Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Show Us Your Books - What I Read in April


1. First order of business: a book themed Haikuesday ditty:

Don't fret, don't fear, for
it is Show Us Your Books Day!
Dance, booknerds, dance. Dance!

2. Second order of business: At the end of May an episode of The Armchair Librarians will air where we will discuss Side Effects May Vary and I'm sure we'll also touch on Dumplin' by Julie Murphy. We won't do spoilers, but if you'd like to read either of those before you listen to the podcast, now is the time. If you want to actually hear Jana and I talk about books, reading, and other things that may or may not be related out loud, you can catch us once a week on The Armchair Librarians. It's on iTunes and all episodes live here: http://thearmchairlibrarian.com/ .

Linkup Guidelines:
This link up happens the second Tuesday of every month.
The next one is Tuesday, June 14, 2016 (Flag Day!). 
1. Please visit and comment with both of your hosts, Jana & me
2. Please display the button (need it? let me know) or link back to us on your blog post
2. Please visit a few other blogs who've linked up and get some book talk going!

Here's what I read since the last linkup. As an example of how I don't really count books...when I sat down to write this post, I was sure that I had only read four books since the last linkup. 

Engrossing Reads

Please Don't Come Back from the Moon by Dean Bakopoulos - I adored the writing and really liked the story too. It's hard to be both gritty and mystical but this manages both well. Jana and I discussed on Episode 8 of The Armchair Librarians. (paperback, purchased from Amazon)

Circling the Sun by Paula McLain - I was a huge fan of The Paris Wife, and McLain did not disappoint in this similar undertaking. McLain takes actual history of actual people and crafts novels around them. This time her main character was Beryl Markham (who wrote West with the Night) and Denys Finch Hatton and Karen Blixen (Isak Dineson, writer of Out of Africa) filled it out. This was a beautiful and romantic novel tinged with loss, triumph, and hardship. I truly enjoyed it. (library hardback)

Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye - This is being touted as a Gothic re-telling of Jane Eyre, one of my all time favorites. I could see plenty of Jane/Jane paralells, but I really liked this story standing on its own. It was a little wild, a little improbable, a little out there, darkly funny, and pretty enjoyable. If you don't like books of Jane Eyre's wavelength (time period, manner of speech, etc.), this is not for you. This is also an example of why I say give threes a chance: I rated this book a three on goodreads and really enjoyed it. (library hardback)

Miller's Valley by Anna Quindlen - Quindlen's novels are usually solid reads for me, and this one was no different. I knew I would love it from the first three pages, and I did. It didn't blow me over or knock my socks off, it wasn't that kind of book. I saw it referred to as a quiet novel, and that's a great word for it. It held true to itself and pushed a lot of my great book buttons: beautiful writing, small town setting, working class/hardship. (library hardback)

Passed the Time Just Fine

Don't You Cry by Mary Kubica - This was hard for me to get into, but I needed to know where it was going so I kept with it. Once it did get going over halfway through, it was like a runaway train. I had to sit outside in my car just to finish it instead of driving home. Pretty far fetched to me. (Free from Netgalley)

My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix - I adored the 80s references and the kind of friends Abby and Gretchen were. The exorcism and demon stuff freaked me out, which was the point. Lots of insanity in this book, which made it a quick read for me, I finished it in a day. (Free from Netgalley)

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys - A solid read with a like-able cast of quirky characters fitting of New Orleans. It left me wanting for something - a little more depth, a little more closure, I'm not sure. But something. (library hardback)

One Kick (Kick Lannigan #1) by Chelsea Cain - I tore through the Gretchen Lowell / Archie Sheridan novels by Cain, so I thought I'd try her new series. It didn't blow my hair back, but I'll definitely continue on. I want to see if it flows more when the set up of what will be a series character is all taken care of. (library hardback)

Hard No
The Girls by Emma Kline - This started out as a 4+ start book and ended just around a 2 star book. So much promise, lacking in delivery. I love me a good cult book...this wasn't one. I wouldn't waste the time. (Free from Netgalley)



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45 comments:

  1. I'm bummed about The Girls since that's one of my NetGalley reads. I've been wanting to read Out of the Easy. Glad to hear you liked it. I also added Miller's Valley.

