Books – Page 77

Categories: Books

My 10 Books

I’ve really enjoyed this meme that’s floating around Facebook and blogs. One of my favorite things to talk about is books and reading, and anything that gets people discussing this topic is fine by me! I thought I’d take a page from Amber and Nora’s books (ha ha ha… get it?! Oh, puns!) and write my own blog post on the top 10 books that have affected me the most.

Here we go!

10. The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe – A powerful book on love and the influence we can have on other people. It’s not a depressing book, even though Will’s mother is dying from cancer during it. It’s uplifting and Will’s words had an incredible impact on me.

9. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – I read this in high school and adored it, and then read it a second-time last year and loved it even more. It’s such a fabulous story, something that sticks with you for a long time after reading it.

8. Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller – You don’t have to be a Christian to enjoy this novel. It’s so much bigger than a simple novel about faith – it’s about passion and living and hope and opening up to all the world has to offer. The writing isn’t flashy, and you can tell it’s written from Miller’s heart – not for fame, fortune, or popularity. I loved it and him.

7. The entire Harry Potter series – Because duh. I read the whole series a few summers ago (Erin organized a Twitter book chat, which was a fun way to experience reading the series!) and it’s just fantastic. Everyone needs to read these books.

6. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn – This book was insane. I didn’t know who to trust, I didn’t know what was happening, and I had no idea how it all would play out in the end. I’m one of the few who actually liked the ending (I thought it was authentic, and any other outcome would have felt trite). I’m not of the belief that in order for a book to be good, the characters must be likable. I’m fairly certain Flynn wanted us to hate Amy and Nick, and she definitely did a good job with that! Anyway, this book wreaked havoc on my emotions. Such a crazy story to read.

5. The Help by Kathryn Stockett – Gosh, I loved the characters in this novel. Between Minny and Aibileen and Skeeter… ah! I kinda want to reread this book because it touched me so much.

4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green – I’ll admit I’m not the biggest John Green fan, but I loved this book. It was such an emotional journey – so hopeful and happy, but also tragic and sad. It’s one of those books that stayed with me for a long time.

3. Two Kisses for Maddy by Matthew Logelin – Oh, goodness, this book. I knew it would be a sad book since it’s a memoir about a man whose wife dies right after giving birth to their daughter. I just didn’t know how much it would affect me. I was in a severe book hangover for weeks. I read the book in a matter of days – and it was sad, but also engaging and witty and hopeful – and I didn’t know what to do with myself when I finished it. I couldn’t stop thinking about Matt and Maddy, and started measuring time in how long it had been since I thought about the book. (No lie – I was all, “Oh, I made it an hour without thinking about the book! Progress!”) Sometimes, I regret reading the book because it just absolutely gutted me.

2. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini – This book was incredible. It really changed me and made me take a step back to see how much good is in my life. Even my worst days are nothing compared to what oppressed women in other countries are facing. This book was heartbreaking and chilling at times, but there was also goodness and hope and light and happiness. I implore anyone who has not read this book to GO READ IT. It’s simply incredible.

1. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes – And, finally, the number one book that has affected me as a reader. This book is still my number one recommendation when anyone asks, and I’ve yet to find a book that impacts me on such a deep level. It seems like it would be a depressing story – it’s about assisted suicide, after all – but it’s not. It’s written in a way where you get to know these characters deeply, get to understand them, and where they are coming from. I’ve never loved two characters as much as I loved Lou and Will.

What are some books that have affected you?

Categories: Books

August Reads

It’s time for my monthly run-down on books I read over the past month. I ended up reading 9 books in August, bringing my total books read to 60. It was hard to pick a favorite book because I read so many great ones! But I would say Maybe Someday was my favorite, and Code Name Verity was my least favorite.

1. One Plus One by Jojo Moyes – 4.5 stars

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this novel because I have high standards for Jojo Moyes’ books. Me Before You stands as one of the best books I’ve ever read, and I’ve yet to read a book that has touched me in the same way. But I’ve also read The Girl You Left Behind, and I didn’t care for that one all that much. So she either hits it out of the ballpark with me or falls incredibly short of my expectations. This book? Definitely a favorite! I just completely adored all of the characters and the plot was so interesting to me. I love this author so much.

2. Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover – 5 stars

This was my first Colleen Hoover book (many of my friends adore her!), and I can easily see why she is such a beloved author. This was a sweet romance that went so much deeper than your usual YA romance. There was so much emotion, so much maturity, so much depth. It was a book I just couldn’t put down and had a major book hangover when I finished it. I can’t wait to read more from her!

3. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein – 3 stars

I read this for book club and was even the one who suggested it because I had heard nothing but rave reviews of the novel. And I have no idea why people love this novel so much. I was so bored by it, though the last half saved it from being a truly awful novel. I feel like I missed something because I didn’t even like this book, much less love it. Meh.

4. Landline by Rainbow Rowell – 4 stars

Rainbow Rowell is one of my new favorite authors. I just adore her writing. This novel was a bit of a departure from the love stories I’m used to reading from her, but it was still a wonderful story. While it’s probably not my favorite Rowell novel (Attachments forever holds the #1 place in my heart), she can do no wrong in my eyes when it comes to her novels. My only criticism was that I wish Rowell had made Georgie’s husband a bit more likable. It was hard to root for their marriage to make it because he seemed so whiny at times. Still, a wonderful novel that made me happy sigh when I finished it.

5. Just One of the Guys by Kristan Higgins – 4 stars

I’m rereading Kristan Higgins’ books because I love this author so, so much. Her books just make me so darn happy! They are lighthearted, romantic, funny, and sweet. They feature awesome main characters that have depth and spunk and a cast of secondary characters that you can’t help but love. I wouldn’t say this is my favorite novel of hers (I wanted more from the love story), but it was still a very good read.

6. Born Wild by Julie Ann Walker – 2.5 stars

I didn’t love this book. I read it slowly, during bouts on cardio equipment at the gym. It never truly captured my interest, and I felt that the characters were two-dimensional and some of their actions were inconsistent. And I felt that the sex scenes were just… kinda gross? I dunno. I felt like the author tried too hard to be RACY and SMUTTY, and it just fell flat.

7. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell – 4 stars

If there has ever been a fictional character that I have most closely identified with, it is Cath in Fangirl. She is fantastic. Although I wish my freshman year at college evolved as hers did! Alas, my life is not a cute YA novel, and my whole year was awful and miserable. I can’t tell you how many days I called my mom crying because I hated it so much. But. I digress. This book was good! Everything Rainbow Rowell writes is good. She’s just wonderful. I will say that as much as I wanted to give this book 5 stars, the Simon Snow parts were very boring and I didn’t feel added much to the novel. And now I have read all of Rowell’s novels and I am a sad, sad panda.

8. The Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas – 4 stars

I think this book might be my favorite one of Kleypas’ yet! This is the third book in her Wallflowers series and follows Evie’s story as she proposes marriage to notorious rake Viscount Sebastian St. Vincent. I loved their relationship and seeing it grow. I adored Evie and seeing her mature throughout the pages. Just. Fantastic. So fantastic.

9. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins – 5 stars

Gosh, Stephanie Perkins is perfection. I love, love, love sweet YA romances. They are just such a nice escape. I couldn’t get enough of Isla and Josh. They were adorable, I loved how much they loved each other. I finished this book in under 24 hours because I couldn’t put it down. I didn’t really want to do anything except read the book, and then, when I finished it, I was in a book hangover fog that took a while to get out of. All signs of a fabulous novel!

What was the best book you read in August?

Categories: Books

Book Review: Cancel the Wedding by Carolyn T. Dingman

Goodreads review: On the surface, Olivia has it all: a high-powered career, a loving family, and a handsome fiancé. She even seems to be coming to terms with her mother Jane’s premature death from cancer. But when Jane’s final wish is revealed, Olivia and her elder sister Georgia are mystified. Their mother rarely spoke of her rural Southern hometown, and never went back to visit—so why does she want them to return to Huntley, Georgia, to scatter her ashes?

