Also linking up with Modern Mrs. Darcy for Quick Lit :)
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (4 stars) I read this book as part of Erin's Book Challenge and it reminded me of a friend from my university days who was NOT a big reader, and this was one of the only fiction books he'd ever read and he RAVED and RAVED about how good it was. I filed that away and vowed to read it someday, and finally got to it. I'll probably send him a facebook message to chat about it even though that was 8 years ago. haha. Anyway, this book was faster paced than I thought it would be at first, and it was good once I got into it. I kept forgetting that Ender was so young. It reminded me of some more recent books (The Maze Runner, Artemis Fowl, even Hunger Games a bit) which is funny because it was written in 1985. It's not a book that would be for everyone, but if you like YA Fantasy, you'd probably really like it. The ending was especially kind of cool to me. Now I'll have to make Brian watch the movie ;)
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli (4 stars) I came across this book on my library's website when I was searching for available audiobooks to instantly download for my commute home. This was a sweet book, and I finished it quite quickly. I loved Stargirl's character and how profoundly she changed some of the lives around her. Although it is targeted towards teenagers, I enjoyed this a lot as an adult too. The narrator was also John Ritter, who died suddenly in 2003 (I remember it vividly because I had watched a few episodes of 8 Simple Rules) so it was kind of cool to hear his voice on this book.
This book wasn't completely what I expected, but there were still some interesting concepts. I wouldn't say we fight A LOT but I still think there is always room for improvement in any relationship, so I like to read books like this that help to coach you to communicate better with your partner. Some of the concepts here weren't new to me, but others were insightful.
Still Life by Louise Penny (4 stars) after hearing this recommended on Anne Bogel's podcast numerous times, I added it to my Goodreads TBR list but sort of forgot about it. When I came across it at the library, I scooped it up right away. First and foremost, I love that this book is by a Canadian author and it takes place in Canada! (Quebec). I loved the French feel of it although all of the characters were primarily English. Inspector Gamache is a fantastic character and I am already dying to read the rest of the series (fortunately there are a lot of them to keep me busy!). I'd classify this as a "cozy mystery" type book...not too gruesome, but still very intriguing and the writing is EXCELLENT. PS - another beautiful cover.
I started this book LAST June and just didn't ever get interested in it enough to finish it, which always surprised me because it is rated so highly and everyone who has read it seems to love it. I got it on audiobook randomly from the library this month and that really seemed to get me into it even more to the point that I wanted to listen to it constantly. I'm not sure why some books just work better for me on audio, but this one was one of them. I absolutely loved this book and the way it was written. I'd say that it starts a bit slow (maybe why it took me awhile to get into it), but it is so, so, so worth the time to read. Such an interesting perspective on an important period of our collective history.
If you were to choose just a couple of reads from my picks this month, I'd recommend The Golden Son 100% and of course The Kite Runner (many people have probably already read it, but it is fantastic) and The Book Thief (although probably every has already read it, haha). If you're looking for a quick read, I'd recommend The Wednesday Wars!!
And a few recent favourite kid book loves:
Mix it Up by Hervé Tullet we are obsessed with Tullet's books. As a parent, I totally love to read them because they are really interactive and interesting. Press Here is probably best known, and likely our favourite of all of his. Mix it Up is a good one, and another one we really enjoyed this month was Help! We Need a Title! <--Lucy (aged 2) loves this one SO much.
Stick Man by Julia Donaldson - Her books are all just so good. I love reading books that rhyme :)
What have you been reading lately? Up next for me is The Nightingale to finish off Erin's book challenge, and the last book in Ellie Marney's series. Plus a potential re-read of all the HP books on the horizon before July ;)
The Book Thief is one of my favorite books, and I love ALL of Louise Penny's books. I would move to Three Pines in a heartbeat and sit by the fire in the armchairs with pricetags and eat all the cheese and wine they serve! Love, love, love :) I read the Kite Runner so long ago I don't remember all the details but do remember really enjoying. If you liked that you'd also probably like another of his, A Thousand Splendid Suns. Definitely checking out the Golden Son and The Wednesday Wars!
