A Week in the Books – Links from the Week of 4/20/18
Links I loved in the book blogging world from the week of April 20, 2018.
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I hope you all had a wonderful week! I read a couple of books that were hard to put down, so you know I’m happy! More on 
those soon. For now, check out some links I enjoyed from book blogs and the literary web.
Book Lists and Reviews
Only Child by Rhiannon Navin – The Gilmore Guide to Books
I have a fascination with stories of shootings. I’ve wrestled with the reason a bit, and I have to admit that it seems to be about fear more than empathy. One of my greatest fears is that my kids will find themselves in the type of horrific school shootings that happen all too frequently in our country. So Catherine’s review of Only Child caught my attention–I immediately put this on hold at the library. I like that it’s from the perspective of a young child, grappling with what happened. (Plus, Catherine writes beautiful reviews, so go marvel at her writing skill!)
20 Books to Satisfy Your Cravings for Dystopia – Reading Under the Blankie
Norrie is my go-to recommendation source for a good dark, thrilling read. It’s not my typical fare, but when I’m in the mood for it, she knows some great ones. I love a good dystopia and this list has many that I’ve never heard of. The best part? These are adult dystopias–no teens saving the world here. I mean, I loved The Hunger Games, but I think all the read-alikes are what burned so many readers out on dystopias.
15 Literary Novels that Will Have You Compulsively Turning the Pages – Modern Mrs. Darcy
This is an excellent list from Modern Mrs. Darcy–I’ve read 10 of the 15, and loved them all, so of course the other five are also on my TBR list.
News & Articles
Pulitzer prize winners were announced this week–and I’ve actually already read one of the nominees for fiction! (But not the winner.) I read The Idiot earlier this year and found it oddly compelling. The nonfiction winner, Prairie Fires, has been on my TBR for months and I’m still waiting on my library hold. I included it my Little House Fiction/Nonfiction Book Pairing back in November. If you’re waiting on a hold as well, check the other two in this pairing–I read Caroline last year and loved it.
A Meeting of the Bro Council on the Topic of Novellas – Book Riot
Really? We needed a new word just to describe the short novels of James Patterson?
Oh, some great links!
I’m glad you enjoyed the list and i hope you find some nice & dark read when you are in the mood for them! 🙂
I got a bit tired of teen dystopia as well lately. Needed some grown ups to take over 😀
Thanks! I’m definitely going back to your list when I need a new dystopia 🙂
I put Only Child on hold at the library after reading Catherine’s review…can’t wait to get to it!
Since you like books about shootings, have you ever read A Mother’s Reckoning? It’s one of the Columbine shooter’s mother’s memoir. I listened to it and it was fascinating.
I haven’t read it yet, but I’m planning to. I’ve heard it’s a pretty tough read–I can’t imagine how difficult it’s been for her. I was planning to listen to it as well, but I’ve kind of given up on audiobooks for a while. Maybe I’ll make a point of it for Nonfiction November.
I put Prairie Fires on hold at the library ages ago and I’m still way down the line! I might just have to break down and buy it. I’ve been reading a bit of adult dystopia as of late. It’s a nice change of pace from YA dystopia.
I think I still have a bit of a wait as well–at least we got on the hold lists before the Pulitzers were announced! I bet they’ve exploded since then.
Oh my gosh, you are too kind!! Thank you for sharing about Only Child. I really think you’ll like it. My review may have made it seem depressing, but ultimately Zach’s charm makes it really touching. Navin does an amazing job emulating a 6-year-old.
I’m bookmarking the dystopian link. As you said, it’s not my thing all the time, but sometimes it hits the spot!