75 Books...More or Less! discussion
Archive (2017 GR Completed)
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Juli's 2017 Books
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Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls, and Everything in Between5/5 stars
This was really a delight to read. Lauren writes like Lorelai speaks, which she credits to being Lorelai for so many years and memorizing Amy Sherman-Palladino's scripts. Lauren is funny and witty and extremely personable in this autobiography. I read Maybe, Maybe, Someday before and loved her references to this novel in addition to Gilmore Girls and Parenthood. I also really enjoyed learning about her theater days, college and graduate school times, as well as her struggles as an up and coming actress. Plus, her funny stories about any of the odd jobs she's done throughout the years and how many commercials she shot were just extremely entertaining. Lauren Graham, please adopt me or at least be my friend!
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InterWorld4/5 stars
I enjoyed this. Neil Gaiman's imagination is literally out of this world. The only thing that I found difficult were all the new and complicated terms that made up this book. It was a bit slow to get into.
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Where'd You Go, Bernadette3/5 stars
I didn't love it and I didn't hate it. The writing style of at-first seemingly unrelated emails and notes took a bit getting used to. But the characters themselves were amazing: flawed human beings with stories to tell. I read this book in one sitting, so that means something. I enjoyed it. I particularly found the descriptions of Seattle and the people who love tech very endearing. There were one too many things happening to the main characters that seemed a bit too much (SPOILERS!!!!): getting your admin pregnant during one drunken night, finding yourself in Antarctica, or being a big shot at Microsoft one day and getting your contract cancelled the next just seemed a bit too unrealistic.
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I'll Give You the Sun5/5 stars
This was lovely and sad in a soul-crushing way. I simultaneously feel devastated and up-lifted. This books is for all ages because we are all looking for something. While the twins are the main subjects of the story, anyone of us can relate to them or the many side characters and their experiences. And if you find that little magical potion for a broken heart let me know, cause I sure could use it after reading this book.
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The Sunset Limited5/5 stars
My mind is absolutely blown. Could I have already found my favorite book of 2017? Everyone, stop everything you're doing and read this. McCarthy does Faulkner better than Faulkner does Faulkner. McCarthy does any 'why the fuck am I alive' book better than any other author ever. This book has immediately secured itself a spot on my all-time favorite list. This should be mandatory reading for anyone older than 16 or so. McCarthy is a genius with words and imagery but without trying. He has about 11 million life lessons and questions in one dialogue and no answers at all. His choices such as naming the characters 'Black' and 'White' while making them exactly the opposite of their names 'hopeful/positive' and 'giving up/completely lost' is amazing. Then contrasting 'intellectual' and 'every-day' experience is a stroke of genius, especially since both are true and wrong simultaneously. Is there only black and white? Do I need to believe in something for it to be true? Am I part of a community when I am convinced I am alone? Do we need others or are we enough? Am I making a difference? Do I even need to make a difference? What is life? And where can I find these answers? Well, I tell you what, they are all in this book, but at the same time they aren't. Read it and you'll know what I am talking about.
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A Streetcar Named Desire5/5 stars
This was really, really good. I am glad I finally got to read this play.
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The Ocean at the End of the Lane4/5 stars
The words in this novel are beautiful. The imagery is fantastical and full of magic. I have to be honest, I was lost for most of the story but I quite enjoyed that. Being in a state like that made everything feel dream-like and surreal and I think that was the purpose of the book. Memories can be sharp and distinct but often are blurry, hazy, and maybe not entirely truthful. And that is how I felt reading this book, like I was caught in a fog and found myself right at the edge where I could start to see things clearer but yet the last layers of mist were still playing with my vision hiding all there is to see.
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We Are On Our Own5/5 stars
This was heart-breaking. The story is incredibly sad and depressing. The drawings beautifully match the mood and Miriam Katin manages to capture two different experiences in one novel: the one of the mom who is so desperate to keep herself and her daughter alive and the one of the little girl who is so naive and finds beauty in the little things. I was near tears within the first ten or so pages when the little girl loses her dog. And it just went downhill from there. This is for sure a book I will come back to in the future when I need a reminder of what really matters.
