It's the second Tuesday of the month, the day in which I, along with many other book loving bloggers in the blogosphere, link up with Steph and Jana to talk books, books, and more books.
Without further ado, here are the books I read last month and what I thought about them:
Read February 3 - 15 | Format: Audiobook | My rating: 3/5
Think: A passenger on a cruise ship thinks that a woman has been thrown overboard, but no one else on the boat seems to know anything about it.
This book had possibilities, it really did, but its potential got hijacked several times throughout the book. The beginning was weird and a little slow. Once the main character was on the cruise ship and the plot picked up, I became intrigued. About two-thirds of the way through, though, it got weird and slow and I got annoyed. This was the point when I turned the audiobook speed up to 1.25 just to hurry it along. It's not the best book I've ever read, nor is it the worst. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. Am I any better off having read it? Not really.
FINAL VERDICT: Coin toss. I'd say skip it unless you are absolutely hell bent on reading it or are a Ruth Ware fan.
Think: A passenger on a cruise ship thinks that a woman has been thrown overboard, but no one else on the boat seems to know anything about it.
This book had possibilities, it really did, but its potential got hijacked several times throughout the book. The beginning was weird and a little slow. Once the main character was on the cruise ship and the plot picked up, I became intrigued. About two-thirds of the way through, though, it got weird and slow and I got annoyed. This was the point when I turned the audiobook speed up to 1.25 just to hurry it along. It's not the best book I've ever read, nor is it the worst. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. Am I any better off having read it? Not really.
FINAL VERDICT: Coin toss. I'd say skip it unless you are absolutely hell bent on reading it or are a Ruth Ware fan.
Read January 28 - February 24 | Format: Kindle | My rating: 3.5/5
Think: A tomboy hiking guide gets involved with a Dom.
As I mentioned last month, I sometimes get a hankering for a certain type of "romance" novel. When that happens, I read smut and that's exactly what this novel is. Much to my surprise, Master of the Abyss also had a little mysterious plot line that I found interesting.
FINAL VERDICT: If you like Dom/sub romance novels, then go for it. Just be aware - this book is not for everyone.
As I mentioned last month, I sometimes get a hankering for a certain type of "romance" novel. When that happens, I read smut and that's exactly what this novel is. Much to my surprise, Master of the Abyss also had a little mysterious plot line that I found interesting.
FINAL VERDICT: If you like Dom/sub romance novels, then go for it. Just be aware - this book is not for everyone.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Read February 16 - 23 | Format: Audiobook | My rating: 5/5
Think: The untold life story of one of Hollywood's most popular film stars.
This über popular book has been reviewed a lot lately by fellow bloggers in my little blogging community. For the most part, folks have raved about the book and, in my opinion, they were right in doing so. TSHoEH is a well written book with intriguing characters and a unique storyline. It's one of those rare books that I found myself thinking about even during the moments when I wasn't listening to the audiobook.
FINAL VERDICT: Highly recommend.
Think: The untold life story of one of Hollywood's most popular film stars.
This über popular book has been reviewed a lot lately by fellow bloggers in my little blogging community. For the most part, folks have raved about the book and, in my opinion, they were right in doing so. TSHoEH is a well written book with intriguing characters and a unique storyline. It's one of those rare books that I found myself thinking about even during the moments when I wasn't listening to the audiobook.
FINAL VERDICT: Highly recommend.
Read February 23 - March 3 | Format: Audiobook | My rating: 4.5/5
Think: A story of two teenage misfits who find each other and the unique love they share.
For me, Eleanor & Park was like a time machine. The characters were 16 years old in the mid 1980s, so they were just a few years older than me. So much of their teenage experience, from the pop culture references to the feeling of not fitting in to the electricity that comes with your first love, resonated with me. The characters were especially endearing, their stories compelling, and I just couldn't help rooting them on.
FINAL VERDICT: Highly recommend.
Do you have any books that you've recently read and would recommend? Please share if you do.
