Reading Report May 2014

June was Audiobook month

My guiltly pleasure :)

Just so happened I went on daily 1-2 hour long walks in May so I listened to several on audio (which would have worked out beautifully if I'd actually gotten this posted up in June, haha). I also have a goodreads shelf here: Cranberryfries Audiobook listens.

 What I read in May 2014

Between the Lines by Tammara Webber

Young Adult, Contemporary

Emma just landed the lead role in a new big film opposite the fan girls favorite Reid. He's got a past to deal with and she's new to the lifestyle and trying to balance her old life. Plus there's Graham, another costar. 

An interesting story line perhaps but for me but I felt  the dialogue and plot movements were too watered down. Big (adult) themes for a book that couldn't hold my interest as an adult.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Fiction, Contemporary, Adult

Lou is very content in her very ordinary life. So when she loses her job it shakes her world. 

Wills forced into his ordinary life and he's done with it. 

But Lou meets Will. And Will starts to laugh again. 

I had a riot of emotions through this book. I love Lou. I loved this story telling.  I think I'm at an age/time in my life that I could appreciate (to more of a degree I could have 2 years ago) so much the quality of life aspect Will is forced to live everyday. Certainly made me ponder on life.

My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George

Middle Grade, Classic

Sam moves to his grandfathers old land to live off the earth. He must find all the necessities; food, water, shelter, on his own.

I bought this to read with my daughter but she wasn't interested at the time. A fun look though at what life is like trying to do it alone. Perseverance. Optimism. Risks and chances. 

The Rent Collector by Camron Wright

Historical Fiction, Culture

Ki and Sang live in a village in a dump with their small, sick baby. Everyday they sift through the garbage for recyclables to earn money.  The Rent Collector demands the rent though the family has recently suffered some major hurdles. 

This book was recommended to me several times and my step mom even handed me her copy and it sat on my dresser for a few months. I just couldn't muster the interest. However it was our bookclub pick so I finally read it and LOVED it! The first 1/4 of the book was difficult to muddle through (because it's just hard to read about how desperate they are), but so worth it as it's a beautifully told story.

When It Happens by Susane Colasanti

Contemporary, Young Adult 

Sarah and Tobey are Seniors so they have a big year of figuring out what is next and of course it's high school so who to date.

I've read a couple from her before and they were ok. I like stories that have two  narrators. This one was interesting because we get specific information we clearly couldn't have gotten from only hearing one side. However this one honestly annoyed me. So cliche' and extreme in places it made me roll my eyes.

Flash Boys by Michael Lewis

Nonfiction

A look into how Wall Street used to be and how it changed with the knowledge of what the internet really was capable of. 

This is the author that wrote Money Ball so I was intrigued about reading another book from him. Given that I know nothing about stocks and trading I was a tad confused at first but this book was incredibly fascinating! It highlights a few key players in the different firms in the exchange so we get a bit of their story and their working history and also how the market changed so drastically in the last several years.

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Young Adult, Contemporary

Emily and Sloane are best friends who knew how to have a lot of fun together. Only, one day, there's no trace of where Sloane has disappears to. Only a to-do list she left behind for Emily. They're just crazy enough Emily believes that if she finishes each one it'll help her find Sloane.

Morgan Matson is one of my most favorite authors ever. (If  you know me, you know this, as I recommend her books to everyone.) She has deep, quirky, totally everyday characters coupled with fun, wild, totally everyday plots. I enjoyed this one.

The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf

Contemporary, Suspense

One very early morning Callie (a selective mute) and best friend Petra have been discovered missing. Callie's mother Antonia denies it could be her husband but now fears that her choice to stay married has cost her her daughters voice. 

A good cast of characters that all have a deep story. An interesting read even though it was a bit dark. I liked this one.

When I Found You by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Fiction, Contemporary

On an ordinary day Nathan finds a newborn baby in the woods, rescuing it. The baby's sent off to his grandmothers and Nathan asks that one day he can meet the boy.  Years and years later Nathan assumes his request ignored or forgotten when a boy and a suitcase show up on his doorstep.

This was such a bizarre story line to me but completely fascinating. The story spans almost a lifetime which could be difficult for some authors but I felt Hyde did a good job with it. I liked this one.

The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan

Historical Fiction, Culture

Wininie and Helen know each others deepest secrets. Helen thinks herself to be dying so she wants to tell all but Winnie believes it's her right to tell her daughter the secrets of her past.

Read this one quickly for book club. The discussion was fascinating and I'd like to reread this one and give it more attention the second time through.