ReplyDeleteThe Kite Runner has been on my list forever and I'm not sure why I didn't read it for Erin's challenge, that would have been perfect.
ReplyDeleteMy mom bought The Mix It Up book for K and she adores it, any book that requires her participation is a win.
The Book Thief and The Kite Runner were both excellent books! I had A Thousand Splendid Suns on my list for Erin's challenge and, well, I didn't get around it.
ReplyDeleteThe Kite Runner was excellent. Hard, but excellent. I loved The Book Thief too.
ReplyDeleteI always like articles on communication - I'm not good at following through entire nonfiction books. LOL
1- You have the same blog design as me! =)
ReplyDelete2- I could not get into Bridget Jone's Diary. It was one of the few cases where I though the movie was actually much better than the book.
3- Like the way you added the kids books at the end...about to have my first baby so this may end up happening for me at some point, haha.
KC has the whole ender's game series, but I have not read them. I did see the movie though, but I didn't know it was a book before I watched it. oh i'm sad you didn't love bridget, but i get it. hmm i might have to check out stargirl, because of john ritter. so sad. the fighting book also sounds interesting, like you said, there is always room for improvement. and i basically just added all the others that you liked to my list haha. i loved the book thief. it is one of my all time faves and it's a book i often re-read, which doesn't happen a lot.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Enders Game, and I was surprised that I actually like the movie, too! I was worried it would be turned into another YA movie but I felt like they did a great job.
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to read Enders Game for a while. I'll have to add it to my hold list at the library :)
ReplyDeleteSarah
The Midwest Darling
I fell asleep watching Ender's Game, so I'm not sure about the book. I did like Bridget's Jones's Diary at the time. I'm not 100% sure if I would feel the same way today. I am one of the few who haven't read The Kite Runner or The Book Thief and they get so much love. I really need to check them out. I'm adding Still Life to my TBR because I love a good series!
ReplyDeleteOoh, Ender's Game! I liked the book a lot, but liked the rest of the series even more. Ender's Game is more like a survival/coming of age story, and the rest get more into cultural and social stuff. I also really liked the Shadow Series, which follows Bean (although the first one in that is my favorite - it shows Bean growing up and is definitely a survival story!). Also, I don't need parenting books just yet, but I've started bookmarking some for later when it's relevant. With all the self help stuff I've read just to be a decent human being, I will definitely need some to be a good parent one day!
ReplyDeleteI picked up The Kite Runner for Erin's challenge too, and fell so in love with the book! I've had several people recommend reading his other Book A Thousand Splendid Suns if you enjoyed The Kite Runner. Stargirl sounds like such an interesting read! I need to go and check it out! And how cool that John Ritter narrated the audiobook!
ReplyDeleteI've read a lot of the books on this list. I thought Bridget Jones was just an okay read as well. I'm adding Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings to my to read list. Always looking for good parenting books.
ReplyDeleteThe Book Thief and Kite Runner are two of my all-time favorite books! Never read Bridget Jones's Diary, but I saw the movie and don't really like reading a book after I've seen the movie. I mean, I already know how everything turns out! Adding Still Life and The Golden Son- what can I say, I'm a sucker for a pretty cover :)
ReplyDeleteWow, Still Life sounds soooo good! I am definitely going to have to check that one out :)
ReplyDeleteWe had to read Ender's Game in ninth grade, probably to get those not super interested in reading on board. I remember everyone really liking it!
ReplyDeleteAhhh so many books!!! I tried to get in to Bridget Jones and just cant. I have The Book Thief on my TBR list forever and I really need to get on that! Some books work better for my via audible too!
ReplyDeleteI need to read The Book Thief. Everyone seems to love it, and I feel like it's been on my "To Read" list for a long time.
ReplyDeleteI really liked Bridget Jones's Diary, but I also read it when I was in college and between relationships ... So I could kind of relate to her. I own this book so I'll probably read it again at some point, but sometimes I wonder if I'll like it as much as I did as a 20 year old single college student now that I'm 31 and married.
