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
Spectacles, a memoir by Sue Perkins
My second non-fiction book of 2016! I finish this and I’ve read my minimum of 2 non-fiction books per year! 🙂 I’m not sure the non-Brits among you will have much of an idea of who Sue Perkins is… but this is her first book and memoir. And it’s very good.
The blurb: “This, my first ever book, will answer questions such as ‘Is Mary Berry real?’, ‘Is it true you wear a surgical truss?’ and ‘Is a non-spherically symmetric gravitational pull from outside the observable universe responsible for some of the observed motion of large objects such as galactic clusters in the universe?’
Most of this book is true. I have, of course, amplified my more positive characteristics in an effort to make you like me. Thank you for reading.”
2. The last books I read
Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5) by Sarah J. Maas
This was ok. Not bad, not brilliant – just ok. It’s probably my least favourite of the series, tied with Book 3. However, I hold out a lot of hope for book 6 because I’ve always enjoyed the even-numbered installments more. Plus it’s hinted at that Aelin might be out of the spotlight for a while… which could give all the great secondary characters more time to shine. Here’s my full review.
The blurb: no blurb so as not to spoil any of the previous installments of the series. If you’re really interested in knowing more about the series, you can check out my review of Book 1, Throne of Glass.
AND
Holding by Graham Norton
I really enjoyed this. It wasn’t quite as funny as I’d been expecting, but it was more than amusing and moving enough to make up for lack of laughs. A great first novel. Here’s my full review.
The blurb: Graham Norton’s masterful debut is an intelligently crafted story of love, secrets and loss.
The remote Irish village of Duneen has known little drama; and yet its inhabitants are troubled. Sergeant PJ Collins hasn’t always been this overweight; mother of two Brid Riordan hasn’t always been an alcoholic; and elegant Evelyn Ross hasn’t always felt that her life was a total waste.
So when human remains are discovered on an old farm, suspected to be that of Tommy Burke – a former love of both Brid and Evelyn – the village’s dark past begins to unravel. As the frustrated PJ struggles to solve a genuine case for the first time in his life, he unearths a community’s worth of anger and resentments, secrets and regret.
3. What I’ll read next
The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict
This is another ARC from NetGalley. I haven’t read any historical fiction for a while and this one sounded very interesting.
The blurb: In 1896, the extraordinarily gifted Mileva is the only woman studying physics at an elite school in Zürich. There, she falls for charismatic fellow student Albert Einstein, who promises to treat her as an equal in both love and science. But as Albert’s fame grows, so too does Mileva’s worry that her light will be lost in her husband’s shadow forever.
A literary historical in the tradition of The Paris Wife and Mrs. Poe, The Other Einstein reveals a complicated partnership that is as fascinating as it is troubling.
Have you read/are reading any of these? What are you reading? Let me know! 🙂
And elsewhere on the blog…
I finally made bread! Only after saying I would for nine months… Oh well, better late than never!
Really intrigued by Graham Norton’s book. I’ve been seeing it floating around a lot lately!
My WWW: https://bathtimereads.wordpress.com/2016/09/28/www-wednesday-28th-september-2016/
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It’s very good. It’s an odd, but effective mix of funny and sad 🙂
I’m just catching up with WWW posts now and I’ll head over to yours asap!
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Good for you for reading non-fiction! I think I’ve only read one memoir so far this year.
My WWW Wednesday.
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I have to force myself to do it. Which is mad, because I always enjoy it when I do read it. I just much prefer fiction! 🙂
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I am the same way!
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Holding sounds really intriguing. Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog. Enjoy!
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Thank you! You too 🙂
I would recommend Holding to everyone. A good story, well told 🙂
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*Quickly skimming over all mentions of Empire of Storms* I really like the sound of Spectacles. I never read memoirs but could maybe be persuaded for Sue.
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I’ve only read a couple of memoirs and this one ranks very highly. There are some truly hilarious bits and her voice is so clear throughout 🙂
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Yaaay for non-fiction books. I’ve been loving memoirs this year myself 😀 http://www.curious-daisy.com/www-wednesdays/www-wednesday-september-28-2016/
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I think I’d put Sue Perkins’ memoir ahead of Amy Poehler’s (which I read last year). But to be fair to Amy, that’s probably just because I’m far more familiar with Sue and her TV work. If I lived in the US, I’m sure my feelings would be reversed.
I’m just catching up with WWW posts and will check out yours asap.
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2 non-fictions per year is a good goal. I noticed I really need to be in the mood for them or I get bored very fast. I don’t read much historical fiction but I love the sound of The Other Einstein!
Happy reading!
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I’ve had quite a big break from historical fiction, so it’s about time I went back to it.
I always tell myself I’ll read more than 2 non-fiction books… but it just doesn’t happen!! I’m an escapism junkie 🙂
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That bread looks really good! Freshly baked bread is one of the best things in the world, few things top it. I love that cover for The Other Einstein, hope you enjoy 🙂
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Thank you! I was really pleased with how the bread turned out for my first attempt. I made some more a few days later and it turned out ok too. I’ll have to keep this up!