Marriage Monday: Failed Connection

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Failed bids for connection are often the result of mindlessness, not malice.

Read more from the Relationship and Marriage Blog from The Gottman Institute here.
(or copy/paste http://www.gottmanblog.com/2014/04/humor-how-to-be-mindful.html )

Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.

Marriage Monday: Help Each Other Out

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Spend time looking for ways to help each other out. 

What are some ways you help out your spouse? 

What have you appreciated that your spouse does for you?

Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.

Marriage Monday: Personal Longing

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Behind every complaint is a deep personal longing. 

Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.

Marriage Monday: Building Bridges

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Build bridges, not walls.
If both partners build habits of turning towards each other in simple everyday moments, they build bridges wrought of affection, fondness, and admiration for each other; these are the bridges of trust.

-John Gottman, PhD

Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.

Marriage Monday: You Win

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Every time you are able to find humor in a difficult situation, you win.

Find my other Marriage Monday posts here.

Reading Report: April 2014

What I read in 

April 2014

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Historical Fiction

Lina, a young Lithuanian girl is taken by Soviet officers along with her brother and mother and stuck on dirty train car (full of other Lithuanians) to travel to Siberia. There they are forced to work under Stalin's orders and fight to stay alive in the harsh conditions. 

A little different spin on most of the World War II stories I've read before, this book deals with some of the displaced Europeans.  This book was harsh and hard and dark but also deep and tender.

Melissa Explains It All by Melissa Joan Hart

Non Fiction, Memoir

The star of Clarissa explains it all and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Melissa writes about how she grew up, got into acting and shares a few stories from set life.

It feels a bit too much like she's out to prove she's the All American Girl (what we mostly saw) but also has that wild dirty dangerous side (which she's trying to convince us of). I was thrown off right at the beginning when she starts the book with something like, I grew up on the wrong side of the tracks but let me assure you I'm on the right side, in an expensive house. While I liked hearing some of the stories on set and about her growing up and family life now as a mom I could have done without the 'let me tell you allllll my wild stories' part. Or maybe just fewer of those parts.

Revel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Fantasy, Young Adult

The popular girl at school, in a long line of Homecoming queens before her, doesn't make it to her own crowning. Instead she's finding out she's now a Paladin.  To make it worse, she's charged to keep David safe (possibly her least favorite person). 

I've read a few of Hawkins books before (Hex Hall series) and really loved them. This one was just ok for me. It was a cute book but not as fun as the first series I read of hers.

Rogue Island by Bruce Desilva

Thriller, Mystery

Set in Providence Rhode Island where Liam knows everyone from Priest to Prostitute this newspaper man has found some funny business going on and it's starting to get dangerous. The Police aren't finding it quick enough and he thinks he might have some answers but now they're after him.

Everything I'd expect from a thriller. Dirty business, not sure who to trust, someone wants to set it right. 

The Inventors Secret by Chad Morris

Middle Grade, Fantasy

Cragbridge Hall is an impressive school where the students learn a little differently a little more hands on. History is happening around you, learning about animals involves controlling an avatar and gym class includes virtual mountains. The founder of the school goes missing and his grandkids must figure out the secrets to solve the case.

Read this with my 11 year old. I liked it fine, a fun idea and good story telling. She loved it and is reading it again.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Classic, Fantasty, Romance

As You Wish.

A reread for me. I love it every time.

Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose

Mystery

In an 11-1 vote Juror 8 doesn't believe this case is as cut and dry as the rest of the jury. 

I listened to this one on audio book which was fun because each character was voiced by someone different (a few noteworthy actors if you're interested).

Untold by Sarah Rees Brennan

Young Adult, Fantasy

The second book in The Lynburn Legacy series. Rob Lynburn is gathering sorcerers to rule the town and Kami is trying to devise a plan that will both save her town and the keep the ones she loves alive.

I love the characters Brennan has created. Snarky, witty, rough, and tough. Can't wait for the 3rd book!

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

Zombies, Romance, YA, Fantasy

R, like most Zombies doesnt have memories of his life before. However, R is a bit different and dreams. While out hunting for food, aka humans, he finds Julie, and decides to save her instead. And the world starts getting brighter.

I'm not really a zombie fan in general but I have a lot of friends that are so I picked this one up. While I most likely still won't see the movie the book was fine. 

What's So Funny by Tim Conway

Memoir, Humor


In the life of Time Conway. He shares stories of growing up, getting his gigs, some of his best pranks and his family.

If you're a fan of Tim Conway you'll enjoy the book. Got this one on audiobook (I love getting memoirs on audio because they're read by them!).