But aside from being book talk day, it's my stepmom's birthday. Happy birthday Carol! I'm very lucky to have you in my life and I hope you have a great birthday month.
I liked how I set it up last month with Engrossing Reads / Passed the Time Just Fine / Hard No so I'm going to go with that.
Engrossing Reads
Engrossing Reads
Tiny Little Thing by Beatriz Williams - My authoress queen of the summer strikes again, in a good way. I loved this read.
Take Me With You by Catherine Ryan Hyde - I loved everything about this story. The characters, the setting, the dog. All of it.
Passed the Time Just Fine
Dreamland by Sarah Dessen - This is my second foray into Dessen and I liked it just fine. It was a little too teen angsty for me in some areas, but I really liked the character and I liked the big issue which must not be named because we've all found ourselves in a situation before where we've had to stop and say how did I get here? I appreciate that Dessen doesn't go for the easy happy ever after too.
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee - I rated this book two stars on Goodreads for this reason: I still have doubts about the circumstances in which it was published, and it reads like what it is - a first draft of a novel that was turned into another novel that is more familiar. I am annoyed with people whining about this book, flaming Lee like she killed their father because of some character failings on the part of Atticus Finch, a much beloved literary character. You guys - she created the characters and can do what she wants with them. And this is actually the first incarnation of Atticus Finch, not the sequel to the Mockingbird Atticus we've put up on a very high pedestal in the literary character world. All that quibbling aside, I think Watchman has some real insight into the racism that hides in the hearts of people in America, and if you can get over the tumbling dialogue, sloppy writing, threads of story that go nowhere, and your notions of what the book should or shouldn't be based on your relationship with TKAM, there is some value in reading this book.
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd - Read after Watchman and its commentary on racism and slavery, this book broke my heart in a million pieces. The things done to slaves...I can't even wrap my head around it. Kidd weaves a nice tale, like she always does, falling a little flat in depth of characters. There was so much more to these people, right under the surface. I could feel it but didn't see it in the pages.
American Elsewhere by Robert Jackson Bennett - Well. This 662-page behemoth is one of the weirdest books I've ever read. It was totally not my type of read - some science, some paranormal shit, some space shit, some horror - yet I stuck with it and even stayed up past midnight to finish it. Would I recommend it? It takes balls to recommend a 662 page book you thought was okay to someone. So sure, I recommend it, at your own risk and if you have the time or inclination.
Hard No
Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll - Everything this book was hyped to be, it was not. Luckily, I don't really buy into hype of any type so I am not disappointed when things aren't as good as they're reported to be. However, this book was just not good period, hype or not. Knoll glosses over some really serious shit and produces the hugest asshole of a narrator that is so fucked up and unreliable that you can't feel bad for her no matter what has happened to her. But I don't need to like characters to like a book as long as the plot and writing are good. No and no on those counts also. Better luck with the movie you're making this into, Reese Witherspoon.
Passed the Time Just Fine
Dreamland by Sarah Dessen - This is my second foray into Dessen and I liked it just fine. It was a little too teen angsty for me in some areas, but I really liked the character and I liked the big issue which must not be named because we've all found ourselves in a situation before where we've had to stop and say how did I get here? I appreciate that Dessen doesn't go for the easy happy ever after too.
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee - I rated this book two stars on Goodreads for this reason: I still have doubts about the circumstances in which it was published, and it reads like what it is - a first draft of a novel that was turned into another novel that is more familiar. I am annoyed with people whining about this book, flaming Lee like she killed their father because of some character failings on the part of Atticus Finch, a much beloved literary character. You guys - she created the characters and can do what she wants with them. And this is actually the first incarnation of Atticus Finch, not the sequel to the Mockingbird Atticus we've put up on a very high pedestal in the literary character world. All that quibbling aside, I think Watchman has some real insight into the racism that hides in the hearts of people in America, and if you can get over the tumbling dialogue, sloppy writing, threads of story that go nowhere, and your notions of what the book should or shouldn't be based on your relationship with TKAM, there is some value in reading this book.
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd - Read after Watchman and its commentary on racism and slavery, this book broke my heart in a million pieces. The things done to slaves...I can't even wrap my head around it. Kidd weaves a nice tale, like she always does, falling a little flat in depth of characters. There was so much more to these people, right under the surface. I could feel it but didn't see it in the pages.
American Elsewhere by Robert Jackson Bennett - Well. This 662-page behemoth is one of the weirdest books I've ever read. It was totally not my type of read - some science, some paranormal shit, some space shit, some horror - yet I stuck with it and even stayed up past midnight to finish it. Would I recommend it? It takes balls to recommend a 662 page book you thought was okay to someone. So sure, I recommend it, at your own risk and if you have the time or inclination.
Hard No
Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll - Everything this book was hyped to be, it was not. Luckily, I don't really buy into hype of any type so I am not disappointed when things aren't as good as they're reported to be. However, this book was just not good period, hype or not. Knoll glosses over some really serious shit and produces the hugest asshole of a narrator that is so fucked up and unreliable that you can't feel bad for her no matter what has happened to her. But I don't need to like characters to like a book as long as the plot and writing are good. No and no on those counts also. Better luck with the movie you're making this into, Reese Witherspoon.
This link up happens the second Tuesday of every month. The next one is Tuesday, September 8.
Non-bloggers, what have you read recently? Let me know what you recommend and what to stay away from. Bloggers, link up your posts below.
