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Tuesday, March 17, 2020

TTT: Spring Has Sprung on Mt. TBR, Part Two


I don't know about your Spring, but mine isn't going quite the way I thought it would!  I had no idea my kids' Spring Break would be extended by a month or that I would be standing in line at the grocery store this morning with half the city just to buy laundry detergent or that all my local libraries would be closed for the duration.  Wow, what a time we're living in!  Despite the fact that I'm a Type 1 diabetic, I'm really not all that worried about the coronavirus—I have a year's supply of food in my house (my church's leadership has been preaching emergency preparedness for decades), plenty of toilet paper (I'm a Costco regular), a cabinet full of Bath & Body Works hand soap (I can't resist a sale), a couple month's worth of insulin (T1D strong!), and a *few* books on my shelves to keep me entertained.  I'll be fine.  I'm a bit of a hermit anyway, so I got this.  I hope you are healthy and calm amid all this chaos.  If you need a distraction from reality, there's nothing like a book to take you away from it all!

If you're not familiar with Top Ten Tuesday, you really should be.  It's my favorite weekly bookish meme.  Playing along is super easy and it's a great way to get acquainted in our fabulous book blogging community.  All you have to do is head on over to That Artsy Reader Girl, read a few quick instructions, create your own list, then spend some happy hours checking out everyone else's posts.  It's a good time, I promise.

Today's topic is Top Ten Books on My Spring 2020 TBR.  You may recall that I got a jump on this topic last week, listing ten of the books I want to read this Spring.  I even read three of them last week.  Go, me!  Today, I'm giving you the second half of the list, in no particular order.

Spring Has Sprung On Mt. TBR, Part Two:


1.  Dry by Neal and Jarrod Shusterman—This is a bit of a cheat since I actually just finished this book.  It may seem weird to read a dystopian novel while we're sorta living in one, but I enjoyed this novel about a drought in California reaching epically awful proportions.  The story is fast-paced, engrossing, and thought-provoking.  It's an interesting time to be asking yourself the kinds of questions that come up in this book:  How will I act/react when faced with a devastating crisis?  Am I in it for myself or do I care more about helping others?  How far would I go to protect my family?  How prepared am I for a natural disaster/pandemic/local or global crisis?  


2.  The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray—I was supposed to read this novel last week for a blog tour, but I'm a *little* behind.  The story concerns a family whose matriarch and patriarch are arrested, plunging them from a respected couple into a reviled one.  As the rest of the family grapples with the shocking development, they have to ask themselves what really happened.  Is the revered couple guilty or innocent?


3.  The Book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Elison—I'm not sure why dystopian/post-apocalyptic novels are so appealing to me right now, but this one sounds super intriguing.  It's about a midwife who has to find her place in a world that has changed irrevocably as the result of a pandemic that has decimated the world's population.  Maybe a little too real?


4.  Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn—On a lighter note, this warm-hearted romance featuring a calligrapher with an uncanny ability to read signs others can't see sounds like fun.


5.  All the Ways We Said Goodbye by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White—I enjoyed The Glass Ocean, which was penned by this trio, so I'm excited to check out their newest joint venture.  This triple-timeline historical looks intriguing.


6.  The Library of Lost Things by Laura Taylor Namey—A YA romance set in a bookstore?  Yes, please!


7.  When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman—I couldn't find a detailed plot summary for this book, but it gets good reviews and I've heard high praise, so I'm going to check it out.


8.  Big in Japan: Accidental Sumo by Jennifer Griffith—I was looking for a book set in Japan to read for the POPSUGAR Reading Challenge, and this contemporary YA sounds fun.  It's about an overweight teenager who finds the kind of fame and popularity overseas that he's never had in Texas.  Naturally, all the attention is not all it's cracked up to be ...


9.  The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix (available April 7, 2020)—I'm really not into bloodsuckers, but when a novel is described as "Steel Magnolias meets Dracula," I don't know how anyone can resist!  Looks like a super fun read.


10.  The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate (available April 7, 2020)—I enjoyed Wingate's Before We Were Yours, so I'm excited to read another novel by her.  Her newest concerns a trio of young women who journey across a tumultuous country in 1875 and the modern-day teacher who discovers their unforgettable story.  I'm in, for sure!

There you go, ten books I'd like to read this Spring.  What are you reading?  Have you read any of my picks?  What did you think?  I'd truly love to know.  Leave a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on yours.  

Happy TTT!