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Before the Fall4/5 stars
I have been looking forward to reading this book ever since I received it last year in my BOTMC box. Honestly, I was expecting a fast-paced thriller. This is far from it and in a good way. The story unfolds in real time. We know a group of people boarded a plane, which then crashes only 16 minutes after take-off without any distress signals. The next scene we catch is the struggle of two survivors, one man and one boy, to swim ashore. The book is constructed by stories of the crash victims and their lives until this fateful moment interspersed by moments of crews trying to find the wreckage and the bodies to piece the events that lead to the crash together and the immediate aftermath of the man and the boy and their attempts to make sense of all of it. This novel is less about a crash and more about the human condition. Noah Hawley did a beautiful job portraying people's back stories, they're thoughts and feelings, and their imperfections. It becomes quickly clear that everyone has skeletons in their closets.
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Me Before You3/5 stars
I don't know what exactly it is that made this less likable than I thought. My best guess is that it was too predictable. Don't get me wrong the love story was beautiful and both main characters were interesting, well thought out, and relatable but nothing really unexpected happened. And unfortunately, Jojo Moyes' wasn't able to make up for lack of plot with intricate language and wonderful imagery. Maybe my expectations were just too high.
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Maya's Notebook (audiobook version)4/5 stars
Allende's writing is provocative and lovely. The topic is attention-grabbing and scenes are often graphic and vulgar. And yet the feeling I got from the book was one of renewed hope and starting over.
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The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake5/5 stars
This was not what I had expected. Written with airy and light language, it seemed to be a story about family dynamics complicated by the fact that the daughter can taste the emotions of whoever prepared the food. But oh boy was I wrong. This was that but also so much more. About halfway through I found myself thinking "what the f%*# is going on?!. This book accomplished what Where'd you go, Bernadette promised - a mystery within a story about people. And the ending is just really, really cool. What a creative imagination Aimee Bender proved to have.
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The Siren3/5 stars
I had such high hopes for this one. The mythical topic of sirens is so appealing and not one of the mythologies I come across often in fiction. Unfortunately, Kiera Cass fell flat. The story was in a way jumbled and felt scatter-brained. The sirens were interesting but also stereotyped. The love story was bland and predictive. The most interesting part really was the relationship between the ocean and the sirens - full of conflicts and twisted emotions.
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When Breath Becomes Air4/5 stars
I honestly don't know if I liked it. I am giving it 4 stars because objectively speaking, this memoir has wonderful language, intellectual depth, and obvious passion. I also love the idea of a written account of a person's disease progression and struggles with imminent death. Paul Kalanithi made me feel for him. But, I could never get past this inherent arrogance that came along with his recounts of his medical training and day-to-day activities in the hospital. I wanted to be excited for him. I wanted to look up to him. But all I could manage to do is not be annoyed. Maybe I am bitter or maybe I am not. I don't know what it is but I wish I would've loved this book more.
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The One Hundred Nights of Hero5/5 stars
I am not sure I could love this book more. It has everything: gruesome deaths, macabre coincidences, fantastic fairytales, dark humor, light-hearted jokes, and the most amazing love story between a man and a moon. And this is all besides the main message of true love between women, whether it is as lovers, sisters, mothers and daughters, or as friends. And yes, I realize the men don't look that great in this book but, trust me, these are just examples, cautionary tales, and not all-encompassing.
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A Darker Shade of Magic5/5 stars
This was everything I wanted it to be! I marvel at Schwab's creativity and visions. There is just nothing better than dark worlds filled with suspense and magic.
Book #45
A Gathering of Shadows5/5 stars
This was a great sequel. I really love how dark and twisted the story is. I still favor Lila and Kell over any of the other characters but Alucard is fun and interesting. I also can't wait to find out how Holland's story is going to end. I have to read the third installment soon!
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Ella Enchanted3/5 stars
This was cute and entertaining. I can see how a younger me would've enjoyed this very much.
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The Bear and the Nightingale3.5/5 stars
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I am giving this 3.5 stars despite the fact that the descriptions were magical and the heroine is one of my favorite heroines in a while.
