We had a big storm roll through last night and so much rain came down so quickly that flood warnings were issued. Thankfully there was no flooding in my immediate area but the power did flicker several times. Losing power would have been lame because no A/C would be so miserable, even for a short time. It is *so* hot here this week - 95 degrees every day with almost 100% humidity. Ugh!
WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?
Currently reading: I'm about three-quarters through Blood to Dust and it's been pretty entertaining. It's pretty over-the-top but I'm rolling with it. These two main characters are both pretty messed up but they seem to be finding what they need in each other. This is definitely dark and the violence is crazy but overall I'm enjoying it.
Current progress: 77%
Currently listening: First, this is one long audio book! At 12 hours and 30 minutes it's taking me a long time to get through it (especially since I no longer have a daily commute). But I really am enjoying it and I'm knee-deep in the complicated relationships of these characters. I'm not sure audio was the way to go with this one since the narrator's voice has a breathy, girlish quality that just doesn't seem to fit, but I'm able to get past it for the most part. I might switch to Kindle, though, when I continue the trilogy.
Current progress: 79%
Current progress: 79%
WHAT DID YOU RECENTLY FINISH READING?
Want You to Want Me was just what I needed after a couple of dark and angsty reads. It was fun to get lost in Nolan and Gabi's story and I loved their banter.
WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'LL READ NEXT?
What are you currently reading?
I wanna know! :)
I wanna know! :)
I'm glad you didn't get too hard by the storm. I don't think I could handle that heat + humidity. Ick! I'm glad you enjoyed Want You to Want Me. I really liked that book. Is Blood to Dust All Saints High kind of crazy? Shen started pushing boundaries too much for me in the second book of that series. I decided I'm done with her, but I'm always curious about her books because I loved the Sinners of Saint so much.
ReplyDeleteThis is actually my first by Shen so I can't compare it to her other stuff. Blood to Dust is from 2016 so maybe it's from before she went off the deep end. LOL Although I will say that this one is pretty crazy and graphic so maybe that's just her style?
DeleteIt's probably just her style... But read the Sinners of Saint series. It's good!
DeleteMy yard could really benefit from some rain, but we'll have the Texas heat and humidity all week instead. Right now I'm finishing up The Night Swim by Megan Goldin. It is very different from her book The Escape Room, but I'm really enjoying it so far.
ReplyDeleteI was just watching a Booktube video this morning and they were giving a great review of The Night Swim. I hope it was as good for you.
DeleteI can't really do anything too dark these days, but hey, if it's working for you, that's great.
ReplyDeleteThe current situation doesn't seem to be driving my reading choices so I guess that's good.
DeleteI'm listening to a YA right now and the girls voice sounds like an adult trying to be a kid and...I'm struggling. I'm hoping I can get over it soon because otherwise I'm enjoying and it's only a 6 hour listen.
ReplyDeleteKaren @ For What It's Worth
Ugh, that sounds so annoying, Karen. At least it's a relatively short one.
DeleteIt's always a bummer when the narrator's voice on an audiobook really hinders the experience!
ReplyDeleteSo true!
DeleteLong audiobooks are so daunting, but i just force myself to commit to at least one hour a day.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good plan. I don't mind working from home (at all) but that daily commute was great for my audio book consumption. :)
DeleteYeah having no A/C in those hot temps aren't fun. It happened to me once when I lived in Texas and man I had heat stroke it was so bad. Glad to hear you are safe from the storm. Mother Nature is scary!
ReplyDeleteIn TX with no A/C? Yikes! No wonder you had a heat stroke. :(
DeleteYikes the thought of losing AC when it's that hot is not fun! Glad you guys didn't lose power...
ReplyDeleteMe too! We had someone come out yesterday to check the A/C just to be sure and all is well.
DeleteGlad to hear the hurricane didn't blast you away, Tanya! Oh no, there's no way I'd be able to survive that heat and humidity with no A/C! How'd they do it before electricity is what I'd like to know.
ReplyDeleteI did love Nolan and Gabi's banter. Such a fun romance.
Right? Ho did people manage in the days before A/C? So miserable!
DeleteGabi and Nolan were so good together. :)
Boo for storms, especially when they're threatening to knock out your power because that heat with no AC? No thanks. Glad you avoided flooding though. Sorry the narrator for your audiobook isn't the best, narrators are so important! But that is a long one, I prefer to be able to get through a book in a day or two while I'm working and that is a big commitment.
ReplyDeleteNarrators can definitely make or break a listening experience. This one (for American Queen) isn't bad, necessarily, but there's still something about her delivery that doesn't totally do it for me.
DeleteA breathy narrator?? Oof! I'm glad you enjoyed most of these books and even gladder that you were safe from the storm!
ReplyDeleteNo damage from the storm, thank goodness!
DeleteI'm glad the storm didn't hit you too much, and that your power held. Losing power in the heat is the WORST. I remember years ago it went out for awhile and I went to a friend's house and we all just kind of sat in her sister's room going "omg, this is horrible" LOL It was so very hot and humid. I just finished The Bookish Life of Nina Hill and really loved it. I'm halfway through The Suicide House by Charlie Donlea now - he's one of my favorite mystery authors.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
Ugh, having no A/C is just miserable. Thankfully ours didn't go out. We had someone come out and check it yesterday just to be sure and all is well. I have The Bookish Life of Nina Hill on my TBR so I'm so glad to hear you loved it!
Deleteoooo rage looks awesome!!!! glad to hear you made it through okay. so far, here in the florida panhandle, we have been lucky. lots of rain, but no tropical storms....yet....fingers crossed
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Rain we can handle, right? We're used to those here in FL. :)
DeleteI miss my commute when it comes to audiobooks as well. It's definitely taking me longer to get through those now than pre-pandemic. Both of your current reads sound really good so I hope they continue that way.
ReplyDeleteI find it tricky to fit in audio books when I'm home all the time now. The commute was custom-made for helping me get through them.
DeleteI've been wanting to try an LJ Shen book for a while, but I'm not sure where to start :)
ReplyDeleteWant You To Want Me looks cute and fun though!
Blood to Dust was my first by L.J. Shen. I enjoyed it well enough but her writing seems to be of the dramatic, over the top variety.
DeleteThe hurricane wasn't too bad here (a bunch of fallen branches) but woke up at 5:30 this morning to find NO power. Luckily it came back on in about an hour, but seriously 2020 is a year I can't wait to see the back of!
ReplyDeleteRight? I'm afraid to even wonder 'what next' at this point.
DeleteI like the American Queen cover! It's so elegant but eye-catching.
ReplyDeleteGlad the power stayed on! Hopefully the storm has passed now?
I love the cover for American Queen! The covers for the next two books are okay but not as striking as American Queen.
DeleteYou think 12 hours is long for an audio? Try my 28 hours for The Kingdom of Gold and 24 hours for every book of A Discovery of Witches LOL
ReplyDeleteWow, 28 hours is a looong audio book! I think the longest one I've listened to is ACOMAF which was about 23 hours.
Delete