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
Three Amazing Things About You by Jill Mansell
After two weighty, literary fiction books last week (which I didn’t exactly enjoy), I’ve taken refuge in the ever-reliable work of Jill Mansell! She’s never let me down 🙂
The blurb: Hallie has a secret. She’s in love. He’s perfect for her in every way, but he’s seriously out of bounds. And her friends aren’t going to help her because what they do know is that Hallie doesn’t have long to live. Time is running out…
Flo has a dilemma. She really likes Zander. But his scary sister won’t be even faintly amused if she thinks Zander and Flo are becoming friends – let alone anything more.
Tasha has a problem. Her new boyfriend is the adventurous type. And she’s afraid one of his adventures will go badly wrong.
Three Amazing Things About You begins as Hallie goes on a journey. A donor has been found and she’s about to be given new lungs. But whose?
2. The last books I read
The Museum of You by Carys Bray
I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I’d hoped. I enjoyed the parts written from the perspective on Clover, but didn’t empathize as much with her dad. Here’s my full review, which better explains my mixed feelings.
The blurb: Clover Quinn was a surprise. She used to imagine she was the good kind, now she’s not sure. She’d like to ask Dad about it, but growing up in the saddest chapter of someone else’s story is difficult. She tries not to skate on the thin ice of his memories.
Darren has done his best. He’s studied his daughter like a seismologist on the lookout for waves and surrounded her with everything she might want – everything he can think of, at least – to be happy.
What Clover wants is answers. This summer, she thinks she can find them in the second bedroom, which is full of her mother’s belongings. Volume isn’t important, what she is looking for is essence; the undiluted bits: a collection of things that will tell the full story of her mother, her father and who she is going to be.
But what you find depends on what you’re searching for.
AND
The Summer That Melted Everything by Tiffany McDaniel
I’m very sad to report that my experience of this book wasn’t the same as all the reviewers who’ve given it 5 stars. I could see that it’s got a lot going for it, but I just didn’t enjoy it 😦 That said, I’d still recommend it if you enjoy literary fiction and are looking for a darker, heavier read. Here’s my full review.
The blurb: Fielding Bliss has never forgotten the summer of 1984: the year a heat wave scorched Breathed, Ohio. The year he became friends with the devil.
Sal seems to appear out of nowhere – a bruised and tattered thirteen-year-old boy claiming to be the devil himself answering an invitation. Fielding Bliss, the son of a local prosecutor, brings him home where he’s welcomed into the Bliss family, assuming he’s a runaway from a nearby farm town.
When word spreads that the devil has come to Breathed, not everyone is happy to welcome this self-proclaimed fallen angel. Murmurs follow him and tensions rise, along with the temperatures as an unbearable heat wave rolls into town right along with him. As strange accidents start to occur, riled by the feverish heat, some in the town start to believe that Sal is exactly who he claims to be. While the Bliss family wrestles with their own personal demons, a fanatic drives the town to the brink of a catastrophe that will change this sleepy Ohio backwater forever.
3. What I’ll read next
A Mind to Murder by P. D. James
A bit like not having read anything by Agatha Christie until last year, I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to read a P. D. James novel. My local charity shop had this one and I decided it’s about time I put matters to rights… even if this is the second in a series… hopefully that won’t matter too much! 🙂
The blurb: When the administrative head of the Steen Psychiatric Clinic is found dead with a chisel in her heart, Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard is called in to investigate. Dalgliesh must analyze the deep-seated anxieties and thwarted desires of patients and staff alike to determine which of their unresolved conflicts resulted in murder.
Have you read/are reading any of these? What are you reading? Let me know! 🙂
And elsewhere on the blog…
Last week I made jam doughnut muffins. Surprisingly easy to make and the best of a filled doughnut and muffin in one. What’s not to like?!
i just read your Summer that Melted Everything review and I think I might give it a pass, even though it had been on my TBR… I find literary fiction a challenge a lot of the time, and the things you mentioned make it sound like something I wouldn’t really enjoy much. Weirdly, I don’t thiink a single other review I’ve read mentioned the dual perspective, which would definitely put me off. No wonder you needed something lighter after those two!
Here’s my WWW post this week.
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I’m starting to believe that having to read tonnes of literary fiction for my degree has made me incapable of enjoying it anymore! 😦
I’m really enjoying my lighter read! There’s also something about summer and sunshine which makes reading about darker subjects difficult.
I’ll head over to your post now…
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I am sorry that your experience with The Summer that Melted Everything wasn’t so good. I have been seeing the book around and have been intending to read it soon.I hope that the P.D James will be a good read for you. Happy Reading and enjoy your Wednesday.
