Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Show Us Your Books! What I read in October

Link up your posts about the book(s) you've read recently with Jana of Jana Says and me!
Life According to Steph
I was in a bit of a reading rut at the beginning of the month so I'm a little light overall here. I've been reading at a steady clip and my mind just needed a break from it. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, I know I need to let it take its course. I was also beset by some bad books. I hate when that happens, don't you? Anyway, on with it.

Once is Not Enough by Jacqueline Susann - I had high hopes for this because I liked Valley of the Dolls when I read it a few years back. This book was AWFUL. I read halfway through then returned it.

Empire Falls by Richard Russo - I had very high hopes for this book. The prologue nearly killed me with boredom, but I soldiered on. This is one of those books where everyone loves it and I just...don't. I found it really tedious. It reminded me of how I felt when I read most John Irving novels. Like I know I'm supposed to find this compelling and excellent but I do not. 

The Promise of Stardust by Priscille Sibley - I loved this book so hard. I was intent on reading it and adored everything about it. Such a hard, hard subject - actually a few hard ones tucked into this book - written and expressed really beautifully. It gave me all the feels so be prepared. Add it to your list. 

Apple Tree Yard by Louise Doughty - Some parts of this book made it a total page turner. Others made me pause and think. Overall, I was left a little unsatisfied. I think it had a lot more potential and petered out on some fronts. Yvonne annoyed me. The depiction of X  felt a little like a tinny characterization.

Some Luck by Jane Smiley - Way back when, I read A Thousand Acres. I thought it was smashing. I kept waiting for this book to smash me over the head with wonder. It never came. I really liked a lot of things about this, including seeing the changes that came across the country and the world over the 33 years this first novel in a trilogy spans. Some things peaked my interest, but if the other two novels of this trilogy are 419 pages each of middling story at best, I'm not sure if I can hang in there. I feel like this skimmed the surface of what really went on in this family over the years, and surface doesn't typically cut it for me in a book of this length. I slogged through this at best. 

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Haikuesday
Four day week for me...
So Tuesday is not as bad.
Just kidding. It is. 
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Link up your posts about the book(s) you've read recently with  Jana of Jana Says and me!
This link up will happen the second Tuesday of every month. 
The next one is Tuesday, December 9.


And of course, thank you to all Veterans not only today on Veterans Day, but every other day as well.
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26 comments:

  1. I know the feeling of some not so great reads and needing a break. I usually try a light, fluffy read to try and get me back but it only works half the time. You still read a good amount though. The Promise of Stardust sounds good so I'm adding that one.

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  2. I recently gave myself permission to stop reading a book if I don't like it. That was huge for me.

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  3. I refuse to waste my time on a bad book anymore. Life is too short to read bad books! I am glad you and Jana are doing this link up, I have a feeling it will give me plenty of books to add to my list every month! And that haiku is everything!

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  4. the promise of stardust sounds SO good and I am so adding it to my list. it's really hard for me to stop reading a book, and i read 2 really awful ones recently that i absolutely would not have read if they weren't for the challenge.. which is why i'm probably not gonna do a challenge again because i hate that i wasted my time and valuable book memory for crappy books.

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  5. 'Promise of Stardust' -
    I loved it all the way through.
    Now it's 'Leaving Time'.

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  6. The Promise of Stardust sounds good, but sometimes I don't love heavy. Perhaps that one will be worth checking out at the library. Sorry you got burned by some bad books!

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  7. can I link up my post from yesterday (adding the button of course?!) Adding the Promise of Stardust to my list!

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  8. I'm always so sad when I'm excited to read a book and I keep reading hoping it'll get better and it never does! Womp Womp!!

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  9. i just put Promise of Stardust on hold. hopefully my library doesn't forget about me again!

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  10. Life is too short for bad books. It's okay to abandon a book and start a better one. You had a great month, nonetheless.

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  11. I need a good escape from reality. I think a book may be the way to go!!! Gonna dust something off and get on it, I have too many unread sitting here:)

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  12. Oooo, I'm putting the Stardust one on my Goodreads! I also get into reading "highs" and then ruts. I find I just gotta keep the momentum going and read whatever is available right now from my library instead of waiting for stuff on reserve.

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  13. The Promise of Stardust sounds amazing! I definitely need to put it on hold (which I just did).

    I refuse to finish books that don't do it for me. There are too many books I want to read to waste time on books I don't like.

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  14. I love how your "light" reading is a good month for me. I haven't been able to get through a book since Gone Girl...which I finished at the beginning of last month. I need to get out of my reading slump!

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  15. Awesome linkup. I'll have my post ready for next month! I've read a TON lately.

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  16. LOL, your light reading is probably what I've read this year. So sad. Definitely adding Stardust to my surgery recovery list! <3

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  17. I totally suck! I meant to link up with this AND I meant to host that giveaway for you--but things got a little out of control. Next time!

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  18. I hate reading ruts, I'm between books right now with a few on my to read shelf but nothing that appeals. The library is closed today so I'll be bookless until at least tomorrow.

    I might add Promise of Stardust, I tend to avoid books that give me lots of feels.

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  19. I am absolutely adding The Promise of Stardust! Great reviews!

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  20. I do love reading. I'll add these books to my list. I'm currently reading Dark Places by Gillian Flynn.

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  21. I'm trying to get back into the reading groove :) I went and got my SD library card last week! I put the next link-up on my calendar, so maybe I will have some books to share next time :) I added The Promise of Stardust, Some Luck, and Empire Falls to my list...all sound interesting. I love you link it to Goodreads...makes it so easy :)

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  22. Let's see, I got two books read in October, and I thoroughly enjoyed both of them, even though they were both very sad books: Sold by Patricia McCormick and Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.

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  23. I've got The Promise of Stardust on my library list and have been patiently waiting. Can't wait!

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  24. Seriously need to do one of these! soon ... sigh :) I have some of these on my list!

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  25. Sounds like The Promise of Stardust was the best of the bunch. I haven't heard of that one, I need to check it out!

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