Jane’s request offers Olivia a temporary escape from the reality she’s long been denying: she hates her “dream” job, and she’s not really sure she wants to marry her groom-to-be. With her 14-year-old niece, Logan, riding shotgun, she heads South on a summer road trip looking for answers about her mother.

As Olivia gets to know the town’s inhabitants, she begins to peel back the secrets of her mother’s early life—truths that force her to finally question her own future. But when Olivia is confronted with a tragedy and finds an opportunity to right a terrible wrong, will it give her the courage to accept her mother’s past—and say yes to her own desire to start over?

My review: My goodness, I loved this book. I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did, but it was one of those books I couldn’t put down the more I read it. I didn’t expect the interesting mystery aspect, the sweet love story, or that it would grip me as easily as it did.

The character development of this novel was outstanding. All of the characters were so likable! But they also had depth and failures and setbacks, which made them feel real. I was rooting for Olivia throughout the whole novel, hoping she would find closure for her mom’s death, figure out exactly why her mom wanted her ashes scattered in this small town, and discover that the life she has been living isn’t one that fulfills her.

My favorite part of this book was the love story that was nestled in perfectly between the bigger plotline. It was so sweet, and I really couldn’t get enough of it. Olivia and Elliot had such a fun rapport, such sizzling chemistry, and it made it hard to put down the book.

All in all, a fabulous novel and I’m excited to read more from this author!

My rating: 5 stars

I received this book for free from TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All words and opinions, unless otherwise stated, are my own.

Categories: Books

July Reads

I had a wonderful reading month! In July, I read 9 books, bringing my total for the year up to 51 books and way, way ahead of schedule to read 75 books this year. I know I won’t be able to read 100 books, but maybe 90? That would be awesome! My favorite book I read this month was The Theory of Opposites and my least favorite was Executive Protection.

1. The Sweet Spot by Stephanie Evanovich – 2 stars

I reviewed this book on my blog for TLC Book Tours. I wasn’t a fan and my reasons why are apparent in the review.

2. Executive Protection by Jennifer Morey – 1 star

There were so many things about this book that I didn’t like that it’s hard to know where to start, but my Goodreads review lays it out very nicely. There was a lack of emotion in the writing, plot lines that were so unbelievable (and the plot line of a Harlequin novel is already pretty unbelievable) they made me laugh, and just… the writing wasn’t very good. It’s hard to be so critical of a novel when I sit here as someone who has not published a book, but I have to be honest, right? It had potential, but the writing was too weak.

3. The Book of Bright Ideas by Sandra Kring – 4.5 stars

We read this novel for book club and it was such a great read. I think we all gave it a high rating. I really love books that are set in the South and take place in the 50s or 60s. There is just something special about that time period for me. This book has a nine-year-old protagonist, which can sometimes be a detriment to a novel but it really worked for this one. It felt really authentic. This was the type of book that reminded me why I love to read so much. Stories like this make it all worth it.

4. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White* – 3 stars

This was one of the books on my reading list. I think I may have read this when I was younger, but I wasn’t sure if I had. It was a super quick read, and I’ll admit that I skimmed a lot of it because the language was written at an elementary level. I’m sure if I was eight, I would have adored the book but reading it at 26? It was okay, but I could see why it is so beloved.

5. The Publicist by Christina George – 3 stars

I’d seen this book being reviewed by other bloggers – and they all gave rave reviews – so when I found out this book and the next book in the series were on sale for $1.99, I snatched them up. Honestly, I didn’t really love it. While it was interesting to get an insider’s view into the world of book publishing, I was really underwhelmed by the writing and the plot. There is an infidelity aspect and the author really tries to get the reader on her side to root for the romance, but I just couldn’t. I didn’t feel any passion, and the characters felt very underdeveloped. And, please, for the love of everything holy and good of romance novels, never, ever, ever, ever, ever refer to making love as a “sexual storm.” No. Never. Do not. Ever. Stop. STAAAAAHP.