59 comments:

  1. I am fan of Clayborn's books. Love Lettering was very good. I though Library of the Lost was pretty good too. Good luck with this pandemic. Stay safe and healthy

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    1. I've heard nothing but good things about LOVE LETTERING. I can't wait to read it. I'll have to see if I can get a digital copy from the library since the physical locations are all closed :(

      Good luck to you, too! So far, my family and I are all perfectly safe and healthy. We're going a little crazy with cabin fever, though :)

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Sam!

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  2. Lots of good books on your list! Glad you're well stocked and staying sane. Are you looking forward to General Conference this year? I know I am!! :D

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    1. I'm well stocked, but I don't know about the sane part ... my kids are all bored and driving me crazy!

      Yes, I can't wait for General Conference. It's going to be unique, for sure. This pandemic has sure made me grateful for wise counsel from prophets. Keeping a year's supply of food on hand doesn't sound so crazy now, does it?

      Thanks, as always, for stopping by and commenting, Lark!

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    2. We had a 5.7 earthquake here in Utah this morning and the trumpet fell off the Angle Moroni statue on the Salt Lake temple. :( Is that a sign of something? ;D

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    3. I heard about that. So crazy! I had a Geology professor at BYU who always said it was just a matter of time before Provo got hit by the Big One and all the big houses on the ridges would come toppling down. I think he just had a thing against the wealthy, though :) I'm glad not too much damage was done by the earthquake. Poor Angel Moroni! I hope his trumpet gets reattached. Hopefully, this isn't a sign of more to come. Yikes!

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  3. Dry was a good book. Enjoy!

    My TTT .

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    1. It is good, isn't it? Even though DRY is a chunkster, it was a fast read and it definitely left an impression on me. I keep thinking about it.

      Thanks for coming by, Lydia!

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  4. I really enjoyed All the Ways We Said Goodbye! Those three are a great team! Enjoy!

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    1. They are a great team! I haven't read anything else by Williams or Willig, but I like White's books.

      Thanks for coming by, Davida!

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  5. Love Lettering was a fun enough read for me! I did found the MC's endless describing of the feelings she sees in writing / signs a bit.. too much after a while, but that's personal, haha.

    I've been wanting to read Dry as well but.. I think I'll be going with avoiding such topics with everything going on right now, haha. Glad to hear you're all set to stay indoors for a while though! We've been preparing ourselves since over a month ago so we're set as well. The only thing we still need to buy is some meat to put in the freezer, ha.

    Happy reading!

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    1. Ha ha. Well, sometimes the things that bug one reader bug other readers. We'll see what I think :)

      DRY is a good read, but if it's going to give you anxiety, I would definitely wait until the current crisis is over to read it. It does make you think about emergency preparedness, though. It also made me really grateful to have clean water readily available. It's something I take for granted that I really shouldn't!

      Thanks for coming by, Kathy!

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  6. Looks like some great reading time. https://pmprescott.blogspot.com/2020/03/ttt-031720.html

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    1. I agree! I'm excited for these.

      Thanks for stopping by, PM!

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  7. I've read two of the ones on your list, "Care & Feeding" and "Library of Lost Things," and was OK with both of them, but not really all that enthusiastic about either. I'm curious to hear what you think of them.

    So your library is closed down...I've wondered about the wisdom of going into a library or bookstore right now and touching books that get touched by a few dozen other people every day. So far, my branch is open but all scheduled activities have been shut down because they usually drew groups of 20-100 people for those.

    The strange thing is that I'm so distracted by this whole virus thing that for the first time in my life I'm finding it difficult to concentrate on my reading. That bugs me...pun intended.

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    1. Hm, okay, well now I'm really curious about how I'll feel about those two. I'll let you know.

      Our libraries started out the same way - just closing classes, storytime, etc. but then both the city and county branches closed down yesterday. Ironically enough, I JUST got an email from the county library telling me one of the books I put on hold and have REALLY been looking forward to is in. Gah! The hold will stay in place until the library reopens, but darn it, I really want to read that book!

      Interesting that you've been too distracted to read. I've been reading like crazy, even though I have plenty of other things to do. It's my favorite distraction, no matter what's going on :)

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Sam!

      Delete
    2. Well, since I first posted this comment, my library has closed the doors, too. Now I'm really starting to panic.

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    3. I'm not surprised! Some of the libraries here are actually offering a curbside checkout service - none close to me, unfortunately. In the meantime, I can still check out e-books and digital audiobooks. That's something, at least.

      Delete
  8. They just closed our libraries too which makes sense but is too bad. We started homeschooling this year and each thing that has happened this year has made me glad we did! Our lives aren't all that different other then having a all outside activities canceled and having my husband home too. I do have to buy a few books that I am going to have to buy vs checking out from the library like I intedned. What a great mix of books for your TBR. I really want to read the Willig/Williams/White book and The Book of Lost Things.
    I'm so glad you you have plenty of medicine and essentials. I think other then a few necessary appointments and errands we are staying put as much as possible.