Linking up with:
Here are some parting thoughts on two non-bookish topics:
Congratulations to my alma mater, Marshall University, who ended their 31 year NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament drought by winning the Conference USA tournament and earning an automatic bid!
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I think what WV teachers did was amazing. I also like what Seth Meyers had to say about it.
ReplyDeleteEleanor and Park was a good one and I also wouldn't recommend The Woman in Cabin 10. I swear I lost so much interest toward the end that I can't even tell you what happened.
It was. Sadly, they have to resort to extreme measures like that in order to get the legislature to listen to them and take them seriously. My parents, who are both retired teachers in WV, participated in the teacher strike of 1990. Similar issue, just different decade.
DeleteYeah, that's a good way to sum up my feelings about The Woman in Cabin 10. I don't remember much about the ending (other than being glad it was over).
Love your SETH and WVA add ons. Solidarity. I have been arguing on Facebook all night and morning with a woman who wants to arm teachers but is 405% against a 17 minute student walkout on Wednesday for the one month anniversary of Parkland.
ReplyDeleteYes to Evelyn and I am a solid NO vote on Cabin 10.
Thanks! Solidarity. Abso-freakin-lutely! I'm in a similar situation at the moment here in KY, but our issue is our pension.
DeleteEleanor and Park is a really good book! I recommend it to anybody who asks... hardly anybody takes me up on it, but that's their loss! Also love Evelyn Hugo!
ReplyDeleteYes, I enjoyed E&P and I was pleasantly surprised by its depth.
DeleteI LOVED E&P! And Evelyn. TJR is one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to take Cabin 10 and throw it overboard. I hated, HATED that book.
LMAO! Throw it overboard... That's great! You know, I think that would sum up my feelings for it at times, too!
DeleteWhat I like most about TJR is her consistency - good writing and good storytelling.
Totally loved Eleanor and Park and Evelyn Hugo too. Have you read any of TJR's other books? I love them all.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've read two more of her's - One True Loves and Maybe in Another Life.
DeleteE&P and 7 Husbands are both personal favs, love seeing them get such good reviews!
ReplyDeleteThose teacher statements are great, thanks for sharing.
I still need to read Eleanor and Park! I do like what I've read by Rainbow Rowell though, so I'm sure I'll enjoy it. Sorry you didn't really care for The Woman in Cabin 10; I enjoyed that one! lol
ReplyDelete-lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
I've had E&P for about a year and a half and just got around to reading it last month. E&P is my favorite of RR's. I've also read Landline and Fangirl.
DeleteAh, well... all the books we read can't be 4 and 5 stars. It's interesting how mixed the reviews on it have been.
I've had Eleanor and Park and Evelyn Hugo on my TBR for ages now -- I need to bump them up in priority. Love what WV teachers have done - change doesn't start with policy, it starts with the people.
ReplyDeleteYes, the teachers in WV are no strangers to strikes. In 1990, the teachers in WV went on strike over similar issues. My parents, who were teachers at the time, were on the picket lines everyday.
DeleteThe teacher thing is so true! I have heard nothing but good things about Eleanor & Park!
ReplyDeleteE&P surprised me. I was thinking it would be cute and fluffy, but it actually had a lot of depth to it. It was a very pleasant surprise.
Deletei have not read a Ruth Ware book - i've heard mixed things and i'm not sure i ever will as it's not really my preferred genre so.. eh. evelyn hugo & eleanor and park were both SO good. loved them both.
ReplyDeleteSomeone said that another one of Ware's books, the title has escaped me, was really good. But, after this one, I'm not sure I want to roll the dice with her again or not. Time will tell.
DeleteI love the add-ons. #Truth! I also loved Evelyn Hugo and E&P. E&P in particular surprised me because I thought it was just going to be a fun, first-love YA novel but it had some surprising (and welcome) depth to it. I have not read anything by Ruth Ware. Her books sound interesting and are on my TBR but I see enough mixed reviews that they never get prioritized.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Exactly! #Truth! I like that! I, too, was surprised by E&P for the same reason you mentioned; I didn't expect there to be any depth. Yeah, the Ruth Ware book... I heard the mixed reviews, too, but decided to give it a go. It as decent, but not one that I'd particularly recommend.
