Jana &
Steph are bringing us book lovin' bloggers our favorite day of the month again -
Show Us Your Books day!
Here's what I've read since the last link-up:
1.
Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo - a delightful little book that is nominated for Best Middle Grade/Children's Book on Goodreads Choice Awards 2016. 4/5
2.
Tequila Sunset by Sam Hawken - Don Winslow's The Power of the Dog & The Cartel may have ruined all other fiction books about the drugs, gangs, and violence on the U.S./Mexican border (because they were just SO good.) That being said this was still an entertaining enough read. 3.5/5
3.
The Girls by Emma Cline - DNF -
Rebecca Jo mentioned something last month about wanting to drop kick a book that she didn't like. That's how I felt about this pretentious, try-hard story. I didn't even make it to Evie joining up with the cult. I couldn't get there. I used to not quit books, but my book lovin' blogger friends have taught me that if something ain't workin' for me, then it is just fine to move along.
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I know that people have fled war torn countries for ages, but this book feels timely and relevant. Yes, this is a work of fiction, but anyone that wants to close borders or not help refugees should read this heart-wrenching book. 4.5/5
5. Cross the Line by James Patterson (Alex Cross #24) - There are better Alex Cross books than this one, but it still (as Steph says) passed the time just fine. 3.75/5
6. Blood Wedding by Pierre Lemaitre - A bookstagrammer (is that what we're calling these folks) that I follow gave a glowing recommendation for this one, so I picked it up, and I'm glad I did. There's a whole lotta crazy goin' on in this book. If a quick-read crime/mystery/thriller with crazy ass characters is your thang, then I recommend this book. 4.5/5
7. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein - What I loved about this book: strong female characters, a depiction of the important roles that females played during WWII, and a strong female friendship. Because of those things, I really wanted to love this book, but for some reason, I just liked it. Maybe it's timing. I'm busy. I'm distracted. My mind is going a million miles a minute with lots of things going on.. So, maybe I wasn't able to get absorbed by the story the way I needed to be. 3/5
8. Escape Clause by John Sandford - I'm a John Sandford fangirl. I've read every book in the Lucas Davenport series, and now every book in the Virgil Flowers one. As most series go, some are better than others, but for me, they've all be enjoyable. Sandford's characters are truly, well, characters.
Currently reading: Plan B by Jonathan Tropper
Now is the time that I pimp my book challenge. Many of you know it, but just.in.case you don't, check it out - Book Challenge by Erin. Kick off your new year by reading books amongst a community of supportive, encouraging book lovers. Click the links below:
Our goodreads group
Our facebook group
Hooray for books!!!!
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The Girls was such a disappointment and so over-hyped. I actually liked the beginning - it the end that just fell apart for me. Blood Wedding sounds right up my alley and I'm adding it to my TBR. I've read a few of the Davenport books and enjoyed them, in part because they take place in Minnesota. I have not read any of the Virgil Flowers books, but I've been meaning to give them a try. Max says hi. He keeps nudging me because he wants his bedtime treat. :D
ReplyDeleteI had Raymie Nightingale out from the library and didn't get to it before I had to return it - which is sad, because it's not very long! I'll get to it someday :) When the Moon is low sounds emotional but good!!!
ReplyDeletei really wanted to like Verity and it started off pretty good...then it got boring...which was too bad :(
ReplyDeleteI just read an article about how we should read to bridge the divide and it had recommendations for liberals and conservatives. I really like that idea and wish I could recommend it to everyone, even though I'm not particularly looking forward to my book about the Louisiana tea party or some such topic. :P Of course, I'm also going to read When the Moon is Low.
ReplyDeleteWhat you said about Code Name Verity, about timing being everything is so spot on true! Timing is everything in life and the same goes for books - certain books may not float your boat at any given point of time bc of the life circumstances you are going through at that given moment. I totally hear ya there, girl, I totally do.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your challenge come January. I'm actually a bit excited about reading the books I've chosen, which is a new feeling for me as of late. Lately, my feelings towards reading have been very ho-hum.
When the Moon is Low sounds like a book that I would love. Added to the list! I've heard a couple of others discuss how disappointing The Girls was, so it keeps getting pushed further and further down my to read list... Excited for the book challenge!
ReplyDeleteI didn't love the latest Virgil.
ReplyDeleteWhen the Moon is Low sounds timely and important.
I swear we are reading soul sisters!! You have so many books here that I think I would love but never heard of. Lucky for me I'm on my way to the library right now! So I'm going to be looking for a handful of these :) I do love Nadia Sashimi's last book and I really want to read the current one you wrote about now!
