Show Us Your Books: today a reader, tomorrow a leader

Verily, I have wandered through a vast desert of broken down books. Which is to say this was a restless reading month for me. I started and cast off a few books in quick succession and snubbed my nose at others. I also started two that I couldn't remember if I had read before. When that happens I will either let it ride and not read much or if I want to read I will find a mystery/thriller that sets me back on track.

Once again we are coming up on the anniversary of SUYB next month, so stay tuned for our annual giveaway. 

Linkup Guidelines:

This link up is the second Tuesday of every month. The next is  Tuesday, October 10, 2017 
Please: 

1. Visit and comment with both of your hosts, Jana & me
2. Display the button and/or link back to us on your blog post
2. Visit other blogs who've linked up and get some book talk going!

Here's what I've read from the last linkup.

Engrossing Reads

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman - I loved this book and am so pleased that the reason I picked it - the title - was backed up by a good story. I've been waiting for it for a while from the Philly library. I walked into Ocean City and picked it off the shelf. It's a worthy read. OCNJ library hardback

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz - I loved the characters and the story so much. I know people hate neat endings and things that work out how you'd like them to. I'm not really one of those people. Philly library hardback

Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson - Masterful, haunting, beautiful writing. Books that are written like this make me imagine I can feel the drumbeat of their song in my chest as I read them. Smashing cover too. OCNJ library hardback

The Dark Lake (Gemma Woodstock #1) by Sarah Bailey - This kicked me forward, as it's my sweet spot murder mystery genre. I do hope this becomes a series. I liked flawed and real Gemma. Free e-book from Netgalley

Wish You Were Here by Renee Carlino - When I read Swear on this Life, I thought man I like this even though it's the type of book I usually hate. I thought the same thing when I was reading this. So maybe I do like these kinds of books. Or maybe I just like Renee Carlino. Free e-book from Netgalley.

Passed the Time Just Fine

Cocoa Beach by Beatriz Williams - Okay, so did you guys know all of her novels are loosely connected? I did not know that and since I have liked the ones after A Hundred Summers less, I wonder if reading them as they were intended would have made my overall experience with her better? It's been good, but it could be better. This required a lot of attention but it was enjoyable. Kindle e-book, gift from Gladys

The Blinds by Adamn Sternbergh - An interesting concept that dragged a little bit and also lacked depth. Still not a not worth it. Hardback BOTMC, own

Five Minutes Alone by Paul Cleave - This is the fourth in the Theodore Tate series I think. I don't know, it was hard to find info online. I liked this and will probably read more by Cleave. OCNJ library paperback

Unraveling Oliver by Liz Nugent - I mentioned a while back that I didn't need any more multiple narrator books in my life and immediately started reading this multiple narrator book. It was good though and reminded me a little of The Talented Mr. Ripley. Netgalley e-book

Fox's Earth by Anne Rivers Siddons - I kept feeling like I'd read this in the past, and alas I had, but I read it again and it was still fucked up and good. Paperback, own and will trade

Where or When by Anita Shreve - Lord, what a mess all around. Unhappiness compounded leads people to do stupid things. paperback, own and will trade

Not Worth It
Snowbound by Blake Crouch - This book was like reading a tiny sliver of a Tarantino script where you could only see the one dimensional characters lacking depth and everyone was like Honeybunny in the diner. Kindle e-book

Mrs. Saint and the Defectives by Julie Lawson Timmer - I fucking hated Markie in this book. I almost stopped reading it three times because of her. I liked the rest of the characters though so I kept on. In the end it was a weird dark twist and looking back I should have stopped reading it. Amazon Kindle First selection

Did Not Finish
The Lonely Polygamist by Brady Udall - Deja vu. I started reading this a few years ago, didn't like it, and gave up. I tried again, same result. Amazon e-copy

Charleston by Margaret Bradham Thornton - Ughhhh. I loved the cover of this and it sounded like it would be good. Droll as fuck, I could not make it more than an hour reading this. Kindle e-book

And you? What have you been reading? 

An InLinkz Link-up