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  2. I've never read Anna Quindlen, so I added Miller's Valley because it sounds like a lovely book. I thoroughly enjoyed and agreed with your podcast on Please Don't Come Back from the Moon.

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    1. I've never read Anna Quindlen either. Adding it to my list :)

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  3. I still need to read Please Don't Come Back from the Moon! My Best Friend's Exorcism sounds really interesting, so I'm definitely going to have to check that one out. I haven't liked the two Mary Kubica books I've read, so I'm not planning to read her latest. She just really doesn't do it for me for some reason. I'm glad you didn't find that book to be a waste of time, though.

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  4. Adding circling the Sun because I still need to read Paris Wife haha - so I might as well stick to the same author! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  5. I really actually did only read 4 books! Ha. I like the sound of Circling the Sun, and I'm a big Jane Eyre fan too so I might check out Jane Steele as well.

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  6. I've been really looking forward to Jane Steele. Also... I've had my eye on Don't You Cry. Too bad it's a bit slow :(

    Sarah
    The Midwest Darling

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  7. I had added Please Don't Come Back From the Moon to my TBR after Jana reviewed it and certainly want to read it now after hearing your review as well and you guys talking about it on the podcast!! And Shotgun Lovesongs.

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  8. Jane Eyre is one of my all-time favorite books. I usually am completely absorbed into any version of a retelling. Count me in for Jane Steele!

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  9. I only read one Mary Kubica book and didn't love it enough to read more.
    I liked The Paris Wife. I had looked at Circling the Sun at some point, but then thought that period wouldn't interest me as much. Maybe I'll revisit it this summer.

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  10. I think Jane Steele sounds interesting, but I should reread Jane Eyre first. It was one of my favorites, and I haven't read it in years. I recently got my copy back so I have no excuse.

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  11. I already had Please Don't Come Back from the Moon on my list but after the podcast I picked it up from the library. I'm adding Miller's Valley. And check you two out, giving us a head's up for the podcast!

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  12. Looks like another good month of reading! And a few more for me to add to my TBR list when I get my butt back to reading since I've been slacking lately.

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  13. I read Out of the Easy this month too and really liked it, but I really wondered what happened with Patrick/wanted more closure with him after their friendship was such a big part of the book. I loved Jane Erye, though I would like to reread it sometime soon, but Jane Steele sounds really good even though it's not something I'd typically gravitate towards.

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  14. The only book on your list that I read was Please Don't Come Back From the Moon. I know Jana is a huge fan of Dean Bakopoulos and I listened to your podcast discussing this one.....but I wasn't a huge fan. I want to read the new Kubica and Out of the Easy was already on my to read list. I started reading one of her other books, Between Shades of Gray but had to return it to the library before I finished.

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  15. The Exorcism books seems interesting though I hope I'm not too freaked out by the exorcism stuff LOL.

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  16. My Best Friend's Exorcism really caught my eye. haha That's one standout title.

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  17. of course the book that i want to read isn't available at my library (please dont come back from the moon)....now imma have to find illegal ways to get it :/

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  18. Added Jane Steele and My Best Friends Exorcism, both look like something I can get into.

    I just started Out of Easy last night during karate class, I'm only 5 chapters in but so far so good.

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  19. I'm definitely adding Please Don't Come Back From The Moon, Miller's Valley, and Jane Steele to my TBR list for sure! My Best Friend's Exorcism sounds way too creepy for me. I can do crazy serial killers, but paranormal stuff really freaks me out beyond belief! I also have Don't You Cry from Netgalley, so I'll have to keep in mind that it starts off kind of slow.

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  20. I feel like I have nothing to add because we talk about these every week. You know how I feel about my beloved Dean and you know it makes me happy that you loved the book.

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  21. oh goodie, i'm glad you mentioned what you'll be talking about next. i will try and read Side Effects May Vary before the podcast. After you all talked about Dean's books I added them back to my list, for some reason they weren't on there. I really disliked the paris wife, but i think it's because i didn't know anything about the characters/real people. her other one sounds super interesting. added Jane Steele to my list. i got don't you cry from netgalley, i haven't read any of her other books.