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We share the same sentiments over Empire of Storms, it was not my favorite installment. Great to hear that Aelin may not be in most of 6, since what I love most about this series is the supporting cast of characters. I’m VERY intrigued by The Other Einstein…I dare not request an eGalley though because I have enough on my plate but this book tempts me so lol *steps away from PC*. I am impressed by your bread making skills, I definitely fell short in the cooking/baking department *eeeK* Great WWW btw 😉
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That’s exactly how I feel about the whole Throne of Glass series. If she decides to do spin-off series, she has some terrific supporting characters to work with. I, for one, would not miss Aelin at all!
I’m just working my way through my NetGalley shelf before I can request anything new – I know the feeling 🙂
Thank you – I was really pleased with how the bread turned out for my first ever time making it.
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I agree! I wouldn’t miss her either especially after Empire of Storms. I’m also working my way through my NetGalley shelf & trying not to request anything else. Doubt that I’ll get approved anyways u til I raise the ration back up again 🙈 1st time making bread & it actually looks like what it was intended to be…I’d say you are WINNING! 😉
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I like the sound of the Graham Norton book. I’m also hopeless with non-fiction – like you I just prefer a good novel 🙂
Here’s my www https://ahouseofbooks.wordpress.com/2016/09/28/this-week-in-books-28-september-2016/
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I know! I just love the escapism of fiction and I find it a lot more gripping than non-fiction, which can sometimes be a slog. I need to make more of an effort!
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I’m hoping to finally finish the Throne of Glass series in November! I can’t wait to read everyone’s reviews of Empire of Storms then!
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I’ll be waiting to read everyone’s reviews of Crooked Kingdom in a similar way. I haven’t even ordered my copy yet and everyone else has started reading 🙂 Will just have to do my best to avoid spoilers!
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I still have to read Six of Crows …. I’m hoping to read both of them in December/January when my schedule gets less hectic!
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The Other Einstein sounds good! I look forward to your review when your finished!
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Thanks! I’m going to start it tonight, so hopefully I’ll have a review ready early next week 🙂
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I LOVE Sue Perkins! 😀 It’s so sad how she’s leaving the GBBO, isn’t it?
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It won’t be the same without Mel and Sue. Or Mary 😦
If you like Sue you should check out the book. I can guarantee it’ll make you laugh 🙂
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The Other Einstein does sound very exciting! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it.
And I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed Holding! It’s definitely one I’m looking forward to!
Happy Reading 😀
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I think you’ll enjoy Holding 🙂
I’m looking forward to returning to historical fiction after a break. Fingers crossed it’s good!
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Sorry Empire of Swords didn’t do it for you. All series have a ‘not as good’ book! Happy reading and thanks for participating in WWW Wednesday!
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Thank you!
That’s very true. And I still hope the final book will be far better 🙂
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You’re right, I don’t know who Sue Perkins is. 😉 But I enjoy reading memoirs, so I might give it a go at some point anyway. I normally don’t read a lot of non fiction, but somehow this year I’ve already read 9?! The Other Einstein sounds really good as well; I hope you’ll enjoy it. Happy reading!
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Nine! That’s amazing! I wish I could believe I’d ever manage nine. And there was me thinking of sneaking my target up to 3 next year. I don’t think recipe books count… 😉
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Recipe books are non fiction, so I would still count them… 😉 I’ve been reading a lot of memoirs this year, some requested at Netgalley as well. I still prefer fiction, but it’s nice to change genres every once in a while.
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I know who Sue Perkins is! Not that I’ve seen her around much, I know she co-hosts GBBO, but I’ve never watched that. I did watch that show a few years ago where they ate the diet of different time periods for a week… I think she’d write a great memoir.
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She does! 🙂 I think even if you have a vague idea of who she is, you’d enjoy it. But if you had never heard of her before if might be a bit odd.
I enjoyed Amy Poehler’s memori and I only had a fuzzy idea of who she was… so it can be done I guess!
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The Other Einstein looks pretty good. I like the description and cover. I haven’t read historical fiction in so long. Anyway, I hope that this turns out to be a great read for you.Happy reading 🙂
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Thank you! I hope so too 🙂
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The Other Einstein looks really good, I hadn’t heard of it before so I definitely need to keep an eye out for it. Great WWW Wednesday.
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I hadn’t heard of it either until I stumbled across it on Netgalley. It’s good so far 🙂
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I’m sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy EoS as much as you thought you would! It was verrry slow for me in the beginning but I thought the last 25% made up for it.
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The Other Einstein sounds interesting. And like another good installment in the trend of highlighting the highly talented wives of well-known men! I hope you enjoy it.
I shared some of your quibbles with EoS, and I too hope for more spotlight for the side characters come book 6 next year. Especially Manon, Elide, Lysandra, and Chaol&Nesryn (since we get his POV not hers but they tend to be together).
Thanks for visiting my WWW post and happy reading!
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I would love more of those POVs in the final Throne of Glass book. Chaol and Nesryn are surely due their day in the sun after being entirely absent from book 5! 🙂
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I haven’t started the Throne of Glass series yet, but I’ve heard some mixed things. I have to admit that my expectations for it are low, but that can only go in its favour 🙂
I adore Sue Perkins, but I don’t usually read memoirs or biographies! I hope you enjoy her humour 🙂
Happy reading! 🙂
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The Sue Perkins memoir is very good! I think anyone who likes her from what they’ve seen on TV would enjoy her book 🙂
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