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Thank you! I hope so too 🙂 I’m really looking forward to reading one of her books. I can’t believe I’ve never read a P. D. James before!
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Jill Mansell is on my list of authors to try one day. Happy reading!
My WWW post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2016/08/www-wednesday.html
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I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy The Summer that Melted Everything. I don’t know when I’ll get around to reading it, but chances are the hype had died down by then 🙂 I still have high hopes for it!
Thanks for visiting my WWW: https://sarinalangerwriter.com/2016/08/17/www-wednesday-10th-august-2016/
Happy reading! 🙂
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It has a lot going for it. And if you’re in the mood for something darker, then you might well really enjoy it. I know I’m in the minority on this one 🙂
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I’ve had Three Amazing Things About You lurking in the deepest, darkest depths of my kindle for a while now. I think I’ve been putting it off as it sounds like it could be a bit sad and I’ve been looking for happy books. I hope you enjoy. I’ll be looking out for your review.
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There are sad bits in Three Amazing Things, but it really depends on which characters you get attached to. I’m most invested in one of the characters who has a very happy outcome, so it’s been a happy read 🙂
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Hmm, I actually think I find The Summer That Everything Melted kind of interesting. I do enjoy the occasional literary fiction, although I haven’t ready any for a while. Might give it a try. I’ve been reading some fluff lately, so something a bit heavier might be good. 🙂
My WWW: https://lifewithnoplot.wordpress.com/2016/08/17/www-wednesday-for-august-17th/
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I think The Summer That Melted Everything is an ideal thing to read after a run of lighter reads. You should be in the right mood for it. I made the mistake of reading it after another literary fiction book.
I’m just about to start catching up on WWW posts and will head over to yours asap 🙂
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Yeah, you can’t read a bunch of heavy stuff all at once. It gets hard to breathe!
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I hope that Three Amazing Things About You doesn’t disappoint after two hard reads! I’ve never read anything by Jill Mansell, but I think I’ll give her bibliography a peek at now.
I don’t think I’ve read a P.D. James yet either ;P No! That’s a lie. I’ve read Death Comes to Pemberley 🙂 Which I did enjoy. The miniseries was decent as well, if I remember. But I should read one of her other ones. I’m always looking for a good mystery series to get into.
Happy Reading!
https://aliasfaithrivens.wordpress.com/2016/08/17/www-wednesday-the-nineteenth/
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Ooo! I saw the miniseries of Death Comes to Pemberley and really liked it 🙂 This might be why I’ve always believed I’ve read her books before when I haven’t!
I’m just catching up on WWW posts and will head over to yours asap 🙂
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I have been really intrigued by The Summer That Melted Everything. It’s a shame when books don’t live up to expectations! I hope you have a great reading week.
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Thank you!
I wouldn’t want to put anyone off The Summer That Melted Everything because so many people have loved it. And I think it all depends on the mood you’re in when you decide to read it!
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Jill Mansell is on my TBR thanks to you 🙂 As I am slowing down on ARCs, I should be able to finally squeeze one of her books between two thrillers.
I’m bumped you did not enjoy The Summer That Melted Everything, but I have thought about the points to made in your review and I see why the magic did not happen.
Love love the sound of A Mind To Murder!
Happy reading!
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Hooray! She’s terrific and so reliably good. Some of her books are a little better than others, but they’re consistently uplifting and easy to read. Reading one of hers between thrillers would be perfect 🙂
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I’ve been eyeing Jill Manswell and P. D. James for a while, so I must take the plunge. Thanks for sharing. Here’s MY WWW POST
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You can’t go wrong with Jill Mansell 🙂 If you’re after something contemporary and uplifting with characters you can care for, then she’s the author you need!
I’m just catching up on WWW posts (there are so many again this week!) and will head over to yours asap.
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I haven’t read any of these books. I hope you have better luck enjoying your new read. 🙂
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At the moment it’s lovely. I’m so pleased to be reading something easy and uplifting! 🙂
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I’ve heard so many good things about The Summer that Melted Everything, so it’s a shame you weren’t keen. It does sound like the kind of book that’s not for everyone.
Thanks for visiting my WWW and happy reading! 🙂
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I wouldn’t want to put anyone off The Summer That Melted Everything as it has a lot going for it. But maybe read it after having read a few “fluffy” books! 🙂
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That Jill Mansell book looks great, I just received You and Me Always by Jill Mansell for review so I will hopefully be reading that soon!
http://dualreads.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/wednesday-catch-up-17th-august-2016.html
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Ooo! You and Me Always is great. I had the luck to win a copy shortly after it was published and I really enjoyed it. I hope you do too!
