WWW Wednesday is a tag currently hosted at Taking on A World of Words. The three W’s are:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
I ended up not participating in this tag last week. My migraines really impacted my ability to read and so there wasn’t much to update. I was able to catch up when I was better so now I have a lot to update on!
Currently Reading:
Emma by Jane Austen
This is a classic novel that follows the always-meddling Emma and her tendency to play matchmaker for the people in her village – even if its exactly what gets her into trouble.
Yeah, I know. It’s been over a month since I started this book. While I’ll still finish this book and probably read more Austen in my future, I think I can conclude that I just don’t click with Austen’s writing.
Recently Read:
Mortmain Hall by Martin Edwards
Mortmain Hall follows amateur sleuth Rachel Savernake during the 1930’s. Savernake and a seemingly similar group of others are invited to Mortmain Hall. But when a body is found, fallen – or pushed – from the edge of the cliff, Savernake has to find out how the guests are connected in order to solve the crime.
This is one of my NetGalley ARCs. The synopsis of this book is a bit weird because the main plot point happens 70%-80% in. Before that is a ton of (necessary) character backstory. Regardless, I haven’t read a true mystery in a while, and it was good to get back into one.
A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow
A Song Below Water follows a Tavia, a siren who has to keep her identity under wraps as she lives in Portland, Oregon. With her best friend Effie, they navigate high school life together. That is, until the tensions escalate for Tavia, Effie, and many around the country with the aftermath of a siren murder trial.
I loved the characters and world in this book! But for all the issues that it tackled, it was really short. I do wish that this book was at least 200 pages longer, both to spend more time in the world and have an ever deeper discussion of the issues presented.
The Adventures of Isabel by Candas Jane Dorsey
The Adventures of Isabel is the first in a mystery series following an ambisexual protagionist and sleuth.
This is another NetGalley ARC. I liked the author’s commitment towards diversity in this book, but unfortunately it wasn’t executed as well in the end. This book is both about the mystery and exploration of the narrator’s identity, but this book is so dialogue-heavy and much less descriptive that it was easy for things to get lost.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
The Vanishing Half follows twin sisters Stella and Desiree, two black women that grew up in a small town. After their father is killed, they leave town – and from there, their lives separate. One returns home to her old life, and the other completely abandons her past. It is the story of two identical twins living in a world of black and white.
I just finsihed this book and it was an incredible read. There is so much discussion around identity throughout generations and it really shows the impacts of the twins’ decisions over time. It’s the kind of book you could talk about for hours. Review to come.
Up Next:
You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat
You Exist Too Much is a literary fiction novel that follows a queer Palestinian-American woman. The novel takes place between the United States and the Middle East, and how living in-between the two cultures has shaped her identity.
I’m writing this right as my library hold came in. Hooray for things working out just in time! This book has been on my radar for a couple of months and I’m excited for it to be my first read in July.
That’s all for this week’s WWW Wednesday. Leave a comment if you participated this week too so I can read your post – or let me know what you’re currently reading below!
-Julie Anna
Motmain Hall sounds really structurally interesting. I’m really curious as to how a plot that starts 80% of the way in would play out. Have a great week!
http://musewithmeblog.com/2020/07/01/www-wednesday-july-1-2020/
Yeah! There’s basically a ton of character buildup as you have to know why each of the characters end up at Mortmain Hall. Happy reading!
You Exist… sounds very intense. I’ll be curious to see what you think ❤️
Thank you! I just started it today and I’m looking forward to jumping back in soon.
I’ve read A Song Below Water, and I totally agree with you! It tackled some important issues, but I really wanted to see more of the world! Especially since it felt so interesting and unique, but not quite “lived in.”
I’m not really an Austen reader, either. I’ve tried, and I’ve certainly read some of her books, but it always feels like a slog and a chore. So you’re definitely not alone in that position, either. :3
Here’s my WWW post.
Yes! I would have loved to spend more time with the characters and have the story be a bit more drawn out and elaborated on.
And I feel like a bit of an odd one out too for not liking her works as much, so I guess we’re not alone! I like classics too, I guess her writing is just not for me.
I am waiting for my copy of The Vanishing Half to arrive from Amazon. I ordered the hardcover version. Enjoy your week and your books, and here’s MY WWW POST
I hope you get it soon! It’s an incredible book.
I definitely want to read A Song Below Water. I am (im)patiently waiting for it from my library.
Here’s my post! https://dearbookshelves.wordpress.com/2020/07/01/www-wednesday-july-1-2020/
I hope you get it soon! I got mine from the library too, but my library bought more copies on release day so I got it faster than I was expecting.
Migraines are the worst! So sorry you have to deal with them. I’ve been lucky that mine are few and far between. I’m really glad you loved the Vanishing Half. I’m looking forward to reading it and I keep hearing great things!
Thank you! Mine aren’t usually as frequent but I guess I have to adjust to more of them now 😅 I hope you enjoy The Vanishing Half as much as I did!
I’ve only ever successful read Pride and Prejudice, I’ve stopped and started Sense and Sensibility so I feel your pain there.
The Vanishing Half sounds like the new Netflix show Blood and Water, I haven’t watched it but the preview sounds kinda like the synopsis!
Thanks for stopping by My Book Jar
Yeah, I wish I loved Austen as much as everyone else did!
I haven’t heard of that show! I did hear that The Vanishing Half is getting it’s own show though, so I’ll have to check out both of them! 🙂
Mortmain Hall sounds really good, and you’re the second person I’ve seen this week reading The Vanishing Half. I love the cover art on that one.
It was a pretty interesting story! And The Vanishing Half was really good as well – I feel like the cover is a growing design trend among book covers and I really like it as well!