This week, I’m linking up with Sheila at Book Journey for It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?
It’s been a couple weeks since I last shared what I’ve been reading, so I’ll catch everyone up a little today. I’m well into “operation read as many 2014 books that everyone loved as possible before the end of the year” and have at least sampled many of the books I was trying to get to before the end of 2014.
I recently finished…
An Untamed State by Roxane Gay
The first half of this one was an intense, gut-wrenching emotional roller coaster, but the intensity dissipated a bit in the second half. I included it on my Best Debuts of 2014 List.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
Florence Gordon by Brian Morton
I tried this one awhile back and wasn’t initially feeling it, but I’m glad I picked it back up! While I didn’t like Florence as a character (I doubt you’re supposed to!) or think there was all that much to this story, I absolutely adored Morton’s tight writing.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (full review)
This one was a complete surprise for me since I don’t normally like post-apocalyptic fiction and will make it onto my Best Books of 2014 List (coming on December 16).
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
I tried the sample, but wasn’t feeling…
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
I realize half the world loved this book and it’s won prestigious awards…I just couldn’t get into it. I read the Amazon sample and was forcing myself to finish even that. So, I’m moving on.
Right now, I’m testing out…
Cry Father by Benjamin Whitmer
Bookalicious Mama’s review and Shannon at River City Reading’s comments about this “story about men, their fathers, their sons, and the legacy of violence” convinced me that I have to at least sample it!
Mermaids in Paradise by Lydia Millet
The premise of this book (“mermaids, kidnappers, and mercenaries hijack a tropical vacation in this genre-bending sendup of the American honeymoon”) sounds absolutely preposterous, but Catherine at Book Club Librarian shared the first paragraph as part of Tuesday Intros and I loved the writing! So, I’m giving it a shot.
The Bishop’s Wife by Mette Ivie Harrison
This murder mystery set in Mormon Utah comes out on December 30. It sounds like there might be glimpses of Under the Banner of Heaven-style Mormon scandal.
The Means by Douglas Brunt
I loved Brunt’s 2013 novel about Wall Street, Ghosts of Manhattan. His witty and spot-on social commentary reminded me a bit of Tom Wolfe and I’m looking forward to seeing what he does with the politic world (lots to satirize there!).
Has anyone read any of these? Is there a Best Book of 2014 contender among them? What are you reading?
I am starting to think Station Eleven may just have to be my first book of the year… I keep seeing so many great things about it.
These are all new to me. I am reading all sorts of YA and adult review books. Here is my week. Happy reading!
I should really make use of those amazon samples! Not sure why I always forget about them. I’m sure it would save me from purchasing many books that will never get read.
Everyone seems to love All the Light We Cannot See, but the blurb doesn’t really appeal to me. The sample route sounds like the way to go.
So glad you gave Florence Gordon another chance!
Thanks for reminding me of some books I’ve been meaning to read this year…and still hope to get to.
My recap: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2014/12/weekly-book-recap-89.html
Did you ever finish Mermaids in Paradise? What did you think of it?
I am one of the few who did not like All The Light We Cannot See. Check out my review from last month (I think?). While the writing was well done (probably one of the reasons it’s getting so many accolades), I felt that it was way too slow moving. I did manage to finish it, which I’m kind of regretting considering how many other books I could have been reading instead. I’m interested in trying Florence Gordon.
I’m thrilled that you are trying out Mermaids in Paradise and The Bishop’s Wife; those have both caught my eye, so I’ll be very interested to see what you think! Excited to see your list next week…I still want to read Station Eleven, too.