I show you my books, you show me yours... vol.19

Jana & Steph are bringing us book lovin' bloggers our favorite day of the month again - Show Us Your Books day!  The month that I read a lot of books (well, a lot for me)......................

What I've read since our last link-up:

1.  It's Complicated: Short Stories About Long Relationships by Karen Wright - Karen is a blogger friend (her blog is: Run Wright) who participates in my book challenge.  She is also a self-published author with this collection of short stories that examine dynamics between family members, early love, past love, toxic love, and more.  She lives in NYC and many of the stories are filled with NY touches, and I enjoy the fact that Karen was inspired as she people-watched others on the subway and imagined stories of their lives.  I found myself relating to some of the stories, relationships, and characters more than others, but that's real life, isn't it?  We relate and connect with some people more than we do others.  That made this collection feel authentic and genuine.  I recommend.  4/5

2.  In the Woods by Tana French - For readers who like mystery stories to be solved completely and be given all the answers, this may not be the book for you. To those that enjoy mysteries, different degrees of criminality, damaged characters, and questions that leave you wanting more, then, I recommend it. I really enjoyed some of the characters, others frustrated me, and a couple of times, I was disgusted or infuriated. But, I enjoy a ride that gives me different emotional responses. The writing was tedious at times, but overall, a good book for me, and I will continue reading the series. 3.75/5

3.  Things I Would Say by Alyssa Ammirato - Another blogger buddy is a self-published author with this collection of essays and poetry.  She blogs at "alyssa goes bang".  A quick, thoughtful read filled with raw emotion.  This felt personal.  It felt real.  She spills her brain, heart, and soul onto the pages.  I felt a little lost a couple of times, but I imagine that was more me (the reader's fault) than the writer's.  4/5

4.  The Thicket by Joe R. Lansdale - I sang the praises of Patrick deWitt's The Sisters Brothers last month.  I was reminded of that book as I read this one, but I enjoyed this one even more.  I was also reminded of Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight.  This one is rumored to have a movie in pre-production with Peter Dinklage as "Shorty", a ruthless "gun-shooting dwarf" (that's no spoiler; that phrase is in the first line of the book).  He will be perfect.  The rest of the cast of characters are just as "fun" and interesting.  I highly recommend for a change of pace, something different, with a fantastic group of characters.  5/5

5.  Some of Tim's Stories by S.E. Hinton - A collection of short stories about two cousins that are raised like brothers and how their lives have followed different paths.  A quick, but engrossing read.  The stories were good.  Yes, I read this for two reasons: a book challenge category and S.E. Hinton wrote The Outsiders. 

6.  Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight - This book is an example of what happens if you mix Gossip Girl with a Lifetime movie. As Steph often says, "it passed the time just fine." 3.5/5

7.  Everything Changes by Jonathan Tropper - I am a self-professed fangirl of this author.  This is my 4th book that I've read of his, and I've enjoyed every one of them.  I may have enjoyed this one the least, but I don't want that to sound negative, because I still enjoyed it.  Tropper writes dysfunctional families and troubled characters really, really well often with off-color humor, and he has yet to disappoint me. 4/5

8.  I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid - I have no idea how to rate this book because I have no idea what the fuck I just read.  Part horror, part road-trip, part relationships, part 'the crazy thoughts that happen in someone's mind'...some of it bored me to the point that I almost quit, some of it scared the begeezus out of me with anticipation.  I don't want to say too much.  3/5

9.  Adrenalized: Life, Def Leppard, and Beyond by Phil Collen with Chris Epting - from the guitarist of a band that reached massive success during the '80s...kinda makes you assume this book is about the debauchery of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. It is not. Phil Collen has been a vegetarian for 25+ and is now a vegan. He has been alcohol free for 25+ years too. He was a self-professed mumma's boy. He has a strong work ethic and takes his craft seriously. His vice?  Women.  I couldn't keep straight all of his relationships, marriages, and babies' mamas.  I recommend only for diehard Def Lep fans, but that's probably it.  3/5

10.  Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys - This author has written 3 books, and I've rated all 3 of them 5 stars.  You could say that I enjoy her writing style.  The story is told from four different characters' perspectives, young voices from different nations that are all directly impacted by WWII, culminating with one particular tragedy. My heart swells with emotion and my eyes swell with tears thinking about the atrocities of war and the innocent casualties. I recommend to historical fiction readers.  5/5

11. Cold Granite by Stuart MacBride - A Scottish friend of mine recommended this series to me months (maybe years) ago.  I'm so glad I finally read it. A solid crime/mystery book, and I will definitely read more of the series. 4/5

12.  The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne - With a 9 year old boy as the narrator, this is a quick, easy read...but the subject matter is far from "easy", and its impact will last for a long time.  5/5

I've shown you mine, now you show me yours............

Will you add any of these to your "to read" list?