What I Read: May

Brain on Fire

This is a memoir written by a girl who began having extreme symptoms that led people to believe she was losing her mind. She writes about her experience going through this and how she found her way out of it by reviewing her father's journals, notes from the doctors, discussions with others and her own chicken scratch writing during this time. It was a quick read and sort of interesting... I didn't appreciate the writing style and ultimately I got tired of the same things being repeated (not that that's the writer's fault - it was just that her symptoms kept repeating themselves). Anyway, not my favorite. 

A Child Called It

This was a re-read for me (I read it probably 10 years ago) and an important one as we enter the foster care world. Heartbreaking and maddening and overwhelming. This book has always stuck with me, and will continue to do so. A must read for everyone. 

The Lost Boy

The sequel to "A Child Called It" about Dave Pelzer's experience in foster care. This gave me some wonderful insight into a child's perspective within the system. There are some really amazing homes and people out there doing some wonderful work with kids like Dave. It's inspiring. 

Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?

This was the book club selection for May and I have to say I didn't know it was a comic book. Apparently that's what a graphic novel is? I had no idea. You learn something new every day, I tell you! Anyway, I LOVED this book. I would say it's one of my favorites from this year so far for sure. It's Roz Chast's experience with her parents growing old and ultimately passing, but told in such a relatable and funny way. In a way that makes it OK to talk about this very hard topic. I loved it and would recommend it to anyone! 

The Light Between Oceans

I picked up this book months ago and couldn't get past page 18 or so... but my BFF kept telling me that I HAD to fight through the first 50 pages so I did. And HOLY MOLY I loved this book. It's one of my all time favorites now. The story of a woman and her husband who have suffered many miscarriages and are unable to have a baby and what they do when a baby washes up on their tiny island with nobody to claim her. Such a huge moral debate with this story and I can't wait to discuss it with my book club in a few months! 

The Silent Wife

A woman who is in a long term relationship (20 plus years - so common law marriage) who's husband is a chronic cheater and ultimately leaves the marriage and how she copes and gets revenge. I sort of hated this book. It just fell short for me, but I know that many people like it so I think it might just be me! 

Dark Places

I sort of hated this book. It was just too dark. I don't know what I was expecting with Gillian Flynn being the author and DARK being in the title. I knew it wouldn't be bunnies and unicorns. But did it have to be so twisted, Gillian?? Anyway, if you like super dark and twisted, then go right ahead with this one! 

I'm down to 3 weeks left in the challenge and 5 books left!! UGH! Be prepared for many fluff books in June so I can get through this! 

What I Read: September

Wonder

This was truly the month of Young Adult literature for me, but that's ok! I can embrace my love of YA. "Wonder" has been on my list since I joined a book club in Colorado - probably about 2 years ago! It's the story of August, a child with a severe facial deformity who is entering his first year of public school after years of being homeschooled. So heartbreaking and warming all at once. A bit predictable, sure, but still really enjoyable. As far as YA's go, this was REALLY YA, I would say a 6th grader could easily read it and enjoy it just as much as I did, so there's that. Don't expect anything terribly deep or a challenging read and you'll probably enjoy it! 

Eleanor & Park

Another YA technically, BUT I recently heard a discussion about this book that was asking the question of whether just because a book has young adults as the main character does that make it a YA? Or rather can an adult fiction book be based on the lives of teenagers? I would thing this falls into the later category. I would never allow my teen to read this, let's put it that way.  There are a lot of really mature themes running through this book, but mostly it is a love story. I've joked recently that I only love books that are depressing but I think that I love books that are REAL. This story was really real. It's a teenage love story. Those rarely end well, as most of us know. But, you love them both and Eleanor is a true heroine. I really loved this book. 

Attachments

Another Rainbow Rowell book! This was cute and funny and easy to read. Nothing earth shattering, but super enjoyable. 

Room

What a haunting book. At first, I wasn't sure I could read it. The narrator is a 5 year old boy who was born to a woman who's been held captive for 7 years by her kidnapper. The only life he's known is within the walls of the room they're locked in. It's an amazingly well written book. The voice of the child is so well done. But, it's disturbing. I have a hard time with kidnapping/rape themes in general so that might be a personal issue for me, but just a warning that the content is intense and can be extremely difficult to read. I also didn't sleep the night I finished because I couldn't stop thinking about it. So, I don't know if I liked this book or not! I blew through it because I HAD to know how it ended for my sanity and it's incredibly well done, BUT it's not enjoyable? I don't know. Yes, I liked it but I also kind of hated it for its content. Helpful? No? 

