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Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Show Us Your Books: today a reader, tomorrow a leader


Verily, I have wandered through a vast desert of broken down books. Which is to say this was a restless reading month for me. I started and cast off a few books in quick succession and snubbed my nose at others. I also started two that I couldn't remember if I had read before. When that happens I will either let it ride and not read much or if I want to read I will find a mystery/thriller that sets me back on track.

Once again we are coming up on the anniversary of SUYB next month, so stay tuned for our annual giveaway. 

Linkup Guidelines:
This link up is the second Tuesday of every month. The next is  Tuesday, October 10, 2017 
Please: 
1. Visit and comment with both of your hosts, Jana & me
2. Display the button and/or link back to us on your blog post
2. Visit other blogs who've linked up and get some book talk going!

Here's what I've read from the last linkup.

Engrossing Reads


Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman - I loved this book and am so pleased that the reason I picked it - the title - was backed up by a good story. I've been waiting for it for a while from the Philly library. I walked into Ocean City and picked it off the shelf. It's a worthy read. OCNJ library hardback

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz - I loved the characters and the story so much. I know people hate neat endings and things that work out how you'd like them to. I'm not really one of those people. Philly library hardback

Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson - Masterful, haunting, beautiful writing. Books that are written like this make me imagine I can feel the drumbeat of their song in my chest as I read them. Smashing cover too. OCNJ library hardback


The Dark Lake (Gemma Woodstock #1) by Sarah Bailey - This kicked me forward, as it's my sweet spot murder mystery genre. I do hope this becomes a series. I liked flawed and real Gemma. Free e-book from Netgalley

Wish You Were Here by Renee Carlino - When I read Swear on this Life, I thought man I like this even though it's the type of book I usually hate. I thought the same thing when I was reading this. So maybe I do like these kinds of books. Or maybe I just like Renee Carlino. Free e-book from Netgalley.

Passed the Time Just Fine

Cocoa Beach by Beatriz Williams - Okay, so did you guys know all of her novels are loosely connected? I did not know that and since I have liked the ones after A Hundred Summers less, I wonder if reading them as they were intended would have made my overall experience with her better? It's been good, but it could be better. This required a lot of attention but it was enjoyable. Kindle e-book, gift from Gladys

The Blinds by Adamn Sternbergh - An interesting concept that dragged a little bit and also lacked depth. Still not a not worth it. Hardback BOTMC, own

Five Minutes Alone by Paul Cleave - This is the fourth in the Theodore Tate series I think. I don't know, it was hard to find info online. I liked this and will probably read more by Cleave. OCNJ library paperback

Unraveling Oliver by Liz Nugent - I mentioned a while back that I didn't need any more multiple narrator books in my life and immediately started reading this multiple narrator book. It was good though and reminded me a little of The Talented Mr. Ripley. Netgalley e-book

Fox's Earth by Anne Rivers Siddons - I kept feeling like I'd read this in the past, and alas I had, but I read it again and it was still fucked up and good. Paperback, own and will trade

Where or When by Anita Shreve - Lord, what a mess all around. Unhappiness compounded leads people to do stupid things. paperback, own and will trade

Not Worth It
Snowbound by Blake Crouch - This book was like reading a tiny sliver of a Tarantino script where you could only see the one dimensional characters lacking depth and everyone was like Honeybunny in the diner. Kindle e-book

Mrs. Saint and the Defectives by Julie Lawson Timmer - I fucking hated Markie in this book. I almost stopped reading it three times because of her. I liked the rest of the characters though so I kept on. In the end it was a weird dark twist and looking back I should have stopped reading it. Amazon Kindle First selection


Did Not Finish
The Lonely Polygamist by Brady Udall - Deja vu. I started reading this a few years ago, didn't like it, and gave up. I tried again, same result. Amazon e-copy

Charleston by Margaret Bradham Thornton - Ughhhh. I loved the cover of this and it sounded like it would be good. Droll as fuck, I could not make it more than an hour reading this. Kindle e-book

And you? What have you been reading? 







46 comments:

  1. I read Snowbound eons ago when I got free from Amazon and definitely not in the same realm as The Pines Trilogy or Dark Matter. I'm adding Aristotle and Dante to my TBR. I'm also adding The Dark Lake too because I love me a good murder series.

