Last weekend Adam was out of town and I read, read, read.
I read both of these books! It felt good.
I haven’t completely lost myself in a book in a really long time, and Friday night I went to a yoga class then immediately came home, got in my pjs and read for about four hours straight. I couldn’t stop. To me, there’s nothing like losing yourself in a really good book. I realize some of you are probably thinking I am the biggest nerd ever right now for opting to stay home all weekend and read, but nothing beats it. And yes, I did do some other things: I went to three yoga classes, hiked three miles, bought eggs from the farmer’s market and met a friend for dinner, but for the most part—-I read. All weekend long.
The first book I read was The Kindness of Strangers. Woah. If you’ve read this book you know what I mean when I say WOAH. I actually debated writing about it here, but it was so good and so powerful that I couldn’t not. This book deals with the very heavy {and disturbing} subject of child pornography. And no, I didn’t really know what it was about when I checked it out from the library last week. I just knew it was recommended to me on GoodReads so I thought I’d give it a go. Like I said, it’s an incredibly heavy and rather disturbing book but so well written…you really feel like you can get inside the character’s heads, especially the mom. Once I started, I got so sucked in that I couldn’t even set it down once. I almost read the entire book in one sitting on Friday night. And then I was up all night thinking about it. Seriously. In the book, the mom is a caterer and there’s some really great food writing throughout. Despite the subject, I definitely recommend this book….but you might not want to read it alone before bed.
I finished that on Saturday and immediately started The Weight of Silence. Another really good one {although if I had to choose, I would actually pick The Kindness of Strangers over it—surprising enough}. The Weight of Silence is about two little girls who disappear in the middle of the night and their families quest to find them. I thought it was surprising that the book seemed to focus on the families of the girls {going back and forth between past & present} than the actual disappearance. This is the first book I’ve read by Heather Gudenkauf, but it definitely won’t be the last. It’s a great book for a long flight because it really sucks you in.
Read on, friends! Read on.
Nakia
August 14, 2012 at 4:07 amI’ve wondered about both of these books since they popped up on my GoodReads recommendation list. I’ve got a couple of long flights in the next two months – maybe I’ll make those my plane reads.
Kristen @ notsodomesticated
August 14, 2012 at 4:13 amThanks for the recommendations. I’m in need of another new book!
Blog is the New Black
August 14, 2012 at 4:36 amMy favorite posts of yours! I just added you as a friend on GR and took a list at your books/reviews!
Jen
August 14, 2012 at 4:39 amThat. sounds. so. dreamy. to read all weekend long. Must try that.
Have you read the “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” series? It was the same way. When I first started reading it, I didn’t think I’d like it at all…but about 70 pages in I got hooked. It’s the characters. I spent many nights up until 2 a.m reading – and I had to get up 6 a.m for work!
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat
August 14, 2012 at 4:58 amAlways looking for new books to get sucked in to – thanks for the reviews!
AnneW
August 14, 2012 at 5:04 amI always love your reading posts, such great recommendations! If you’re looking for something new to suck you in you should try Slumdog Millionaire! I didn’t know it was a book before it became a movie, but I came across it and the book is incredible!! (and very different from the movie!)
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey
August 14, 2012 at 5:04 amI’ve read the Weight of Silence, but I haven’t read the other one – I want to now!
Molly @ RDexposed
August 14, 2012 at 5:14 amI love staying in! It’s the cool thing that you do in your 20s…
laura
August 14, 2012 at 5:50 ami just started going to a yoga studio last weekend. such a happy place! I’m with Molly- staying in no longer has to be lame š
laura
August 14, 2012 at 5:51 amChelsey,
another great book is “three cups of tea.” great for a weekend read!
Jill
August 14, 2012 at 6:03 amI agree 100% with you– there is nothing like getting sucked into a good book. I love to get caught up in a good book.
Rachel
August 14, 2012 at 6:14 amAn entire weekend devoted to reading sounds like heaven. I’ll add both of these to me “to read” list.
{lori}
August 14, 2012 at 6:24 amI have The Weight of Silence but haven’t read it yet. Just moved it up in my reading list! I also just ordered The Kindness of Strangers from PaperBackSwap. Thanks for the recommendations!
