Reading Round Up: Jan & Feb
This is a long one. Thanks, winter!
Tons of good books on this list, though - I have end-of-year best book lists to thank for that.
A Moment Comes - This book takes places during the partition of India in 1947, which I knew nothing about prior to reading. I really appreciated the book's messages about acceptance, tolerance, and patience. Definitely not your typical YA romance (I assumed it would be based on the description).
Though just to be clear, I don't have any problems with typical YA romance. You'll find several further down this list ;)
Spousonomics - Looking at common marriage issues (like sharing chores) as an economist. Some parts were fascinating, others not so much.
About Alice - A husband's tribute to his late wife. I listened to this on audio based on Jessica's recommendation and ended up teary eyed in a grocery store parking lot finishing it. Super sweet.
Open Road Summer - A throughly enjoyable YA romance. Of course it takes place during the summer while they're on the road for a concert series, so that was nice to imagine while it was snowing outside.
One Plus One - By the author of Me Before You. I really liked this! A very different sort of love story involving a single mom, her children, and their dog on a road trip with a man she cleans for.
Big Little Lies - The best book I've read so far this year. The sarcasm and wit in this story made me laugh out loud MANY times (I need a Madeline in my life), and combined with the mystery of what actually happened at the fundraiser, made me never want to put this down.
Along for the Ride - Another easy-breezy summer romance. Whose heart wouldn't melt for a teenage boy who can swaddle a baby?
The Right Word - This was out on display in my library because it won a lot of awards so I had to see what the hype was about. A cool book about Roget, the man who wrote Roget's Thesaurus.
Beyond Magenta - A chronicle of several transgender teens and their growing up and/or coming-of-age process(es). Much of this was difficult for me to read. I think the reactions of other people to the teens in the book were the most shocking parts. And, it's real life - so things are not tied up in a neat bow at the end.
Lola and the Boy Next Door - There's a special place in my heart for Lola since she and I share a love for tutus. This was a sequel where reading the first book first isn't strictly necessary and I think this one is a little better than the first. (The third book rocks too.)
Everything Leads to You - This one brought back a lot of wonderful memories from California last summer. It's an awesome slow-building romance and a little bit of mystery too.
Fully Fertile - I could probably write an entire post just on this book and the impact it had on my life. It was so refreshing and comforting to read a book from someone (several someones, actually) who struggled with infertility. At certain points it was like they were reading my mind because I could relate completely to what they felt and experienced.
The Girl on the Train - I am one of those weirdos who imagines the lives of strangers that I see out and about. So a book about a woman who creates personas for people living by the train tracks and gets involved in a police investigation based off of what she notices out the train window seemed right up my alley. Lots of awful characters in this one, which drove me crazy. But I think a lot of people enjoyed this book because of the twist - and I figured it out way early so it was just an okay read.
Donner Dinner Party - A graphic novel about the Donner Party (they tried to take a shortcut while traveling west across the US and it didn't end well). Boys who hate reading but love gruesome history would probably love this.
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend - Another children's book that I was duped into reading because of my library's display cases! It's a sweet story about an imaginary friend who just can't wait for his turn to be picked by a child.
The World According to Humphrey - If you've ever wanted to read a hamster's diary, here's your chance!
Yes Please - I just love Amy! Let me tell you why. 1. Amy used to be a waitress and mentioned that one of the benefits was leaving work at work - until you wake up in the middle of the night and remember you forgot to give table 7 ranch dressing. This happened to me (more than once, ha!) but my waitress friends thought I was the oddest thing when I told these kinds of stories. It's always nice to find out you're not the only one! 2. I adore her mantra - "Good for her, not for me." 3. Parks & Recreation.
Whew!
Read any good books lately?
Tons of good books on this list, though - I have end-of-year best book lists to thank for that.
A Moment Comes - This book takes places during the partition of India in 1947, which I knew nothing about prior to reading. I really appreciated the book's messages about acceptance, tolerance, and patience. Definitely not your typical YA romance (I assumed it would be based on the description).
Though just to be clear, I don't have any problems with typical YA romance. You'll find several further down this list ;)
Spousonomics - Looking at common marriage issues (like sharing chores) as an economist. Some parts were fascinating, others not so much.
About Alice - A husband's tribute to his late wife. I listened to this on audio based on Jessica's recommendation and ended up teary eyed in a grocery store parking lot finishing it. Super sweet.
Open Road Summer - A throughly enjoyable YA romance. Of course it takes place during the summer while they're on the road for a concert series, so that was nice to imagine while it was snowing outside.
