This meme is hosted by Sam over at Taking on a World of Words. A similar meme, This Week in Books is hosted by Lipsyy Lost and Found.
Why not join in? Just answer the following three questions in a post and then put a link to that post in the Comments over at Taking on a World of Words.
The questions are:
- What are you currently reading?
- What did you recently finish reading?
- What do you think you’ll read next?
As always, clicking on the cover image will take you to the book’s Goodreads page.
1. What I’m reading at the moment
The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman
I have mixed feelings about this one. The setting is wonderful and the descriptions of the lighthouse are perfect, but some of the crucial characters aren’t all that sympathetic. Hopefully I’ll have a review up tomorrow evening.
What it’s about (very long version): After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes once a season and shore leaves are granted every other year at best, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby.
Tom, whose records as a lighthouse keeper are meticulous and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel has taken the tiny baby to her breast. Against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them.
M. L. Stedman’s mesmerizing, beautifully written novel seduces us into accommodating Isabel’s decision to keep this “gift from God.” And we are swept into a story about extraordinarily compelling characters seeking to find their North Star in a world where there is no right answer, where justice for one person is another’s tragic loss.
2. The last books I read
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Here’s my full review. I encourage everyone to read this. A unique insight into growing up in the social and political turmoil of a revolution and counter-revolution. With lots of surprisingly humorous bits. I suppose that’s life…
What it’s about: Here, in one volume: Marjane Satrapi’s best-selling, internationally acclaimed memoir-in-comic-strips.
Persepolis is the story of Satrapi’s unforgettable childhood and coming of age within a large and loving family in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution; of the contradictions between private life and public life in a country plagued by political upheaval; of her high school years in Vienna facing the trials of adolescence far from her family; of her homecoming–both sweet and terrible; and, finally, of her self-imposed exile from her beloved homeland. It is the chronicle of a girlhood and adolescence at once outrageous and familiar, a young life entwined with the history of her country yet filled with the universal trials and joys of growing up.
Edgy, searingly observant, and candid, often heartbreaking but threaded throughout with raw humor and hard-earned wisdom–Persepolis is a stunning work from one of the most highly regarded, singularly talented graphic artists at work today.
AND
Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
My full 5* review. Another 5-star review of Illuminae from me. If you’re a sci-fi fan or just looking for something gripping you should pick this up.
The (very short) blurb: Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes..
3. What I’ll read next
The Crane Wife by Patrick Ness
You all knew I wouldn’t be able to stay away from him for long! This will be the first piece of adult fiction by Patrick Ness I’ve read (although I would argue that most of his “YA” books are suitable for everyone).
The blurb: The extraordinary happens every day…
One night, George Duncan – decent man, a good man – is woken by a noise in his garden. Impossibly, a great white crane has tumbled to earth, shot through its wing by an arrow. Unexpectedly moved, George helps the bird, and from the moment he watches it fly off, his life is transformed.
The next day, a kind but enigmatic woman walks into George’s shop. Suddenly a new world opens up for George, and one night she starts to tell him the most extraordinary story.
Wise, romantic, magical and funny, The Crane Wife is a hymn to the creative imagination and a celebration of the disruptive and redemptive power of love.
AND
Our Endless Numbered Days by Claire Fuller
I’ve seen a lot of positive reviews for this recently, so I requested it from the publisher via NetGalley and, lo and behold, I was approved!
The blurb: 1976: Peggy Hillcoat is eight. She spends her summer camping with her father, playing her beloved record of The Railway Children and listening to her mother’s grand piano, but her pretty life is about to change.
Her survivalist father, who has been stockpiling provisions for the end which is surely coming soon, takes her from London to a cabin in a remote European forest. There he tells Peggy the rest of the world has disappeared. And so her life is reduced to a piano which makes music but no sound, a forest where all that grows is a means of survival. And a tiny wooden hut that is Everything.
Peggy is not seen again for another nine years.
1985: Peggy has returned to the family home. But what happened to her in the forest? And why has she come back now?
Have you read/are reading any of these? What are you reading? Let me know! 🙂
You can also find me on Twitter @ClaraVal and on Goodreads.
If you missed them, check out my vanilla Christmas biscuits/cookies 🙂 My attempt at festive baking turned out surprisingly well!
