whatcha readin'? {2018::book 6 - goal 24}

Ok...can we all just give me a little
pat on the back here...
it's February and I'm already at 6 books read!
(actually, it's 7 but I am getting ahead of myself).

Yay me!

I just went back to compare where I was at
this time last year
and I had read 1 book.
ONE book.
By February 20th!
What on earth was I doing!
Any wonder I didn't make my goal last year!
Such a slacker.

So anyway.
I just finished The Last Tudor by Philippa Gregory.
If you read this blog at all, you will know that I
always preface my "reviews" with ... (& I use the word review in the
loosest possible way...I really shouldn't even say review...
it's not a review...if anything it's a recommendation...
or maybe even the equivalent to a facebook thumbs up or down...
but I do not consider what I write here to be a review....
that requires work & thought & proper punctuation
and well...
I just wanna say hey...that book was super-awesome
or that book?  not so much and leave it at that.)

So anyway.
I got off on a tangent there and didn't even finish the sentence I started.
This is why I can't write reviews.
Anyway.  I always preface my reviews (*see above) of this author
with guilt that I am admitting I like these books. 
And I wasn't going to do that this time.
This time, I was going to be like damn it, I love these books
and I am not apologizing for that.

But then,
I didn't quite love this one.
I'm not sure why.  I really don't think it was the writing...I always love her
writing.  I think it might have just been where my own head is at and just
bad timing and I just HATED ELIZABETH SO HARD that
it kind of frustrated me throughout the whole story.

So if you like these books, please do not let this "review" (air quotes) stop you
from reading it.  If anything, go read it and then maybe we
can be united in hatred of Elizabeth. 

Again.  So not a review.  More of a book-related-ramble.  Rambles I can do.
(and Philippa Gregory, if you happen to come by and read this
please accept my sincerest apology.  I really do love your books!)

4 out of 5 ♥'s

NEXT UP:  YOU ARE A BADASS - JENN SINCERO
 

whatcha readin'? {2018::book 5 - goal 24}

The only thing that I love more than a good book
is being totally surprised by a good book.
I knew nothing about this author.
I knew nothing about this book.
I just picked it up on a whim because
I liked the cover and the title caught my eye
(which, in all honesty, is how I pick 3/4's of my books).

But it was so good.

Like.....sooooooo friggin' good.

(I really am at the top of the list
when it comes to classy intellectual book reviews.)

The thing that struck me funny about this book
was that there was not one character
that I did not like...
I had empathy and understanding for every character.
Which struck me as odd
and kind of refreshing.

Go read it.  I bet you like it, too!
:)

5 ♥♥♥♥♥'s out of 5

NEXT UP:  THE LAST TUDOR - PHILIPPA GREGORY

i should also mention that the link above is an affiliate link which just means
that if you happen to use any of my Amazon links and make a purchase while you
are there, I will get a small credit at no extra cost to you.

whatcha readin'? {2018::book 4 - goal 24}

I kind of love books
about books.

And I love when authors
talk about writing and reading
and what has inspired them.

I really enjoyed this peek into what makes Anna Quindlen's
synapses fire.  She talks of being a voracious reader as a child
and I totally get that.
When I was a kid, reading was my main choice of past-time
(except for Saturday mornings...that was totally reserved for smurfs and captain caveman).

And...there were reading lists...
I think we all know how I feel about lists!
(if you are new here...I LOVE THEM).

Totally worth checking out...lots of information
and insights around censorship as well as thoughts
on what makes for "good writing". 
I definitely enjoyed reading this.

4 ♥♥♥♥'s out of 5

NEXT UP:  LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE - CELESTE NG

i should also mention that the link above is an affiliate link which just means
that if you happen to use any of my Amazon links and make a purchase while you
are there, I will get a small credit at no extra cost to you.

whatcha readin'? {2018::books 1, 2 and 3 - goal 24}

First week of February and already
I have gotten 3 books under my belt.
Maybe I will actually hit 24 this year!

I read the last two Harry Potter books in January...
and I know I said this already,
but I was surprised at how much I loved them.
And also surprised when I caught myself
crying
at one point.
I won't say what point...but there were definite tears
and maybe a few loud sniffles.

I read "the woman in the window" in pretty much
one sitting.
It's one of those fast paced what-is-going-on
who-did-that-what-will-happen-next kind of books.
It reminded me a little of Gone Girl...
dark and riveting and fast.
I would definitely recommend.

5 out of 5 ♥♥♥♥♥'s (for all three!  that's a good way to start the year!)

NEXT UP:  HOW READING CHANGED MY LIFE - ANNA QUINDLEN

what about you?  what's keep you up reading at night?

whatcha readin' special edition...the 2017 summary

My goal for 2017 was to read 24 books.
In all honesty, I was SURE that I was going to be able to do it
because I wasn't doing any weddings...
and yet...I still did not hit it.

but...I came pretty close...22 books!

the year before was 19 so it's a progression...
a slow one, but a progression nonetheless.

I also said I was going to re-read all of Lucy Maud Montgomery's books.
I read 2.
But that wasn't a 2017 goal.
That's an ongoing one.

I did want to read all of the Harry Potter books
and I DID IT.
Not all in 2017 but a good portion of them...and finished the
last two in 2018.
That was a bucket list item so yay!  :)

Here is how I felt about the remaining books I read in 2017:

◘  Harry Potter (I am not going to link them here because I am pretty sure you know where to find them) - I have to say...I completely loved these books.  I was re-reading the first couple but then the rest were new to me.  I loved them.   The characters, the writing, the imagination, the twists and turns...Dobby...Dumbledore...Dursleys...so many fun words to say.
♥♥♥♥♥ out of 5 ♥s

◘  Sharp Objects - Gillian Flynn:  I enjoyed this but not as much as I had liked Gone Girl.  It might have been the subject matter though.  I have a soft spot for kids. :)  Still a great read though!
♥♥♥♥ out of 5 ♥s

◘  Before You Know Kindness - Chris Bohjalian:  I really, really loved this.  His writing is beautiful and the characters always feel so real.  The story pulled me in and made me wonder what I would have done.  Great read!
♥♥♥♥ out of 5 ♥s

◘  The Mothers - Brit Bennett:  The truth is I knew nothing about this book or author.  It was right after the library took a chance and gave me a new library card and this was an e-book that was available so I read it.  And I was glad that I did. 
♥♥♥♥ out of 5 ♥s

◘  Dark Places - Gillian Flynn:  I liked this one more than Sharp Objects and slightly less than Gone Girl.  Definitely carried you along wanted to know what was going to happen. 
♥♥♥♥ out of 5 ♥s

◘  Witches of New York - Ami McKay:  I love her writing.  And the subject matter.  And the cover.  And the era it was written in.  And her characters.  All in all...I loved this book.  I want to read more by her!
♥♥♥♥♥ out of 5 ♥s

and that was what I read in 2017!  Looking forward to reading even more in 2018...
and definitely open to suggestions!