What I’ve Been Reading Lately: April 2017

I always enjoy hearing what people have been reading lately, so I thought I’d join Modern Mrs. Darcy’s latest Quick Lit link-up where readers share short and sweet reviews of what they’ve been reading lately.

In the past couple of months, I’ve read books with covers that lured me in, a non-fiction book to hopefully help me understand our most recent election, a book in anticipation of an author talk, and books that were not what I expected.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on any of these that you may have read.

The Year of Living Danishly: Uncovering the Secrets of the World’s Happiest Country by Helen Russell

This was a book pick by my Scandinavian Book Group. The author is a British journalist who moved to rural Jutland, the large peninsula of Denmark, with her husband who got a job with Lego. She took advantage of the opportunity to explore what makes the Danes the happiest in the world. I really enjoyed this month-by-month look at Danish culture, much of which is similar to Norway’s culture. The author has a great sense of humor, fun attitude, and interesting writing style, and I laughed out loud at certain parts.

The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig

I was drawn to this YA fantasy by the cover and a reference in a description to Scandinavian myth (turns out that’s minimal). It’s a #diversebooks/#ownvoices book whose author and main character are half-Chinese and half-white, or hapo. I really enjoyed this book. I thought the setting of Hawaii in the mid-1800s was interesting and beautiful. The author included politics, folklore, and nature. The cast of characters is very diverse. Sonny and I both enjoyed it and are looking forward to reading the sequel, The Ship Beyond Time.

Exit West by Mohsin Hamid

This was my Book of the Month selection for March, and it immediately jumped to the very top of my TBR list when I saw the author was coming to town to speak about it. I had three days to complete it and that was not a problem. I loved this book – the story, the writing, and an element I won’t mention because had I known about it beforehand, I probably wouldn’t have read it – kept my attention throughout. And having the opportunity to hear the author speak about it and answer readers’ questions was icing on the cake.

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J. D. Vance

I had high hopes and expectations for this one. I thought it would help me understand our most recent election. Unfortunately, I finished it feeling less than satisfied. I did get an insight into life in the Rust Belt and Appalachia, all unfamiliar to me, but that’s about it. I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author himself which was great. There were certainly parts I enjoyed, but overall I was disappointed. But on a positive note, since it’s been such a popular book, there have been many discussions about it which I’ve been able to follow. It happened to be Pantsuit Politics Community Book Club‘s pick for March, and my son’s school has an opportunity to discuss it in May which I’m looking forward to.

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

I really had no desire to read this (and I don’t really know why), but my book club picked it and so I had no choice but to jump in – and I am very happy I did. I’ve always wanted to visit Moscow (bummed I missed my opportunity when a friend lived there) and this book gave me a historical look at life there. I am so impressed with how the author was able to create such a full and interesting story about a man exiled to a life in a hotel. And the writing was beautiful. This is not a book to rush through but to savor.

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

I loved the cover of this book and now that I’ve read it, the cover is even more beautiful – such wonderful details. However, the book was a disappointment to me. I really thought I would love it, especially since it was the latest Newbery Award Winner and has received such great reviews. If it weren’t for the fact that both my sons had recently finished it, I probably would have put it down before finishing it.

The Girl With All the Gifts by M. R. Carey

I recommended this to my book club. I saw it on Modern Mrs. Darcy’s list of 40 great book club novels. It’s about Melanie, a special girl, a “little genius” as a doctor calls her. She has to be taken from her cell strapped in a wheelchair for class every morning. According to the book’s description, it’s a “groundbreaking thriller, emotionally charged and gripping from beginning to end.” That’s what I based my recommendation on. I’m glad I didn’t research it more – because it is so much more – because I would never have read it. Going in blind is the best way to read this. I really liked it and can’t wait for our book club’s discussion. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Finty Williams and it was fantastic.

Currently reading and next on my list…

      

For the Scandinavian Book Group’s last meeting before the summer, we are reading The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden by Jonas Jonasson (translated from Swedish by Rachel Willson-Broyles). Then I look forward to reading a Norwegian book I received from my parents last year, the novel Bienes historie (The History of Bees) by Maja Lunde (coming out in English on August 22, 2017!). It received the Norwegian Booksellers Prize in 2015.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on any of these that you may have read as well as what you’ve been reading lately.

Disclaimer: AVikingInLA is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

6 thoughts on “What I’ve Been Reading Lately: April 2017

  1. Do you think A Gentleman In Moscow would be a good audiobook? I have it on hold and am wondering if it would be better savored in print vs audiobook.

    • That’s a good question. I see it has a 4.6 rating on Audible which is high. The performance rating is consistently high. I would give it a try. I hope you enjoy it!

    • I hope you enjoy it. My book club is meeting this week and I can’t wait to hear their thoughts. Thanks for stopping by!

    • I loved that A Gentleman in Moscow was an unexpected pleasure for me. I hope you enjoy Exit West. Thanks for stopping by!

Leave a Reply to ElenaCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.