This week, I’m linking up with Sheila at Book Journey for It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?
I’m still participating in the posting portion of Nonfiction November, but have moved on with my reading. I’m now into “operation read as many 2014 books that everyone loved as possible before the end of the year”. And, for the first time, I’m putting down books that don’t quickly grab me (I know this is standard procedure for many bloggers, but I’ve always had trouble with not finishing books!).
I recently finished…
The Martian by Andy Weir
This is such a weird book, but I loved it! I haven’t rooted this hard for a character in a novel in a long while and Mark Watney is so incredibly likable. My full review will be up soon.
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I’m currently reading…
Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King
I’m just over halfway through this one and it’s different than I expected. I was expecting a plot heavy thriller, but it relies much more on the characters…and, I like this! PS – Mr. Mercedes is NOT Stephen King horror (which I’m not into)…it’s much more of a psychological thriller.
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Other books I sampled, but didn’t stick with…
This is not to say I won’t give some of these books another shot…I just wasn’t feeling the beginnings and didn’t end up springing for the full length books yet.
Be Safe, I Love You by Cara Hoffman
I was excited about this one since I loved Thank You For Your Service by David Finkel, which is a nonfiction about PTSD in returning veterans. But, I was confused by Be Safe, I Love You‘s Prologue and the initial letter.
Florence Gordon by Brian Morton
I probably will end up finishing this one…I think I was just feeling impatient when I started it!
Spoiled Brats by Simon Rich
I probably will end up finishing this one too…it’s under 300 pages and I’ve read a couple stories (which have been hit and miss for me). I’m 100% on board with the points Rich makes about spoiled Millennials, I just think some of the vehicles he uses in his stories are more bizarre than funny.
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
Everyone loves this one…but, I had trouble getting into the writing and/or the language in the opening. I also didn’t really love The Secret Life of Bees or The Mermaid Chair. I can’t decide whether Kidd just isn’t for me or if I haven’t given Wings a good enough shot.
Books/samples waiting on my Kindle are…
What should I read next??
I wish I had got involved with Nonfiction November – being gone this month has really screwed up my schedule. 🙂
I loved Florence Gordon… it was definitely the right book at the right time for me. The Invention of Wings was an excellent audiobook, but I’m not sure I would have enjoyed it as much in print. I wasn’t a huge fan of The Secret Life of Bees or The Mermaid Chair either.
Mr. Mercedes is on my wish list. Horror is definitely not for me, but I do love a good psychological thriller now and then!
I really need to read The Martian, I’ve heard its really good!
Glad to hear you like The Martian. It’s one of those books I’m just not certain whether I would enjoy. I did read Be Safe I Love You, enjoyed the quality of the writing but the story was a bit too quirky for me. I have Station Eleven lined up to read sometime this month– hope we enjoy it!
Hmm – interesting about Be Safe I Love You…maybe I’ll put that one on the back burner for a bit. I wasn’t really expecting quirky.
Glad you enjoyed The Martian. It’s one of those books that I’m just not sure whether or not I would enjoy but possibly.
I read Be Safe I Love You and thought it was quality, intelligent writing but a bit too quirky for my taste. I have Station Eleven lined up for sometime this month–hope we both enjoy it.
I am hoping to love Florence Gordon, because the character sounds like someone I would enjoy.
Thanks for visiting my blog, and have a great week.
I’d suggest giving Florence Gordon another try–I loved that book! It’s so true that you do have to be in the right mood for certain books–there are some books that I’ve started three times before they finally clicked! Tell The Wolves I’m Home is one of those. 🙂
I’m definitely going to…everyone seems to love it and it’s not too long, so it’ll be one I finish for sure. Just maybe not this calendar year…we’ll see!
Stephen King and I don’t get along. 🙂 Too scary for me.
Too bad you didn’t like The Invention of Wings, but we all can’t like the same book.
ENJOY this upcoming week of reading.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My It’s Monday, What Are You Reading
I quite liked The Boston Girl (my review will go live in December on my blog). It was different from what I expected–I had previously read and loved “The Red Tent” and it is *nothing* like that, but it was still a great read.
I haven’t read The Red Tent, so I’m going in pretty blind!
I hope you end up giving Florence Gordon another try, I think it’s a little more universal than Spoiled Brats (which I think is definitely a little more quirky and could be hard to get into if you weren’t feeling it).
You have some great possibilities there! I loved All the Light We Cannot See, but An Untamed State is still the best book I’ve read all year.