Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Show Us Your Books! - What I read in January

Link up your posts about the book(s) you've read recently with Jana of Jana Says and me!
Life According to Steph

Saving Grace by Jane Green - I knew what was going to go down in this book before I was a quarter way through. Green's reads are typically mild and pretty mindless, and they're great when you're in the mood for them, which I was when I read this.

The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters - This one disappointed me. At 576 pages, it was at least 250 pages too long, and that's being generous. At times overwritten, melodramatic, and repetitive, the big twists could be seen from miles away. I think this is a case of a popular author being overindulged and not well edited.

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen - I'm not a huge Austen fan. I don't swoon over Mr. Darcy. Kristen recommended this one and I actually quite enjoyed it. I found it amusing and a pretty quick read.  

You by Caroline Kepnes - You guys, this book was fucking nuts. And I couldn't stop reading it. Caroline Kepnes, how did you make me like a crazy stalker psychopath? It's weird to admit to loving this story because everyone in it is insane and the person I liked the best was the textbook psycho killer. It reminded me of reading Nabokov's Lolita. There is great power in an author who can make you like someone who is quintessentially unlikable.

Private Sector (Sean Drummond #4) by Brian Haig - Formulaic novels with my favorite wisecracking JAG lawyer, Sean Drummond. These books keep my interest and are quick reads. 

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins - This was a crazy ride in more ways than one. I had to keep reading, which is the mark of a good book in my book. I even bought it which I never do because I heard the hype and couldn't bear to wait for 234 other people to read it before me at the library. I'm glad I did. I sent it off to Jana to read next!

Delicious! by Ruth Reichl - This was no big literary masterpiece or page turner, but I really enjoyed it. I liked the characters even when some of them (main) were being stupid. I loved the talk about food and cooking and history. A nice change of pace after The Girl on the Train. This is an ideal lazy weekend book.

Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty - Teen drama and angst. I read it in less than 24 hours. There are more of these books, and I'll probably read them even though I sometimes cannot stand the protagonist.

Since I didn't want to wait for The Girl on the Train, I don't want you to either. Enter to win a copy, and it'll be ordered for you by Sunday!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
********************
Haikuesday
Daylight lasts longer.
Spring whispers over the winds.
I wish it would yell. 
********************

Non-bloggers, what have you read recently? Let me know what you recommend!
Bloggers, link up your posts about the book(s) you've read recently with  Jana of Jana Says and me!
This link up happens the second Tuesday of every month. 
The next one is Tuesday, March 10.


 photo purple_zpse5f7f916.png

47 comments:

  1. The Paying Guests was on a lot of critically-acclaimed book lists, but everyone that I know who read it was disappointed. I think I'll give that a past. First time linker-upper - woo hoo!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have a few more books to add to my to-read list

    ReplyDelete
  3. So many of these books are on my to read list. Delicious, You, and the Girl on the Train. A book should never be over 350 pages, editor should be fired!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Maybe I'll have to add You to my list. The Girl on the Train was too fantastic. It just pulled me in.
    Delicious was a good story. I don't think I loved the characters, but I really enjoyed the food aspect and the mystery of the story. I kept wanting to know where it was going to go next.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've read a couple books where I couldn't stand the protagonist. The Hunger Games, which were ok, but not my favorite books ever, and Gone With the Wind, which was actually really fascinating. For some reasons reading about Scarlett O'Hara being a jerk to everyone didn't bother me, but Katniss grated on my nerves the whole time. Despite that, I couldn't put either one down until I finished. So apparently (and surprisingly) liking the protagonist is not a requirement for me. :P

    ReplyDelete
  6. The girl on the train sounds so good - love books that you just can't wait to finish!! Delicious sounds like it's up my alley too! xo, Biana - BlovedBoston

    ReplyDelete
  7. I adore the haiku. The You book is intriguing to me. I would like to borrow your Girl on the Train book when Jana is done with it. Losing oneself in a good book is priceless.
    Love these book review blogs !
    Ice is not thick
    It's very slick
    Sore heineys
    Have s safe, happy day. Love, your Momma

    ReplyDelete
  8. I put "Girl on a Train" on hold at the library, it's been a few weeks but I'm down to spot #76 of 436! haha although I did enter your giveaway (I hope that's okay!) just in case I get lucky. it sounds like a book I'll want on my bookshelves anyway.