Still Alice

Such a thought provoking and gripping novel about a woman who is diagnosed with early onset dementia. It's so real and makes you feel all the feelings. Also, because I'm a huge freak, I've been convinced I have this also. Well, okay - maybe I'm just not sleeping and I have 3 young children. Either way, you should read this. 

My goal for October? Keep it LIGHT!! Too many depressing books this month. 

What I Read: August

We Were Liars

I can't tell you much about this book without completely ruining it. Everyone I've ever heard talk about it says, "READ IT!!" and I guess I'm saying that, too. It's a book I want to talk about with people. A book that will make me think about it after I've finished it. But, that said, did I LOVE it? No... I don't think so. Was I able to put it down? No. I wanted to keep going. It had me turning pages, eager for the answers, that's for sure. But, I feel so torn about it! Anyway, READ IT. But only because I need to talk about it with someone!! 

Insurgent

I started reading this book months ago and finally finished it this month. I wasn't enthralled in the same way as I was with "Divergent" but towards the end, I was definitely more interested. A good action read, if that's your thing. 

Me Before You

This is definitely one of the better books I've read. I couldn't put it down and just knew it would break my heart in all kinds of good ways. It delivered for sure. I started a local book club this month and chose this book for our first meeting in September and I'm SO glad! It's an awesome book for discussion because there's a large moral issue that's central to the story line. I loved this book. READ IT! And not just because I want to discuss it with you. 

What I Read: July

I've been reading a TON these last few months! So much so that I've made a personal reading goal. I'm trying to read a book a week. So, 52 books in the next year. I've got quite the list going and I'd love to share what I've read each month on this little blog. Here was what I read in July:

Where'd You Go, Bernadette

This book was quirky and really fun for me because it takes place in Seattle. I have to say that, while I enjoyed this book, it wasn't a complete page turner for me. And towards the middle I was really having to force myself to pick it up. The style of the writing (mostly emails and letters with some narration) bothered me a little as well. Overall though, I enjoyed it and would recommend it for a light, fun read. 

Miss. Pettigrew Lives for a Day

What a fun story! When I first realized it was published in 1938, I was a bit... worried? I just figured I'd have to force my way through it. I was so wrong! It's not a gripping page-turner by any means, but it's thoroughly enjoyable. Funny and charming in its old fashioned ways. I also loved the message of not ever giving up on the idea of adventure and making your life be what you truly wish it to be. 

The Rosie Project 

I LOVED this book! A story about a man looking for love in the most practical of ways and ends up involved in a friendship with a woman who isn't looking for love, but rather her biological father. The main narrator, Don Tillman, is socially challenged and his voice is INCREDIBLE! I found myself laughing out loud throughout the whole book. Rosie, the female he becomes involved with, is equally hilarious and yet both are so warm and like-able you can't help but cheer them both on. This is the best book I've read in awhile! 

Books I Tried to Read in July:

Part of this whole 52 in 52 thing is having to give up and put a book down when I'm just not enjoying it. I recently read a post written by Modern Mrs. Darcy that said you should just not read books you don't enjoy. Many of her readers offered the rule of 60-100 pages in, if you're not loving it, just give up! I loved that rule and so, here is what I didn't finish reading this month:

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

I really, really wanted to love this book. Or even just like it. It has been widely named by many as a book they just LOVE. I've heard about it in several different circles and yet, I just didn't love it. I was SO bored by it. Now, this could very well have to do with the fact that I was listening to it as an audiobook. I am not accustomed to listening to books be read aloud to me and I found it really difficult to be swept up in the story in the same way (although, I'm currently listening to "The Secret Life of Bees" and am enjoying it very much!). So, perhaps reading it myself would have provided me a better experience? Who knows. In any case, I gave it up about a disc and a half in. I assume I was at least to page 60. 

I'm already behind! But, I'm just about done with another 3 books (I've been reading a few different ones at a time) so I'm hopeful that I can catch up again in August! 

Do you have any suggestions for me?