Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Recently Read - Vol. 23 (Nov. '17)


November was a much better month than October in terms of reading.  I not only read more, but the majority of books I read were better than average (ratings of 4s and 5s). 

Without further ado, here are my thoughts on the the five books I read in November:


Survivor by Brett Battles
Read October 30 - November 8
Format: Audiobook
My Rating: 3/5

Think: If someone went back in time and changed history so significantly that the present time was utterly miserable and completely unrecognizable to you, to what lengths would you go to in order to rectify things?

Of the three books in this series, this one was my least favorite.  It's hard to explain why without revealing parts of the story.  Overall, it was a worthwhile series and I'm glad I read them.  I just didn't like this one as well as the first two and I felt the conclusion was somewhat weak.

FINAL VERDICT:  I'd recommend if you have read the previous two books.


The Humans by Matt Haig
Read November 9-14
Format: Audiobook
My Rating: 4/5

Think: A look at humans and our curious lives through the eyes of an alien.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  I found it to be delightfully funny and insightful about we humans, our precarious lives, and the flaws that make us tragic and wonderful at the same time.

FINAL VERDICT:  Recommend  



All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood
Read November 15-18
Format: Audiobook
My Rating: 5/5

Think:  An unconventional and shocking love story between two unlikely people. 

I had read several fellow bloggers' thoughts on this book before I read it, so I was prepared for the "heaviness" and knew that it might be uncomfortable at times.  I agree, it was, but I was still utterly enthralled.  It's a book that definitely made me think, wonder, and re-evaluate my own biases towards age, love, and soul mates.

FINAL VERDICT:  Highly recommend.



Nine Women, One Dress by Jane L. Rosen
Read November 19-22
Format: Audiobook
My Rating: 4/5

Think:  A tale of nine women (and some of the men in their lives) and their experiences with the must-have, "it" dress of the season.

I'm a big fan of the movie Love Actually and one of the things I love about it is the how all of the characters are connected in some way.  It's the same for this book.  All of the characters, often unbeknownst to them, are connected to each other and it's because of a little black dress.  It was a very fun book that I found myself wanting to listen to every chance I got.  

FINAL VERDICT:  Recommend, especially when you are looking for a fun, light read.



The Glass Castle by Jeannette Wells
Read November 24 - December 4
Format: Audiobook
My Rating: 4/5

Think: A stranger than fiction story of young girl's childhood.

My half-sister sent me this book two years ago with a note that read, "You MUST read this!"  I'm glad that I finally did.  It's a wild account of the author's childhood with her brilliant, alcoholic father, her artistic, gumption-less mother who has an excuse for everything, and their unstable, poverty stricken life.  (On a personal note, much of the author's childhood takes place in Welch, WV, which is about 20 miles from my hometown and where my paternal grandparents were from.)

FINAL VERDICT:  Highly recommend.


Have you read any of these?  Did you like them?

As always, thanks for stopping by!


Linking up with:

20 comments:

  1. All the Ugly and Wonderful Things was a great book! I own The Glass Castle, I just haven't been inspired to read it. Nine Women, One Dress sounds like my kind of read!

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    1. If you are like me, I have to be in the mood for memoirs; they're just not books I can pick up at any ol' time and start. I'd definitely keep it on your back burner, though. I think it's worth it. Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. I also had a much better reading month and it was so refreshing. I think Nine Women, One Dress is already on my TBR, but I completely forgot about it- I definitely want to check it out the next time I'm in the mood for something light, it sounds so cute! I really like Love Actually too! I've never really looked into what The Glass Castle is about, but I know so many people rave about it.

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    1. Both were very enjoyable, just in different ways. If you have a soft spot for underdogs, check out The Glass Castle. Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. Nine Women, One Dress sounds fascinating - I like the connected aspect of Love Actually too! I'm curious about The Humans as well.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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  4. Loved Ugly/Wonderful. I liked The Glass Castle too. Tough read though, both of them!

    I'm intrigued by The Humans.

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  5. I liked The Glass Castle, but I haven't had a chance to see the movie yet.

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  6. The Glass Castle is on my TBR, glad to hear another good review!

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  7. Haven't read any of these but I'm interested in The Humans and Nine Women, One Dress -- anything that mentions Love, Actually and I'm there. :)

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  8. I just got Glass Castle from the library today! need to finish a few before I start it.

    I ordered two other from your list, thanks!

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  9. I adored Nine Women, One Dress. In fact, it made my best of list last year. I love how the women connected. How it was both frothy and yet had some depth to it. It just made me feel good! All the Ugly and Wonderful Things is on my TBR. It's something I want to recommend to my book club but I broke them a bit with Small Great Things, so maybe something a little less heavy. :D But I'm definitely still going to read it.

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  10. Looks like I’m going to need to read The Humans, and Nine Women, One Dress! Both sound great :)

    Hopping over from the linkup! http://www.ashley-ziegler.com/show-us-books-dec-17/

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  11. I agree with your review of Ugly and Wonderful Things. Not an easy read at all but one that definitely reframes love and makes you think.

    I adored The Glass Castle. I'm really curious about the movie adaptation.

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  12. I've heard of all, but read none. I feel like there's soooo many books out there each month that I want to at least try to get to and it's impossible!

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  13. The Nine Women book is on my TBR and I'm going to bump it up...I love Love Actually, lol. I love that inter-connectedness in a story.
    The Glass Castle is on my list at some point!!!

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  14. yay good to hear about The Humans! it's on my kindle. i'm hoping to get to it next year lol. All the Ugly and Wonderful Things is on my list, i am very curious especially given how unconventional it is. i quite liked Nine Women, One Dress - i agree, very love actually-ish.

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  15. Good books this month! I'm adding The Humans to my list! I've had All the Ugly and Wonderful Things downloaded for months now and need to get to it already! I read and really liked The Glass Castle earlier this year and just watched the movie last night!

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  16. I read The Glass Castle a long time ago and couldn't put it down--it's one I need to reread I think. I've heard good things about All the Ugly... too, I need to get to that one.

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    1. All the Ugly.. absolutely sucked me in. I found myself thinking about it when I wasn't listening to it and I still think about many of the books concepts. I would definitely recommend it.

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