Every year since I think 2011, I have read 52 books each year. I am probably too proud of this, but I think it's awesome and fun and I get to read a lot of great books and some pretty terrible ones. I don't have any sort of requirement, and count graphic novels too. Here is my current hold list at the library (and yes, I said library — I refuse to pay for books to take up more space in my house — I love books, but I also live in a 700 square foot apartment with my boyfriend and dog and there is no room for the thousands of books I read and own — my Kindle rocks):
The Woman in Cabin 10 — Ruth Ware → I’m really digging this psychological “I don’t know what’s happening in this book but somehow I’m still reading it” genre, andIn a Dark, Dark Woodwas surprising good
Fatal — John Lescroart → Periodically, I go through the New York Times’ Bestseller list because I like reading books that people are talking about — for this reason, I read theFifty Shadestrilogy, so you’d think I wouldn’t be doing it anymore, but whatever. And I know you should judge a book by the cover, but the cover of this one makes it look awesome.
Dark Matter — Blake Crouch → I’ve been waiting to read this one for awhile, I guess it’s popular. I like realistic sci-fi stuff, likeBlack Mirroronly a book
The Girl Before — JP Delaney → Generally, I hate the switching narrators, but it worked forThe Girl on the Train, so I guess as long as it’s a good writer, anything works. Ooh I just saw this is going to be a film by Ron Howard — I like reading the books before they are cast so I can picture my own people. For example,The Circlecasting is great, but not at all what I anticipated.
Behind Closed Doors — B.A. Paris → I’m pretty sure I’ve been waiting on this one for a hundred years. I joined a Goodreads bookclub and this was last month’s and I still haven’t gotten it. I should probably just buy it already. I really prefer a paperback, though. I hate that the description of this book calls it an “international phenomenon.” Vomit.
Stories of Your Life and Others — Ted Chiang → If you read my last post (ha ha yeah right I know you didn’t), you would know I just sawArrivaland had no idea it was based on a short story. I bet it’s amazing.
Sleeping Giants — Sylvian Neuvel → Here is why I added this book, from the description: “A page-turning debut in the tradition of Michael Crichton,World War Z,andThe Martian,Sleeping Giantsis a thriller fueled by an earthshaking mystery — and a fight to control a gargantuan power” — Sold.
The Chemist — Stephanie Meyer → Big surprise, I like Stephanie Meyer. Yes, I likeTwilight.I’m in my thirties — we all like it. Anyone who says they don’t, probably hasn’t read them or just saw the movies, and we can all agree Kristen Stewart is horrible.
This is Where It Ends — Marieke Nijkamp → I honestly enjoy YA fiction. The cover art on this book rocks, and I read a great book about Columbine last year by Dave Cullen and it was like reading fiction. Of course, that wasn’t fiction, so here we go
Sorry if that is way too much information. Blogging is difficult because it seems like nobody will care but me. And blogging is very circle-y. Have you not readThe Circle? You should. Like, as soon as humanly possible. #knowingeverythingisbetter
When You was published, it was like nothing I had ever read before, or since, for that matter. I was in the head of Joe Goldberg, an obsessive murdering stalker who made you root for him. And it was amazing. So amazing, that Netflix optioned it and made it into a series, which is equally amazing even if it doesn't follow the book plot the way all of us book nerds would like. Then Caroline Kepnes [who you should really be following on Twitter because she's hilarious] wrote a follow-up, also starring Joe Goldberg, titled Hidden Bodies . Because the first book was so amazing, I had high hopes for the second, which is usually disappointing. And this was too - the book was great, but not as great as the first, and I figured this is where the series would end. The writing was great but the plot was a little too fantastical. But I'm a huge fan of Kepnes, so when You Love Me , the third in the installment, was announced, I of course pre-ordered on Amazon because even if it was ba...
You would think since I’m so obsessed with The Circle that I would immediately know when Dave Eggers wrote a sequel. I blame my eight month old baby for not knowing when anything new comes out. Of course, I devoured this book as soon as I got it. Unfortunately, this one just went too far. There are cute references to Amazon and how they made a movie and it was terrible, but overall it was a bit of a mess. It’s unrealistic that Mae Holland would be the CEO. Sure, she is the reason Ty didn’t destroy everything, but I didn’t like that she was in the book at all. It’s like when a TV reboot references the old show too much, it comes across a bit pathetic. Like if you don’t have any more ideas, don’t write a second book. To be fair, the reason I love The Circle is because it sounds great - I love tech and the book teetered in the edge of plausible spookiness in a way that was obliterated in The Every , with the weird clothes and the general mania and WHY was Francis back? Ridiculous. I...
Because I read so much, not every book is a home run. Some are tedious and others are predictable, equally devastating sins for fiction. Sometimes I choose the wrong books and don't challenge myself to read something different. Even more disappointing, I sometimes judge books by their titles and covers and think they're something else without reading the description. Shame on me. My husband and I celebrate Jolabokaflod, an Icelandic tradition where you gift each other books on Christmas Eve, get in your pajamas, eat chocolate, and read. This past Christmas we had a 3-month-old baby at home and I didn't have time to choose books and my husband chose carefully from high-rated lists on Amazon, and he chose Klara and the Sun for me, and I am forever thankful. It is rare to read a book that sticks with you and noodles around in your brain months later, and I believe that is the mark of successful fiction. Maybe it's shocking or sad or makes you think about things differentl...
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