DeleteI totally agree with you on The Woman In Cabin 10. It was just kind of meh for me after hearing so much hype about it. I just started Evelyn Hugo for Erin’s challenge and I can’t wait to dive into it!
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's kind of like how I felt about The Woman in Cabin 10. I was expecting something like - WOW! and I got - meh... I do hope you enjoy The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo! I'll be interested to hear what you have to say about it.
DeleteGlad to hear Evelyn Hugo was a good one. It has been on my want list.
ReplyDeleteI definitely recommend it and I'd do the same for the other TJR books I've read (One True Loves and Maybe in Another Life).
DeleteI adored Eleanor and Park! The Seven Husbands... is on my TBR, and I'm thinking I should probably move it up! I'm curious to hear your thoughts on The Couple Next Door as well.
ReplyDeleteThe Couple Next Door... I'm about halfway through right now and I've already formed 2 or 3 possible theories. We shall see.
DeleteI thoroughly enjoyed The Seven Husbands... I've really enjoyed all the TJR books I've read.
The Seven Husbands wasn't my favorite by Taylor Jenkins Reid but it was good. Eleanor & Park is my favorite of Rainbow Rowell's. I also liked The Woman in Cabin 10.
ReplyDeleteWhat was your favorite TJR book? I've also read One True Loves and Maybe in Another Life.
DeleteOf the three RR books I've read (Landline, Fangirl), E & P is my favorite.
I liked The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, too :)
ReplyDeleteI'm very impressed with Taylor Jenkins Reid. Her consistency (great writing and great storytelling) is very impressive!
DeleteShort hair and no kilt? He must have been your fall-back option.
ReplyDeleteOMG! What's that noise? Is it the Thundering Herd?
LOL! Yeah, I know - no kilt, no long hair, no Harley! What's gotten in to me?
DeleteThat's right! It's The Thundering Herd! I'm not sure that they'll make it beyond the first round, but it's great just to see them get to go "the dance," so-to-speak. GO HERD!
My mom is a retired teacher in West Virginia, so I was definitely following that story.
ReplyDeleteI didn't like The Woman in Cabin 10, but I liked Ruth Ware's first novel. There was a big difference in my ratings (4 stars for In a Dark Dark Wood and 2 stars for The Woman in Cabin 10), which makes me think I shouldn't give up on her yet.
The Taylor Jenkins Reid book is on my list already so I'm glad to see you enjoyed it!
I also loved Eleanor & Park. I didn't expect to love it so much since I really didn't like Fangirl, but it delivered everything I wanted it to (and more).
I'm from WV and my parents are retired WV teachers (who participated in the teacher strike of 1990), so that's why I had been following it closely. A similar situation may come to pass here in KY bc the legislature is trying to overhaul our pension. Sigh.
DeleteI really like TJR and I think of all the authors that I have read, she is one of the most consistent in terms of great writing and great storytelling. I've read three of her books and haven't read a bad one yet.
I enjoyed Landline, but wasn't that crazy about Fangirl. Bc of that, I was a little apprehensive about E & P, but I'm glad I rolled the dice with it. I think of the three RR books I've read, E & P is my favorite.
Have you read Beartown? That one was so good. I loved Evelyn Hugo and Eleanor and Park. I would also recommend Setting Free the Kites and Tell the Wolves I'm Home. Pam :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I have. I agree, it was very good. Thanks for the recommendations!
DeleteGlad you enjoyed your reads last month! I am more and more behind with comments and reading every. single. month. OY! I want to read Evelyn Hugo someday! I also really want to read Eleanor and Park! Yay for your Alma Mater! Our city is where basketball was invented... and it's a big deal! We made it to the final four... I don't really watch sports, but it is still exciting! :) XO - Alexandra
ReplyDeleteSimply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
Thank you! Yes, overall it was a good month! I, too, am struggling with keeping up with comments, so I understand.
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