    "You" sounded really good when I saw you started reading it on Goodreads and I added it to the "to read" list.

    I wish Spring would yell too.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I added You to my Goodreads but my library doesn't have it, whomp whomp.

    I'm 33rd in line for The Girl on the Train though!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Delicious is on my list to read. I'm glad you liked it. The Girl on the Train has me intrigued. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I read the Jane Austen a while back prob in college and loved it but I love Austen and classics in general. I know its not everyone's cup of tea though. I wanted to read the Paying Guests but now not so much. Meh I hate disappointing books and I'd rather read something else. Delicious, now Ill soon be reading that one!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great giveaway because I'd love to read it!!! And ooooooo about You because after just reading Gone Girl, I'm totally into psycho characters.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm so happy I saw your post on Instagram about this link up! I'm always looking for more book suggestions! I read "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" by Jenny Han recently and really liked it. The Girl on the Train is one that I have on my Goodreads "to read" list!

    ReplyDelete
  14. You is definitely on my list now, and I am so glad you liked Northanger Abbey! The Girl on the Train sounds messed up but totally awesome - I am definitely getting better at reading books outside my comfort zone so I'll add that to the list as well. I read the Jessica Darling series, really enjoyed the first 2, 3 was good, 4 and 5 were good but not as good.. I think if you couldn't stand the protagonist in the first, she doesn't get any more likable.. well, I mean, I loved her, but I could understand how some people would find her annoying sometimes. She does grow up and mature, but overall her personality stays the same, much like a real person, I assume. The only good book I have read recently and would *highly recommend* to all the people is The Martian. So good!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm currently reading Rage Against The Dying, which is a sort of mystery / thriller about a 59 year old ex FBI agent. Not normally my kind of book, but it's really good!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I added You after seeing your review on Goodreads. I saw The Girl on the Train in Entertainment Weekly and there were already a ton of people in front of me for it at the library, so I may use my swagbucks money and buy it for myself (if I don't win, of course!). I'm currently reading Tell the Wolves I'm Home and listening to The Husband's Secret and I posted about the six books I read in the past month. Loving the link-up since I've been in a book state of mind!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I picked up You from the library yesterday and I figure that combining it with The Girl on the Train is enough to damage my already paranoid brain (or at least further the damage done by Gillian Flynn). I had a mixed bag of loved and hated this month, too.

    ReplyDelete
  18. "The Girl On the Train" is on my to-read list. I'm disappointed about "The Paying Guests." I'm currently reading my first Jane Austen work, "Pride and Prejudice." We'll see how I feel about her when I'm done.

    ReplyDelete
  19. explain your secrets for how you read so much. I read 2 books in january.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I loved The Girl on the Train, really good. Ending was okay but I had to read it in like one day because I had to know what was going on! You sounds like a book I need to add to my list!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I HATE overwritten books. I've read a few in the last several years when I've shut them and been like "every single word in that book needed to be there." And the rest I'm like "we could have cut half of this out and been okay." Because of your post earlier this month (I think on instagram?) I'm now on the wait list for girl on the train!! Can't wait to read it!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I will have to check out girl on a train and Delicious! They both sound like my kind of reads!

    ReplyDelete
  23. oh man I read that sloppy series in high school + absolutely loved it!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love getting book recommendations! I added some of these my wish list. Thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. I seriously have a running list of books that I can't wait to read after the wedding!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I liked the Girl on the Train to! And will definitely have to check out You by Caroline Kepnes. :) Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Oh, I've heard such good things about the girl on the train! I just finished the goldfinch and liked it.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I am impatiently waiting for the Girl on the Train. I decided to not buy it since I have 2 other library books going now. I decided to ditch What Alice Forgot and am now working on the Amy Poehler book and Everything I Never Told you (which I think came from your book post last month maybe??). Apparently Unbroken is really good, but I got it from the library for my Kindle and didn't get to it before the download expired. Womp. Womp.

