It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (1-16-17)

Happy Monday! We're in the middle of a massive ice storm. So far, I've had several small branches break off trees, and I lost internet for about two hours. Not too bad, considering some of the forecasts were predicting major power outages ... though I guess we're not completely out of the woods yet. The weather man is saying that increased winds tonight could cause more branches to fall ... just so they stay off of my house and car! On the upside, I didn't have to go to work today, and we have a 10 a.m. start tomorrow (I still have hope that school will eventually be cancelled). I hope the weather's a bit nicer where you live!

My backyard this afternoon

Last week was an odd reading week for me, in that I started multiple books but didn't read much in any of them. (Normally, I have only one or two books going at a time. Last week, I had four.) I did finish one that I've been working on for a while, though!

What I read last week:

Beyond Belief by Jenna Miscavige Hill. While this book was interesting, I did struggle through parts of it. It's helpful for building a more complete picture of the abuses within Scientology, but it's not as fun as Leah Remini's book. (3 stars)

This is the first book I've completed for the Mount TBR challenge. One down, eleven to go!

What I'm reading now:

The Kill Fee by Fiona Veitch Smith. This second Poppy Denby mystery is, honestly, a bit difficult to follow in the beginning—it's a good thing there's a character list! I'm less than 100 pages in right now—I'm sure I'll enjoy it more as I go along.

The Versions of Us by Laura Barnett. I was so excited to get this book for review, as I've been interested in it for a long time. I read it for about an hour and a half the other night. Initial thoughts: I like the concept—three versions of the same story that differ based on the main characters' decisions. Here's the problem I have right now, though—Eva and Jim are not, at least in Part I, incredibly likable people. I want my protagonists to be people I can pull for, so I hope I start liking them soon ... or this may end up as one of the rare books I begin but don't finish.

An Uncommon Courtship by Kristi Ann Hunter. I probably shouldn't have started this book yet, as I have several review books due before this one. But it's a marriage of convenience story—my favorite—and the first couple chapters are excellent. Can't wait to read more!

What I'll read next:

Probably nothing new this week—I have enough going already!

What books are you reading right now? Have you read any of these? And at what point do you give up on a book? (I really could use some advice here—I virtually never give up on a book, even though sometimes I should!) Let me know, and check out what others are reading by going to the linkup.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."