This quarter was apparently the quarter of finishing books on my TBR list and reading backlist novels while I waited for books in a series to come out. I did have the luck of enjoying most of the books I read though and walked away with a lot of recommendations.
Also, for those of you who are completely confused why I have a books post up on a Thursday, not Sunday, don’t worry! I just wanted to share this link up as soon as possible and a style post will be coming your way soon!
The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson
I feel like normally when a soldier’s PTSD is discussed, it’s shown from the soldier’s perspective or the perspective of a peer. This (YA!) novel takes the approach of a high school senior who has been watching her dad suffer from PTSD for as long as she can remember. This book had all the signs of a young adult novel, but still managed to touch on important issues without making you feel like they were inconsequential.
In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume
I probably should have waited until after my trip to read this book, because it centers around plane crashes. But, I wanted to finish it before they discussed it on Pop Culture Happy Hour and I’m so glad that I did. Judy Blume does an absolutely amazing job of showing tragedy for each character’s point of view. By the end of the book, I felt like I knew each character individually.
Fairest by Marissa Meyer
A short novella from the Lunar Chronicles series to tide me over. I’m always interested in the villian’s backstory and Meyer did not disappoint.
First Impressions by Charlie Lovett
If you like books and Pride and Prejudice, you’ll enjoy this read. It was a cute story that went back and forth between present day and a fictionalized Jane Austen story.
Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed
Yes! I’m hoping to put together a longer review for the blog, but I really enjoyed getting to read Strayed collection of letters from her “Dear Sugar” column.
Leave Your Mark by Aliza Licht
I was a fan. Read the full review!
P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han
I had such high hopes for this. Maybe too high. I loved the first book and I couldn’t wait for the sequel to come out. While I enjoyed the book overall, I was slightly disappointed with the ending.
The Heir by Kiera Cass
I’ve definitely fallen back down “The Selection” hole. This book picks up 18 years after the end of America’s selection. This portion of the series will probably be able to stand alone, but I would highly suggest reading the first three books first.
Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen
Loved it. Read my full review.
Naked Eye by Francine Pascal
This book has been sitting in my apartment for over a year, but I don’t know why it took me a full year to finish it. If you read the Fearless series and then the follow up Gaia in the FBI series, this is a satisfying ending.
A Window Opens by Elisabeth Egan
I received this ARC and it was a fun read. It was an interesting approach to kindle vs print debate and stay at home moms going back to the corporate world. While I don’t know much about the latter, it was an interesting read and hearing that side of the debate.
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
I picked this up to help me make it until PS I Love You came out. This didn’t exactly quench that, but it tided me over. This would be a good and quick beach read for any lazy summer day.
God Help the Child by Toni Morrison
It’s Toni Morrison? Where could you go wrong?
Almost Famous Women by Megan Mayhew Bergman
While I enjoyed some of these stories, I definitely didn’t enjoy all of them. I found myself waiting for the book to end as I was reading it.
Those Girls by Lauren Saft
Don’t read this. I don’t know what I did.
The Queen by Kiera Cass
Another book to tide me over while waiting for the next book in the series. This novella gave a little background into an earlier selection.
Rebel Queen by Michelle Moran
I received a copy of this book during World Book Night (hosted by BookRiot in April) and I was so excited to finally get a hold of it. This book did not disappoint at all and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction and a good girl power story.
Charlie, Presumed Dead by Anne Heltzel
If you need a reminding of how messed up people can be….well here’s a book for you. It ended on quite the cliffhanger, so I seriously hope Heltzel is writing another one.
The Revelation of Louisa May by Michaela MacColl
I grew up loving Little Women, so I was excited to read this fictionalized story from Louisa’s life. It was a short and fun read that I would suggest for any Little Women fan.
Stir by Jessica Fechtor
Loved it! Read the review.
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
Such a good, fun book about a 16 year old boy trying to find his way around high school while dealing with his anonymous love interest and alllll of the issues that come with being in high school.
The Turner House by Angela Flournoy
A getting the band/giant family back together novel. Interesting story told from shifting perspectives of family members. I don’t know if I would reread it, but I would recommend it.
It’s What I Do by Lynsey Addario
“It’s What I Do” is a female war photographer’s memoir that deals with the issues that come with not only being a war photographer in the 21st century, but also trying to manage it as a women. I highly suggest reading this (or listening to the audiobook). One of my favorite things was that Lynsey didn’t gloss over any of the tough issues she had to face and really told it like it was.
I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
You know those books that get a lot of hype but then don’t live up to the hype? This isn’t one of those books.
Unabrow by Una LaMarche
Received it as an ARC. Parts were funny, but overall it didn’t really do it for me.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Apparently if you don’t read classics in high school, it’s really hard to get around to reading them. At least that’s what I’m going to keep telling myself about why it took me until I was 26 to read To Kill a Mockingbird. That, and the motivation of Harper Lee’s new novel coming out in a few weeks helped me to finally read this classic novel (that I also couldn’t stop listening to).
A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin
Another book that had been sitting around waiting for me to finish. I enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed any of the other books, though it needed more Arya.
Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris
I received this book back in October when I went to see NPH talk about his book in DC, yet never finished it. I’m not really sure why I didn’t finish, but I’m so glad I did. This was definitely hilarious and I could hear NPH’s voice shining all the way through. Note: I did decide to read it straight through, but I’m planning on going back to do the “choose my own adventure” version soon.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
This has already inspired way to many closet cleanouts and has motivated me to keep my apartment cleaner. There are a few hokey ideas in it, but I loved the overall ideas and themes behind this book.
Ashes to Ashes by Jenny Han
Um. What. The ending to this series was not at all what I was expecting.
The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma
This book was also definitely a “UM what just happened?!” book. Read it and be confused with me.
Yes, Chef by Marcus Samuelsson
I’ve really enjoyed watching Samuelsson on “Chopped” so it was interesting to hear about his living growing up. I actually didn’t know that much about him going into this, so I was completely interested in hearing more about him from start to finish.
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton
This book has been sitting on my “currently reading” shelf on Goodreads FOREVER. I finally decided that it was time to finish it, so I picked it back up and started reading from the beginning. I’ll admit, it took a while to wrap my head around all of the names and things going on, but I really enjoyed the story once I fully grasped it. Despite the length, I actually want to go back and read it again so I can pick up on everything I missed the first time.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
I don’t know how I didn’t start reading Margaret Atwood until this year, but I’m so happy I have. Go pick up The Handmaid’s Tale if you haven’t already.
Now it’s time to hear what you’ve been reading lately. Link up with myself and Janssen to share your book related posts!
