I picked up Uglies because it’s really popular and was recommended as “similar” to some of the other young adult books I enjoyed reading. Even though it had some interesting parts, overall, I didn’t like it.
I can’t even really tell you why.
I think I couldn’t get into the story and the characters just didn’t do it for me. I had to force myself to read the book, which I rarely ever do for a young adult novel.
By the very end of it, it had redeemed itself a bit and I even considered possibly reading the sequels but I haven’t.
Maybe some other time.
The History of Love was for book club. I wasn’t sure I wanted to read it. I worried it was about World War II which is a subject I avoid at all costs. I worried it was sad. I worried and worried.
But I read it anyway.
And I am so glad I did.
So so so glad.
This magnificent book was an absolute treasure. Maybe the best book I read all year. I really, really loved the way it was written. I loved the story. I loved the characters. I loved how it all came together in the end.
And even though it has a lot of sad parts, I didn’t find it to be sad.
I just really loved it.
The Rook was for book club. I hadn’t read a good mystery in a long time and thought it might be fun.
And I was right.
This book has the very interesting premise of a woman who wakes up to find out that she remembers nothing about who she is and she’s a secret spy of some sorts. I enjoyed the way the story unfolded and it was different than what I usually read which is a plus, for me.
It’s sort of a Men in Black like story. So if you’re into that genre, it’s recommended.
For someone who takes a lot of online classes, it’s amazing that I haven’t taken Susannah Conway’s Unraveling course. But here we are. I’ve thought about it on and off for a while but never actually took the plunge. However, when This I know came out, there was something about it that pulled me immediately.
And I am so glad it did.
This book is sad. But not in that “so miserable” way. It’s a book about grief. It’s a book about coming back from it and creating a new life. Finding and owning yourself. It’s sad but also thought provoking, deep, and gives you a sense of hope in a profound way.
It is very recommended.
And now I’m going to have to take her class.
The Sense of an Ending was for book club. I don’t think I would have read this little book otherwise even though it was this year’s Man Booker Prize winner. It’s a super-short book. Almost like a long short story. And there are several twists in the story. Enough to keep you wondering throughout.
Even when you think you’ve got it. You have not.
When I was done, I decided that I really enjoyed this story. It was very compelling and suspenseful but in a quiet and graceful way.
If you’d like a quick, but good read, it’s recommended.
I listened to Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close because I wanted to see the movie. It was an interesting book but in the end i found it sad and I am not sure that I am glad I read it. There are parts I loved but it was sad enough, for me, that I decided not to see the movie after all. Maybe it was exceptionally sad for me cause I lived through Sept 11 in new york but either way.
If sad doesn’t bother you, it is a beautiful book.
As I am a huge fan of John Green, I wanted to read The Fault in our Stars the minute I heard about it. I had to wait for a long time, alas. I preordered it and then read it pretty much the moment I had it in my hands.
I’ll say it was less lighthearted than his previous novels and it was also less gimmicky. It felt like a more mature version of his work. The subject matter was heavy but it was still told in John’s magical storytelling and I loved every minute of it. Even though I’ve vowed not to read sad books, I was sad and laughing as I read this book and I am glad I read it.
I can’t wait to read more by John.
Michael Vey was a recommendation I read somewhere online. I can’t remember where but I was feeling like something light and fun and it was both. And, it too, left with a cliffhanger.
Whoever decided series were the new best thing makes me mad! What happened to just writing standalone books?
Alas, this was interesting, a quick read, and if you like the genre, it’s recommended.
I’ve read Jennifer Egan before and didn’t like her. So when book club picked A Visit from the Goon Squad I wasn’t looking forward to it.
But it turned out that I loved it.
This unusual way it was written in really spoke to me and I found myself getting more and more into it. I think this is a creative and interesting book and I can see why it got awards.
I’m glad my club picked it because I don’t think I would have given her another chance if it wasn’t for the book club.
I am a huge Haruki Murakami fan and have read almost everything he wrote. So it was inevitable that I would read 1Q84. It was huge and I thought there was no way I was getting through it. I listened to it on audio. It was 30-some hours. That’s about four times longer than most books.
But alas. I listened to all of it.
I couldn’t stop. Even as it got repetitive and weird and annoying and repetitive.
Yes it was super repetitive.
Annoyingly so.
But I still loved it in that weird, crazy, inexplicable way only Murakami can write.
Having said that if you’ve never read him before, I certainly would not recommend starting with this one.
Another book I read not to watch the movie first was We Bought a Zoo and I am glad I read it. (Listened to actually.) It was really interesting and fascinating.
From what I’ve seen in the previews, the movie looks like they’ve changed the plot quite a bit. Have any of you both read and seen it? Is it worth seeing? I mean, it does have Matt Damon in it, but still I hate getting disappointed when the book is so different.
I was looking for something super-quick to read so I looked at my waiting young adult list and picked up The Adoration of Jenna Fox. Quick, interesting, and fun. Not nearly as violent as the usual.
the good news is that even though this is another “series” book, it does resolve (at least in my opinion) to a good enough place to leave you less up in the air than the others.
Alas, I think I won’t read the next one just yet. I like to take a break between them usually.
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projects for twenty twenty-four
projects for twenty twenty-three
projects for twenty twenty-two
projects for twenty twenty-one
projects for twenty nineteen
projects for twenty eighteen
projects from twenty seventeen
monthly projects from previous years
some of my previous projects
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