It's Monday, what are you reading? (30)

Hosted by Book Journey

So I haven't done one of these since, uh, August. You can find it here. Wow I used to read a lot of books in one week. But I honestly haven't read too much since then either. Still, my book buddy Ambur posted one today so I thought I would give it a try!

Last week I finished reading:
The Wine of Solitude by Irene Nemirovsky

I'm not sure I want to know when I started this book.... okay I checked. August 6th, the day after my last Monday post. Interesting. Anyway I had an e-galley that expired so it took me awhile to pick it up again but I was so glad I did. It was just as beautiful as I remembered, and I am officially in love with Nemirovsky's writing. This is the second book I've read by her, and I was meaning to pick up her most famous novel, Suite Francaise, last year but didn't. I own a copy and this year I have no excuses.

Bruised by Sarah Skilton

A 2013 YA debut I was really looking forward to, so when Skilton posted about review copies I jumped on the opportunity and was lucky enough to be sent an ARC. I rarely ever request them these days because of the lack of reading I've been doing, but I'm glad I made an exception. I'm not sure I agreed with all of it, but it kept me reading as I devoured it this weekend and Imogen's struggle was raw and real.

What I plan to read this week:
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

I started this last week after what I'm pretty sure is years of recommendations of it. I'm trying to edit my latest novel so I figured I could use some inspiration. Half done and it's really great so far... I would definitely recommend it too!

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

I picked this up yesterday after finishing Bruised because I'd heard such amazing things about it, and its sequel Girl of Nightmares is already released and I'm tired of starting unfinished series. Plus I wasn't sure I'd ever read YA horror, so the genre intrigued me. Now that I'm just over a third done, I'm definitely enjoying it, but the story may be headed in a direction I really hope it's not with regards to a romance... It seems inevitable, but I really want it to just stay creepy.

The One I Left Behind by Jennifer McMahon

Just started this one last night when I wanted to read a print copy of a book and I happened to have an ARC of it. Plus, I really enjoyed the three books by McMahon that I have read. I'm only about 30 pages into this 422 page monster (I guess YA contemporary has me used to books in the 200-ish page range) but it seems interesting so far though it hasn't totally sucked me in yet. I'm sure it will though.

Ruled by Caragh M. O'Brien

I'm probably deluding myself by adding yet another book to this list– I mean I do have a lot of plans this week and I want to work on my novel, but it's a short story from a series that I love, so I figure even if I fail on the other 3 books I should be able to manage this 32 page one.

What are you reading this Monday?