This is a vivid and imaginative rendering of multiple Russian folklores and fairytales. Katherine Arden obviously spent a considerate amount of time researching and studying Russian tales, Russian classic literature, and other Slavic cultures. This story centers around bravery, mystical creatures, family love, and daily hardship. The book starts out with a family sitting around the kitchen stove in the deepest winter and an old maid spinning stories filled with ancient tales and pagan beliefs drawing the reader into a magical world of wood creatures, water trolls, and evil spirits. The reader gets to know each family member. their quirks, their beliefs, and their love for each other. The main characters are interesting and relatable. The heroine, Vasya, is powerful, independent to the point of stubborn, unconventional, and warm. She grows into a warrior and really made the book feel hopeful.
A big problem, in my opinion, is that Arden didn't stop with the stories of the main figures. She describes various other characters cascading into a slew of subplots and side stories, just as we remember from classic authors like Dostoyevsky or Tolstoy. But herein lies the main problem. The many characters and their stories were not really necessary for the main plot to be understandable and sensical. In fact, I wager to say the plot would've stood out more hadn't there been so many side stories. And while I understand that this is just the first book in a series, it did make it difficult for me to get into the book, and thus could prevent me from wanting to read the series. I feel that if these characters will become more important later in the story, their stories could've been introduced later as well. It just seems like the author was trying too hard taking away from the actual beauty this novel could've been.
Nevertheless, I see great potential in this series, and will read book 2 in hopes to see more of the beloved heroine and less of random side characters. (less)
Mod
A Man Called Ove4/5 stars
Ove may be my favorite character in a long long time. His ways and grumpiness are just so lovable. Backman did a fantastic job spinning his story. I was drawn in right from the beginning. I found myself laughing at Ove's idiosyncracies on several occasions and tried to read passages about him to anyone who would listen. Ove is me in many ways. His begrudging interactions with old and new neighbors were special, and simple, and funny, and maddening all at once. His unwavering love for his late wife was absolutely beautiful. I didn't give this novel 5 stars simply because I didn't cry at the end and I felt the ending deserved a good weep. I wanted to, I just couldn't.
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The Trees5/5 stars
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This book needs digesting! Reading it was a journey; at times light and breezy, and at others so heavy I felt myself shrinking into the couch. I loved every minute of it. The most remarkable aspect of this novel is that it was the deepest everyday realism drenched in fantasy I've come across so far (I know this is pretty much the definition of magic realism but it feels that that doesn't describe it enough.). The fact that nature destroyed everything man-made overnight to take back its rightful spot on the throne seems so secondary to the trials and tribulations of the main characters. Here we have a pessimistic, cowardly, unsatisfied man who just coasts through life making no real contributions to society. Adrian Thomas struggles with EVERYTHING that life puts in front of him albeit the fact that he has a devoted wife, a secure job, and a calm middle-class life. Well, he had all that until the trees came (minus the wife, he potentially lost her love much much earlier than that). On the other hand, there is Hannah - a single mother, a nature lover, a wonderful human being. Her life was in her eyes pretty much grand (despite being left to raise her son alone) and she welcomed the trees as they are a symbol of humans being forced back into nature - something she has been advocating for all her life. Opposing that is her son Seb, who, according to Hannah, did nothing else but play video games and stare at a screen, never enjoying nature, and had been designated a lost cause.
These three, seemingly very different people, join up and leave their homes behind to find Hannah's brother - a hermit living deep in the old woods - and Michelle (Adrian's for-now? wife who was on a business trip in Ireland with her boss and/or affair). They pick up a badass Japenese warrior, Hiroko, who is Seb's age but that is about all she has in common with him - anyone who doesn't want to be Hiroko cannot be my friend ;) Along the way, they are faced with wolves, death, hunger, weird whispering monsters, and friendly or unfriendly other survivors. And yet, what is in the foreground are not these fantastic occurrences but the inner struggles of each character - struggles that we all face day to day: am I good enough? did I build something up in my thoughts and will I inadvertently get disappointed by reality? what should be my next step? what do others think of me? etc. Each character goes through highs and lows during the long journey - sometimes they falter, sometimes they prevail making them incredibly relatable and lovable.
