Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Show Us Your Books! - What I read in September


My friend Jana at Jana Says and I are both big readers. So the second Tuesday of each month we're blogging about the books we read the previous month. We thought we'd do this together, and if any of you readers out there would like to join us, that would be grand. Give a shout in the comments if you'd like it to be a link up.

Like my initial book post about what I read this summer, I will never be summarizing books because others do it better. If you want the book summary, click on the title and it'll take you there in a jif. The purpose of this post is to let you know what I thought of it.

As always, big shout out to the Philadelphia Free Library system for supplying me with all of these books. Much obliged.

My September Reads
The House at Riverton by Kate Morton - I really enjoyed The Secret Keeper when I read it last year. This book gets three stars out of five. I just didn't really click with it.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling - This was an enjoyable read and cemented the fact that I'd like to be friends with Mindy Kaling. Did I like it as much as Bossy Pants by my best friend Tina Fey? No, I did not. But I did like it.

We Are Not Ourselves by Matthew Thomas - This book was in all the magazines as the book to read. To be honest, for a while, I was like what the hell is so great about this book? It felt like it would never end - it was 648 freaking pages. I'm glad I stuck with it, but an editor whacking off at least 200 pages would've been a good thing. However it's the author's debut novel so I'm sure he fought for his blood, sweat, and tears to be contained. As far as characters go, Eileen was perpetually disgruntled even when things went her way, so by the time they were really not going her way, I had little sympathy left. The son was an epic turd and the father...What it ends up being about was interesting enough for me to keep reading, but if you don't have the time or the patience, skip it.
Overseas by Beatriz Williams - I have sung the praises of A Hundred Summers and The Secret Life of Violet Grant, both by Williams, on this blog before. This one, not so much. It was like a cross between a soft core Fifty Shades of Grey and a less well written version of The Time Traveler's Wife. The dialogue made me die inside a little - Williams way overdid the cheeky English words. Not my cup of tea, but if it's yours, check it out.

Crank by Ellen Hopkins - It's about, you know, crank...which the main character refers to as the Monster. Written as you see below, it was easy to devour. I can't imagine going down that hole, but I'm sure a lot of people couldn't before they started using. It was hard, subject matter-wise - why the hell would someone do this? What kind of life is this? But those are the same things that made it page turning.
Inside the pages of Crank
Never Fade (The Darkest Minds #2) by Alexandra Bracken - YA dystopian lore, the second in a series (my take on the first can be found here). I enjoyed the second more than the first and will continue with the series. This shit is sort of crazy, but isn't all dystopian lore?

The Secret Place (Dublin Murder Squad #5) by Tana French - I devoured the first four books of this series that's not a series like you think of a series as being in 2012. The latest one was released in January 2014, and I finally got around to it. It did not disappoint. I had to stay up until past 1 a.m. one night to finish it. I truly enjoyed all of these books and this one was no exception.

**********************
Haikuesday
Slide into a book...
Is reading all day a job?
If not, can it be?
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What was your favorite recent read? Are we friends on goodreads?

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33 comments:

  1. Ellen Hopkins is amazing. And basically it gets kids to read poetry. Love! Agreed though, the topic is hard to read :/

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  2. I want to read the Mindy book, she does seem like she would be a good friend. The last book sounds interesting. Checking it out.

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  3. Our library on base is so terrible. I miss the giant stacks I used to come home with last year!

    I agree about Mindy Kaling. I read it 2 years ago. Not terrible, but Bossypants was way better.

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  4. Ahhh never fade is the next book on my list. I finished up the first one maybe last week or week before. I didn't love the first completely but it definitely made me want to read the second one!

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  5. I'm like 70 pages into "the night circus" and I'm not hating it, but not loving it. also tried getting into "never let me go" and abandoned it. maybe I'll try one of the series you mentioned. also waiting on "big little lies" to stop being perpetually checked out of my local library so I can read that. I'm in an odd book slump...Must.get.out.

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  6. i just finished a book called We are Liars and it was a fast read. it was ok; not as enjoyable as i had hoped but not bad. i have that book by mindy but never got around to reading it. i'm leaving for orlando on sunday and plan to bring the time traveller's wife which will force me to read it because i will have nothing else and i heard that's such a great book.