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  22. Just requested Side Effects May Vary from the library so that I'll be ready for the podcast!

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  23. Isn't it crazy how you think a book starts off & you rank it high... & then down a fast slippery slope it goes. You never know till the end of a book.

    I'm so mad - I was going to link up this round & totally lost track of the date. I've already marked in my calendar for June.

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  24. These reviews are awesome. I had The Girls on my list to read next, and now I will happily take it off ;)

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  25. I've never read Anna Quindlen, but I just listened to her interview on the Nerdette podcast and got intrigued by Miller's Valley. I always think when I see books that weren't on my radar pop up in several places all at once, it's a sign :)

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  26. Oh I'm glad to hear you enjoyed Jane Steele so much...I think I will have to check it out because Jane Eyre = <3 <3 <3 and this sounds like an interesting take on it!

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  27. I did not realize Chelsea Cain had a new novel and series out. Thanks for letting me know. Strangely, I want to move to Portland because of the Archie series.

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  28. Majorly bummed that The Girls was a hard no. It's on my kindle from NetGalley and I thought it looked so good. My Best Friend's Exorcism intrigues me and adding it to my TBR. I have actually never read anything by Anna Quindlen but heard so many great things about her that I need to check her out.

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  29. Crisp, clean, quick reviews- I like it. I'll have to do a little more research into your top four and the time passers!

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  30. Jane Steele sounds interesting! I've had a couple books lately that started at one end of the spectrum and ended at the other. The Divergent Series, and The Selection Series both had pretty low points somewhere in the middle and then managed to salvage their star ratings with good endings.

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  31. I'm a big fan of Jane Eyre, so I'm adding Jane Steele to my TBR!

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  32. i'm always so impressed with your reading. i wishi could read on moving vehicles, but i'm such a baby. thank goodness i can listen.

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  33. I started The Girls this month but haven't made it very far yet. Sounds like it might not be worth continuing!

    I decided to skip the linkup this month since I only finished one book this month (#FAIL!) - I'd rather wait until next month than post just for the sake of posting!

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  34. Adding Side Effects May Vary because I really liked Dumplin. After listening to the podcast, I am more included to read another book by DB (don't want to butcher his name) since you and Jana loved others more than Summerlong, which didn't do it for me. Hooray for Haikusday!

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    1. Inclined, not included. Too giddy with book happiness to use words properly.

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  35. I love reading your post because I've never heard of the books you've been reading, haha! It's fun going to look up your favourites on goodreads. I haven't actually read The Paris Wife but it's been on my list for ages. Circling the Sun sounds really good too!

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  36. As always you're a huge inspiration for me to read more! It takes me about a month to get through a book since I'm an idiot and read before bed and get super tired after a chapter or two. I need to add Circling the Sun to my list :-D
    Green Fashionista

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  37. Don't You Cry sounds interesting and someone else recommended it today, it's on my TBR list now!

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  38. I added Please Don't Come back from the Moon ever since you mentioned it in the podcast, I am really looking forward to it!

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  39. this is so inspiring! I am definitely going to plan for the next link up in june.
    xx, lauren

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  40. Good to know about Circling the Sun. I have wanted to pick that up for a full year! :) Jane Steele sounds really intriguing... off to goodreads now. So many books! :) XO -Alexandra

    Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things

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  41. I've heard lots of good things about Mary Kubica books - I've need to read The Good Girl and Don't You Cry sounds right up my alley too!

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  42. I'm not sure if I've read a Quindlen book...if I have, it's been a while. I know Bakopoulos is one of Jana's favorites so he's on my list to read. Circling the Moon sounds really good. I love books that are loosely based around real people in history. Marriage of Opposites by Hoffman was like that. Jane Steele looks really good based on the cover but it lost me when you said period setting, etc.

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  43. I heard The Girls was really good and was thinking about pre-ordering it on Amazon... thanks for letting me know so I don't waste the money!

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