ReplyDeletewell, i'm glad you liked code name verity! i remember loving it, but i listened to the audio and the first half was narrated by the best narrator i've ever encountered, but the second half switched (with the story) and i switched to a paperback. that being said, i loved the friendship SO MUCH. the story itself, especially a lot of the boring stuff? eh. but sometimes my feelings about certain things overpower the things i didn't like, if that makes sense.
ReplyDeletewhen the moon is low sounds like it needs to be on my list.
When the Moon is Low seems like something I'd really like. Adding it to my list :)
ReplyDeleteI remember The Girls being very divisive last month (I think last month)- people seem to love or hate it. Definitely interested to see which side I would fall on, haha!
ReplyDeletehaha .... I think there is a new turn for people feeling better about drop kicking those books ;) Why waste the time, right?... I've almost picked up that book a few times but keep hearing bad reviews on it. Glad I passed.
ReplyDeleteI want to read the first one, Raymie Nightingale... I love a good kids book that is a fun light read.
The friendship was the thing that made me love Code Name Verity.
ReplyDeleteI read The Pearl That Broke Its Shell this month, and I want to read every single book by Nadia Hashimi! I'm definitely going to pick up When The Moon Is Low. I'm always on the lookout for good mystery or WWII books so I'll probably end up checking out Blood Wedding and Code Name Verity too. They both sound really good, and plus I love the covers :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't like The Girls either and not sure what all the hype is about. I will end up reading the Alex Cross book because I like the series. Raymie Nightingale is currently sitting on my nightstand. My daughter and I both want to read it before it's due back at the library!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely checking out Code Name Verity. I'm so excited for you book challenge to start. I have myself in three right now (including yours) and I'm not feel it as far as picking up a book goes.... so I'm hoping they kick me into gear soon!
ReplyDeleteThe Girls is on my NetGalley list, but I've been kinda avoiding it. I felt the same way about Code Name Verity. You and I seem to be on the same page a lot with books other people absolutely loved. :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't like Code Name Verity because it was too jumpy. Going forward, back, forward, back. And talking about characters like I was already supposed to know who they were. I could barely tell who was telling the story and if the POV was shifting or not.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love Code Name Verity. I do think you have to give it your full attention though, so that may be it. Who knows? I also really loved Rose Under Fire as well by the same author.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you DNFed The Girls - I've been wanting to read that one! I might try it from the library and see what I think.
-Lauren
Just joined your Facebook book challenge group!
ReplyDeleteI just wasn't convinced about The Girls. I don't think it would have been my thing either. Looking into The Cartel etc. now. I would like to read Code Name Verity. Working on my list for your challenge. The Rory Gilmore category is killing me! Too many choices! :) XO - Alexandra
ReplyDeleteSimply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
I hadn't even gotten through your post before I said to myself that I really need to read some more John Sandford books and there was one of his, all the way at the end. #signs
ReplyDeleteThe Girls. I didn't love it but I did finish it so there's that. It could have been way better than it was.
so funny! I loved the girls and I'm also a huge fan of quitting books that aren't doing it for you, so props to that! I will say that book had a slow start...
ReplyDeleteOkay, first ... I'm planning to join your book challenge, but I still haven't gotten my list together. I'll probably wind up just posting it in the Goodreads group once I figure out my picks since I've pretty much been the world's laziest/shittiest blogger these last few months.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely adding Blood Wedding! It sounds like it's my kind of book. :-)
I'm also adding the Nadia Hashimi book. I know I added The Pearl that Broke its Shell back when you reviewed it, but I don't think I added any of her other books to my list at that time. I'm waiting for the right time to get into those, though. I don't think I can handle such heartwrenching stories right now.
I'm still planning to give Code Name Verity and The Girls a try at some point. I will say that I'm impressed that you quit The Girls! I still can't bring myself to quit books, and I don't know if I ever will. I always just hope for something better in the end. Sometimes it's worth it, and sometimes it's not. (I reviewed one this time around that got a whopping 1 star rating because it was just so horrible. I probably should have just quit that one.)
I've heard others say they weren't a fan of The Girls, so I might skip it. I think I might still try Code Name Verity, though. Not sure if it's my kind of book or not, but I'll give it a try.
ReplyDeleteI hate my books are so bad that you just have to eventually throw in the towel. I used to finish bad books as well but I'm finally like I just do not have enough time and there are way better books out there to enjoy!
ReplyDeleteAhh! I loved The Girls! But I totally understand that feeling when you can't for the life of you get into a book...
ReplyDelete-- Dara | www.peoniesandhoneybees.com