Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Show Us Your Books: April reading report

I had a bit of a meh book period. It happens. And it usually means an awesome one is just around the corner. Sometimes I think it's not the books that are meh, but me being in a not super reading mood. I've been distracted. I have to say that the two books I found engrossing this month would not be considered really well written books by critics...but they hit the spot right now. 

Linkup Guidelines:
This link up happens the second Tuesday of every month. The next is  Tuesday, May 9, 2017 
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've read from the last linkup.

Engrossing Reads

The Lake of Dead Languages by Carol Goodman - I figured out what was going on quite early in the book. I do love a boarding school setting though, and I liked the writing. I enjoyed this read. library hardback

No Coming Back by Keith Houghton - This did not go down how I thought it was going to go down at all based on the description. I was horrified at the end but enjoyed the read. Small town, mean hearts, tiny minds. My kind of read. kindle e-book

Passed the Time Just Fine

The Wave at Hanging Rock by Gregg Dunnett - I spent a good portion of this book thinking the wrong thing, which is a good thing in a suspense novel. To me, at least. Kindle e-book

The Night the Lights Went Out by Karen White - This is not my typical genre, but I really enjoyed it. I loved the two main characters and liked a few of the surrounding characters as well. I figured out what was up early on and that made it a little slow getting to the reveal, but it was still not a bad read. ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Girls of August by Anne Rivers Siddons - Perhaps not as deep as the earlier works of Siddons (have you read Outer Banks? that was my intro to Siddons in college and I clung to the prose), but not bad for a quick little read. People SLAMMED her on Goodreads for this book. Bitches be mad at Anne Rivers Siddons. library hardback

The Whole Town's Talking by Fannie Flagg - I adore FF - the Neighbor Dorothy book is one of my favorite reading memories - and after two F'd up books, this was just what the doctor ordered. If you like her, you'll like this. It has that small community love that she is so known for. Library hardback

Marlena by Julie Buntin - Totally screwed describes the lives of quite a few of the people in this novel. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. BOTMC hardback

The Marriage Pact by Michelle Richmond - A totally weird premise, and there were many parts I could've picked apart, but I don't really do that. What you should know is despite the things that bothered me (and a few were glaring) and the suspension of belief they required, I was glued to this and stayed up on a school night to finish it. Free ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Not Worth It
Brother by Ania Ahlborn - W T F. This is a way fucked book, and that is coming from someone who enjoys serial killer reads. This made me ill. The writing was good, but I would not go through it again. No wonder it was available immediately from the library. library paperback

Did Not Finish

Kill the Father by Sandrone Dazieri - I think this one can be attributed to something being lost in translation from Italian to English. library hardback

What are you reading?






47 comments:

  1. I like Karen White, so I definitely need to read The Night the Lights Went Out sometime. I hope next month is better for you!

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  2. Love Fannie Flagg! I haven't read that one though so I will have to add it to my list!

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  3. I requested 8 books on NetGalley last month and the one that was denied was the Karen White book. And I was overly irritated about it. LOL! And yes, sometimes I think my mood dictates how I feel about books. Adding the Fannie Flagg to my TBR.

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  4. I just commented on Jana's post...I wonder why I already have Brother on my to read list. Did I see you or her reading it and looked at the synopsis? Did we all see some book list with recommendations, and since we all like fucked up books, we all added it to our tbr? Don't know.

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  5. I'm always impressed by how many books end up on your list every month! Mine ha a whole two for April. Go team me!

    I haven't read Fannie Flagg in years, definitely need to check my library for that one!

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  6. I have the Marriage Pact on my Netgalley shelf waiting for me so I'm glad you liked it!!! I think I will add The Whole Towns Talking to my list.

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  7. I'm sure I've read The Lake of Dead Languages, but I can't for the life of me remember what happens!

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  8. i think most of the books i like would not be highly thought of by critics. lol. same with movies. hope you get your awesome reading month here soon. i'm in a must read all the books mood but also must do responsible things and stuff and haven't been able to read. it's killing me! okay, just making me grumpy. lol @ 'Bitches be mad at Anne Rivers Siddons'. i've not read any of her books, i might check out the outer banks one instead.

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  9. oooh No Coming Back sounds good! I love a good mystery :)

    Sarah
    Midwest Darling

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  10. It's funny how books do loose some of their story when translations happen.
    I love you read so many books & said you had a meh month. You are my reading hero.

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  11. A whole host of books that are new-to-me! I will have to check out these synopses and see if any of them tickle my fancy.

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  12. Might have to check out No Coming Back. I actually found an older book by Fannie Flagg and started to read it, glad to hear a good review for her!

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  13. I love how you still tear through books despite a slump. I'm going to check out No Coming Back.

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  14. I'm definitely adding No Coming Back to my list. I love small town reads a lot! I did enjoy the only FF book that I read, so hopefully I'll read more from her in the future. I also have The Marriage Pact from Netgalley, and I think that it's always a good sign if the book makes you stay up late to read it on a school night!

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  15. When I'm in a slump I read nothing.. or maybe two slow books in a month... then tear through 3 or 4. This is a ton for a slump! :) The Lake of Dead Languages sounds really interesting. I also think boarding schools are an interesting setting. XO - Alexandra

    Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things

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  16. The Marriage Pact sounds interesting. Adding that one to my list. Ditto for The Lake of Dead Languages, that one especially looks like something I'll like!

    I hate my meh book months, but I agree that that means a really good month is coming soon!