And the ending of the book was just amazing. It was so weird but yet felt so right. It was presented in the driest and nonchalant way possible that completely downplayed the grandeur that it really was. Nature is a fickle beast. But we must love it for what it is as we are it and it is us.
This is not a book that you will fly through. This is a book that deserves savoring. You must not be faster than the pace of the story. Just sit down with the book and let yourself be carried away in a world of the bizarre but yet so familiar. I highly recommend The Trees. It is beautiful inside and out.
Mod
The Secrets of Wishtide4/5 stars
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I love me a good English mystery. And this held what it promised. Yes, it was Agatha-Christie-ish. Yes, it reminded me at times of Sherlock Holmes. And yes, I devoured this book because the characters were lovely, and interesting, and kooky; and the story was light but yet gripping - exactly what I remember from Agatha Christie.
Letty and her friend Mary were my favorites - yay for girl power. Her brother, Fred, is special too as he never questions Letty's capabilities. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about strong female characters. I also loved the Victorian setting - it elevated how independent and strong-minded Letty is.
The mystery itself was perfect - the interplay between mundanity, juicy gossip, and murderous suspense was pure entertainment. I flew through this book and I cannot wait to read the sequel. Heads up to Kate Saunders who tackled a genre that is filled with iconic authors and held her own.
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Norse Mythology5/5 stars
As expected, Gaiman did not disappoint. I like to believe that these are his notes and thoughts that came about during research for his other books, very obviously, for example, American Gods. I have a fondness for old Nordic tales and Gaiman did a wonderful job making them magical and lively. This is definitely a book worth owning. I could see myself rereading certain chapters or using them for references in the future.
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March5/5 stars
What a precious and important read! I've been to the Nashville Main Public Library, which has a wonderful exhibit on Nashville's involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, but I enjoyed this very personal account so much more. I can only hope I will remember the significant events described herein in the future. I am definitely looking forward to book two.
Book #25
March: Book Two5/5 stars
This series is truly wonderful and inspirational. Again, everyone should read it. I really liked this second book. The illustrations were again spot-on. If I could give this one 4.9 stars I would, only because I felt that the first book was more emotionally raw and a bit more personal. I cannot wait for the third book though. I'd say this graphic novel series is worth owning as I think it's perfectly suited for re-reads.
Book #28
March: Book Three5/5 stars
This series is well-worth your time. Not just is the topic timely and important, the illustrations are also amazing and lively. The conversations are so real and the way speech bubbles overlap perfectly captures chaos and turmoil. Also, I had no idea how much I cared about the font in a graphic novel and the font that was used here was perfect! It was such a joy to read the words because of how much I loved the font.
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We Should All Be Feminists4/5 stars
Wonderful little book. Definitely a must-read. I gave it 4/5 stars because I was expecting to be more emotional myself and to read about the emotions of the author. This would've helped me connect with the author.
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How to Talk to Girls at Parties4/5 stars
This was lovely.
Book #27
Troll Bridge3/5 stars
I probably would've given this 1 or maybe 2 stars weren't it for the fact that this made me so deliciously uncomfortable in the best way. The story was good, don't get me wrong. The troll was creepy and the ending was surprising and emotional but, unfortunately, the illustrations were not special (and usually they Gaiman graphic novels have amazing illustrations) and the font was just TERRIBLE!
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Big Little Lies5/5 stars
I didn't expect to like this book so much. I just flew through the pages. The characters were interesting and the story was very suspenseful. I can totally see how this book makes the perfect TV series.
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The Handmaid's Tale5/5 stars
I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. I don't know if I can allow myself to truly think about everything that Atwood touches upon in this novel - it could be too scary. And because of this, this book is for sure going to be one of those books that's going to stay with me forever.
I can only applaud Atwood for this masterpiece. Definitely, something everyone should read once! Preferably more than once.
Mod
The Girl with All the Gifts4/5 stars
Genetic thriller meets post-apocalyptic novel. I flew through this book and it was definitely a good read. At times the bleakness and despair reminded me of Cormac McCarthy's The Road. But the language was almost middle-school age-ish creating a stark contrast to the very adult topics.
