I feel an urge to spend August stacking up summer reads. I hope to read my life away Labor Day weekend. But before I do that, let's talk about what I've been reading.
This link up happens the second Tuesday of every month.
The next one is Tuesday, September 13, 2016
1. Please visit and comment with both of your hosts, Jana & me2. 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 since the last linkup.
Engrossing Reads
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon - A little dry here and there, and a little rote in some descriptions, but I can't not be engrossed when the subject matter is so fucking fierce. Jana and I discussed on The Armchair Librarians here. (library hardback)
Morning Star (Red Rising #3) by Pierce Brown - I try not to go into books with expectations, but I did have high expectations for the final book in this trilogy and I was not disappointed. I truly loved the cast of surrounding characters in these books more than I loved Darrow. (library hardback)
Redemption Road by John Hart - Recommended by a coworker, I was hung up on this one and quickly added other Hart books to my list. He weaves a good, fucked up story. This is the second book I've read of his and both were nail biters I couldn't put down. (library hardback)
Storm Front (Virgil Flowers #7) by John Sandford - Imagine my displeasure when I realized that I already read eight and had skipped right over seven. Fumes. Anyway what a shame too because seven was awesome. I liked this a lot. ($2 paperback)
Valley of the Moon by Melanie Gideon - This started a little slow for me. Depressing as hell too, in places throughout. But I genuinely wanted more story from every character, and by the end I sat in a parking lot to finish it before driving home after getting off the train. (free advanced reader copy from Netgalley for review)
The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe by Mary Simses - 100% shelf candy. I read the lion's share of this in a comfortable chair early on a rainy morning at the shore and it was perfect. (library hardback)
The Never-Open Desert Diner by James Anderson - For a little while, I was like is this a book about nothing? I'm not opposed to books about nothing. But it's not, not really. I enjoyed all the characters and I read it almost straight through. (library hardback)
Passed the Time Just Fine
The Lake House by Kate Morton - Okay, so I like Morton's books but good Lord they feel overly long sometimes. This one absolutely did. (library hardback)
Still Life (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #1) by Louise Penny - A nice little mystery, although I do hope one of the detectives in this is never heard from again in this series. LOL ($2 paperback)
Monday's Lie by Jamie Mason - Picked this up off the library shelf because I was passing by and liked the title. It wasn't a bad way to spend an afternoon on the beach but it didn't set my heart on fire or anything. (library hardback)
Not Worth It
Cruel Beautiful World by Caroline Leavitt - This book felt disjointed. I think the author was trying to ground the story in the time with the Manson and Kent State mentions but it seemed forced. I was very interested in many of the characters...except for the main one that tied them all together. (free e-copy from Netgalley for an honest review)
Cruel Beautiful World by Caroline Leavitt - This book felt disjointed. I think the author was trying to ground the story in the time with the Manson and Kent State mentions but it seemed forced. I was very interested in many of the characters...except for the main one that tied them all together. (free e-copy from Netgalley for an honest review)
What have you been reading?
I really like Kate Morton too, but I've been putting off The Lake House never I haven't wanted to read something that long!
ReplyDeleteI'm reading Red Rising for Erin's Challenge and I can't wait to read it. Heard so many great things about the series. I'm adding Redemption Road to my TBR and need to try the Virgil Flowers series.
ReplyDeleteTanya, I think you'd enjoy the Minnesota-ness of the Virgil Flowers series.
DeleteWhy haven't I read John Hart? It seems everyone that reads his stuff, likes his stuff. Added Redemption Road.
ReplyDeleteNew Virgil hitting bookshelves October-ish.
I have Morning Star on my kindle and I am looking forward to getting around to it this month. I loved the first two books and have been excited to start the third. I only put it off in the hopes that my library would get a copy, but they didn't. It's such a fun and engrossing series, but the second book, oh the ending! I need to know what happens!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of the others that you mentioned, so I can't comment on them, but I do enjoy hearing of other books incase they pop up in my radar. There's something more intriguing about a book that you've at least heard the title of before.
~ K
www.lifeasunusuals.com
Notorious RBG! We already talked about it so I won't repeat myself, but awesome read. I need to get caught up with the Librarians podcast so I can see what you and Jana had to say.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the Louise Penny book...I feel the same way sometimes about Kate Morton. I really like her books, but sometimes I just don't feel like investing the time required for them. haha.
ReplyDeleteI love that you read RBG, sounds like an awesome read!
ReplyDeleteEvery time I have seen the title Notorious RBG, the movie RGB is the first thing that comes to mind. LOL! Looks like you've been busy with some interesting books.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out John Hart.
ReplyDeleteGood to know about The Lake house. I've heard a lot of people rave about that one.
I have the Red Rising trilogy on my "For Later" shelf and will be delving into those when I finish this batch of books.
ReplyDeleteI have heard mixed things about The Lake House and have back shelved it because of that reason! The The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe sounds interesting. And basically makes me want a pastry.
ReplyDeleteThings I always tell myself: pick up John Sandford books. Things I never do: pick up John Sandford books.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to look into some of these. They sound great!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear the Red series keeps getting better. I'm just a little bit into book two and it's great so far, especially since now I already know the basics of the world and society. That colors guide in the front is pretty handy, too. I am in the mood for a little shelf candy like the Blueberry Bakeshop, lately. Maybe because the weather is finally less oppressive and this week is more relaxed for me.