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    1. Same here. Except for doctor appointments and some essential shopping, we've been pretty much staying at home. We've all got cabin fever, but it's better than coronavirus :)

      I'm really looking forward to ALL THE WAYS WE SAY GOODBYE. I might read it next. We'll see.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting!

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  9. I've heard of a couple of these, but I'm interested in some of the ones that are new to me! Love Lettering in particular sounds like a lot of fun!

    Also, you could use The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires in the Popsugar Challenge too, right? The "book about a book club" sounds like fun to me, but way out of my usual book zone. :)

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    1. Yes, I'm definitely planning to use SOUTHERN BOOK CLUB for the Popsugar Challenge! I haven't read very many other books about book clubs, weirdly.

      Thanks for coming by, Nicole!

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  10. Such a good list!
    Dry has been on my tbr for a while now! I need to finally get to it.
    My TTT!

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    1. It's a good one, but maybe not the best thing to read right now. Ha ha.

      Thanks for stopping by, Hannah!

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  11. The Library of Lost Things is a lovely story, I think you'll enjoy the read. I hope you're able to get to it soon.

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    1. Oh, good! I have high hopes for it.

      Thanks for coming by, Cheri!

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  12. Great list Susan. I Have a couple of these on my TBR as well. I hope you enjoy them all. ON another note I am glad that you are well prepared for whatever this Coronovirus scare brings us. Keep safe.

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    1. Thanks! I feel like we're well prepared, even though we've run out of some things and haven't been able to replace them (eggs, for example). Oh well. We can deal.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Carla. You stay safe and healthy as well!

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  13. You sound all sorts of prepared, and I'm impressed! we're not particularly in dire need of anything, either, and we all still have to work, so it's kind of business as usual for us. I want the chance to just be a hermit for a while. xD

    I still need to read Dry! I loved Shusterman's other books, so I bought it, and I just haven't gotten to it yet. Your list looks great! You'll have some good books to keep hermit you company, at least.

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    1. I'm kind of a hermit anyway, but I'm not used to having my kids and husband home all day with me! It's nice to have family time for sure. I'm not going to cry when they all go back to school and work, though! LOL

      DRY kept me totally engrossed. It's a chunky book, but it's still a quick read. Shusterman is great, isn't he? His books always make me think.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Sammie!

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  14. I'm very thankful that my next several planned reads are either books I own, or I recently checked them out from the library (which just announced its temporary closure yesterday). Fortunately, there are a plethora of ebooks I can check out from my own computer, so while the social distancing might affect my next few months of reading in some way, I know that if nothing else goes right, at least I won't run out of books to read.

    Also, The Library of Lost Things sounds like it could be great!

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    1. Very true! I have thousands of paper books in my house to choose from, plus e-ARCs and books on my Kindle, plus the library's e-offerings are still available, and there's always Amazon. So, I won't be running out of things to read this apocalypse!

      Thanks for stopping by, Kristi!

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  15. The Book of the Unnamed Midwife is tough reading, but good (the sequel is even tougher, but also very good) - I'm hoping to close out the trilogy this year.

    And I'm so curious about the Grady Hendrix - it sounds awesome! I've got a previous Hendrix (We Sold Our Souls) on my shelf to read first though...

    Happy reading :)

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    1. Thanks for the heads-up! I just ordered MIDWIFE from Amazon, but maybe I'll read it later, when the world is quite so crazy :)

      Yes, the Hendrix book sounds so intriguing, doesn't it? I'd never heard of the author until I came across this book. You'll have to let me know how WE SOLD OUR SOULS is.

      Thanks for coming by!

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  16. I've heard great things about Neal Shusterman, so Dry intrigues me.

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    1. He's an excellent writer! I've enjoyed everything I've read by him except SCYTHE. That one just didn't resound with me at all. His other books are creative, thought-provoking, and entertaining. I especially enjoyed the Unwind series.

      Thanks for stopping by, Crystal!

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  17. I am just so curious about The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires!!

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    1. Right? It sounds so fun. I can't wait to see what it's all about.

      Thanks for coming by!

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  18. Interesting list of books you've got here. In addition to your general preparations, your tbr suggests you won't have a boring time of this quarantine thing afterall. Stay safe!

