July Bookshelf, Pt 2

At the beginning of July, I introduced my bookshelf for the month... and now, in August, here's what I think about the books I read.  I'm clearly right on top of things this month.

The Center Cannot Hold, Elyn Saks

- Memoir

- I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this book; this was actually a re-read.  My mom asked if I knew any good books on schizophrenia, checked this one out on my recommendation... and then I took it to read again.  The author tells of her struggle with schizophrenia amidst her climb into distinguished professorship with language that pulls you in.  You sympathize with her situation, get frustrated at poor decisions, fear for her safety, wonder what her future will hold... it's an amazing story of conquering a mental illness despite all odds.  Read it!

Barefoot, Elin Hilderbrand

- Fiction, Chick Lit

- Meh.  I made it through this book only because I wanted to know how the story ended.  I kept hoping that it would get better... but I never felt as though it did.  I didn't really connect with any of the characters, and felt like I had just finished a really long book about a group of 30 year old women and their spouses/lovers behaving selfishly and childishly because, boo hoo, life is hard.  (I exclude the character Vicki and her husband from this generalization.)  Is that mean?  I still stand by that description.

Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact, A.J. Hartley

- Fantasy, Jr Fiction

- I loved the story and the characters, but felt as though the author spent too much time in some areas of the story, which made it drag a bit.  It's an enjoyable read, but I'd recommend the Mysterious Benedict Society series by Trenton Lee Stewart first; they're along the same reading level but Stewart's series kept me engaged the whole time.

The Marble Queen, Stephanie J. Blake

- Youth Fiction
- Didn't get around to reading it.

How to Create the Perfect Wife: Britain's Most Ineligible Bachelor and His Enlightened Quest to Train the Ideal Mate, Wendy Moore

- History, sort of Faux-Biography?, Non-Fiction

- I could not get into this book.  After 50 pages, I put it down.  The author's writing style was a bit laborious for my taste; I felt like I was reading a lecture on Mr. Day's life rather than being pulled into the story.  Sorry; no review for that one here.

The World's Strongest Librarian: A Memoir of Tourette's. Faith, Strength, and the Power of Family, Josh Hanagarne

- Memoir

- I liked this book.  The author was candid and honest about his struggles with tourette's and LDS faith, the embracing love his family surrounded him with, and how he ended up being not only a librarian, but a librarian that breaks every stereotype you could imagine.  His writing was very conversational, mostly witty and sarcastic, and it was quick and fun.  Not a favorite, but I enjoyed it.

The Quilter's Apprentice, Jennifer Chiaverini

- Fiction
- This book sucked me right in and motivated me to get back to work on the quilts I started a few months back.  A heart-warmer that makes you feel cozy and wish for a group of old ladies to sew alongside.  I'll be reading the second in the series, for sure.

Cloud Atlas, David Mitchell

- Short Stories that combines into one novel
- Still mid-book; will let you know

Death Comes to Pemberley, P.D. James

- Mystery
- I love James, and I love Jane Austen (this mystery picks up after Darcy and Elizabeth marry and are living in Pemberley), but this wasn't one of my favorites.  Maybe my mind couldn't put the two together or something.  But I still love James and Austen, and recommend them both!!

In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin, Erik Larson

- History, Non-Fiction
- Still mid-book; will let you know

A Train in Winter: An Extraordinary Story of Women, Friendship, and Resistance in Occupied France

- History, Non-Fiction, somewhat biographical
- This was actually the 2nd time that I tried to read this book.  I think that if I could actually get into the story, I'd enjoy it, but the 12 (or more?) women and their backstories lose me.  I can't keep them straight and I ended up putting the book down a 2nd time.  Sad.

Dark Places, Gillian Flynn

- Fiction

- I loved Flynn's Gone Girl, so I was anticipating great things in Dark Places (if you haven't read Gone Girl, do!  It's so dark and holds so many twists... I thoroughly enjoyed it!).  Overall, it was a good read - a bit slow in places, but thoroughly mysterious and intriguing.  I liked Gone Girl more.