It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? 09-05-22

It’s Labor Day today, a Monday holiday in the U.S. when we celebrate workers with a long weekend. Except for essential workers, who might still have to go to work! Since essential workers are most especially the ones who need and deserve a paid day off, I hope those having to work on Labor Day are at least receiving holiday pay.

Labor Day is also the unofficial end of summer, so it’s the last day to read for the Big Book Summer 2022 Challenge!

Currently Reading

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

I thought Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin wasn’t long enough to count for the Big Book Summer challenge, but with the Notes and Acknowledgements at the end it comes in at 401 pages. I’m actually sorry to be so close to the end, because I don’t want to leave the characters and their lives behind. But, alas, the challenge calls for me to finish it by the end of the day!

Lessons by Ian McEwan

From the best-selling author of Atonement and Saturday comes the epic and intimate story of one man’s life across generations and historical upheavals.
From the Suez Crisis to the Cuban Missile Crisis, the fall of the Berlin Wall to the current pandemic, Roland Baines sometimes rides with the tide of history, but more often struggles against it. – From the Publisher

I used to be a regular reader of Ian McEwan’s novels, and I’m not sure why I stopped after On Chesil Beach. (Or maybe Solar?) So, when I saw Lessons on NetGalley, I requested it. Several chapters in, the main character, Roland, hasn’t come of age yet. There’s plenty of time, as Lessons promises to be a sprawling historical novel, covering Roland’s whole life.

Both epic and intimate, the story of one man’s life across generations and historical upheavals, Lessons is a deeply affecting novel about love, loss, ambition, and resolution, from a modern master. – From the Publisher

At 448 pages long, I should have started it sooner and counted it towards Big Book Summer!

Happiness by Design by Paul Dolan

Not sure what made me request Happiness by Design from the library (I may have seen it mentioned on a blog?) but I’ve only just started it, so I’m still unhappy and can’t tell you anything much about the book! 😉

Currently Listening To

Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory

I got behind on Jasmine Guillory’s romances! Pure comfort reading with some bite to it, Party of Two is about Alexa’s lawyer sister, Olivia, unexpectedly falling in love when she wants to be focused on establishing her own L.A. law firm.

Lots of cake and pie and other food references! This book will make you hungry as well as happy.

Recently Listened To

The Lioness by Chris Bohjalian

This “historical thriller” is set in the 60s. I never liked the term “historical thriller” because I always think a thriller needs to be in the present tense, with the reader living through each moment in suspense with the characters, not knowing what is going to happen. But Chris Bohjalian’s books, whether set in the past or present, are always highly suspenseful – almost too suspenseful for me – although each one is very different. He is such a good storyteller that I always listen to his books on audio. The Lioness is a gripping story about Hollywood film stars on an African safari with family and friends that goes wrong.

If you can stomach novels about people in crisis situations – often violent and life-threatening – and how they respond, Chris Bohjalian is the author for you.

This post is linked to “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. Check out the link-up party there for more book lists!