One Plus One - By the author of Me Before You. I really liked this! A very different sort of love story involving a single mom, her children, and their dog on a road trip with a man she cleans for.
Big Little Lies - The best book I've read so far this year. The sarcasm and wit in this story made me laugh out loud MANY times (I need a Madeline in my life), and combined with the mystery of what actually happened at the fundraiser, made me never want to put this down.
Along for the Ride - Another easy-breezy summer romance. Whose heart wouldn't melt for a teenage boy who can swaddle a baby?
The Right Word - This was out on display in my library because it won a lot of awards so I had to see what the hype was about. A cool book about Roget, the man who wrote Roget's Thesaurus.
Beyond Magenta - A chronicle of several transgender teens and their growing up and/or coming-of-age process(es). Much of this was difficult for me to read. I think the reactions of other people to the teens in the book were the most shocking parts. And, it's real life - so things are not tied up in a neat bow at the end.
Lola and the Boy Next Door - There's a special place in my heart for Lola since she and I share a love for tutus. This was a sequel where reading the first book first isn't strictly necessary and I think this one is a little better than the first. (The third book rocks too.)
 |
| Me, wearing a tutu last Halloween |
Everything Leads to You - This one brought back a lot of wonderful memories from California last summer. It's an awesome slow-building romance and a little bit of mystery too.
Fully Fertile - I could probably write an entire post just on this book and the impact it had on my life. It was so refreshing and comforting to read a book from someone (several someones, actually) who struggled with infertility. At certain points it was like they were reading my mind because I could relate completely to what they felt and experienced.
The Girl on the Train - I am one of those weirdos who imagines the lives of strangers that I see out and about. So a book about a woman who creates personas for people living by the train tracks and gets involved in a police investigation based off of what she notices out the train window seemed right up my alley. Lots of awful characters in this one, which drove me crazy. But I think a lot of people enjoyed this book because of the twist - and I figured it out way early so it was just an okay read.
Donner Dinner Party - A graphic novel about the Donner Party (they tried to take a shortcut while traveling west across the US and it didn't end well). Boys who hate reading but love gruesome history would probably love this.
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend - Another children's book that I was duped into reading because of my library's display cases! It's a sweet story about an imaginary friend who just can't wait for his turn to be picked by a child.
The World According to Humphrey - If you've ever wanted to read a hamster's diary, here's your chance!
Yes Please - I just love Amy! Let me tell you why. 1. Amy used to be a waitress and mentioned that one of the benefits was leaving work at work - until you wake up in the middle of the night and remember you forgot to give table 7 ranch dressing. This happened to me (more than once, ha!) but my waitress friends thought I was the oddest thing when I told these kinds of stories. It's always nice to find out you're not the only one! 2. I adore her mantra - "Good for her, not for me." 3. Parks & Recreation.
Whew!
Read any good books lately?
Woah!!! That is equal to about an entire year's reading for me (not counting work-related non-fiction though - I binge on that.)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous range of books, from the Roget one to transgender life stories to summer fiction. As an aside from the Fully Fertile book, have you ever read the backstory at the 'Here be Hippogriffs' blog (julia.typepad.com)? An amazing story (and hopefully, encouraging.)
I love your tutu (and I would die to be able to wear 'skinny jeans' like that!)
You have me beat there, I haven't read any books pertaining to my profession this year!
DeleteI hadn't heard of 'Here be Hippogriffs' - thank you for thinking of me; I will definitely check it out! :)
Big Little Lies sounds good; now I can see what the fuss is about. I was upset by reading Beyond Magenta but it seemed necessary. Gruesome history in Donner Dinner Party for sure! I would like to read The Right Word. I am glad the Fully Fertile book was encouraging!
ReplyDeleteI honestly didn't realize how bad the Donner Party was . . it's one of those things in history that I only new vague details about. I hope you enjoy The Right Word! I think you would identify with Roget quite a bit.
Deletenice to hear you loved Big Little Lies.. it's on my to read list.
ReplyDeletethat is quite a list for just two month.. it takes me two months to finish a book
Yes, it was sooo good! Still counts even if it takes 2 months! :)
DeleteThanks for the great list - I'm not sure I can get my head around YA. I did FINALLY, after oh so long, pick up a library book to read - one of those Freakanomics books I think I may not have read... I may have however. I did reserve Big Little Lies, but I'm 17th in line!!
ReplyDeleteIt's all good, YA's not everyone's cup of tea!
DeleteI was number #400 something on the list when I requested Big Little Lies, but it was worth the wait :)
Yes Please is on my list! I need to read it ASAP!
ReplyDeleteI was on a long list at the library for that too - well worth the wait! Hope you enjoy :)
Delete