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  2. I really want to read Eleanor Oliphant!

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  3. I really loved Wish You Were Here. I think Carlino has quickly become a must read author for me. I'm going to go ahead and add all your engrossing reads this month. Well, I think Dante is already on it.

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  4. Wish You Were Here is on my list because I really enjoyed Swear on this Life. I think she has one other book too that I haven't read yet. I sadly had to return Eleanor Oliphant before I finished it, but I will finish it this month I'm sure :) What a character she is. Aristotle and Dante is on my list and your review is encouraging me to bump it up!!
    I also saw that you are reading This is How it Always is...hope you are loving it! :) Happy book day!

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  5. This sentence right here... " Books that are written like this make me imagine I can feel the drumbeat of their song in my chest as I read them. " just screams that you are a reader... that is beautifully said.

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  6. I think I have Eleanor Oliphant and Aristotle/Dante in my TBR list, but adding some others too. Rainy day in the midwest today (thanks to Irma) - really just want to read all day so this is a good day to see what everyone else is reading.

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  7. Whoa, Another Brooklyn sounds amazing. My mom just read Eleanor Oliphant and had good things to say too. I'll have to check that out.

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  8. I've read Swear on this Life and Before We Were Strangers by Renee Carlino and liked them both (preference going to the latter) so I'll be adding Wish You Were Here to my list! Thanks for the linkup an reviews!

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  9. I have Eleanor Oliphant checked out but haven't started it and now I think I'm at less than a week until it goes back. I hate when I can't finish. Adding Wish You Were Here. Andrew bought The Lonely Polygamist a few years ago so it sits on a shelf, but he didn't like it, either, so perhaps I'll go trade it in after hearing two poor reviews.

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  10. Jacqueline Woodson has a beautiful power with the way she uses words, that was an amazing read. I'm requesting Eleanor from my library now.

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  11. Two duds out of the bunch? Not a bad month at all!
    I hope to get back into linking up for this...I just haven't figured out how to get reading back into my life just yet (which makes me sad). If only I could give up work in order to read...:)

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  12. I hate it when the cover doesn't live up to the story, but I do love it when it does! I felt the same way about Another Brooklyn, that it was a beautiful story and a beautiful cover! That's funny that you tried to read the same book from a couple of years ago and still had to put it down.

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  13. Another Brooklyn sounds like my kind of book!

    Your multiple narrator comment made me smile- sometimes I hate it, and sometimes I LOVE it.

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  14. "Aristotle and Dante..." sounds like a good one. I'll be adding that to my TBR.
    I had to go look at the cover of Charleston after you mentioned it. You're right, the cover is great. Too bad the book didn't measure up!

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  15. another anniversary!! i can't believe it. i mean, i can. i get how anniversaries work. but still. yay! Eleanor Oliphant is on my list. One day the library will deign to give it to me. ok, i had Aristotle and Dante on my list for ages, tried to start it several times and eventually gave up and removed it. but that was a couple years ago so maybe i'll give it another go. definitely adding Another Brooklyn - that cover is gorgeous. Wish You Were Here is on my kindle from netgalley, i am nervous because i really loved swear on this life. bummer about that blake crouch book!

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  16. Wish You Were Here and Eleanor Oliphant are both already on my want to read list. You had a lot of engrossing reads this month!

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  17. Swear On This Life has been on my reading list forever - glad to hear it's worth the time. Happy almost linkup anniversary!

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  18. I was disappointed in Cocoa Beach, too, this summer.

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  19. I really want to read Eleanor Oliphant, so I'm happy to hear you enjoyed it! I haven't read anything by Beatriz Williams (yet), but I have One Hundred Summers and Cocoa Beach is on my library wish list, are they supposed to read in a certain order, or they just have overlapping characters?

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  20. Slow reading month.
    Felt compelled to re-read Anne Frank.
    Currently reading The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson - LOVING IT!

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  21. I'm so glad to read your positive review of Eleanor Oliphant. I'm on the waiting list at our library. Ready to read something great!

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  22. Thank you as always for your honest reviews! I am adding your first three to my list, now that I finally got a library card for the first time since moving here (only took 4 years!) nothing can stop me! I am hooked on Anne Siddons now, thank you. I am about to finish The Last of the Southern Girls by Willie Morris for book club and then moving on to a very much needed semi self help book on dating a divorced dad. Fun Fun.