Claire Huston / Art and Soul
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on The Crane Wife! Our Endless Numbered Days sounds really interesting, I might have to request it, too.
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It sounds really good. I’m trying not to get my hopes up too much. Thanks for visiting and Happy Christmas! 🙂
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I love that you adore Patrick Ness. He’s amazing. I have The Crane Wife to read too, at some point!
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I do love him. I also envy his talent enormously! I have my fingers crossed that The Crane Wife maintain my faith in him 😉
Thanks for visiting and Happy Christmas!
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I keep seeing positive reviews of Illuminae so think I’m going to have to get that at some point. I’ve heard good things about Our Endless Numbered Days so I hope you find it to be a great read, I’ve got it on my TBR but haven’t had a chance to read it yet.
Thanks for stopping by my WWW earlier.
https://rathertoofondofbooks.wordpress.com/2015/12/23/www-wednesday-23-december/
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Illuminae is very good although it takes a little while at the start to get used to the unusual formatting.
Thanks for visiting and Happy Christmas!
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I might treat myself in the new year then. Happy Christmas to you too!
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I’ve been seeing Illuminae for quite a while but I never got around checking it out. It seems like a good book (seeing the high scores and outstanding reviews) so maybe I should read it..?
The Crane Wife looks like an interesting romance book. I don’t think I’ve read many romance books that I really liked so I’ll keep this one in mind, in case I needed to read one.
I enjoyed reading your WWW. Quite a varied selection. Hope you get around reading them all!
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Illuminae is excellent. It’s another one of those sci-fi books which gets it right in that the focus is on the characters and the fact they’re in space, etc. is just incidental.
I hope I get round to it all too. It can be tough over Christmas to make time for reading.
Thanks for visiting and Happy Christmas!
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That seems to solve my problems with Sci-fi. I always found the genre a tedious read because it tends to prioritize world-building over the characters. But that’s basing on my handful pile of Sci-fi reads. I suppose I should try this out then =D
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ISTN ILLUMINAE THE BEST EVER!!!! All these books have such pretty covers! I hope you have fun reading the ones coming up!
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I seem to be picking only books with blue and white covers recently!
Illuminae was brilliant. And its brilliance sneaks up on your slowly before you realise you’re hooked.
Thanks for visiting and Happy Christmas!
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I want the hardcover of Illuminae and that thing is so expensive that I haven’t bought it yet. Bu I definitely want to read that book hehe 😀 Happy reading! Here’s my post for the week https://ireadboooks.wordpress.com/2015/12/23/www-wednesday-december-23-2015/
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It would definitely be worth having it in hardcover, even if it is very expensive! Thanks for visiting and Happy Christmas! 🙂
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I wish I could like Persepolis, but… yeah., My graphic novel appreciation is limited to Bad Kitty (the series my six year old loves). I swear I literally get headaches trying to read comics and graphic novels in general -.-
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I can understand that. I thought it would be far quicker to read than a novel, but no, it took me longer to read and the print in the captions was SO tiny… I could have done with the large print version for people with poor eyesight!
Thanks for visiting and Happy Christmas!
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I’m interested to read your review for The Light Between Oceans. I have Illuminae sitting on my shelf. I can’t wait to read it!
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Illuminate is great. Light Between Oceans a mixed bag!
Thanks for visiting and Happy Christmas!
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I still don’t even want to look at The Light Between Oceans on my bookcase. I tried reading it last summer/fall and I just couldn’t get into it. Now I’m not so sure I even want to try…
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And I’m not sure I’d encourage you! I think when I review it I’ll be saying it’s not one for everybody. Only a few chapters to go now.
Thanks for visiting and Happy Christmas!
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I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on The Light Between Oceans, that book has been on one of my wish lists for a while now and it sounds intriguing
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I’ve only got a few chapters left and will need to have a good think about how to review it. It has lots of good things going for it… but I have a few issues…
Thanks for visiting and Happy Christmas!
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Happy Christmas!
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The Light Between Oceans has been on my tbr for a while, but I just never want to read it. And Our Endless Numbered Days was really good! Definitely read it! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by my post and Merry Christmas!
