The Week in Review: 01.11.2019
Between the Covers
Finished last week:
I have mixed feelings about HAND TO MOUTH: LIVING IN BOOTSTRAP AMERICA by Linda Tirado. Tirado was a part of the working poor and gained attention when she responded to a forum post entitled Why do poor people do things that seem so self-destructive? She has since become an advocate for the poor and makes some very good, thought provoking points in this book. She has quite a chip on her shoulder, though, and her anger became grating at times. Don’t get me wrong, I understand why she’s angry but I don’t think it helps her cause. The book became repetitive at times as well. I’m glad I read the book but do think the subject matter could have been approached in a better manner – maybe she could have shared more of her background or told the stories of a few members of the working poor. (Review copy provided by Penguin Random House.)
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THE STEVES by Morag Hood is a picture book about two puffins named Steve who meet each other. Neither is happy about someone else sharing their name and they argue about who’s the greatest. They work things out but not before saying a few mean things and, in the end, meet someone else named Steve. I thought the brightly colored illustrations were adorable but, overall, I wasn’t crazy about this book. The two Steves trying to one-up each other was okay but I wasn’t a fan of the mean things they said to each other. I’d recommend flipping through this book before picking it up. (Review copy provided by Sourecbooks Jabberwocky.)
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STILL ME by Jojo Moyes is the third book in the Me Before You trilogy. Louisa has moved to New York City to become the assistant to mega-wealthy Agnes Gopnik, leaving behind Sam, her paramedic boyfriend. Agnes is lonely and wants Louisa to fill the void as well as keep some of her secrets – one of which comes crashing down, changing Louisa’s world. I thought this book was delightful and, once again, adored Louisa and her indefatigable spirit. She’s charming and optimistic and has her own sense of style. I thought the storyline was fun and entertaining and the writing was solid, too, so this book was a hit with me. The audio is narrated by Anna Acton and I thought she did a terrific job. (Review copy provided by Penguin Random House.)
Currently reading:
- MY ABSOLUTE DARLING by Gabriel Talent
- TWO CAN KEEP A SECRET by Karen McManus
- FORTY AUTUMNS by Nina Willner
On the Screen
I watched most of the NCAA football National Championship game Monday night and was surprised and happy to see Clemson win the game so handily.
I watched the Virginia Tech – Georgia Tech Men’s basketball game Wednesday night. I didn’t think either team looked great and felt VT was lucky to come away with the win.
Off the blog
- Carl and I went to visit my aunt. I meant to get a picture of us together but, was so caught up in the visit, I forgot to.
- I didn’t get to walk last Friday because of rain but I walked at least three miles every other morning and averaged just under 14,000 Fitbit steps a day.
What’s going on in your corner of the world?
It’s too bad Hand to Mouth wasn’t a stronger book — it’s such an important subject. And YES on JoJo Moyes! The Louisa books are really good.
I heard very mixed things about Hand to Mouth. Good to read your thoughts on it.
I’ve only read one if Jojo Meyes’s. Just could not track down any of the others. Your current reads also look good. All new to me.
I’ve only read one if Jojo Meyes’s. Just could not track down any of the others. Your current reads also look good. All new to me.
I also listened to Still Me. What a great conclusion to the series. While I’ll miss Louisa I feel content knowing how her story moved forward from Me Before You. Well done, Jojo Moyes.
I didn’t read the book after Me Before You… think I need to get on board with this series. Hope you’re enjoying Forty Autumns!
It sounds as though you had a lovely week! Especially with another fave aunt visit! We are waiting for snow! But only 3 inches! The highlight of my week was my Costco trip…I guess that sounds a little sad but I loved it! This weekend it’s football again…all weekend long!
I think I’ll pass on Hand to Mouth. I recently read a book where the author was similar, too angry/combative to get her point across well.
I’ve never read anything by Jojo Moyes.
I really liked Acton too 🙂
I have been planning to read Still Me, but I must first finish the second book in the series (After You).
I think I’ll pass on Hand to Mouth. Grating anger by a writer does not draw me in to the subject matter.
Thanks for sharing, and have a great weekend.
Nice book week and exercise week. I go to classes and also walk…walking is so relaxing.
Nice on the aunt visit. I still have two aunts left and one uncle.
Thanks for sharing.
We had a little drizzle here this morning and a big store is coming tonight. It’s big because of the impact it will have on the burn areas. Not much in inches but any rain for an extended period of time will cause flash floods in those areas.
Tonight, my son and daughter are going to see Wicked. We have all seen the show except for her but the tickets were so expensive this time around, that I bought only two, one for each of them since they both act and she is currently in Oz. Will be fun for them. We are dropping them off in Hollywood and then my husband and I go out to dinner. We wanted to see a movie but none of them start at a good time for us to be done by the time Wicked ends so dinner and then hanging out in Hollywood.
Weekend plans are simple. One special event thing but it’s a fun thing. I am going to be a slug otherwise.
Too bad about Hand To Mouth, I’ll pass on it.
Hand to Mouth sounds interesting. It’s too bad the author’s anger overshadowed her message. I haven’t read any of the books by Moyes books. I confess I haven’t really been called to them, but I know most who have read them loved them. Maybe someday they will spark my interest. I hope you are enjoying your current reads. I am really curious about Forty Autumns. I am glad you had a nice visit with Carl’s Aunt. This week has mostly been one of getting back into our normal routine. I hope you have a wonderful weekend! We are expecting rain, and I hope it holds off until after the Colorful Dash tomorrow. Mouse is looking forward to it.
I haven’t read any of these. Have a great weekend.
Hand to Mouth sounds like it could be really interesting and important, it’s too bad it is repetitive and her anger comes through (even though it’s super justifiable).
Kathy,
Thanks for sharing some of your week’s highlights. I’m glad that you enjoyed listening to Still Me. I’d like to read or listen to it. I read the first book in the series, and saw the movie. We’re expecting rain here soon. Have a relaxing weekend!
Ha, ha, I always let weather determine whether or not I will walk, which means pretty much never! You are to be commended for doing it almost all the time!
I totally agree with you about Still Me. I loved #1, liked #2, and loved #3 almost as much as #1. A very good trilogy (plus I have seen her live, which always helps).
I read/listened to Still Me in 2018. Not my favorite but not bad. I thought My Absolute Darling was good but not great. Hope you have a good week Kathy.
Wow I didn’t realize they were on to the 3rd book in the Moyes series. I just read book 1 and liked it — but never got to book 2. It sounds like book 3 is worth it!
Thanks for reminding me I still haven’t read Still Me! I didn’t watch the national championship game but was happy Clemson won 🙂 I’m just sad that Ohio State’s two best players, both of which could play next year are going in the draft 😦 I’m okay with losing Urban 🙂
I’m not sure why I haven’t kept up with the JoJo Moyes trilogy, but you remind me that I need to at least get to reading the last book.
I loved Me Before You, but haven’t read any others in the trilogy. I need to do something about that!
The puffins book looks cute but I’m sure if my kids read it, it would only encourage them to say mean things to each other like the Steves. They do enough of that without encouragement!
I had mixed feelings about Hand to Mouth as well. AND also enjoyed Still Me by Jojo Moyes – finding at a refreshing end tot he trilogy as I thought the second book dragged a bit,
STILL ME wasn’t my favorite in the “series” but I still liked it a lot!