If you are a book challenge junkie or a bookworm like me, stick around. If not, feel free to give today's post a pass. It might won't hurt my feelings.
It's our final check-in for the Literary Ladies hosted by Kristen & Kari & Krystal .
Admittedly, I've talked about all these books here before, but I've compiled them again into one final list. Here's what I read for this challenge (books highlighted in blue are a link that take you to goodreads listing for that particular book):
1. A YA
book - The Paris Mysteries: Confessions #3 by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro - The original book I selected (Wintergirls), my library has "on order". I'd read the previous two in this series, so I grabbed this one for the substitute. 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
2. Non US Author - The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion - At times, I was bored; other times, I was entertained. Overall, I was disappointed. Pretty sure I
didn't need a sequel to the much more beloved The Rosie Project. 1.5/5
3. A book that was recommended by a blogger (or instagrammer / you-tuber / goodreads-er) - Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Butler - When Steph was interviewed in Jana's Interview with a Bookworm series, she recommended this one. - I really liked this book. I don't think I ever fell in love with it,
but I really, really liked it. I enjoyed the Wisconsin small town
becoming its own character throughout the book. For me, some of the
characters felt less developed than others. Or maybe I just connected
to some more than others. I especially liked Beth. I don't want to
tell you her story, so I won't tell you the specific reasons why I liked
her. Let's just say, her predicament and her experience seemed
relatable and authentic. 4/5
4. A book
that has been on your TBR list for a year or more - Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides - I bought this book from a fantastic bookstore in Seaside, FL in July
2013. It had been sitting on my bookshelf ever since waiting to be
read. Finally, I selected it for the 2015 TBR Book Pile Challenge. I
still didn't pick it up. So, I selected it for this
challenge too. Finally. Finally, I read this book about three
generations of a Greek-American family. The book follows family members
through war, violence, incest, immigration, rum-running, the
Depression, the Nation of Islam, suburban life, genetics, race riots,
and more...all narrated by a hermaphrodite. I found much of this book
was tedious with an not-very-enjoyable pace. Other parts were
educational, fascinating, and thought-provoking. By the final 100 pages,
I gobbled it up...but I had to work really, really hard to get through
the prior 500 pages. I don't really know how to rate this book, but I
will say that the character of Cal is definitely one that will stay with
me.
5. A book
with a kickass female character - 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
6. A book that is or will be a movie (or TV show) - This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper - 4/5 - This author does it to me again. He writes a book with dysfunctional
relationships, flawed characters, and traumatic life experiences in a
way that is relatable, comical, and I can't help but love it. With
these characters, I'm not sure I liked any of them, but I'm cheering for
them. I'm not sure how I want the story to end and the situations to
be resolved, so I love the somewhat ambiguous ending that is left to my
own imagination what the future holds for each storyline. I will watch
the movie that has already been released, and I really like the casting
for two of the main characters. I've read three of Tropper's books, and
I will make my way through them all. 4/5
7. A book
written by a comedian or celebrity – or even a memoir if neither of those are
your jam. - Dirty Rocker Boys by Bobbie Brown - Admittedly, she's about the lowest celebrity level there is, but a celebrity memoir nonetheless.After reading a few books with some heavy subject matter, smaller font,
and tight spacing...I thought I'd lighten things up a little. Everybody
remember the "Cherry Pie" video? The video vixen herself has written a
tell-all book that include romps with '80s hair band icons and actors.
By page 12, I'd learned that Leonardo DiCaprio is extremely
well-endowed. If you'd like some salacious factoids like this, then
this could be the book for you because she doesn't hold back. Lots of
sex, lots of drugs, lots of indulgent, selfish behaviour. This is a
quick, fast, easy read...much like its author. I read it in one day.
There are
far better memoirs out there, but if you know
any of the following (Jani Lane, Tommy Lee, Matthew Nelson, Jay Gordon,
Dave Navarro) you may want to give this a quick glance. 2.5/5
8. A book with a one word title. - Galveston by Nic Pizzolatto - 4/5 - The
author of this book is the creator of the television show, True
Detective. Let's just say that he does not write happy, light-hearted
stories. The imagery is dark, heavy, and thick much like the humidity in
those
parts. The descriptions of sub-cultures in Southern Louisiana and
Southeast Texas are so real and so true. Knowing that part of the
country well, it felt like I know somebody
who knows someone that is related to one of these characters. It is not
a quick-paced thriller. It's slow and steady, then bam! a
murder...slow and steady, then whoa! a secret revealed. 4/5
9. A suspenseful book – a mystery, a thriller, a book about revenge! - The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins - Well, I had to read this, didn't I? Every other blogger has read it or
plans to read it, and my cousin recommended it to me as well. I am
often skeptical when a book receives so much attention and praise. But, I
thoroughly enjoyed this one. I enjoyed each
severely flawed character. I
enjoyed the pace. I enjoyed the ending. For me, this book deserves the
attention it is getting. 4.5/5
10. A book about Summer, with Summer in the title, or in any way related to Summer because this is a Summer challenge! - Summertime by Vanessa Lafaye - (apparently, this has also been released as Under a Dark Summer Sky depending on what part of the world you live) - 5/5 - found this book specifically for this category and loved it! This book is a perfect example of why I enjoy book challenges. I got on goodreads and searched books
with "summer" in the title. I found this one (never hearing about it
previously), read the synopsis, looked to see that my library had it,
and selected the book. I love when the universe works in my favor,
because this was a fantastic find. A book about relationships, duty,
racism, love, small town dynamics, crime, life after war, death, and
loss, there are just so many reasons why I loved this book. 5/5
Thats right, Literary Ladies. I conquered this challenge!
Highly recommend: Still Alice & Summertime (or Under a Dark Summer Sky as it was released in the USA)
Recommend: Shotgun Lovesongs, This Is Where I Leave You, The Girl on the Train, Galveston
Don't bother: Confessions: The Paris Mysteries, The Rosie Effect
Do you participate in book challenges?