Mod
Manga Classics: Jane Eyre4/5 stars
This was really, really fun. I'm giving this 4 stars solely because it being in the style of manga lead to some of the finer nuances of the story of Jane Eyre and Brontë's writing being lost.
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The Underground Railroad2/5 stars
I wanted to love this book badly.
Re-imagining The Underground Railroad as an actual railroad sounded so perfect. I adored the concept and couldn't wait to read this book. I waited months for my library copy and everyone I came across meanwhile praised this book highly. When it was finally in my hands, it became clear, within the first few pages, it was not what I had hoped for. The beginning was extremely slow - which I would've understood if it aided in character development, but it didn't. The story did pick up a little once the main protagonist, Cora, was on the run. And, let me tell you, I was super excited at that point because it meant the underground railroad was about to be introduced - the true main protagonist in my opinion.
To my surprise, that didn't happen. In fact, reading on, I found myself continuously wishing for more descriptions and stories about the railroad. How was it built? What was the tunnel system like? Where did the train engines come from? How did you become a conductor? How did they choose the stations? Who came up with the idea of digging tunnels for an underground railroad in the first place? Really none of these questions were answered in the book.
Did I miss the point of the book? I must have. Because it did describe the turmoils of slave life and being on the run beautifully, so I think the book has great potential. But it is no Kindred (by Octavia Bulter)- which just blew me away when I read it the first time and gave me my first insight into slavery in the US. Indeed, I kept waiting for Cora's story to tug at my heart strings the way Kindred did but it just didn't happen - and objectively speaking it should've, her story was terrifying, absolutely gruesome, and memorable. On top of it, she was an extremely courageous protagonist giving us all the makings of a touching novel. I think if the author would've found an even balance between Cora's journey and the story of the underground railroad, Cora's emotional and physical turmoil and the cruelties she endured would've stood out more and would've allowed me to form some emotional attachment to her. Instead, I found myself getting more and more distant from her as I read on because one thing after another happened making them all blend together and thus losing some of the punch.
When I made it to the final chapter, I thought, this will be the redeeming factor - she was about to do something so brave even though it was incredibly scary. Instead, for some reason the last leg of her journey was just sort of mentioned in passing, which is a completely missed opportunity in my opinion - here, the author could've woven in so many facts about his underground railroad, maybe given Cora visions of the labor it took to built the tunnels or how people procured box cars and train engines.
Overall, I really wish Colson Whitehead would've had spent more time on the trains and story of the railroad and less on side stories of some of the characters - which at the very most were interesting but not necessary for the novel to progress. Or maybe I should've had fewer expectations for the book. I don't know - either way though, I, very sadly, did not enjoy the book the way I had predicted.
Mod
The Woman in Cabin 104/5 stars
I flew through this book! It read a little bit like a guilty summer-pool-side read and I loved it. I am giving this 4 stars because 1) I would've structured the beginning differently - Laura is meant to be an unreliable witness, and Ruth Ware does a great job conveying this, but I think if the reader would've found out about her anxiety, and her recent frightful encounter with a robber, and her boyfriend troubles while she was figuring out what's going on with the woman from cabin 10, it would've been a more powerful message that she indeed might be an unreliable witness AND 2) While the book had me sucked in right from the beginning, the ending (no the content, just the way it was written) fell a little flat for me.
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Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis5/5 stars
I loved this book. I thought it was honest and insightful, yet a bit romantic about life as a hillbilly.
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Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch5/5 stars
Swoon Neil Gaiman. He did it again. This was funny and witty and imaginative as all get out. And of course, Terry Pratchett added his sarcastic voice and hilarious dialogues into the mix.
Mod
Leviathan4/5 stars
This was a really fun read. I love the imagination that goes along with Steampunk. And I truly enjoyed how this novel weaved in aspects of World War I making it feel very historical. I am not sure who the target audience is but the writing did feel like it would be well-suited for middle and high schoolers. That doesn't change that the story was intriguing and kept me on the edge of my seat (well the sofa in my case). Of course, it ended on a cliffhanger, so now I have to read the second book asap.