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  23. Some great recommendations! I haven't read any of these. This link up will have my list so long!

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  24. I feel like I once tried The Lonely Polygamist and quit it, too.

    I adore Paul Cleave. ADORE.

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  25. Eleanor Oliphant intrigues me! I'm going to read The Dark Lake... love murder mystery's!

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  26. I'll add the Eleanor Oliphant one to my list. Is the Dark Lake likely to be a series? Since it's titled #1? It's brand, brand new I see! Will I get antsy if I read it and there's no second book out yet?

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  27. I think I have Eleanor Elephant on my NetGalley list-I definitely picked it because of the title too!

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  28. I really enjoyed Another Brooklyn. I remember it being one of those books I was so sad was over (probably because it's kinda short?). Eleanor is added to the list.

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  29. I've been in a terrible reading slump, but I feel like any of the first three you posted could take me out of it. I never mind when something ends how I want it to.

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  30. Adding more to my neverending list :)

    Recently read (or audible'd): Stillhouse Lake (4 stars), The Couple Next Door (3ish stars), Wishful Drinking (Carrie Fisher...3 stars only because she wrote it...). I finally gave up on Kelly Oxford's first memoir (Everything is Perfect When You're a Liar).

    Currently reading: Words in Deep Blue (I think you recommended it! I am so into it!) and have HRC's book on order. Waiting for my next audible credit!!!

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  31. I have Eleanor Oliphant and Unraveling Oliver on hold so I'm glad to hear they're good!

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  32. I absolutely loved Dante. I too like at least some semblance of a neat ending. When endings are left open like did they or didn't they, it detracts from the book. I'm invested, I need to know what happened.
    Also I listened to the first Castillo book the other week and really enjoyed it. I'm going to make my way through the rest.

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  33. I read Aristotle and dante a while back and loved it too. such a good read. Adding some of your must reads to my list.

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  34. Okay. so I must confess... I am a book hoarder! just cause I dont have time to read a proper 200+ pages. Right now just surviving on small black books of penguin.
    thank you for sharing these!!!
    http://sepatuholig.blogspot.com
    instagram @grace_njio

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  35. What a month you had!

    I decided to pick up a book I previously DNF-d about a month a go to see whether it was worth continuing on (I was too lazy to star again from the beginning), and nope, I still don't care. At least I've learnt that I DNF books for a good reason and I don't have to worry to myself whether I've made a mistake.

    Here's to a great reading September!

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  36. Have Aristotle & Dante on my list; good to see another rave for it. Loving your description for Another Brooklyn; going to check it and Eleanor Oliphant out.

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  37. I usually hate books like Wish You Were Here too, so maybe I should try that one.

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  38. Aristotle and Dante, and Another Brooklyn are on my list. I'll have to look into the mystery. I am always aiming to read more of it, but I do often find it a bit predictable, and I struggle when I can't connect with the detective. Bummer about the one you already read, and the one that was "droll as fuck". That's pretty bad! :P XO - Alexandra

    Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things

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  39. I've had Aristotle and Dane on my list for awhile. I might have to move it up my list soon.

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  40. Love when a good time lives up to expectations!

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  41. I appreciate that you don't mind a DNF. More people need to get on board with that.
    The only one I'd even heard of here was the first one and I want to read it but I'm scared all the hype is hype and it's not for me. My biggest frustration with books is when that happens.

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  42. so late to this comment party - but definitely adding another brooklyn to my TBR. thanks!

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  43. thanks for hosting this challenge with jana, steph. it's gotten to where i'm looking forward to this thing, and i've been kind of down about blogging lately, so it's nice to have something that creates a bit of enthusiasm in me.

    also... props for using "droll" in a post. i dig it.

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  44. I read Hundred Summers in A DAY a few days ago and now I also have to see if there is an order. I'd love to read a book from the point of view of KiKi Dane's eventual therapist.

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  45. Have heard a lot of good things about Carlino - I will need to give the books a shot.

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  46. Just added Cocoa Beach to my To Read list. Just based on the cover alone, I think I would like Biatriz Williams' books.

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