To start with, Joey and I decided that this week's Stuff and Things will be on Friday, since Christmas is Thursday. It's the perfect place to share all those random I got this and I did that tidbits from Christmas day!
And now some book talk.
The best…
Delicious by Ruth Reichl. I'm not sure why there isn't more jabber out there about this one. I loved the story and the characters. If you like food or cooking, you'll enjoy this book.
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarity. Apparently this is coming to the small screen? Such a great story, and I can't wait to see a full list of the cast members.
Landline, Attachments, or Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (not Eleanor and Park…I mean, it wasn't the worst book ever but it paled in comparison to her other 3 books)
Birthmarked by Carmagh O'Brien. This first book in the series in the best. It's a quick, interesting story. I think it's better thought-out than some of the dystopian novels out there.
Bossypants by Tina Fey. Truly funny. She is a likable person and tells a great narrative.
…and the worst…
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Just didn't like it. Unlikeable characters. Very non-believeable as a realistic fiction plot line boiling it down to kids don't talk like that.
The Maze Runner by James Dashner. Very long. I found it depressing. Had elements of other dystopian books, but was just…blah. Colorless. Hard to visualize (though, not for lack of description). I can't believe there are 2 others in the series.
The last 2/3 of the Sookie Stackhouse series. Don't bother. Also, kind of like True Blood. Just stop after season 3 and pretend it's over. You'll be much happier that way.
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn. You'll see this in my December review next week, but the story grossed me out and the characters were incredibly unlikeable. I wanted to slap Camille.
----------------------------------------------------------
What is the best book you read this year? The worst?
I know I don't want to put the pressure on myself to read (i.e. listen to) as much as I did in 2014.
Honestly, I really don't care for music most of the time, so audiobooks have been my saving grace over the last year. When I go places with Scott (instead of driving to work by myself), I find myself itching to listen to a book. And I totally would and Scott wouldn't mind it because he enjoys that too, but then I'd have to explain what's happening in the book.
Anyway, keeping meticulous track of books did become a bit of a stressor; no reliable library, not a whole lot of time to just sit and read, etc. But….I may or may not have already begun my list for January…