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I’m so glad to hear that about Our Endless Numbered Days. The blurb sounds really intriguing 🙂
I’m not sure what I think about The Light Between Oceans yet…
Thanks for visiting and Happy Christmas to you too!
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I really want to read Illuminae!
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I can highly recommend it! At first you think, “What is this? What’s happening?” but suddenly you’re skipping meals to find out what happens next! 🙂 Hint: have snacks to hand before starting…
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haha sounds like an interesting read! and I will keep that in mind!
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I’m so excited to read Illuminae!!! Unfortunately, it is not exactly at the top of my list. The Crane Wife sounds a lot like various myths, especially the Celestial Maiden/Seal Wife variety, and I’m curious how Ness is going to twist those tales. And Our Endless Numbered Days sounds simply fascinating!
Thanks for visiting my WWW post, and happy reading!
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Good! It’s great! 🙂
I like a good mystery with a decent twist, so I’m hoping Our Endless Numbered Days provides at least one of those!
Thanks for visiting my WWW post and Happy Hannukka! 🙂
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I’ve had my eyes on Illuminae since I heard it about it right before it was released. I’m super looking forward to reading it especially if you liked it. I’ll have to look into Persepolis. It looks intriguing. Here’s my WWW Wednesday!
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I was worried it might be another case of over-hype but, no, it’s just that good 🙂
It’s great to have you back to WWW Wednesdays!
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I’m so glad to be back. 😀 I look forward to reading Illuminae then. With all the reviews it’s getting, I feels kind of like the new The Martian. lol.
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I hope you end up enjoying The Light Between Oceans no really enjoyed it when my book club read it bi believe there’s a movie coming! Happy reading and thanks for participating in WWW Wednesday!
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I think a movie could even improve upon the book and a great opportunity to capture the wonderful setting. Thanks for hosting and Happy Christmas!
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I scoured the bookshop yesterday for Illuminae but couldn’t find it 😦 Looks like I’ll have to get the e book with my Christmas vouchers.
I have really got to try a Patrick Ness. You always make his books sound so good.
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You can’t go wrong with Patrick Ness. Some of his books are better than others but they’re all well-written and they’ve got interesting characters and ideas behind them. Illuminae is wonderful – well worth using your Christmas vouchers on 🙂
Thanks for visiting and Happy Christmas!
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I’m so excited about Illuminae and it’s great to hear you loved it as well! It will probably be one of my first 2016 reads. And I’m sorry to hear The Light Between Oceans wasn’t that good for you; it sounded like a really interesting read. I love your cookies by the way! Mine didn’t turn out nearly as nice as yours did. 🙂
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Thank you! The biscuits were an unexpected success. I really just wanted to make some biscuits with my son. He likes rolling out the dough and cutting out the shapes.
I was worried that Iluminae would be another victim of over-hype but, while it’s not perfect, it’s still brilliant.
Thanks for visiting and Happy Christmas!
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I’m going to make ‘owl’ muffins for New Year’s Eve with my niece for the same reason; luckily some kids love baking. 😀
I can’t wait to start Illuminae… Happy Christmas !
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The Crane Wife sounds interesting. Another book to add to my TBR. I can’t wait to read your thoughts on it 🙂
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Thanks! I have high hopes, as I always do with anything by Nr Ness 🙂
Thanks for visiting and Happy Christmas!
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Merry Christmas!
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I do like the sound of The Light Between Oceans despite your reservations – the premise is a good one…
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It is and the setting is wonderful. Review up later today! Your review of The Jazz Files has convinced me. I particularly like the sound of a mostly female cast who are supportive of each other.
Thanks for visiting and happy reading 🙂
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Our Endless Numbered Days sounds like a good mystery; my kind of read. Will wait to hear what you think before I go requesting though.
Thanks for visiting my WWW – http://bookboodle.co.uk/2015/12/23/www-wednesday-december-23rd
Happy Christmas! 🙂
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Fingers crossed! I’m hoping for a well-handled twist 🙂
Glad to hear your trip to London was a success – a brilliant pre-Christmas treat.
Happy Christmas!
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I’m glad that you liked Persepolis! I heard that Illuminae is awesome! I gotta read that book soon! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! 🙂
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Illuminae is wonderful. A good one for the holidays if you have time! Happy Christmas 🙂
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