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Friday, April 19, 2013

What I've Been Reading - April 2013


Hi, I have several books to share that I've enjoyed over the last couple of months!
 
Here are the ones I've Loved, Really Liked, and Thought Were Just OK.



Loved These Books
 
 
I kept hearing good things about Libba Bray's new book, The Diviners, so I reserved it at the library and it became available at just the right time.  The story is set in 1920s New York City and follows Evie and friends with special gifts that help track a murderer.  The writing is sharp, Evie is a memorable character, and the (sometimes gruesome) action is fast-paced.  Those who enjoy Cassandra Clare will probably enjoy this book.
 
One sentence goodreads.com description - When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation.
 
 
 

 
Lora chose this book for our Litwits April read.  Looking forward to discussing this selection in a couple of weeks with our night-time book club.  I have never read Tana French before, but I certainly will again.  Broken Harbor is the 4th in a series, but you can jump right in with this one.  It's a murder mystery that kept me flipping page after page, not wanting to put it down.  Don't jump to the end!  Let it play out.  I loved the writing style, the laid back pacing of the book, and the realistic portrayal of the events.  Highly recommend if you like mysteries, and Irish-set novels.
 
One sentence goodreads.com description - In Broken Harbour, a ghost estate outside Dublin – half-built, half-inhabited, half-abandoned – two children and their father are dead.
 
 
 
 
I can imagine that not everyone will love Where'd You Go, Bernadette, but I did.  I saw this book recommended repeatedly this winter and decided to jump in.  I read it in just a few days.  It grabbed me from the start.  The clever writing kept me engaged throughout.  The story is told in a series of letters and journal entires.  As I was telling members of my daytime book club, As the Page Turns, I can only tell you that this book is about Architecture, Antarctica, Microsoft, Private Schools, and Blackberry Bushes.  I've recommended it to several people.  Again - it may not be everyone's cup of tea.
 
One sentence goodreads.com description - Bernadette Fox is notorious - to her Microsoft-guru husband, she's a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she's a disgrace; to design mavens, she's a revolutionary architect, and to 15-year-old Bee, she is a best friend and, simply, Mom.
 
 
 
Really Liked These Books
As part of the Happiness Project, I decided to read a book by my sons' favorite author, Rick Riordan.  They love all of his series and read everything he writes.  I enjoyed the movie "Percy Jackson" so decided to start off with this #1 in the Olympians series.  I enjoyed it, but had to make myself return to it.  Maybe because it's written at a 5th grade level, maybe because I'd already seen the movie (which is different from the book in a number of ways).  Regardless, I've read it now and need to read #2 before the movie in August!  If your kids like mythology or don't enjoy reading and you need a series that might hook them - check out any of Rick Riordan's series.  Boys and girls alike love his books.
 
One sentence goodreads.com description - Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life.



Well, I don't like reading at a 5th grade level, but I'm apparently OK at a 9th grade level!  I've shared my love for Ally Carter's YA series "The Heist Society" and "Gallagher Girls".  This is her next in the series of Kat and Hale and their friendship and family in the world of art thievery.  I enjoyed it.  If you (or your teens) like non-vampire YA, or if you aren't embarrassed to admit you've watched Gilmore Girls, Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, or 90210, then I'd recommend Ally Carter.
 
One sentence goodreads.com description - When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother's billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there's no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role.
 
 
 
I've had Moloka'i on my to read list for years.  My mom gave it to me for Christmas, and Nancy from As The Page Turns chose it for our April read, so I finally sat down to read it.  I wasn't sure what it was about, except something about the leper colony on the island of Molokai in Hawaii (which I had seen from a distance in high school).  I was drawn in immediately to this book.  It's the story of 5 year old Rachel who lives in Honolulu in the late 1800s and was sent to Molokai as a child.  I shared my high school Molokai photos with our book club at our discussion - that was a blast!  If you like historical fiction, this is a great book for you.
 
One sentence goodreads.com description - This richly imagined novel, set in Hawai'i more than a century ago, is an extraordinary epic of a little-known time and place---and a deeply moving testament to the resiliency of the human spirit.
 
 
These Books Were OK
Nothing to share in this category! 
Maybe I'm picky about what I read, but all my reads in the last two months were 4's and 5's.

And what have you been reading?

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