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Book Reviews: August

All of the books read in August were written by wildly popular American authors!  I even caved and read summer sensation Gone Girl.


Gone Girl: Everyone has read it, most loved it without question BUT I can't imagine recommending this book.

After listening to Slate's audiobook discussion for Gone Girl... I like the book a little more.  It is a chess match, filled with unlikeable characters.  Many of the developments are implausible (but necessary on occasion to move a story forward). 

I HATED the mall, blue book, part of the story.  It just wasn't needed.  I wish I was scared reading it. 

In my head, I describe Gone Girl as 'misery' meets 'sleeping with the enemy' light.  Two movies I have never been able to watch without leaving the room! If you want to read a dark, creepy, thriller read 'i'd know you anywhere'.

My goodreads rating: 3 stars


Where we Belong: If you enjoy Giffin you will like this book.  She delivers another solid women's journey novel.

I have to say I liked this book more when I finished it, than while reading it.  Most of the book leads up to something.  I tend to like books set post event - letting me read how characters handle/grow from situations. 

I wonder if this is book one, and we might read a new novel from the father's view.  That could be interesting.

My goodreads rating: 3 stars

Wallflower in Bloom: I didn't plan to read this book but after hearing someone rave about it I changed my mind. This almost never works for me. I didn't even rate it on goodreads, it wouldn't be fair to the author.

DWTS (Dancing with the Stars) is lost on me. The main character was a bit to whiny, shallow, and self centered for my enjoyment. Lot's of talk about Devil Dogs and Ring Ding's... ugh. I'm thankful I don't have anyone in my daily life that I would describe from this cast of characters!  I ended up skimming the second half to see how the story ended.

However, the humor of the guru brother wasn't lost on me. I wanted to love it - if only for the cover. I love the cover!

My goodreads rating: NA
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Book Reviews: July

Traveling 24 of 34 days in July (and early August)... I was able to get a lot of reading in!

Have you read any of these titles?  Did you like, love, hate any of them?  
The Book of Jonas (audio):  I enjoyed this one but it's a dark, sad tale.  Well written but to be honest I would have put this down if we weren't reading it for discussion.  It didn't hold my interest.  It's an interesting story, with no big moments.

My book club picked it but we are not planning to discuss it - we decided to pass and pick a new book.

My Goodreads rating: 3 stars


The Forgotten Waltz (audio): I listened to this while walking the streets of Dublin.  A powerful story, sad.  Since I was listening - it felt like I was listening to a friend tell me about her life, decisions and the consequences.

I highly recommend this for book clubs - there's a lot to discuss!

My Goodreads rating: 4+ stars

How Lucky are you: This is a hard luck story, I wish it would have been a little darker.  It could have been so good if a little more detail was shared. 

That said, I do recommend it if the synopsis grabs your attention.

My Goodreads rating: 3 stars



I couldn't love you more: I read this in flight.  A quick read, good writing, a powerful story.  This is my kind of women's lit.

Blended family, a tragedy up front, the rest of the book deals with how the family overcomes a situation. 

Another good book club selection! 

My Goodreads rating: 4 stars

The Bay of Foxes: This is one of my favorite books read this year. Hemingway like!

I don't even know how to express my view of this book, without sharing details.  So I will just tell you to read it!

Filled with twists - I read this in one day.  Magnificent!

My Goodreads rating: 5 stars



The Good Woman: I have many friends dealing with mid life, some have had affairs, others are wondering "is this really it".  So Jane's novel really grabbed hold of me.  Let's face it - Jane knows how to write a book about women's emotions and working through situations! 

I also loved that this book has an issue arise in the book and we have to watch the family deal with a situation.  Plus family dynamics... I can't wait to read book two!

My Goodreads rating: 4 stars
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