Monday, February 8, 2016

It's Monday, And I'm Looking For Love!


This doesn’t exactly feel like a blogger’s slump, but it sure looks like one on paper (or, er, digital paper?  What is the internet? Gah.). I’m totally blaming Jane Smiley. I just finished the second in her Last Hundred Years Trilogy, and it took me eight days of pretty aggressive reading to get through it (review forthcoming). All I posted last week was my review of Weightless by Sarah Bannan, so I clearly did not have a very weighty blogging week.

In an effort to regain some momentum, I just picked up Karolina Waclawiak’s The Invaders, which is described as a novel about “the suburban abyss.” In addition to having the potential to scratch my ongoing suburban reading itch, this book has fewer than 250 pages! Compared with the Smiley tome, this is a fun sized candy bar.



In honor of the approach of Valentine’s Day, I’m looking for a good love story. Do you have a favorite?

And speaking of love, here are my  favorite bookish Valentines for this year, courtesy of the interwebs:

From Sea + Lake Paper Co.




(See last year’s choices here)

(It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Book Date)

8 comments:

Stefanie said...

The family saga book is intriguing. I haven't read a family saga for what seems like ages since Barbara Taylor Bradford's A Woman of Substance. The young contemporary book you read sounds intense. I don't know if I can read such a book where most likely I'd be pissede off for the bullied. I have daughters who are growing up and of course I get worried about what else they'll be encountering in the teenage years in regards to body image and such. My tween already has friends who in the fifth grade were comparing one another body wise. I told her teacher who did a lesson on the media and how much photoshopping is done for ads and stuff.

Unknown said...

The Invaders sounds really good! I haven't heard of it before, but I just might have to add it to my TBR list. I hope you have a great reading week this week!

My It's Monday! Post

Greg said...

I think The Invaders looks good. I like that cover, looks very suburban-ish. And LOL about your candy bar comment- sometimes a quick short read is a good thing, especially after a clunkster. As for favorites, Letters from Skye was a good story I read a while back, it's set during WWI/ WWII and is about a Scottish poet and an American who fall in love. Not bad.

jennifer said...

Stefanie -- Weightless WAS intense. It could be an interesting read-together with a kid. But in many ways, it was too extreme to promote really good discussion. Most instances of bullying are more subtle, which is what makes them pass by adults' eyes. Thanks for stopping by!

jennifer said...

Ashley, The Invaders is good so far! I'll let you know....

jennifer said...

Greg, I haven't heard of Letters From Skye. I'll check it out! Thanks!

Lindsay said...

I LOVE those Valentines! So clever and pun-y. I don't read a ton of romance but I really like Jojo Moyes' books. I've read "Me Before You," "One Plus One" and "The Girl You Left Behind" so far and all were good. ("Me Before You" is one of my all-time faves.)

Jane said...

HA! I would happily accept any of those Valentines ;)

Ugh I know what you mean - sometimes a disappointing read can just leave you totally drained, and it can take a little while to get back into a reading groove!