Alright, peeps... It's the second Tuesday of the month, so if you're a regular visitor here, you know what that means - today's the day when I link up with Steph and Jana for their monthly Show Us Your Books linkup and share my thoughts on the books I read the previous month.
Today's post will be incredibly short because, believe it or not, I only read ONE book the entire month of August. That's right, you read that correctly - ONE piddly, little book. (I did start a second one, The Nightingale, but I haven't finished it.)
I'm not sure of what to make of this anomaly other than I had a lot of distractions last month - the Olympics, I started back to work, and August was one hell of a month in terms of personal stuff that resulted in me having a lot on my mind. There were many days when I left work and chose to listen to music on my commute home rather than listen to an audiobook. But, whatever the reason for this slump, I have faith that it will pass. Unfortunately, September's not looking much better, but this may just be the universe's way of telling me that I need to chill and work through some things instead of distracting myself and losing myself in a book like I have a tendency to do.
So, without further ado... Here's the one book I read last month:
Read August 1-25 | Format: Audiobook | Rating: 4/5
China Rich Girlfriend is the sequel to Crazy Rich Asians and it pretty much picks up where CRA left off with the main character, Rachel Chu, and her fiancé, Nick, who is heir to one of the greatest fortunes in Asia. I've discovered that it is sometimes difficult to review a book that is a sequel out of fear of revealing spoilers from the first book. So, having said that, China Rich Girlfriend is very much like a literary soap opera. There is a large cast of supporting characters, many of whom are involved in the main plot involving Rachel and Nick as well as in the subplots that take place simultaneously throughout the book. There are high end cars, high end couture fashion, outrageous parties, and all kinds of soap opera-esque drama.
Despite the fact that it took me over three weeks to finish it, I did enjoy it. I didn't think it was nearly as funny as the first, but it definitely had its moments. If you are interested in reading China Rich Girlfriend, I strongly suggest reading Crazy Rich Asians first in order to gain the foundational knowledge necessary to fully comprehend and enjoy CRG.
What have you read lately? Please feel free to share. I'm always on the lookout for books to add to my TBR.
As always, thanks for stopping by!
you have to read The One Man...totally blew me away. it's a WWII book so it's pretty heavy but the characters and story are amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation! I'll check it out. Have a good one!
DeleteGoodreads says I read 6.5 books in August (the .5 is because I started one of them in July). Of those, I can recommend Papillon and Different Seasons.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation! Have a good one!
DeleteMost of my August books were kind of average. Though I gave Bad Daughter 4 stars. It's a poetry collection by Sarah Gorham.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation, E Man!
DeleteI couldn't get through Crazy Rich Asians! So I probably wouldn't fare well with this one.
ReplyDeleteYeah, if you couldn't get through CRA, then CRG isn't advisable. LOL! Have a good one!
DeleteI have not read Crazy Rich Asians but it on my TBR. I loved The Nightingale and recommend you have tissues handy when you get to the end of the book. I read to distract myself too. Hopefully life treats you a better this month!
ReplyDeleteLOL! You are like the 5th or 6th person that has advised me to have tissues ready at the end. As of right now (Saturday 9.17.16), I have about 2 hours left in the audiobook. I plan to finish it this weekend when I'm here at the house and not commuting. Thanks for the heads up.
DeleteThank you! I hope life gives me a little respite this month, too!
i hope you like The Nightingale!
ReplyDeletei have ups and downs with reading, sometimes reading is exactly what i need to do to get me through whatever is going on in life, and sometimes i'm so stressed out or preoccupied that i just can't concentrate on a book, you know? i know i'll eventually get back into reading so i don't mind a month or two like this.
I have about 2 hours left in the audiobook (15.5 hours down) and I've really enjoyed it. I haven't flown through it, but my speed really has nothing to do with my enjoyment of it. Life has just taken over and my audiobook listening has been pushed to the back burner. I've accepted this and have just decide to roll with it. It will be ok. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI didn't read a single book since June because of work and life stresses, so I completely understand. Curious to see your thoughts on The Nightingale. I've only seen positive reviews, but I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction in general so I'm wary. I just read Labor Day by Joyce Maynard which was a quick and interesting storyline- I particularly liked that it was told from the perspective of a 13 year old boy.
ReplyDeleteI'm almost finished and I have really enjoyed it. Now, it's taken me over 3 weeks to listen to it, but my slow progress really has nothing to do with the book itself and in no way should be taken as an indication what the book is like. My life is crazy right now and my reading is still reflecting that.
DeleteI flipped over to Goodreads to read about Labor Day. As I was reading the synopsis, it sounded somewhat familiar. As it turns out, I've seen the movie that is based on the book. I will add it to my TBR. Thanks for the recommendation.
I feel like I've heard of these books but for whatever reason have not read them or even added them to my TBR. I also think I'm the only person who has no interest in reading The Nightingale despite all the rave reviews.
ReplyDeleteAs of today, I am almost finished with it. I have about an hour and a half to go. I like it, it's a good story. It hasn't been the page turner like it has been for other people, but that's because of life stuff interfering with my audiobook listening.
DeleteI need to try out Crazy Rich Asians! It sounds so funny. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was funny. I reviewed it back in March. You can read my review here: http://edb214.blogspot.com/2016/04/recently-read-vol-5.html Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI'm glad I'm not the only one with a less than impressive reading month ;) I LOVED The Nightingale and I hope you are enjoying it! I sobbed like a baby reading the last 100 pages or so ;)
ReplyDeleteYes, August was less than stellar for me. Everyone has warned me of the ending to The Nightingale. I am prepared. LOL!
DeleteIf you're going to read one book, at least you enjoyed it :)
ReplyDeleteLOL! Thanks, girl!
DeleteI have definitely been wanting to read Crazy Rich Asians, glad to hear you enjoyed the sequel! I linked up as well. :) September has been a big reading month for me so far. :) XO - Alexandra
ReplyDeleteSimply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
I did enjoy them. All of the high end name dropping (couture clothing, cars, etc) took a little getting used to, but they were funny. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI've seen Crazy Rich Asians, but haven't tried it.
ReplyDeleteYou're in good company...I didn't read much last month either.
I had hoped that September would be better, but so far... it isn't. There's always hope for October! LOL!
DeleteI've heard of Crazy Rich Asians but didn't realize there even was a sequel. I read a lot a few weeks ago and then am back in a slump of not really reading at all- excited for the pace to pick back up again.
ReplyDeleteI'm ready for my slump to be over. But, I'm just taking it as it comes because I know the universe is probably telling me to deal with some things going on in my life rather than escaping into books like I typically do.
DeleteI love all things book related and am so happy I found your blog. A must follow for book lovers.
ReplyDelete~Melanie @ forloveandtravel.blogspot.de
Thank you! That is very kind of you to say.
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