Hey y’all! Welcome to the July edition of what I’m reading!
As per usual I’m constant updating my reading only Instagram account (@whatstephreads) and through my Goodreads page.
Here’s what I’ve read lately and what I’ve got coming up.
1. We Were Liars | by E Lockhart – This book totally surprised me. And that rarely happens these days. The writing style takes a little getting used to (and it annoyed me at times) but it’s a quick and captivating read. I have other books by this author on order because I’m now a fan.
2. Sweet Forgiveness | by Lori Nelson Spielman – This one was a pretty easy chick-lit type of read. But I had some serious problems with the way that the author handled certain issues…mainly abuse. It just left a bad taste in my mouth. I also never really connected with the main character.
3. A Man Called Ove | by Fredrick Backman – I mentioned this one already in a previous post. I LOVED this one and it was my only five star this book. Try to tell me you don’t fall in love with Ove after reading this book. He’s the most lovable curmudgeon EVER. This book made me laugh and cry in equal measures and it captivated me from the very beginning.
4. That Night | by Chevy Stevens- I thought this was a really interesting premise for a book but by the end I had lost interest. Not sure why, it just happens sometimes.
5. The Animals | by Christian Kiefer – This was definitely not an easy-breezy summer read and it’s probably not for everyone but I thought this book was so freaking interesting. A man (who’s made serious mistakes in his past) moves to the middle of nowhere to run a wildlife rescue. I loved the parts from his past and from his present equally and I loved his relationship with the animals. This book is pretty violent and raw so if you don’t like that then you won’t like this book. One of the strangest books I’ve read in a while but I mean that in a really good way.
6. Luckiest Girl Alive | by Jessica Knoll- There’s been a ton of buzz about this book and while it was worth the read, I have to tell you I HATED the main character. Despised her. There was nothing redeeming about her to me. That said, it’s worth a read.
7. You |by Caroline Kepnes- Y’all. This book FREAKED me OUT. The creepiest grossest book I’ve read in a long time. Listen. It’s graphic. I warned you. And I don’t even know what I thought about it. I still shudder thinking about it. I honestly didn’t know how to rate it. Obsession, stalking…yeah. Disturbing.
Currently Reading
1. The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared |Jonas Jonasson
1. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks | E Lockhart
2. Since You’ve Been Gone | Morgan Matson
3. The Book of Speculation | Erika Swyler
4. The Royal We | Heather Cocks
5. The Summer of Good Intentions | Wendy Francis
Whew! That’s it for this month! As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts + recommendations.
Loved We were Liars! Totally surprising!!
Love theses posts! I read We are Liars too and really liked it. Reading a YA book Every Day by David Levithan and it’s good too. We are going to the beach for a few weeks, so I am looking for books to take. You have great suggestions!
Looked up your books on barnesandnoble.com and realize I have the Summer of Good Intentions! Got it at Costco, looks really good.
I love those puffin books and reading your reviews. BTW, is it really sad that I’ve never read ANY of those puffin books?
How in the world do you find time to do everything you do, and still fit in reading! Can’t wait to see what you have this time…I’m thinking boy!! LOVE following your blog and your family is simply adorable!!
You are going to love The Hundred Year Old Man!
Recent good reads: Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23602562-our-souls-at-night); spare prose, lovely story/premise. | Anchored: Finding Hope in the Unexpected by Kayla Aimee (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23492928-anchored); probably better to read after baby is born, though | Unbroken (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8889380-unbroken); amazing difficult story, unbelievable life story |
How do you manage to finish all those books you do not like, the ones that are disgusting, depressing, etc? I would throw them at the wall for sure. A book gets a max of 50 pages before I abandon it!
The author of CALL ME OVE has a new one out …..”My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She’s Sorry”. Cannot wait to read it.
I don’t know if you’ve already read him but I just finished Remains of the Day and it was so so lovely. I read two others but Ishiguro and loved both of those, too.
I dont finish books i dont like. Simple rule. 🙂
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We Were Liars was great! I like how the blurb on the cover says if anyone asks you about this book just lie! I’m currently reading The Perfume Collector and liking it a lot. Just finished Judy Blume’s new book and liked it too, but it wasn’t mind blowing. Just a great little read. Love your book recommendations, every time you post here or on Instagram my library queue gets longer!
I had much the same reaction you did to We Were Liars. I really enjoyed Frankie Landau Banks. Nice strong female character who solves her own problems. And Since You’ve Been Gone was such a good read! I loved how she discovered herself and her own worth and ability to shine! And I love having a “high school” book that I can recommend yo younger readers because there is not really any questionable content.
Thanks for suggesting a Man named Ove. I loved it! Read it in a day, made me laugh and cry just like you said.