6. The Theory of Opposites by Allison Winn Scotch – 5 stars

Oh, my heavens, did I love this book. I actually spent an entire Saturday morning and part of the afternoon snuggled in my bed, reading the second half of the novel because I loved it so much and couldn’t put it down for anything. It’s chick lit, but the main character never made me roll my eyes by being flighty and stupid. She had her issues (don’t we all?), but I really love the way the plot moved along. And I was super, super satisfied with the ending. A must-read, in my opinion!

7. Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner – 4 stars

WELP. I must say, I think I am becoming a Jennifer Weiner fan. The first few novels I read I didn’t love (Best Friends Forever being one I had to abandon), but I’ve read quite a few more since then and I’ve grown to love her writing style. Her books have the right amount of character development, smart dialogue, and a plot that makes me happy and sad. I’m a fan!

8. Shelf Life by Christina George – 2 stars

I wasn’t keen on reading the second novel in George’s series because I thought her first novel (above) was just okay. But I paid for my copy and I was going to read it! I was hoping for a better story, but this one was even more underwhelming than the first. It was suuuper boring and I thought about abandoning it multiple times (never a good sign!). I didn’t love the push-pull of the love triangle. I didn’t love the writing. I didn’t love the ending.

9. Cancel the Wedding by Carolyn T. Dingman – 5 stars

I’m writing a review for TLC Book Tours on this novel that will be up in the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned for my thoughts on this one!

How many books did you read in July? What time period and/or setting do you love to read about the most?

*Part of my Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge

Categories: Books

Book Review: The Sweet Spot by Stephanie Evanovich

From Goodreads: When pro baseball player Chase Walker first meets Amanda at her restaurant, it’s love at first sight. While Amanda can’t help noticing the superstar with the Greek-god-build, he doesn’t have a chance of getting to first—or any other—base with her. A successful entrepreneur who’s built her business from scratch, Amanda doesn’t need a Prince Charming to sweep her off her feet. And a curvy girl who likes to cook and eat isn’t interested in being around the catty, stick-thin herd of females chasing Chase and his teammates.

But Chase isn’t about to strike out. A man who isn’t interested in playing the field, he’s a monogamist who wants an independent woman like Amanda. His hopes rally when she discovers that squeaky-clean Chase has a few sexy and very secret pre-game rituals that turn the smart, headstrong businesswoman on—and into his number one fan.

Then a tabloid discovers the truth and turns their spanking good fun into a late- night punch-line. Is Amanda ready to let loose and swing for the fences? Or will the pressure of Chase’s stardom force them to call it quits?

My thoughts: Oy. This review is going to be a tough one.

I loved Evanovich’s debut novel Big Girl Panties. It was sweet and smart and funny. I knew what I was getting into this one since we’re introduced to Chase and Amanda in that book and their kinky sex life. (Chase is into spanking, which isn’t ruining anything. I just think I need to clue people in on this since it affects my thoughts on the book.) At first, I really enjoyed Amanda and Chase’s witty banter and the sexual tension they provoked. It was cute, it was sweet, it was everything I wanted from chick lit romance.

Then things took a turn to kinkytown and it lost all the sparkle it had in the beginning. Now, I’ve read my fair share of erotica and steamy romances so I don’t get turned off by that. But I slowly began to dislike the novel and the characters the more I read. Amanda turned from a self-sufficient, independent business owner into a simpering, co-dependent weak girl. And Chase turned into a guy I really liked into a whiny, self-entitled, smug jerk. It was just so hard to like them and it was so hard to root for them.

I wanted more story. The only plotline was about Chase wanting to find a woman who liked to be spanked, but whom he also had an emotional connection with, and Amanda trying to accept that she liked being spanked and to let herself fall in love with Chase. It was just… boring, after a while. It became too much about spanking, and not enough about the characters and their emotional development.

So, it wasn’t my favorite novel. The writing was good, but I found myself feeling a bit let down by the plot and characters.

My rating: 2 stars

I received this book for free from TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All words and opinions, unless otherwise stated, are my own.