silent Sister. The cheesiness started at 75%. It was such a Mexican soap opera. Totally readable, though. I'd read another one of her books.

Then I started The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende. I hope to be done in 6 days because it's a paper book and I'm only bringing my kindle on the trip.

I just finished reading the Jen Lancaster book. It was cute. That's 82 books for the year.

Next up is Started Early, Took my Dog by Kate Atkinson. I can't believe I haven't already read this one.