I show you my books, now you show me yours........ vol.8

Books, books, books, and more books!  Linking up with Jana & Steph to talk about books!

1. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty - This book (and author) has received a lot of hype in the book-reading blogger world.  Deservedly so.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book set in the fictional coastal suburb of Pirriwee, and I can see why there's talk of a movie in the making (except I'm not too sure about the casting rumors). This book is full of fabulous characters and dirty secrets. There are families and friendships; plot twists and a murder investigation; domestic abuse and kindergarten bullies; ex-spouses and single parents.  This will not be the last Liane Moriarty book that I read. 4.5/5

2. Still Alice by Lisa Genova - What a beautiful book. In this fictional gem, Alice, a tenured professor at Harvard for twenty-five years is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. This strong, capable, brilliant, successful woman digresses as the disease takes hold of her. Obviously, no one can know exactly what the thoughts are in someone who suffers from such a debilitating disease, but the author does a tremendous job at expressing the thoughts unspoken.  A book that served as a reminder to not take the life I'm living for granted.  There is no guarantee what tomorrow holds. 5/5

3.  The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky - I read this book as a category for a book challenge to read a banned/challenged book according to the American Library Association.  Does this book deal with some tough topics?  Yes.  Instead of parents or educators who ban it or challenge it, why not use it as a tool to talk to teenagers about those tough topics?  Topics such as alienation, depression, abuse, drugs & alcohol, homosexuality, dating, bullying, date rape, problems at home, problems with friends, sex, and more...all of these topics are realities for most teens today.  The book was published in 1999.  How have I never read this?  Now, I need to watch the movie that I've never seen either.  4/5

4.  The Paris Mysteries (Confessions #3) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro - This is the 3rd book of a series that James Patterson has in his YA collection (because the man obviously doesn't have enough other book series going on in his life.)  I read the first two, and quite frankly, I enjoyed them a whole lot more than this one.  This one was average at best.  2.5/5

5.  Black Dahlia & White Rose by Joyce Carol Oates -  I have never read Joyce Carol Oates and have intended to for years. This is a group of short stories.  Each story was a little dark or morbid or macabre. I don't mind that. But as a collection, it was just okay for me. I found myself enjoying some stories much more than others.  Some, I skimmed. One, I thought was fantastic.  As a whole: 3/5

6.  May We Be Forgiven by A.M. Homes -  There are so many layers to this book: family dysfunction; growth, change, and hope; effed up personal relationships; fulfilling obligations; coming of age; a dash of religion; avoidance; a little bit of adventure; some ridiculousness; and more, with a hint of Wally Lamb's "I Know This Much Is True" and Jonathan Tropper's dark humor in the midst of dysfunction. I felt that there were some parts that could have been eliminated completely without any detriment to the story. For that reason, I give it a 3.5/5.

 7.  Always Running by Luis J. Rodriguez - Originally published in 1993, I picked up a copy with a new introduction by the author and published in 2005, printed in 2011.  A firsthand account from a former hardcore Chicano gang member on the streets of L.A. has reformed himself, yet finds his 15 year old son following in his footsteps of the gang life.  That inspired him to write this book.  Why haven't I read this before?  I have a fascination with criminal justice, crime & punishment, redemption & reformation, and juvenile crime.  After reading the intro, I was ready for a gripping read. I was disappointed. Parts were provocative, gritty, and engrossing; other parts seemed self-indulgent. Having worked with juvenile criminals in the past, many who were gang members, I probably have a stronger opinion than others about the topic. Although the author eventually took many steps in a positive direction and saw that the life of "cholo" criminality was a "useless existence", I can't say I ever felt any remorse. I feel like there were a lot of valid reasons he gave to why gangs exist particularly in minority and lower socio-economic communities...but I felt he used these reasons to excuse his own behaviour. Although fessing up to some terrible things that he participated in and witnessed is part of taking responsibility for your actions, having empathy and remorse is another important part of that process. I felt the latter part was lacking. 3/5

8. Girl Defective by Simmone Howell - Part of the summary of this book on goodreads says: "It’s about summer, and weirdness, and mystery, and music."  That all sounded like a good reason for me to read it.  It was better than good and a quick, easy read.  4/5













Didn't finish:  Pride & Prejudice

Currently Reading:  The Collected Works of A.J. Fikry (released as The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry in the USA)

Next Up:  The Power of the Dog, Cutting for Stone, Paperboy, Not Without My Sister

Challenges Update (really for my own personal bookkeeping):

Literary Ladies Book Challenge = 10/10; finished!

Book Challenge by Erin = 10/10; finishes October 31st; this one has a bonus round & I'm 2/10 for that.

Aussie Author Challenge = 10/12; finishes December 31st

The Official 2015 TBR Pile Challenge = 8/12; finishes December 31st