May 30, 2014

May Books

May isn't over yet but I give up.  I haven't been reading much.  This is all I have to share…


May was a slow month for books.  Understandably, I've been busy.  However, I did get a few in…

1.  Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell B+
This book was enthralling.  I couldn't stop listening.  I really didn't know how it was going to play out in the end, and I found myself so angry at Richie.  I really loved Park's family.  If you've read it, you know what I'm talking about.  I'm not sure I liked the ending but I don't know that any ending would've made me happy.  I don't like happy endings and I don't like sad endings.  Maybe I should stick to nonfiction in this case. Anyway, I wanted to hate it because it seems like everyone loves it and because it was about teenagers.  But I have to confess that I really enjoyed it.  Worth a read!

2.  Dexter in the Dark by Jeff Lindsay B
This follows the Dexter character, that we all know and love, pretty closely.  There are a few different elements, but I won't post any spoilers.  I probably wouldn't have read this book; I listened to the audio version. It didn't really hold my interest as much as I wanted it to.  I liked the characters.  The humor (dark, dark sarcasm) was funny to me and I can see how they created Michael C. Hall's character from the book.  They're identical.  However, it did move pretty slowly and there were some extra characters thrown into the mix.  There's 7 books in the series.  I'd totally listen to them all, but don't know if I'd have the patience to read them.  I am glad they inspired the show though.  I really loved Dexter (except for that God awful ending).

3.  Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris A
This is the last book in the Harper Connelly series.  It was my favorite of the four.  I listened to the other three while driving and I've found that I can listen to just about any book.  Making the time to read a book takes sacrifice and desire.  I read this one over the period of a month or so.  I really did enjoy it though.  If you're looking into this series, don't start with this book.  It ties up all the loose ends and it didn't end the way I wanted it to, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.  If you've read the Sookie Stackhouse books, I recommend the Harper books.

4.  The Legend of Diamond Lil by Doreen Cronin A+
I do read a lot of kids' books.  It's worth saying that 4 or 5 of our big boxes that just moved to Colorado were all kids' books. This one was new to me.  I got it at the book fair and decided to read it to the class.  I really liked it. It's about a retired search and rescue dog who is hired on to watch over the chickens on a farm.  It's just about perfect for 2nd-3rd grade and is funny and has enough sarcasm and humor to keep adults interested too.  Also, Doreen Cronin is the genius behind Click, Clack Moo and Duck for President, my two favorite picture books.  I was so glad to see a chapter book series!  I highly recommend this book.  I would read the J.J. Tully series to this age group every year, if I was staying in 2nd grade.  Again, highly recommended!

Read anything good lately?

And, for the love of all that is holy, can someone PLEASE tell me if they like audible.com?  Is it worth it?  How exactly does it work?  I keep getting mixed reviews.

7 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed Eleanor and Park too--maybe not as much as everyone and their mother--but I did enjoy it. I tried listening to an audiobook recently and wanted to stab my eyeballs out. I can read much faster than those things take to listen to. ha

    ReplyDelete
  2. Eleanor and Park was a book for reading club, that I never got to but have it downloaded. I really need to get on it. I didn't know there was a Dexter book! I finally finished the series this week...we won't discuss the final episode, lol.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have been struggling with wanting to read lately. I need to get better about it and find some good ones to occupy my time.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Four books isn't too bad. I do want to read Eleanor and Park. I like YA books though..haha

    -Lauren

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am light on books this month, I haven't been in the mood.

    I love the Harper Connelly series.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm always on the lookout for new books. Elanor & Park has been on my radar though. I just read Lethal by Sandra Brown - loved it. Currently reading Born This Way and it's a short sweet book.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm in the middle of reading Shift, the prequel/sequel to Wool by Hugh Howey. Such an awesome series!

    ReplyDelete

Comments make my day!