The Heart of the Fight sounds interesting, but I have a hard time getting through most nonfiction books. If it isn't true crime, I usually won't even pick it up. I feel the same way: my husband and I don't fight all the time or anything, but it might be useful to look at the fights we do have (which are usually over dumb things anyway) in a different way.
I added The Golden Son because I enjoy books that open my eyes to other cultures as well. I have Secret Daughter from this author on my tbr list as well.
ReplyDeleteAhhhh The Book Thief. I rarely re-read books, but I want to pick this one up again soon. I love it. And I've seen Markus Zusak at a speaking engagement. I love him too :) Here's my post about seeing him: http://texerin-in-sydneyland.blogspot.com.au/2015/10/markus-zusak-author-of-book-thief.html
Thanks for all the book challenge shout outs!
I don't know if you've seen that I'm also participating in an Around the World in 80 Books challenge - I think Louise Penny is going to be my Canada representative. I probably should've asked your recommendation to begin with!
DeleteI remember reading Mr. Popper's Penguins as a kid. I need to get it for my kids. And I'm adding all of your other kid picks to their list too. :) We're reading The Book Thief for my book club this month. I'm glad to know you liked the audio too. I think I'll get it that way. I'm adding The Wednesday Wars to my list too!
ReplyDeleteWe love Herve Tullet's books! I love how they are so interactive. Little Pea is adorable. I love Everyday Reading too! I was so excited when Anne had Janssen on the broadcast and added every book mentioned to my TBR right away. Now I just need to read them all!
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm impressed with how much you read in a month! I had no idea John Ritter narrated books (or book?), but now I definitely want to listen to Stargirl...I was a huge fan of his. I remember reading The Kite Runner when it came out and it was probably the most powerful book I had ever read. I definitely need a reread as I can't recall the plot, only the feelings I had while reading it. I was really disappointed with the movie though. I struggled with reading The Book Thief. I found it hard to get into. Perhaps all the hype surrounding it didn't help...this is the rare case where I actually enjoyed the movie more than the book (and I hate admitting that!).
ReplyDeleteI completely 100% agree with you about Bridget Jone's Diary. I love the movie so much, but the book was just blahh to me. For me a lot of it was the format. Which i found to be hard to follow and just not very interesting, But I also think a character like Bridget is annoying in book world, where in movie world she's charming and lovable, if that makes sense?
ReplyDeleteAwww John Ritter reads Stargirl??? I love that book, and now I want to hear him read it!
ReplyDeleteI'm working my way through the Gamache series by Penny. I'm on the fourth one now and they all have been so good! I think her mysteries are pretty straightforward, like most of the time I figure them out way in advance but the characters are what I love. Each book is set in Three Pines so you get to know the characters more and more. I adore Ruth.
ReplyDeleteGolden Son is getting added to my list.
I loved Kite Runner and all of his books.
The Book Thief is so good but so sad!
ReplyDeleteI LOVED The Kite Runner (though it was really sad and heartbreaking at times). I have read his other two books ("And the Mountains Echoed" and "A Thousand Splendid Suns" and they were just as good (if not, even better, in my opinion) as The Kite Runner! The author is a master storyteller!!
ReplyDeleteI keep hearing about The Wednesday Wars and need to pick it up soon! Have you read Wonder by RJ Palacio? Its a great YA book!
What rating would you give The Book Thief.. ? I've had it FOREVER... but haven't cracked it open! I read Star Girl in middle or HS and I loved it at the time. :) I loved Bridget Jones, but I can totally see where you are coming from! I am definitely going to check out the Golden Son now!! :) Glad you had a great reading month! I posted mine on Monday! XO -Alexandra
ReplyDeleteSimply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
Kite Runner is one that's always in the back of my mind, but I haven't read yet! Can you believe it?! And Still Life has also been on my list since I've heard it mentioned so many times by Anne and others.
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