    Turns out babies kind of put a damper on my discretionary time for reading. Wtf.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I requested The Girl on the Train from the library a few days ago, and I'm 200+ in line. Lucky for them, I am working on other books right now!

    I'm currently reading Lena Dunham's book, and I have to say I'm pretty disappointed. I guess my expectations were too high?

    ReplyDelete
  30. So I am adding You to my list now that I am intrigued, and Girl on the Train too! I am on book 20 of 21 in the series. I can finally move on soon and start linking up again! I am going to miss Morelli and Ranger though....

    ReplyDelete
  31. You and The Girl on the train sound amazing. I am going to have to add them to my list to read!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'll have to add You to my list. And probably Delicious. And I'll read Saving Grace at some point just because it's Jane Green.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hoping to read The Girl on the Train soon!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Definitely giggled at the title Sloppy Firsts, but I always love a good teen drama read. It's stress free and you can flip through it pretty quick :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. I'm on the wait list for the Jane Green book. I need to add The Girl On The Train because so many people are talking about it. Maybe I'll just buy it. Or maybe I'll win it ;)

    In answer to the blog question, I finished The Life Intended by Kristen something. It was very good. Now I'm reading Before I Go by Colleen Oakley. Also good!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Would love to link up but that would require me to actually read a book! I really want to read several that are sitting on my desk. Hopefully I'll get to 1 on vacation!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I had The Paying Guests on my nightstand for a month and finally returned it to the library. I'm glad I didn't miss much. I'm adding You and you already know how much I want to read The Girl on the Train! I read all the Megan McCafferty books when I was pregnant about six years ago and liked them. I still have It List on my Kindle to read at some point.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Amazon kept recommending The Paying Guests to me, but I've read so many reviews similar to yours that I think I'm going to pass on it. I am intrigued by You, though ... I can't believe I've never heard of it before!

    The Girl on the Train is on my "To Read" list, so I'll definitely be entering to win a copy! It sounds like something I would absolutely love.

    I'll be joining this link-up a little later in the week ... I'm trying to finish another book before I make my post. I have about 80 pages left, so I'm sure it can be done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I want other people to read You so I'm not the only loon out there who's read it!

      Delete
  39. man, that's a bummer about sarah waters! i have enjoyed other stuff by her in the past. i'll def skip!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I am reading Big Little Lies. I take the train and would like to read The Girl on the Train while I on the train!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I liked Big Little Lies a lot!

      I also loved being the girl on the train reading The Girl on the Train.

      Delete
  41. YOU Has been on my list since one of my fav authors got an advanced copy and I'm so bummed I didn't buy it when it was on sale at BAM. I'll definitely pick it up next time I'm there. Last book I loved?! Tie between Longing for Love and Start Me Up! thanks for the opportunity!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I mean to linkup with this every month but never end up reading as much as I hope-- hopefully next month though! I have The Paying Guests on hold from the library-- though I have a long way to go before I get it-- but now I feel a bit better about waiting after your review. For Girl on the Train there are over 600 people before me, so I think I might end up just purchasing it at some point because it keeps getting such good reviews! Sloppy Firsts is one of my all-time favorite books- definitely finish the series :)

    ReplyDelete
  43. Sloppy Firsts sounds like the title to a bad porno about losing your virginity.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Oh man, I'm going to have to bite the bullet and buy Girl on the Train. Is You a series? Just curious since it says You #1 in parenthesis on Goodreads. You know I hate to start a series until it's finished :)

    ReplyDelete

Tell me what you think, leave a comment! I'll reply to you via email if you have an email associated with yourself, otherwise, check back here for my reply. Your data will not be used to spam you or sold for others to contact you.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Blogging tips
Pin It button on image hover