Book #50
Behemoth5/5 stars
This was a bit of a slower beginning but about halfway through I couldn't put it down. Plus, it ended with a bang! I love all the historical references and the descriptions of Istanbul were beautiful. Just like in the first book, the contrast between beasties and clanker machines is imaginative and interesting.
Book #54
Goliath4/5 stars
The love story was gonna happen and I'm perfectly fine with this. But did it have to take up the final chapter of the book? I wish it would've been downplayed a bit.
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Americanah5/5 stars
This felt so real - more like reading a memoir than a work of fiction. I wouldn't be surprised if this is Adichie's life in a nutshell. I found myself relating to several of Ifem's experiences moving to the US but yet there were so many very foreign to me as well. What a wonderful novel. Everyone should read it.
Mod
It Ends with Us3/5 stars
The main topic of the book is important. The story is well-developed. I felt for the characters and their struggles seemed believable and real. Yet, something was missing. And I think it was the language. The writing felt childish. I think that's my main issue with the novel. It could've been so much better wouldn't it have felt like a young adult novel and rather like a book geared toward a more mature audience. Not that the topic wouldn't be appropriate for young adults. Quite the contrary actually. But domestic abuse is heavy and complicated and the language to convey that shouldn't sound like we are talking about who talked about whom behind their back during yesterday's PE class.
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Book #40
Lumberjanes #1Book #43
Lumberjanes #2Book #44
Lumberjanes #3Book #48
Lumberjanes #4Book #49
Lumberjanes #5
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The Impossible Fortress4/5 stars
This was a quick read. I geeked out a bit of course. The love story seemed real. I really enjoyed it and would've given it 4.5 or 5 stars were it not for the ending. Billy not noticing what was going on with Mary the entire time seemed really off, even taking into account him being an oblivious teenager.
Mod
Charlaine Harris' Grave Surprise2/5 stars
This was only ok for me. I didn't realize it was already the second book in this series so maybe I am missing something. It was suspenseful but I don't think the illustrations were special and the language was boring - everything was described very explicitly as if the illustrations didn't set any context to the dialogue.
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Preludes & Nocturnes5/5 stars
** spoiler alert ** This is dark, mystical, and gruesome but also beautiful and poetic. Gaiman quotes Faust, Dream looks like him, and his sister is Death. What could be better?
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From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler5/5 stars
I loved, loved, loved this book. What an endearing story. I also adored the author's afterword. It made me want to be friends with her.
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3/5 stars
This was cute and entertaining. I can see how a younger me would've enjoyed this very much."
My favorite tween read ever.
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Lumberjanes #1
Lumberjanes #2
Lumberjanes #3
..."
Love this series!! This series and Nimona got me liking graphic novels.
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4/5 stars
This was a quick read. I geeked out a bit of course. The love story seemed real. I really enjoyed it and would've given it 4.5 or 5 stars were it..."
Have you read Ready Player One? Better than IF in my opinion! Loved it! Only book I've reread (relistened) in the past like 5 years. lol. If you're into audioboooks, I highly suggest it. Wil Wheaton is amazing.
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4/5 stars
Ove may be my favorite character in a long long time. His ways and grumpiness are just so lovable. Backman did a fantastic job spinning his story. I was..."
Love Backman's books!
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Nimona5/5 stars
This was great. I loved the complex, very human, and difficult interpersonal relationships in this story. This is all of us! We all can be evil at times and good at others.
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Book #53
Diary of a Wimpy Kid4/5 stars
Cute. I can totally see how kids love this.
book #73
Rodrick Rules5/5 stars
I enjoyed this one even more than the first one. Greg is a funny kid. I found myself laughing out loud a few times. His diary entries are witty and insightful, yet childish and naive. It's a great combination that even adults can relate to - at the very least in a knowing and reminiscing kind of way.
75 Books...More or Less!
Books mentioned in this topic
Little Women (other topics)Little Women (other topics)
Little Women (other topics)
Lab Girl (other topics)
The Body Snatcher (other topics)
More...
Edit: After surpassing 75 books, I have (unofficially) upped my reading challenge to 100 books. Fingers crossed!
I will post my updates here. You can also check out my blog if you feel so inclined :)
https://ichleseblog.wordpress.com/