whatcha readin'? {2016::book 18 - goal 12}

i wanted to love this book
as much as i loved the Book of Negroes
but i found it difficult...
it might have nothing to do with the book itself
and more to do with the fact
that i was trying to fit it in over
work, Christmas, wedding photo editing, emails
and multiple trips to Moncton
to pick up and take back my girl.

maybe a period of undivided time
would have suited this book better.

regardless, it was still a very good book...
the dialogue felt a little stiff/not fully believable
in places but again...i just dropping in and out of the book
and not giving it my full attention.
i would still totally recommend this...

and that brings me to the last of my books for 2016!
i had set a meager goal of 12 because the year before
i think i had only read 8
(i am literally hanging my head in shame as i type that...
8...8 books....what happened to me???)
so this year i beat my goal of 12.

for 2017, i am aiming for 24 but am hoping that because i
will be done of weddings soon...i will have SO much more time
to indulge in books...any recommendations?

3.5 out of 5 ♥♥♥1/2

NEXT UP:  BOYS IN THE TREES - CARLY SIMON

 

whatcha readin'? {2016::book 17 - goal 12}

i loved this book.
sad and complicated elf...
honest and heartbroken yoli...
one wants desperately to die,
the other wants desperately for her sister
to want to live.

can you make someone want to live...
i'm not so sure
and i can't imagine what that must feel like,
on either side of the coin...
to be the one whose only option seems to be death...

or to know with all certainty that someone you
love most in world...cannot bear to be
in the world anymore.

but this book gives you a glimpse into what that must be like.
painful and sad, sharp and funny...
i loved this book.

4.5 out of 5 ♥♥♥♥ 1/2

NEXT UP: THE ILLEGAL - LAWRENCE HILL
 

whatcha readin'? {2016::book 16 - goal 12}

it has been a long time
since i have read a stephen king book.

i used to read him all the time
re-reading favorites,
excited when a new one came out
to add to my collection.

which is weird because
i don't do
horror...or scary...or evil clowns and creepy hotels,
crimson kings and serial killers...

but i was always drawn in
by the way he could do
conversation...
and his turn of phrase...
it's just comes across so natural and real.

i did enjoy this book although
it took me a long time to read it.
it involves time travel and assignations
love and love thwarted...
it was well worth the time it took me to finish it.

i was really excited to see the mini-series come out
but after the first episode
i was so totally stressed out by how many things
they either changed
or no longer seemed to exist
that i just couldn't watch anymore.

i may try it again sometime...
when the book is not quite so fresh in my mind.

3 out of 5 ♥♥♥'s

NEXT UP:  ALL MY PUNY SORROWS - MIRIAM TOEWS
 

whatcha readin'? {2016::book 15 - goal 12}

i had no idea
what to expect from this book.
i had never heard of it,
i don't know even know
where my copy of the book came from...
i assume i grabbed it at a booksale.

i picked it up one afternoon
and
i could not put it back down.

i read the whole book,
no, i devoured the book
in an afternoon.

it is not a light, happy read.

it is sad and frustrating and infuriating
but so beautifully written.

this was a first novel for kathleen grissom
but i just realized that there is a second part
to this book that came out in april 2016...
note to self - look for "glory over everything"
(and speaking of new books coming out
i just found out alice hoffman has a new book
coming in november!!!)

5 out of 5 ♥♥♥♥♥'s (i considered putting 6 out of 5 ♥'s...that's how good it was.)

NEXT UP: 11-22-63 - STEPHEN KING

whatcha readin'? {2016::book 14 - goal 12}

oh alice hoffman...
you have done it again.
you have pulled me in
with vivid colors
and beautiful words
and imagery...

so many lines in this book
that i just wanted to read
and reread...
to sink into and absorb...
her writing is lyrical and evocative.

the story is based on some true elements...
Camille Pissarro, a famous artist of the 20th century,
is one of the main characters but she
brings you into the life of his mother...
and all of the beautiful messiness
involved in being a family
and loving/letting go.

i am hoping there are more books
by her that i have not yet read...
and if there not,
i may have to re-read what i have already read,
she is that good.

5 out of 5 ♥♥♥♥♥'s

NEXT UP:  THE KITCHEN HOUSE - KATHLEEN GRISSOM