I imagine that many of you who have engaged in The Twenty Books of Summer in previous years know what it means to be hi-jacked off your course. I must confess I'm getting nervous, just a bit, about my list--especially the fact that my city library an hour to my south has not ordered books due to be published in July, which are on my list. Phooey! That might mean substitutions--probably will mean that. And now that I fully accept that that may be the case, it is okay. I have LOADS of books that can be substituted. So why do I worry? I guess I'm just a person that likes things to be hammered down.
The Hijacking: I was reading online about the new memoir by the MSNBC news anchor Katy Tur, Rough Draft, and instantly became intrigued by the subject of her previous book, her first, her memoir about her journalistic duty for NBC to cover Donald Trump in his 2016 campaign, from and all around 40 states for 380 days. So, suddenly, I was compelled to find a copy of this book. The need for instant gratification rained down on me! (Yes, a very rainy day today.) I was able to download, via the New York Public Library, Unbelievable: My Front-Row Seat to the Craziest Campaign in American History by Katy Tur. Voila! So this morning, after vacuuming and laundry, I read over a quarter of this title. I'm so glad I did. And I'll read on quickly to the end. It's an exploration of a young journalist's immersion, her day-to-day life, covering a CRAZY presidential campaign. Highly recommended! Also, it's only 222 pages, thus a quick read. And I KNOW! We're sick of it now, aren't we? I thought I was, but her personal experiences fascinated me. Could not put it down.
Judith, I like following lists as well but, will also be substituting on my 20 Books List - who cares right? I have the audio of Rough Draft! I like Katy Tur and know a bit about her estranged family relationships. I will be listening to that one in July.
ReplyDeleteBTW - I started the audio on Belonging, Thayer which you rave about some time ago - not sure if the narrator or that it was bad timing but I wasn't enjoying the audio so I put it aside for Legacy, Nora Roberts. Will try again sometime.
Hi Diane,
DeleteI'll be interested to hear your thoughts about Rough Draft. How did you like Legacy? Maybe I'll just check to see if you mention it in your blog posts.
I haven't reviewed it yet but, it turned out to be a solid 4/5 stars for me. The audio with January Lavoy as narrator made it a very good listen. My night Nora Roberts will be Night Work; I'm on the library wait list..
DeleteI've put Legacy on my audio list! Thanks.
DeleteThe problem with me and this kind of challenge is the minute I write the list and post it I lose interest in said list. Well, not completely but I start to look at other books I wish I'd included but have no room for. I've already substituted one because I wasn't enjoying one of the list books. But, as Diane said, who cares? There won't be an inquisition about it afterwards and the idea is to 'enjoy' the experience. The other thing is that I found out was that Booktube is holding 'Jane Austen July'. Not that I have a Youtube channel, but I love watching other people's videos. And I'd like to read a few JA connected books for it. But with it being necessary to read 7 books a month for the Summer challenge I'm not sure I can fit any in. I can see I'll be making a few more substitutions. How are you doing with the Summer challenge anyway? I've read 4 and am halfway through book 5. I can't see the 7 books being read this month. Oh well, never mind.
ReplyDeleteHi Cath,
DeleteI sympathize with all of your quandaries with the Summer List because I share the same problems. I have totally enjoyed all the books read this month of June. I'm on my 7th for the list now. I think that you must do whatever you need to do to keep enjoying your summer reading. I like the substitution leeway. And Booktube! I've never heard of it--how interesting. Go for JA and related books if that's your mood and inclination.
I'm like Cath in that once I make a list, I lose interest in reading the books. That's the main reason I've stopped doing 20 books. Interesting to read your initial thoughts on Unbelievable... that book was on my wish list, but dropped off when I though the time to be relevant had passed. Glad you are enjoying it!
ReplyDeleteThe main problem for me in making a list of 20 books is that they remain of interest to me, BUT I'm so apt to get swept away by other books that come across my path. I keep lists of books I want to read, lots of them in advance of publication, but then I discover others, etc.
DeleteThe best thing about the Katy Tur Trump campaign book is that it is fairly short, so it's not a huge commitment.
Judith, I was just recently diverted off course from my 20 Books of Summer list by A Quiet Life in the Country, a Lady Hardcastle Mystery, which was recommended by Cath a while back. I just finished it on Friday and I loved it. I am also currently reading Agatha Christie: A Mysterious Life by Laura Thompson.
ReplyDeleteI have a few other books I really want to read this summer that are not on my list, so I guess I will be changing around my plans. We will see.
It is not a bad thing to change out books, most people do it, but I have always tried to stay with the original list before.
Tracy, I'm so interested to know you loved A Quiet Life in the Country. I'll add it to my list and look into it. And an Agatha Christie bio sounds perfect for your interests. Definitely sub it in.
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