ReplyDeleteSo I have quite a few books on my shelf that you loved this month, so obviously I need to get my butt in gear and read them soon! I've heard amazing things about the Red Rising series. I should get the first one soon. I haven't read a ton of Kate Morton books, but from what I have read, they were kind of long.
ReplyDeleteI like Kate Morton, but I have to be in the mood.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of your top reads, but RBG and Desert Diner are on my list. I'm glad to see they're worth it.
Redemption Road has me intrigued - I love when books surprise you and keep you on edge!
ReplyDeleteI remember liking Monday's Lie but I had to read the Goodreads summary to jog my memory, so that isn't the best sign. I'm so ready to read RBG (I stole another coloring page of her from the library yesterday). Totally adding Redemption Road, too.
ReplyDeleteAnd here I thought I was doing well with reading a book a week haha. Love all of your reviews, especially the "shelf candy" comment....love it!!
ReplyDeleteAdding Redemption Road to my list...I'm in need of a book like that!
ReplyDeleteKind of jealous you have so many engrossing reads! I've been back and forth on adding Desert Diner to my TBR list, but I think I will now. I keep hearing similar things about Morton's books being really good, but always feel long!
ReplyDeleteOoh, Redemption Road sounds like a good one. Like one of those books where you wish it was almost fall so you could curl up on the porch with a blanket and some coffee and just crush it cover to cover.
ReplyDeletei think i have a few minutes left on the podcast with you all talking about RBG but I definitely added the book to my list after listening to you all talk about it (and i'll make sure to get the paper version). i knew nothing about her except you loved her haha so i'm excited to read it, she sounds awesome.
ReplyDeletei am so so so so so glad you weren't disappointed with the 3rd book in that red rising series, i can't wait to read them now!
valley of the moon is on my kindle, so i'm glad to hear you liked it. i'll hopefully get to it this weekend. will the netgalley list never end........
also can't wait to read the never open desert diner. i couldn't find it anywhere but i finally got a real library card (long boring story) and my library has it and HUZZAH ALL THE BOOKS TO BE READ!
Your last two "engrossing reads" sound interesting to me. I'm going to go look at them on GoodReads now :) I need to start listening to you podcast! I don't know what's holding me back!
ReplyDeleteI didn't finish The Lake House...Redemption Road sounds really good!
ReplyDeleteThe Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe added to my TBR list for one day when I need a sappy sweet read. After all these WW2 books, I need a few of these.
ReplyDeleteI MUST read RBG...
ReplyDeleteOBSESSED with RBG! She's such a rockstar!
ReplyDeleteI keep hearing nothing but good things about the Red Rising series so I think I might have to add it to my TBR...along with Redemption Road - sounds intense!
ReplyDeleteI've read Kate Morton's The Secret Keeper which I really liked. I added the Notorious RBG to my to read list. Haven't heard of the other books.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree about The Lake House. I liked it but it took foreverrrr to get through! The Notorious RBG is being added to my list :)
ReplyDeleteThe Never Open Desert Diner is on my list.
ReplyDeleteThe Lake House was longggggg and the end made me shake my head at predictableness. It was a decent story though.
Hi Steph! I just heard about your linkup from Kelly at Noodle to the Rescue. Love it! I'm not familiar with any of the books on this list, but am always looking for new suggestions. The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe by Mary Simses sounds like a fun one to add to my upcoming list. =D
ReplyDeleteI told Alyssa this morning I'll need to borrow RBG. I'm very interested in reading that. She's such a badass!
ReplyDeleteI've said this already a few times today, but I can't wait to listen to your episode on RBG. I'm so happy I read that book.
ReplyDeleteIrresistible Blueberry Bakeshop sounds like something I might enjoy right about now. I also added Never-Open Desert Diner after I heard Jana mention it in a podcast ep, so I'm glad to see another good review for it.
100% agree with you on Kate Morton books. They're good but SO LONG! I just saw The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop and Cafe in Target and almost bought it but then remembered I have a ton I need to read before I buy anymore. Glad to know it worth it though! And I've heard good things about the Red Rising books. Adding it to my Goodreads now. Thanks for hosting the link up! Its one of my favorites!
ReplyDeleteRedemption Road is on my list already, so I'm glad to see you really liked it! I've never read any of Hart's books, but I've heard so many good things about him. I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on other books by this author.
ReplyDeleteI'm adding Monday's Lie even though you thought it was just okay. The summary on Goodreads intrigued me. I also think I might add Cruel Beautiful World even though you didn't like it much at all. The premise sounds like something I might like so I feel like I should give it a chance at some point. And who knows ... Maybe I'll like it a lot more than you did.
I looked at RBG last time I was at the library. I'll check it out eventually. So glad you loved the Red Rising trilogy. The Never Open Diner sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing you are hoping Yvette Nicole never comes back? lol She does have an important role in the next couple books but I haven't heard from her in the last two books. I don't know if she's totally gone...
I think I have a few I need to add to my list!
ReplyDeleteThe Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop has been on my list for a while now. I keep picking it up and then putting it down waiting for the right moment. I need to get on the ball! I love books with bakeries....no idea why.
ReplyDeleteWhere to start? OK, love that picture up top. 2. Note that it is Thursday late afternoon and I am only now even READING Show Us Your Books, let alone blogging it. C. I added the blueberry bakeshop book and someday I'll read RBG. Loved the podcast on that one.
ReplyDelete