August Bookshelf, Pt 1

Here's my August reading list:

Cloud Atlas, David Mitchell

-Short stories, fiction

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

- History, Non-Fiction

Reviving Amelia, Kimberly McCreight

- Fiction

Matched, Ally Condie

- Youth Fiction

Moon over Manifest, Clare Vanderpool

- Youth historical fiction

American Wasteland: How America Throws Away Nearly Half of its Food, Jonathan Bloom

- Nonfiction

Short and sweet.  The end.

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.

July Bookshelf, Pt 1

I LOVE to read.  When I was 10 or so, I actually checked out 80 books for 2 weeks from the library... and finished them all before the 2 weeks passed.  I still bring recyclable grocery bags that I fill every time I visit.  I actually have my library's website bookmarked on my computer so I can reserve or save titles as soon as I run across them.  I consider it a great accomplishment that my niece likes to go to the library with me, and that checking out a book for her is a fun surprise.  

So, allow me to introduce a new monthly addition to my blog - BOOKS!  I'll provide the list of what I've checked out and, at the end of the month, I'll review what I managed to finish. 

Before I get to the list, however, let me just explain a little about my reading "strategy."  Because book reviews and recommendations are great, but not all that helpful without knowing the tastes of the person making the recommendation!  So here are a few key things to know about the books I choose:

1) I read all genres, for the most part.  I'm not into horror or erotic literature, so you won't see those books here, but you will see fantasy, sci-fi, chick lit, non-fiction, memoirs, etc.  I read YF and JF, classics, biographies...  

2) The reason that I enjoy all genres is because I read, primarily, for enjoyment.  I won't turn my nose up at "books for kids."  Because they're great.  And you should try them.  Because you'll find out they're great.  Or awful and cheesy.  But a lot of them are great!

3) I don't have favorites, and I rarely re-read books.  A book may fall into the category of "one of my favorites," but I have a hard time ranking a book that I love that's a YF against a memoir that I love.  How do you even compare them?

4) If I don't like a book, it will be for one of two reasons: I either can't stand the character(s)/narrator, or I can't stand the authors writing style and the story wasn't enough to keep me engaged.  I may stop reading a book for these reasons, without apology.  There are so many amazing reads out there- why waste time on the ones that I don't enjoy?  I will try to make it through a book if I feel like there is something redeeming in the story... but I'm okay just saying that it just wasn't for me if it doesn't work out.  It's not me... it's you...

Without further adieu, my July bookshelf:

The Center Cannot Hold, Elyn Saks

- Memoir

Barefoot, Elin Hilderbrand

- Fiction, Chick Lit

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

- Fantasy, Jr Fiction

The Marble Queen, Stephanie J. Blake

- Youth Fiction

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

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

- Memoir

The Quilter's Apprentice, Jennifer Chiaverini

- Fiction

Cloud Atlas, David Mitchell

- Short Stories that combines into one novel

Death Comes to Pemberley, P.D. James

- Mystery

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

- History, Non-Fiction

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

- History, Non-Fiction, somewhat biographical

Dark Places, Gillian Flynn

- Fiction

**I'll take recommendations for next month!  Let me know what titles you are enjoying!**