September 13, 2016

August Books

Get ready to laugh.



I read three books this month.

And I didn't even read two of them. I listened to them.

I maintain this though...

I've been too high-strung to sit and read. Reading, to me, isn't relaxing. It's not something I do as a way to relax. It's something I do when I'm already feeling kind of relaxed.

I've not felt relaxed for awhile.

Scott told me a few weeks ago that he was bored. I told him to read something. I'd sent him The Martian and said Hey, read that. He said he wasn't relaxed enough to read and that he stared at screens all day and the last thing he felt like doing was staring at more words.

I'm exactly the same way. It's why I don't blog at night. It's why I rarely answer emails after noon. I need to do all the word-related stuff first thing in the morning.

All of this to build my case of excuses.

Truly, Madly, Guilty by Liane Moriarity B
I really enjoyed this book. It's close to Big Little Lies, when it comes to plot, secrets, etc. It's not quite as sinister though. Information is revealed at you go and, honestly, I just really liked it.
I like the way Moriarity can take a character's child and make them into their own character. They're not bystanders, they're action-makers.
I would go for it if you're deciding whether or not to read. It was a 17 hour audiobook, but I love Caroline Lee and her storytelling. It's really like watching a movie.


Tempting Fate by Jane Green B+
People were kind of up in arms about the infidelity and everything in this book. How it made them uncomfortable and they couldn't relate and all that. Well, that's fiction, right?
And, truly, I was flat-out offended by the lack of reprisal and/or consequence in After I Do, but Tempting Fate didn't bug me. It was very similar to Unfaithful, which is really just a fantastic work of art starring Diane Lane and Richard Gere. I love seeing how a character's life can change so much and go through a downward spiral because of just a few, seemingly, minor decisions.
I liked the story and the way the background was kind of built in as you went.
The end was meh. It'd be an A, but I didn't like the end and Jane Green uses the word "delicious" too much.

The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarity A
I got this in the Audible sale a few weeks ago. I loved it. It wasn't narrated by Caroline Lee, but the narrator was good anyway. I liked her.
I liked the story. I liked the characters. It was a solid plotline. It came together nicely at the end, but not really in the expected way. So no spoilers from me.
If you've read Moriarity's books, I recommend this one. It's better than The Hypnotist's Love Story and Three Wishes. 


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And then I started both of these books, got a chapter or so in, and then gave up. The library snatched the ebooks back from my Kindle and that was that. I have a hard time investing in books I don't/won't/might not love these days. I probably should've given it a solid 10% before giving up, but I also shouldn't be choosing to spend my weeknights watching Bachelor in Paradise instead of reading. 

The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

The After Party by Anton DiSclafani


----------------------------------------------------------------

Just like every second Tuesday of the month, linking up with Jana and Steph!




20 comments:

  1. I really, really enjoyed Truly Madly Guilty too. Sounds like I need to pick up The Last Anniversary! That one the Hypnotist's love story are her only two books I haven't read yet (I think) and your review is a solid one!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Liane Moriarity is on my reading list PERIOD. I'm reading a 2nd book of hers but for the life of me now, I can't remember which one. I think it is Big Little Lies. I had it reserves at the library along with 2 others, two came in at the same time, so I can't remember which is which now. (plus it's before 7am, cut me a little slack).
    But... I've renewed it TWICE now. AFTER paying a late fee on it. I suck at reading and at managing library books!

    ReplyDelete
  3. i've never done an audio book....not sure if would be able to sit and listen to them? i think my feeling (or thought) is that the narration would be weird... do they do different voices for each of the characters?

    ReplyDelete
  4. I need to read more. I used to read like 5 books a week before the babies, but I'm lucky if I finish a book a month right now. It's insane!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm the same way about books - reading them doesn't relax me. I need to already be relaxed so I can focus. Mindlessly reading articles on the internet is fine for some reason, but focusing on a book with an actual plot is too much brain power for me a lot of the time. It's why I set my reading goals pretty low, because sometimes I devour several books in a month, other times it takes me two months to get through one book.