    -kathy
    Vodka and Soda

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  7. You already know I love the Tana French books. I also 100% wanted to be friends with Mindy after reading her book but likewise didn't laugh out loud as much as Tina Fey's. Definitely still worth reading though!

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  8. Girl you cranked out the books last month! I'm such a huge fan of the library I can't even express my love for it properly!

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  9. I'm so happy you did a book recommendation post - I need some new books to round out my year!!! Thanks girl!

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  10. I enjoyed Mindy's book but like you, I liked Tina's better. I'd still like to be friends with Mindy because I think she's awesome.

    Crank sounds like my kind of book. Will be adding to my list.

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  11. I need to check out the Dublin Murder Series, sounds like something I'd love.

    If reading is a job I NEED it!!!

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  12. The library was my building for picture practice yesterday! So many books I would have never read if not for the library.
    I really should reserve more books, but I do not. Reading is a gift!
    Hire me now
    I will read your books
    and let you know if its worth a second look.

    Not a great haiku- I love to rhyme.

    Love, Your Momma

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  13. The reviews of the Dublin Murder series has me anxious as they speak of overwhelming sadness that stays with you. I am currently a big Liane Moriarty fan.

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  14. I loved Mindy's book. It was actually what made me wish I had started watching the Mindy Project back when it started. I still haven't seen an episode.

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  15. I'm intrigued by the books by comedians. It sounds like Mindy Kaleg's book is just an autobiography. What about Bossypants? Are there life lessons, or is it just about Tina Fey's life and career?

    P.S. I love the idea of a book link up! My reading is a little inconsistent, but I should always have at least one to talk about.

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  16. I've been meaning to read Mindy Kahlig's book. I'm intrigued about Crank, sounds interesting!

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  17. Yay Mindy! I love her so much. I recently added Crank to my to-read list.

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  18. I would absolutely participate in a link up if you guys did one, as it is now I do them sporadically and try not to have too many books in one post. Like, last weekend I read 6 books so my October list is gonna be a bit long haha, so splitting them up. I think I will read Overseas first, so I can be like eh ok and then the others will blow my mind. I have been meaning to read Mindy's book but nothing can beat MY (ok, our) bestie Tina Fey's book.

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  19. I haven't read Bossypants, but I loved Mindy's book. And her show. And just about everything about her. I didn't know what Crank was, but I am intrigued.

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  20. Totally agree on Bossypants vs. IEHOWM but I loved both! Even this non-reader is excited for Amy Poehler's book... wonder if there will be any scoop on her marriage? I loved her and Will Arnett together!

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  21. I've already put Mindy's book on my to-do read but if it's anything like Bossypants or Dad is Fat (Jim Gaffigan), comedians just don't translate as well on to paper. No offense. Didn't find either of them that funny.

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  22. Oh gosh, I've become terrible with books and reading other than blogs and stuff for work. Wish I could provide a useful comment on this. Nope. Sorry. lol

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  23. Fun! Still reading Julia Child's My Life in France. Love it! I also loved Bossypants. It was a book club pick.

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  24. I want to read Mindy's book! I still haven't read Bossypants either...I need to get on them both!

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  25. You know how I feel about the overdone English jargon! I think I need to read Tana French next. I always love your book recs (to read and to avoid!) so I'm glad you did another book post.

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  26. I gave Mindy's book a shot but didn't make it very far into it. :/ I still need to try Bossypants!

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  27. Last night I read Gone Girl. The ending left me a bit flabbergasted, I'm still not 100% sure how I feel about it. Meh. I promised Brie I woul read We Are Not Ourselves.

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  28. I want to try Mindy's book. I keep picking it up and then putting it back. I should just read it already! Ha.

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  29. I am reading Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Duhnam and loving it. She is gritty and honest, which I appreciate. She holds nothing back! I started reading We Are Not Ourselves while on the honeymoon and was not intrigued enough...we may have talked about this book but just in case we haven't, have you read May We Be Forgiven?

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  30. Mindy Kaling's book is on my list, too! I would love to be part of the link-up. It will inspire me to male more time to read!

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  31. I've read Crank and Glass...still have to read #3 in the series, Fallout. Love Ellen Hopkins! Yes, some deep stuff but really good.

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    1. I'm considering reading Glass. At least if it's painful it'll be quick!

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  32. Amy Poehler's book comes out soon too! I'm doing the audio book, just like I did for Tina's. I added you on good reads!

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