// Summer Breeze by Nancy Thayer - A light summer beach read when you're looking for something easy and happy. Not my favorite Nancy Thayer book but worth a read if you're in the market for a beach book. 3/5
// The Island by Heather Graham - This book has a ton of one and two-star ratings on Goodreads but I like a good Heather Graham mystery now and then so I thought I'd give it a try. It's not a literary work of genius and the main character was a little annoying at times, heavy on the romance light on the mystery this book won't be for everyone. 3/5
// Out Of The Easy by Ruta Sepetys - I love historical fiction and I like books set in New Orleans so I thought I'd give this book a try. I loved Josie's character but I'd have liked to see more of the Josie/Jess plotline. I felt those two characters belonged together despite Josie's obvious attraction to Patrick. Overall a good book but it could have had a stronger ending. 3/5
// The Year We Turned Forty by Liz Fenton - I had high hopes for this book, I've read some other" what if you could change your life books" and loved them but this one left me wanting. Even though the characters were on the precipice of turning 40 I didn't really identify with them in a way that made me feel like we were the same age. What this book does do a good job of showing is that life can be hard no matter what decisions are made when. 3/5
// Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight - The premise of this book sounded interesting and I wasn't disappointed. I had to purposely not let myself this book several times when I was dying to because I knew I wouldn't have time for more than a few pages and there was no way I could read just a few pages. Written from a mother's POV after her daughter's death/suicide and from the POV of the daughter before her death/suicide by the end we get the entire story that will make you wish you didn't have to let your kids grow up. 4/5
// The Ocean At The End Of The Lane by Neil Gaiman - This was a strange and interesting little book, if you're looking for a quick quirky read this might be your book. I loved the strong female characters and the magical element, at 170ish pages, this is a quick weekend read. 3/5
// Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King - It pains me to say this book was a DNF for me. Probably the worst piece of writing I've ever read by Stephen King. From his elementary foreshadowing to his downright boring play by play of what was going on. I've never been more disappointed in a book by Stephen King. DNF
// Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler - I adored this book! For me this book was about feelings it evoked, feelings I've felt before which led me to identify with "the new girl" (Tess) in a way I don't identify with many book characters. I found the sometimes love isn't enough storyline fascinating as much as I did the relationship between Tess, Jake, and Simone. A very accurate portrayal of restaurant life and the things that go on after the guest have been served. 5/5
What did you read last month?
I need to read more Neil Gaiman. I've read Stardust and his co-authored book with Terry Pratchett, Good Omens, but I haven't read enough to get really familiar with his style. Out of the Easy I almost want to read just because of the cover, even though it's not my usual genre.
ReplyDeletei liked the strong female characters in the ocean book as well. that sucks about the year we turned forty, i love books that talk about what if you could change your life or whatever. sweetbitter sounds great, adding it!
ReplyDeleteSeveral people have talked about Sweetbitter this month! I think that I need to read it sooner rather than later! I also really loved Reconstructing Amelia! It was really scary learning about what teenagers do and are a part of nowadays.
ReplyDeleteThis is the second amazing review I've read of Sweetbitter, so I'm definitely going to try and bump it up on my tbr list! I read Out of the Easy a few months ago and really enjoyed it, but definitely agree I wish there would have been more focus on certain storylines.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think Sweetbitter is the best book (and more unique too) that i have read all year!!
DeleteI loved Sweetbitter so much too!!
ReplyDeleteI liked Reconstructing Amelia.
ReplyDeleteSweetbitter is on my list, I should request it from the library so it comes in in July!
I listened to The Ocean at the End of the Lane last year and thought it was pretty interesting (I'm not 100% sure if I "got it" though). Still really enjoyable and the audio version was read by Gaiman so that was kind of cool. Have you read any of his other books? I've only read Stardust (and also loved the movie)...but I feel like I should try another of his works. Sweetbitter sounds really interesting too!! I am not sure if I can emotionally handle Reconstructing Amelia as a mom...
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed The Year We Turned 40 more than you, I think. I liked the fact that some things could not be changed and the things they could change brought about a new set of problems in most instances. I read American Gods by Gaiman and it was so-so for me but I want to like him, if that makes a lick of sense. The Ocean At The End Of The Lane is going on my TBR and I like that it is short too. :) Sweetbitter is getting lots of good reviews and I have added it to my TBR.
ReplyDeleteWow, I haven't read Heather Graham in years, but I used to devour her books. I could have sworn I had Sweetbitter on my list, but I didn't so I've added it now. I loved Reconstructing Amelia.
ReplyDeleteI'm on the waitlist for Sweetbitter at the library!
ReplyDeleteAdding Sweetbitter and Summer Breeze to my list!!!
ReplyDeleteI got enjoyment from this post. Mostly because I find it entertaining when another reader and I differ in our views of a book. It shows so much how some books work and some don't for different readers. I think timing is key. Frame of mind. Where you're reading. So many elements. I find it fascinating. For instance, I really enjoyed Mr. Mercedes. Or, I know there are people that SWEAR by Neil Gaiman, but I've never been interested enough to read him.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Erin said above. It's interesting to read/hear what other ppl think of books b/c our experiences are influenced greatly by so many other outside forces as well as the fact that we're all different with different likes and preferences. The Year We Turned 40 is on my TBR. It's not on my immediate radar, but it's there. I enjoyed reading your opinions.
ReplyDeleteYay you like Reconstructing Amelia! Bittersweet when our kids grow up indeed.
ReplyDelete