Averie @ Averie Cooks
August 14, 2012 at 6:27 amThanks for the roundup and recap and I love that picture you used – it just looks hazy and hot and that pic puts me right there!
amy walters, aDESIGNdock
August 14, 2012 at 6:50 amI love your book review posts Jenna. And NO, you’re not a nerd for reading all weekend…because if you are, then that means I am too!
Traci
August 14, 2012 at 7:10 amSo not a nerd, that sounds like an AMAZEBALLS weekend!!! I haven’t heard of either of these books. I’ll have to check them out.
Jamile
August 14, 2012 at 7:28 amThat’s pretty much what I did for my mini vacation. I got through about 4 books. I was really impressed by The Elegance of the Hedgehog. It made me cry. It’s a rare book that does that.
Marie
August 14, 2012 at 7:39 amI loved The Kindness of Strangers, too, and I will probably start The Weight of Silence sometime in the next month or so–I’m not quite in the mood for it right now.
Katrina Kittle’s Traveling Light is also magnificent. It’s so, so ugly and so, so beautiful at the same time.
The Fault in Our Stars is another one that is exquisite even though you know from the start that it won’t have a happy ending.
Happy Reading!
Amber
August 14, 2012 at 7:50 amA whole weekend of reading sounds fantastic.
Elisabeth
August 14, 2012 at 8:02 amThat is SO NOT nerdy! I love staying home & reading for hours š
Have you read On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves? If not, check it out! I just read that one & it was a quick, highly enjoyable read š
April
August 14, 2012 at 8:14 amI have read and loved both of those!! Best book I have read this year: The Bungalow by Sarah Jio….soooooooo goood!!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
August 14, 2012 at 8:19 amI clicked on this post immediately when I saw it was about what you’re reading. You have the best taste in books! Definitely will pick these up š
Jessica C.
August 14, 2012 at 8:24 amLove this post – and your weekend sounds fabulous! I think we would be good friends because that sounds like a wonderful weekend to me – yoga and some reading! š Will definitely have to check these out!
jan
August 14, 2012 at 8:25 amLove these recommendations! I’m going to add them to my Goodreads “to-read” right now!
Jean
August 14, 2012 at 8:35 amRead “The Kindness of Strangers” several years ago since Katrina is a hometown girl! I totally agree with your review.
You need to read “The Good Dream” by Donna Vanliere. I think you’ll really like it.
Margo
August 14, 2012 at 8:41 amGetting lost in a couple of good books sounds like a great weekend to me! I will have to check out both. I also second the comment about The Fault in our Stars. I think that was the last time I totally devoured a book.
love.natural.food
August 14, 2012 at 8:56 amNothing like losing yourself in a good book. Thanks for recommendations – I’m always on the hunt for inspiration!
Gina
August 14, 2012 at 9:03 amThanks for the recommendations, I’m on my own this weekend and am in need of a good book or two! I am thinking about pretending I’m on a yoga retreat…2 classes each day, light, healthy cooking, a good book and the sun on my deck and maybe throw in some DIY spa treatments:)
jenna
August 14, 2012 at 9:06 amthat sounds amazing!
Sharon
August 14, 2012 at 9:05 amLove your “what I’m reading now” posts. They haven’t dissappointed yet. I’m reading ‘A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” and I’m going to add these when I’m done!! Have a great day!
erin @WELLinLA
August 14, 2012 at 9:33 amI kind of love weekends when my guy is away and I can unplug with a good book … it’s lovely having him around, of course, but there’s something about a quiet weekend all to yourself, your books and a yoga mat. And a cup of tea or two!
joelle (on a pink typewriter)
August 14, 2012 at 9:39 amLove your book reviews.. I’ll have to check these out. I’m currently reading Shanghai Girls!
Lisa
August 14, 2012 at 9:44 amI read The Kindness of Strangers a few months back and loved it. It is definitely one of those books where I kept thinking about the story and the characters long after I finished the book.
Susan
August 14, 2012 at 11:21 amI was looking for some “recent reads” tips on here last night – should’ve waited until this morning! š
Molly Meehan
August 14, 2012 at 11:43 ami always look forward to lazy reading days, you might have to change to eatliveread š
Amanda
August 14, 2012 at 11:45 amI attended a reading by Katrina Kittle earlier this summer–she’s so nice!! She actually read chapter 2 of The Kindness of Strangers.
