We're about half way through the month already, how did that happen? In the flurry of getting back in to the groove of things after the holidays, I've managed to get some pretty awesome reading done. That may go down the drain the rest of the month however, because I've just discovered The Affair on Showtime. Guys. It's Pacey, all grown up. On a beach. Yeah, I know you can totally understand if I don't get jack done the rest of the month until I binge watch it all.
But anyhooters, here is a look at the books I've read this month, plus what I plan to start for the next two topics on my Book Challenge List.
The Smart One by Jennifer Close
I listened to this on audiobook and I really enjoyed it.
It's about the Coffee Family- Wheezy and Will and their 3 grown children, Claire, Martha and Max.. Wheezy worries herself into a fit about every little thing, especially when it comes to her kids. The kids are all grown but each one has their own problems and they've all lost their way. A broken engagement, an unexpected pregnancy and one child who is so neurotic she can barely function...their troubles implode and Wheezy finds all of her children back under her roof for the first time in years. Suddenly she's playing the mom role again and it's so interesting to read about how they adjust. Somehow, they manage to rekindle their family. It was a great book to listen to. The scenes were short but entertaining and each character told their own side of the story so the change of tones and scenery kept it interesting. But honestly, I have to admit that if I was reading it, I might of gotten a little bored, only because the writer only skimmed the surface of the emotional situations. I feel like I needed the author to take it just a little bit further. 4 Stars.
Note: This books completes the first book on my Book Challenge List!
The other books I've read this month was:
This book is getting so much buzz on top 10 lists that I couldn't not read it. And I can see why. Now talk about an author who goes there. It's 1922 and you'd think it was about life after the War and that'd it be a bit boring because it's just about Frances, a self-proclaimed spinster who lives with her old mother. Her father died and, unbeknownst to them, had squandered the family money. So Francis is left to take on boarders, or, paying guests, as she and her mother like to all them, because that is less embarrassing than taking boarders. And then Francis becomes a bit obsessed with her guests, Mr. and Mrs. Barber. They're gypsy like, almost, which is kind of dreamy when you think about it being the early 20s. I think of Daisy's friend in Gatsby when I picture Mrs. Barber. When Francis and Lillian (as she comes to know her) become friends ,we finally start to learn a little more about Frances and what you discover will surprise you. I give this book a 4, only because it's a very hot and cold read. It's either terribly methodical, lots of scrubbing the scullery or preparing lamb for dinner and the other endless house chores that poor Frances has to do. But then the next minute, another story starts to unfold that's awfully intriguing. Read it and enjoying imagining that people were actually this racy back in the day. I guess they didn't called it the "Roaring 20s" for nothing.
Next up, I'm going to tackle #2 on my Book Challenge by reading something written by a male author. I am not sexist by any means but for some reason, I am just more drawn to female authors. Sometimes I think male authors can't sell me on writing female characters because there is just no way they can fully understand or articulate how the female mind works and a lot of the time, you can tell that in the way they write. So I am challenging myself to give a guy a chance. I'll be reading Funny Girl by Nick Horny:
It's the 1960s and it's humorous, light, and a little bit mysterious, so I really don't see what could go wrong!
I took a detour from the book challenge to start reading The Girl on the Train because it is getting a lot of buzz as well and after reading the sample, I was HOOKED.
Thanks so much to Steph @ Life According to Steph for this awesome book link up and letting me join in on the fun:
Have you picked your book challenge for the month? Tell me about it!
First, grown up Pacey is hot and totally awesome and I'm obsessed with The Affair. I really love the examination on perspective.
ReplyDeleteNEXT...the train book is on my list. I'm reading a Jane Green book right now and picked up The Paying Guests from the library last night so that's what's ahead for me in the immediate future!
I've read "What Alice Forgot" by Liane Moriarty and really enjoyed it, but FYI the Julianne Moore movie "Still Alice" is not associated with this book. It would be really fun to see this book made into a movie though!
ReplyDeleteWhat Alice Forgot is such a great book. I loved it. I can't wait to see what you think.
ReplyDeleteI need to check out The Affair but we don't have Showtime so I think I'm screwed on that front.
ReplyDeleteJulianne Moore is in the movie "Still Alice" which is based on the book by Lisa Genova. Totally different than the one you mentioned but it's a wonderful book and I highly recommend it!
Thanks for linking up!
I watched The Affair when I was at a friend's house but since I don't have Showtime I haven't been able to keep up. Boo!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely going to add The Paying Guests to my reading list!
A couple of these have been on my reading list! I'm loving the book challenge, it helps keep you motivated!
ReplyDeletexx
Alexis-Ann
http://lexxiannespoonful.blogspot.co.uk/
I just finished The Fever by Meg Abbot.. I wanted to love it but it was just meh. It took forever to get started and once it did it was too late...
ReplyDeleteSarah @ www.sarahsayhello.com
Loooved What Alice Forgot - great book!
ReplyDelete'The Smart One' and 'The Paying Guests' seem very interesting. I will add them to my to-read list :)
ReplyDeleteSo far, I've read 'Looking for Alaska' by John Green, and I'm currently reading 'Canada' by Richard Ford.
Salha | Abuhayar
Ooo The Girl on the Train sounds good!! That has been added to my list!!
ReplyDeleteThe Affair is something I need to binge watch like right away! The Girl On The train sounds really good. I liked the smart one but very true it didn't fig deep enough.
ReplyDeleteI am currently reading The Paying Guests right now. I very much understand what you're talking about with the hot/cold. I've been hearing good things about The Girl on the Train!
ReplyDeleteI'm doing this year long book challenge: http://bigloveandepicfail.blogspot.com/2015/01/nerd-alert.html
ReplyDeleteI've read 2 really great books, Hope Runs and Hyperbole and a Half. One is really inspiring and one is crudely hilarious. I've also read Anne of Windy Poplars with my daughter, The Trumpet of the Swan with my son, and What the Moon Said, because I told each kid they could pick one of their favorite books for me to read and that's what my daughter picked. I'm currently reading another Anne of Green gables book, a Harry Potter book, The Railway Children, and Little Women.
I love to read and listen to books while in the car and every year I start out keep a record of what I have read but it never lasts
ReplyDeleteIf you are in the mood for another book by a male author and want a good laugh, check out "Love ... From Both Sides" by Nick Spaulding. I laughed out loud so many times.
ReplyDeleteI really want to read "The Paying Guests."
Added The Paying Guests to my list of must-reads for the year. Thanks!! I'm currently halfway through Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler. And I've started The Ship of Brides by JoJo Moyes for one of my book clubs. I'm obsessed with all reads Moyes these days.
ReplyDeleteCurrently I'm reading "Crazy Rich Asians". Really loving + enjoying it so far! Here are some of books on my list: All the Light We Cannot See, The Book Thief, Me Before You, and many more!.
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