Along with my mini reviews, I am linking to both Book Beginnings, a meme in which readers share the first sentence of a book they are reading, hosted by Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader and Friday 56 hosted by Freda of Freda's Voice, in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading.
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
Berkley, 2019
Fiction; 352 pgs
Book Beginnings:
Imagine you’re a bird. You can be any kind of bird, but those of you who've chosen ostrich or chicken are going to struggle to keep up.
Friday 56 (excerpt from 56%):
They say you always remember your first time, and Nina definitely did. Walking into the Los Angeles Central Library to get her first library card, when she was eight or so, was still a memory she treasured. The entry hall of the library was as beautiful as any cathedral, and Nina had looked around and realized she would never run out things to read, and that certainty filled with peace and satisfaction. It didn’t matter what hit the fan; as long as there were unread books in the world, she would be fine.
My thoughts:
This turned out to be the perfect choice as my August TBR List winner (thanks to everyone who voted!). It was funny and touching without being overly sweet. I knew from the first paragraph I would enjoy The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, and I was right. Nina is pretty settled into her routine and life. She works in a bookstore, including leading a couple of book clubs, has a cat, loves to read, and is on a trivia team. She likes to keep as busy as possible, afraid of her own thoughts, and plans just about every second of the day. Her life is turned upside down when she discovers her father she never knew has died and included her in his will. Not only that, but she evidently has a rather big family that are just surprised to learn about her as she is about them. While some are happier to meet her than others, she isn’t sure how she feels. Add to that the cute guy from a rival trivia team who has taken an interest in her and who she reluctantly likes back. Nina’s orderly life is suddenly disrupted, and she isn’t sure if she can handle it.
Nina is smart and sarcastic, and I just loved her character. As someone who suffers from anxiety, I could relate to Nina on many levels. She likes organization and having things planned out. She is not one for surprises or spontaneity. At least not the big kind. I enjoyed the pop culture and literary references that were woven into the novel. Waxman was able to make Larchmont in Los Angeles feel like a small town, and in many ways it is similar to one. I enjoyed getting to know all of Nina’s new relatives right alongside Nina, and I really liked Tom. I especially liked how he accepted Nina for who she is—quirks and all. The Bookish Life of Nina Hill may be a bit predictable at times, but it is a comforting sort of predictable. This was such an enjoyable and fun book to read.
Does this sound like something you would enjoy reading? Have you read The Bookish Life of Nina Hill?
Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.
How long does it usually take you to finish a book?
There is no short answer to this question other than it depends.
Many factors can come into play:
- The type of book (It takes me forever to get through an audiobook. And I tend to read nonfiction and literary fiction at a slower pace. Romance, young adult, and urban fantasy tend to be faster reads for me.)
- The writing style (there are those books that I just devour like a favorite snack, and others I like to savor, taking my time and enjoying the books more slowly)
- The size of the book (although isn't it funny that sometimes the shortest of books take forever to get through and the longest can go so quickly?)
- How many books I have going at once (I tend to read one or two books at a time, which divides my reading time and attention)
- How engaged I am in the book (the more engaged I am, the quicker I am likely to finish it, whereas if I am not as engrossed in the story, I find myself easily distracted)
- What is going on in my life at any given moment (work, home and family, health, etc)
- My mood (which often dictates which book I decide to read as well. But if I am reading a book I'm suddenly not in the mood for, it can impact my reading speed. Especially if it is a book I want to finish regardless.)
One or two or all of these factors can mean I read a book in a relatively short amount of time or it takes me a week or two—sometimes longer. Nowadays, it is rare I read a book in a day unless it is very short and engaging (and I have the time to actually sit and read at leisure with few interruptions--but when does that ever happen?!) or a children’s book. I am more likely to read a book over the course of a week or two. I try to get in at least a little reading every day, but sometimes I even fail at that.
On average, how long does it take you to read a book?
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to!
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