I’m just catching up on WWW posts… and I’ll visit your asap.
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Sad to hear the Museum of You was a bit disappointed. I’ve been thinking about reading that one myself. Happy reading! http://www.curious-daisy.com/www-wednesdays/www-wednesday-august-17-2016/
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I know. It was such a shame because there were things to like about the book 😦 And so many other readers have loved it. I honestly think I wasn’t in a good mood for literary fiction last week.
I’ll check out your post now…
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I hope you enjoy P.D. James’s books! She writes such wonderful mysteries!
Here’s my post. 🙂
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I’ve seen a TV version of Death Comes to Pemberley, but that’s it. I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to get to one of her books 🙂
I’ll head over to your post now…
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I’ve never read a Jill Mansell book. Are they good? Is there another author you could compare her to? I’ve been curious.
My WWW: http://www.anovelglimpse.com/2016/08/17/www-wednesday-august-17-2016/
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Jill Mansell and Katie Fforde are quite similar. They both tend to tell the stories of two or three couples which overlap. It’s a great approach because you’re pretty much guaranteed to like and root for at least one of the couples 🙂 And the endings are always really uplifting.
I think I’ve read ten of Jill Mansell’s books now and they’ve all been good. She’s very reliable!
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I haven’t read Katie Fforde either! I guess I need to branch out!
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You didn’t enjoy The Summer that melted everything and The museum of you much eh? Hope this week brings better books! 🙂
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Sadly, no. And I was looking forward to both of them so much 😦
I’m hoping by going for lighter reads this week will be better!
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I must have seen about 10 reviews for The Summer That Melted Everything and everyone’s reviews were so positive, so it’s good to see an opposing opinion. Sorry you didn’t enjoy it though. I will admit, even without having seen a negative review, it just doesn’t sound like something I want to read haha
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I didn’t look into it all that much before reading it. Usually I like the surprise… not this time so much though 😦
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I’m sorry you had some books that you didn’t enjoy! I hope next week will be better 🙂
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Me too! The Jill Mansell is really good (as usual), so it’s already looking better 🙂
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That’s great!
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I’m sorry ‘The Summer that Everything Melted’ didn’t do it for you. Whenever I have unpopular opinions, I almost feel bad saying them but I’m glad when others do, so I feel better about speaking up! Your baking pictures always make me so hungry! Happy reading and thanks for participating in WWW Wednesday!
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I’m always worried I’m going to get lynched 🙂 As you say, it’s a relief when you find anyone – even just one person – who had the same experience as you!
The actual baking tends to get scoffed very quickly 🙂
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Bad luck with your recent reads! I hope things pick up. And there’s nothing worse than when a book gets rave reviews and you just don’t feel the same!
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I know! I’m always worried there’s something wrong with me 🙂
I’ve really enjoyed the Jill Mansell I’m about to finish, so this week is already looking up!
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Ha me too! Glad the Mansell worked its magic
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Three Amazing Things About you sounds like a lot of fun 🙂 I also really liked your review of The Summer That Melted Everything, I still want to read it but I’m glad I kind of know what to expect.
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It is! It’s lovely, although quite worrying while she’s keeping you guessing who is going to end up being an organ donor! Fortunately – as usual – everything turns out ok in the end 🙂
I think if you go into The Summer That Melted Everything knowing to expect something heavy, it would be a better experience.
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I’ve not read any of the books you mentioned but I’ll certainly check them out and see if any of them take my fancy.
Here’s my WWW.
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The Summer That Melted Everything has had quite a bit of hype. I’m sure it’ll win awards and be loved by thousands, but it just wasn’t for me 😦
I’ll check out your post now…
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Sometimes that happens! Unfortunately I felt the same way about Carry On which I know is very different to the majority who love it!
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I’m so glad I’m not alone on The Summer That Melted Everything. For a while, I was wondering if I was missing something or if I was being too harsh. Thanks for stopping by earlier. 🙂
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Me too! When you have an unpopular opinion it’s always a relief to discover you’re not alone 🙂
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I find it difficult to read dark, heavy books in the summer and while I don’t read a lot of literary fiction these days, I would definitely wait until the winter! I picked up that same book by Jill Mansell – I’ll see what you think before I go back to it. Looked interesting. If my TBR pile ever dries up I must start with mysteries. It’s been a while since I picked one up. Thanks for stopping by my WWW!! Happy reading!
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I try to alternate romance, mystery, fantasy etc. or I’d run the risk of always reading fantasy and nothing else! 🙂 I’m hoping to get my review of Three Amazing Things About You up later today (just have to find time to write it!).
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