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  17. I haven't heard of any of these, so I definitely need to do some research. Thanks for sharing!

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  18. No Coming Back sounds awesome - I am adding that to my list, and The Lake and The Wave. I haven't heard of most of these...love finding books I never would have known about otherwise.

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  19. Wow... Brother sounds crazy interesting (based on your review & GoodReads), but as I've mentioned I'm not a thriller/horror reader so I'm afraid it might be too much for me. Ha.
    Adding The Lake of Dead Languages, though!

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  20. Wow-if YOU say that about a book, I'm never ever picking it up.

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  21. I did finish Kill the Father... but it took a while. Was wondering about The Lake of Dead Languages.

    Currently reading A Dog's Purpose. Combines 2 subjects I enjoy, dogs (humanized) and reincarnation. Can't see the movie because of the abuse rumors...

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  22. I love fannie, I will have to pick that one up. And you have me intrigued with no coming back. My fun book club is reding the good girl and my serious book club is reading the 7 principles for making marriage work. I have to hide that one from my boyfriend so he doesn't think I'm dropping hints, lol!

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  23. I'll have to check out Fannie Flaggs!

    First time linking up today, so excited!

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  24. I read the Lake of Dead Languages years ago and don't remember much but about it but it looks like I wasn't a fan! I saw the Netgalley preview of the Marriage Pact and will definitely be reading it when it comes out.

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  25. I definitely want to read some Fannie Flagg sometime this year and I appreciate the description of that book as being a good one to turn to after some f*ed up books :) Hanging Rock sounds good too!! I hope you have one of those amazing reading months soon. I know what you're saying - sometimes it's not the books, it's just me. Sometimes life gets in the way of reading amazing books, or enjoying them, or something like that.

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  26. Ohhhh boarding school. I have to read that one for sure!

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  27. Oooh I'm totally adding No Coming Back by Keith Houghton to my list. I've never read Outer Banks either but I think I need to! I read one book this whole month and it was terrible. I'll get back on the wagon for May!

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  28. We've already discussed Brother. I'm mailing it to a friend who likes those kinds of books and then I never want to think about it again.

    I have Marlena on my Kindle. I'm looking forward to it. At some point.

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  29. I just love the name Fannie Flagg, so I feel like I have to read one of her books!

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  30. I might read "The Marriage Pact", although the summary makes me hesitant (my husband and I wouldn't require each other to buy gifts every month, or answer every single phone call promptly). I am currently reading "The Stranger" by Harlan Coben.

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  31. Steph I need the link up to add to my post. Thanks!

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  32. I love how you categorize the books you read and, as a novice, will always add your engrossing reads to my wish list. The Lake of Dead Languages sounds intriguing to me with the whole boarding school plot and the fact that my Mom attended boarding school in her adolescents.

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  33. I'm currently reading The Marriage Pact and although I have many questions on how any of it would be remotely possible I can't put it down! Adding the Lake of Dead Languages to my list!

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  34. Yess to knowing that a good book (or reading month) will usually follow a meh one. You officially sold me on The Lake of Dead Languages just with that little blurb. I was wondering what you were going to think of Marlena, I keep saying I'm going to start reading it, but always pass over it for something else.

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  35. Sorry it was a bit of a meh reading month. I haven't read any of these, but thanks for sharing!

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  36. I haven't read many that I can think of, but I can't recall any story set in boarding school that wasn't deeply creepy. Maybe I'm bad at picking books though, heh.

    I can't think of anything I've read by Fannie Flagg but for some reason that name is standing out to me. I shall investigate! The small community thing, if you're referring to what I'm thinking of a la Judy Blume and Jodi Picoult, appeals a lot to me too.

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  37. Glad that you enjoyed Fanny Flagg! I gave up on Marlena but now reading The Fall of Lisa Bellow and it's kind of similar so I am circle back around to it!

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  38. I added No Coming Back, but after your and Jana's reviews of Brother, I'll be passing on that one.

    I compare all Anne Rivers Siddons to Outer Banks and they never measure up so I stopped reading her. But I might re-read Outer Banks.

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  39. I think I could get on board with No Coming Back. Definitely not Brothers though. I'm not quite sure what it's about but between you and Jana, I know I couldn't handle it! Thanks for hosting SUYB again. Such a great link up!

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  40. Every time I think I've read a lot in a month, I just come here and you put me to shame!! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  41. I haven't read any of these...I don't think that's happened for awhile!
    I'm intrigued by Fannie Flagg.

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  42. I feel like I've had a little bit of meh reading lately too (not in the post I linked up though - those ones were a while ago and they were great - and making me miss having some good 4-4.5 star reads!)... it's been a while since I picked up a Fannie Flagg but I do love her.

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  43. No Coming Back sounds right up my alley. And it is based in MN!

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  44. Meh book periods definitely happen...but that should mean you are due for a string of good books soon!

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  45. (I thought I commented but it somehow disappeared...Sorry if you end up getting this twice!) Your first two books sound very interesting. I love all kinds of thrillers so they are getting added to my list! I'm kind of re-considering Brother now... as much as I love horror stuff, maybe I won't read it if you were that grossed out by it!

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  46. I put a hold on The Whole Town's Talking the day it came out and I was already 23 in line. Everyone loves FF!

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  47. I'm reading Small Great Things right now, and the "tiny minds" thing is completely applicable here and it's drawn me in. I think I need a thriller after this WW2/difficult kick I've been on. They always tend to get me ready for less intense reads.

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