    I know I couldn't handle audio books, either. I can't stand people reading to me.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I liked The Last Anniversary, too. It wasn't as formulaic as some of her other books. I have read most if not all books I've read by her as audiobooks but I'm not sure I want to commit to 17 hours... eek.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm sad that since school has started, there's been no time for me to read. Heck even magazines are piling up, not to mention DVR and Netflix. Not a happy camper about it but that's what breaks will be for.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I didn't love either of the books you had to give up, but I liked The After Party alright. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  9. I really need to pick up The Last Anniversary! Sounds like a good read. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. So far I've only read Big Little Lies, and I was contemplating which would be good next other than Truly Madly Guilty because the waiting list for that one is too long so I appreciate you comparing The Last Anniversary to those other two. Tempting Fate was already on my TBR, but definitely moving on up if it's similar to Unfaithful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, and also I'm the same way regarding reading behaviors. I can't read when I'm anxious or high-strung either. I need to be ina relaxed mental zone before I can truly dive in, regardless of the book.

      Delete
  11. I always find it fascinating on why people read. Reading for me is relaxing or a way to escape but I can see how it's not for others. I have not read any Liane Moriarty but will hopefully no longer have to say that by the end of the year. My TBR is crazy and I keep re-prioritizing books.

    ReplyDelete
  12. lol @ jane green using the word delicious. i haven't read that one yet, i don't love to read about people being unfaithful but it won't make me dislike a book.. like you said, it's fiction. i wasn't as big a fan of the last anniversary, but i haven't read the hypnotist's love story or three wishes yet. good to hear you liked truly madly guilty! still haven't read that one lol. and yes i feel you on being too high strung to read.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I have only tried one Moriarty and I DNF. I guess I need to give her another chance. :) The Jane Green one sounds cute. Sometimes you need a carefree sort of book. ;) XO - Alexandra

    Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm glad you liked Truly, Madly, Guilty too! I read in ebook form which I think helped with the pace - it did go a little slowly at the beginning and I think I'd have got frustrated listening to that. I completely agree with the character development point, I think they were all really well done. They felt like believable people. I feel I should move seamlessly onto another Liane Moriarity and check out The Last Anniversary. I do enjoy her writing.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Now that school is back in session, I find it hard to read. Not just because I have less time, but I feel like I should be getting something else done instead of sitting on my butt with a book. Most of the time, if I'm lucky, I try to squeeze in a chapter before bed. Otherwise, I just thank God for Audible.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm an audiobook listener as well. I love Liane Moriarty because the audiobooks are just so good. I've never really put much thought into her child characters, but I totally get what you mean. Her child characters aren't just kids, they all have their own personality, quirks, etc.

    I read Tempting Fate in August as well. I agree it was good but meh. The parts with Matt really drove me crazy because I was like no 30ish American man would ever speak or write like this. I was hoping at the end that it would be revealed that Elliot was actually the dad.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Because I don't audiobook, I may be asking a really stupid question, but here it goes: in the Liane Moriarty books, are they narrated by an Australian? Or someone that uses an Australian accent? Just curious.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I definitely go through the same thing with reading, sometimes it's hard to focus on a book (even one you really want to read) if your mind can't just shut off a little bit. I enjoyed the writing style of The Nest, but wasn't crazy about the story or characters so I don't think you missed out on too much by pushing it off for now.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I listen to audiobooks much more than actual reading now too. Mostly because I can multitask while listening. I started by just listening while I drive, but now I listen while cooking dinner and cleaning. When I want to relax and listen, I'll do a puzzle on my kindle and listen. It's less strain than actual reading, imo.

    I bought The Last Anniversary during the Audible sale as well but haven't gotten to it yet. I didn't love Truly, Madly, Guilty. I felt like it took too long to find out what happened and I was ready to find some spoilers because I was so frustrated.

    ReplyDelete

Comments make my day!