Corletta
August 14, 2012 at 11:58 amHmmm…there are very few books that I get hooked by. I might just have to read these!!!! Going to yoga and then reading in pj’s sounds delightful. Looks like I have plans for at least one day this weekend š
Emily Petersen
August 14, 2012 at 11:59 amso i cant find this book on Ekindle- amazon.. ?? i found one by T.A. Titus. uhhggg anyone else having this issue?!
tania
August 14, 2012 at 5:35 pmI’m having the same problem!
Barbara The Healthy Nut
August 14, 2012 at 12:03 pmI would love an entire weekend to just read. My TBR pile is higher than the Empire State Building at this point. And I’m getting old. I need to figure out a way to prioritize.
The Meaning of Me
August 14, 2012 at 12:11 pmNice recommendations – especially The Kindness of Strangers. Looks interesting.
Shelly
August 14, 2012 at 1:02 pmI read The Weight of Silence. Such a good book. I recommend, The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. Really a good book too!
kim@hungryhealthygirl
August 14, 2012 at 1:23 pmI think that sounds like a very relaxing and enjoying weekend! Thanks so much for the review. I’m definitely going to check out The Kindness of Strangers.
Jennifer L
August 14, 2012 at 1:28 pmReading is cool. The last time I lost myself in a book was when I read Love in the Time of Cholera… if you haven’t read it, you absolutely must. It’s set mostly around the turn of the 20th century in Columbia… it’s called a love story but it’s about everything in life (somehow it just is about EVERYTHING!). It’s a freaking masterpiece.. I believe it won a nobel prize. There’s hardly any dialogue in it, and so I thought it might be rough to read… but it’s not. it’s beautifully written. I don’t want to sound TOO cool or anything, but really, it’s one of those books that I’d consider art. And then I seen the movie and it was terrible….
Lu
August 14, 2012 at 2:02 pmI haven’t had a proper PJ and book session for ages. I miss it!
Megan @ Megan's Miles
August 14, 2012 at 2:02 pmThat sounds like a great weekend to me! I love staying in and relaxing when my fiance goes out of town!
Gabrielle
August 14, 2012 at 3:45 pmRead all of Tana French’s book. You won’t be disappointed.
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama
August 14, 2012 at 5:12 pmI long for the days when I can get lost in a book like that! My reading time is now limited to right before bed. Boo!
BooksFoodFun
August 14, 2012 at 5:26 pmSounds like a lovely way to spend a weekend and thanks for sharing what you’ve been reading! I need to find a weekend where I can escape in a good book and hot cup of tea! I am currently reading Lionheart by Sharon Kay Penman and recently finished up Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness, which I couldn’t put down.
B @ Crags and Veggies
August 15, 2012 at 4:52 amThanks for the good reads. I’m always looking for new books and I’ve almost finished the books I chose from Clean Eating Chelsey’s summer reading list. š
Maryz
August 15, 2012 at 4:19 pmThanks for sharing! I love your book posts and usually end up reading the books you discuss. I will downloading both of these!
marnie
August 15, 2012 at 8:53 pmi just jotted down a LONG list of your suggestions, and everyone else’s! its hard when you can “one click” buy it on the kindle..if only i saw my TBR pile! for everyone else reading “the wedding gift” was a great book! love your passion for reading, yoga, and food. we would be great friends..we could hang out ….and read!
Katie
August 19, 2012 at 6:50 pmI think that sounds like a perfect weekend!
Janet K
August 21, 2012 at 8:31 amThanks for the recommendations! This sounds like a perfect weekend to me…reading and yoga~~
Jen @ The Well Read Fish
August 24, 2012 at 12:58 pm‘The Kindness of Strangers’ is one of those books that has stuck with me. I recommend it heartily, I evoke it in serious conversation. I feel like it never became a ‘popular’ book and that’s a shame because it could be life-changing.
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Kristen
August 27, 2012 at 6:39 pmI loved The Kindness of Strangers too, strangely.
I’ll have to check out your other one. Thanks for the recommendation!
Francesca
September 16, 2012 at 12:34 pmJust finished this book today. Fantastic, quick read.
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