Happy May 1st everyone! We are officially into my birthday month. Hurray! It’s been a while since I’ve done a recap on what I’ve been reading lately. Since February 25th to be more precise. Maybe I should do these posts more often so that books don’t stack up like this!
One Day by David Nicholls
I think I like the idea of “One Day” better than I actually like the novel. I find both characters a bit obnoxious, so that when the obvious tragedy strikes, I feel strangely devoid of pity. Either that or I have no heart. (Also, beware, if you watch the film you’ll be subjected to one of the worst Yorkshire accents. Thanks Anne Hathaway.) However, it’s a speedy read and I enjoyed the ride. 3 out of 5 stars.
The White Queen by Phllippa Gregory
Loved it. I was fascinated by Elizabeth Woodville and her relationship with Edward. Also, even though this is *loosely* historical fiction, I so believed in the strength of her character I was sure that she was going to be able to make things happen the way she wanted them to. 4 out of 5
The White Princess by Phllippa Gregory
I find Elizabeth of York a bit less interesting than her mother (the Elizabeth mentioned above). I also find the romanticised notion of her relationship with Richard III to be a bit yuck. After reading this book, you’ll never think about Henry Tudor the same way. I just wish Elizabeth of York had a bit more pizazz as a character. 3 out of 5.
The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion.
I was charmed by the “Rosie Project” despite my best efforts really. The sequel, not so much. Don’s decisions don’t seem rational or even in character. The “obstacle” of the novel isn’t a true one. Rosie was a complete non-character in this book and I found myself much more irritated than charmed. 2 out of 5.
Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey.
I found this book really difficult to read in parts. The main protagonist is deep in the realms of old age and dementia. It makes her an incredibly interesting but unreliable narrator and there are scenes that just pull at your heart. I thought it was quite cleverly done, even if I wasn’t particularly involved in the resolution of the crime. 4 out of 5.
The Book of You by Claire Kendal.
I really enjoyed this novel. I was thoroughly gripped by it and didn’t want to put it down. It also made me want to discuss stalking and stalkers with everyone, and also makes you quite afraid. The only reason I’m knocking it down a bit is that the main woman got a bit heroine trope-y for my liking and I thought the twist at the end about the dramatic subplot was a bit tawdry and melodramatic. 4 out of 5.
The Mistletoe Bride and Other Haunting Tales by Kate Mosse.
I picked up this book because I enjoyed “The Taxidermist’s Daughter”. Since it was a book of short stories, it didn’t have quite the same charm. I think Kate Mosse does a brilliant job painting worlds and creating terror, but not so much under the restraints of short stories. Some were genuinely chilling. Others less so. 3 out of 5.
The Taxidermist’s Daughter by Kate Mosse.
I mentioned above that I really enjoyed this novel. It has about 20 twists (sometimes a bit too many) but I was so sucked into the world that Kate Mosse created that I didn’t really care. There are some quite graphic murders so not for the faint of heart. 4 out of 5.
The Somnambulist by Essie Fox.
I loved the concept of this book more than the actual execution. There needed to have been more editorial oversight, and maybe reign in a few separate strands/drama/twists. The basic plot could have been fascinating and Essie Fox paints the Music Hall world in a really interesting way but then the book just becomes too much. 3 out of 5.
Case Histories by Kate Atkinson.
I picked up this book because I enjoyed Atkinson’s “Life After Life”. And I did enjoy “Case Histories” but I couldn’t muster a lot of feeling for most of the characters of their predicaments. The only person I truly felt sorry for was the father in the second case. The resolution just wasn’t as satisfying as I needed it to be. 3 out of 5 stars.
Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh.
I’m a huge fan of Allie Brosh’s blog. I wish she blogged more frequently, and I’ve been waiting for far too long to read her book. It was exactly what I expected and I laughed out loud multiple times. I’m only knocking a star off because I wish it had more original material, most of the stories I had read before. 4 out of 5.
Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis
I’ve read the whole series countless times before and cherish it greatly. Sam had them read to him as a kid, but doesn’t remember a single plot twist, so we’ve undertaken this as the series that we are currently reading aloud to each other. We’ve finished the “Magician’s Nephew” and are nearly at the end of “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”.
The Circle by David Eggers.
Surely Mae must win a contest as one of the most annoying main characters of all times. I liked the concept of the novel and I enjoyed the world of “The Circle” but about halfway through I got a bit tired of Eggers hitting the reader so hard with the preachy-stick. We get it. Some things aren’t meant to be shared over social media. 3 out of 5.
Dirty Rush by Taylor Bell
*I was given a copy of “Dirty Rush” for the purposes of review. All thoughts are my own.* I found “Dirty Rush” to be a very ridiculous look at Greek life that didn’t even ring remotely true to my own sorority experience. I’d classify this novel as a “beach read” and you can breeze right through it. Imagine if the TV show “Greek” was made by HBO instead of “ABC Family” a bit raunchy and seedy, fun but not truthful at all. 2 out of 5.
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What’s the best thing you’ve read lately?