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    1. Very true! I have plenty to do with reading, housework, a big genealogy project, blogging, etc. My kids, however, are starting to go a little crazy. They did spend a couple hours doing yard work yesterday, so I think they've learned not to say they're bored :)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  19. I'm a huge vampire lover, so I will definitely have to add The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires to my list! :D

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    1. It sounds fun, doesn't it? I could really go for something light-hearted and funny right now. I'm hoping this fits the bill.

      Thanks for coming by, Louise!

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  20. I love how eclectic your Spring TBR is. You've got a little of everything here! I'm also excited about The Southern Book Club's Guide and would like to get to The Unnamed Midwife at some point.

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    1. I try to change up the genres I read, at least a little bit. There are some I avoid, but not many.

      Thanks for stopping by, Sarah!

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  21. Love Lettering sounds cute and fun :) Hope you'll enjoy all of these!

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    1. Thanks, Lindsey! I'm looking forward to LOVE LETTERING. I need a happy read right now, so I'm going to see if I can get it from my library's e-selections.

      Thanks for coming by!

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  22. I'm really glad you're prepared. I'm not so much worried about getting access to food although some of the hoarders I've seen really tick me off (People making it hard for others to buy TP, sanitizer, etc or selling it at big markups). I'm super excited for the Grady Hendrix book. Also, the Sumo one sounds good too. Enjoy and stay safe!

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    1. In addition to buying a year's worth of dehydrated food a few years ago, I always buy in bulk. It's just what I have to do With 6 people in my household (including a 15yo and 21yo boy)! Because of this, I haven't had to freak out about buying food, t.p., etc. It's been nice, not going to lie. I'm irritated, too, by people who hoard and cheat people in this chaotic, stressful situation. I'm inspired by the "helpers" who are out there doing their best to spread kindness, love, and concern. My elderly parents got the sweetest note from a younger neighbor they hardly know offering to pick up groceries and drop off groceries for them so they wouldn't have to go out. That's awesome! I'm so glad there are people like that in the world :)

      Thanks for stopping by, Barb!

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  23. Susan, I'm not surprised that you are stocked up with more items than books. You and your family take care and we'll all weather this crazy time and get to the other side. God's got us in His hands and He works through all situations.

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    1. Thanks :) Honestly, I thought my husband was crazy when he ordered a year's worth of dehydrated meals, but our Church leaders have been warning us to be prepared for decades and man, I'm glad we listened! Even if everything goes back to normal next week, I'm at peace right now knowing we have what we need, even enough to share. That knowledge - and my absolute faith in God - has helped me stay calm through this crisis.

      You take care as well. Stay safe and healthy!

      Delete
  24. Ah, I haven't heard of any of these except for The Library of Lost Things which I keep meaning to look into. I am definitively adding Dry to my TBR! I've loved Neal Shusterman's books so far. Love Lettering also looks like it could be interesting.

    I hope you get all of these read and enjoy them all. Best of luck in getting through to the other side of this chaos. So glad to hear that you feel prepared!

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    1. I've enjoyed most of the Shusterman books I've read. There are a couple (SCYTHE comes to mind) that really didn't click with me, but for the most part, I really like his books. They're entertaining, but also thought-provoking.

      Good luck to you as well. Stay safe and healthy! Thanks for coming by.

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  25. I like the sound of a few of thesee!

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    1. Yay! If you pick any of them up, let me know what you think.

      Thanks for stopping by, Marg!

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  26. I am WAY behind in reading blogs! So many of the books on your list sound good, it will just be difficult to get them in the next few months.

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    1. I've only read one of them so far. We'll see if I get to the others or not.

      I hope you're staying healthy and safe, Helen!

      Delete
  27. All three months of 2020 have not been going the way I had planned at all but to be honest, I've kind of been thriving staying at home? I feel like all this "stay at home" stuff is really the time for a cave dwelling and book loving introvert like me to shine 🤣 On a bookish note, I read Love Lettering earlier this year and I LOVED it! So so good. I hope you enjoy it and all the others on your list!

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    1. I'm so sorry! 2020 was going fine for me, then WHAM. Virus. Actually, staying at home hasn't been too much of an adjustment for me. I'm a homebody anyway. It's been tougher for my more extroverted husband and TORTURE for my 11yo daughter who's a social butterfly. She misses school and seeing all her friends in real life. Playing Roblox online with them just isn't the same!

      Stay safe and healthy. Hopefully, your 2020 starts looking up soon.

      Delete
  28. it is amazing how much the world has changed in the past week or two. I have quite a bit of food but I don't think we have a year's worth. I am glad you are stocked especially with your insulin. I hope you get a chance to read all of these. I wouldn't mind trying Dry.

    ReplyDelete

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