Thursday, June 27, 2013

Reading, lately

A brief list of things I have read in the last couple months, along with some very sketchy reviews of each. I normally only show you the good stuff, or at least only the new stuff, but this time I'm doing an unedited list. Heads up - it will be random. I have no book selection system. 

The Family Fang +
Comedic story about a family that is really, really into performance art. It is quick, engaging, silly.

The Road +
Do I need to describe this one? Pretty sure I'm the last person in the world to get around to reading it. Short apocalypse novel, beautifully written.

Friends Like Us -
Novel about quirky twenty-somethings in New York, friendships, relationships, cheating. Not my thing. I just couldn't deal with the characters and it depressed me.

The Sisters Brothers ++
My favorite book from this round. A highly stylized totally ridiculous Western satire about two hired killers. There isn't a great way to describe it but let me just say that the cover wasn't the best part and the cover is pretty excellent.

A Visit from the Goon Squad ++
Almost everyone loved this and few people were meh (were they tired of hearing about how awesome it is?). I ended up loving it despite all the hype. Lots of interlocking stories, a literary device that I'm almost always on board with, even when I think I should be over it. I enjoyed the controversial chapter that was a PowerPoint presentation, but then, I spend a lot of time with PowerPoint.

The Red House +
I like Mark Haddon in general, and this didn't disappoint. Quick read, dry humor, exploration of family relationships (set in the pressure cooker of a family vacation) that I always find interesting. 

The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving +/-
Not sure whether to plus or minus this one. I fell for the story even though I felt a little suckered doing so. The main event that the narrator keeps referencing is depressing and pretty obvious, despite how long it takes for it to come out in full. The narrator can be difficult to like, which in theory isn't an issue for a story but I couldn't decide whether I was okay with it or not here. I can't decide whether to recommend it. Bonus points for the somewhat madcap road trip. I think I'm convincing myself that I like it more as I write this. 

The Age of Miracles +
Semi-science-fiction-y novel about the world slowly ending. I'm sucker for good stories about adolescence and I enjoyed the backdrop here. Thompson Walker does a great job of making the (terribly implausible) premise seem completely normal. 

Wild (From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail) +/-
Not the most literary memoir I've ever read (note - also not the least) but the story is great. Hiking solo! Survival skills! Pain! I really want to go on a backpacking trip this summer but I'm not sure it's in the cards (vacation days, you wily beasts!). Reading this at least helped make me feel like I was being outdoorsy. 

And the murder mysteries ... Ones with asterisks are re-reads. I'm a chronic re-reader, especially if I start feeling stressed out. I know it seems odd to re-read mysteries, of all things, but I've always done it. It's the curse of growing up a fast reader with a limited book budget, I guess. 

In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner
The Inspector Lynley series is one of my favorites. British, serial killers, loooong books, perfect for vacations when you want an involved story. Read them in order! The individual books can be hit or miss. I guess that could be a deal breaker given the length of the books, but I tear through them so it doesn't bother me to have the occasional miss. 

Deception 
Not my favorite. But if you loved Gone Girl (I was only lukewarm on it), you might want to give this a try. It's a twisty page turner, for sure. 

And When She Was Good
Laura Lippman is sometimes compared to Tara French (who I really enjoy) and she's generally a good read but not one of my favorites. This one is about a suburban soccer mom who just happens to be running a secret high level prostitution business and has some trouble with a former crime boss. A bit twisty, entertaining. 

For the Sake of Elena *
Inspector Lynley again. Not the best in this series, but you kind of have to read it if you're already invested. 

The Falcon at the Portal *
The Amelia Peabody series is one of my all time favorites. I've read them all a million times. They hit several sweet spots. Humorous murder mysteries set in Egypt in the early 1900s with a British protagonist. Again, read them in order. 

He Shall Thunder in the Sky *
Amelia Peabody again. I was feeling nostalgic that week. 

To Fear a Painted Devil
I haven't read much Ruth Rendell but I think I might pick up a few more. If you like Agatha Christie (I read every Christie ever published the year I was 13) you'll like this one. 

The Caller
I'm not a huge fan of Norwegian crime novels (don't hate me!) but I do like the few Inspector Sejer series books I've read. They are mildly creepy and bleak, but tempered by the warmth of the main protagonist. 

I'm currently on the waitlist for a couple of library books and I need to find a few more to add to the queue or I'll end up re-reading Harry Potter again


Note - I do use affiliate links when I link to Amazon on the blog, because it's convenient and I was already linking to them before the affiliate program was offered. If you end up purchasing I get a (tiny) commission that I usually put towards my photo hosting but sometimes towards happy hour. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of affiliate links, you can open a new tab and search for the book/item by name. And don't worry, I can't see who is purchasing stuff. 

34 comments:

  1. I can't remember if you're a goodreads-er or not, but if you're not, it's a good place to find books other people think you may like depending on what you read. I love it for that function.

    Also - if you're a mystery turn of the century girl, Philip Pullman's Ruby in the Smoke series is fun. (quick read, too).

    And finally, since you're a kindle reader, you can check other library systems in the area for more free options to check out (I do one here in Boston and use my home library's in Minnesota, it's perfect).

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    1. I have clicked over to Goodreads before but I never seem to get into it. Too much commitment? Or my reading is too aimless?

      I super-heart Philip Pullman but I haven't read that particular series in forever. Now I want to re-read it!

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    2. I like goodreads because it's good at keeping track of what books I want to read, and because a couple of friends whose taste is very similar to mine are on there, and we trade books all the time. It can get to be a huge time sink, like anything else in the world, but it is nice to have everything in the same place.

      I'm listening to Ruby in the Smoke on audiobook right now, and it's great.

      I'm also (gulp) reading Soulless on my kindle. It's witty, silly, and a ridiculous alternative Victorian England steampunk style. With werewolves. And I actually like it. I know, right? Strange.

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    3. It's the time sink aspect that I'm worried about. I feel like I'm already online plenty, so I'm reluctant to add another account! But everyone loves it, so maybe I'll give it a try?

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    4. I'm the kind of person that keeps two tabs open at work (gmail, calender) plus a million sciency tabs, and feedly if I have a bit of free time during an incubation or something.

      When I get home or on the weekends, then it's gmail, calender, feedly, duolingo to practice French, facebook, pandora, all that. Goodreads isn't something I keep in my frequent stop sites and up all the time, but I open it if I'm trying to find kindle books to read on my library websites, or if I see mention of a book that looks interesting online. It's easy to search, say you want to read it, and simply close the tab. Like everything, yes, it can become a rabbithole, but really only if you let it. :)

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    5. I'm seriously considering it. I'm currently using my library website to keep track of my book list but obviously it doesn't give me recommendations, and I could really use them sometimes! I end up randomly browsing.

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  2. Love Amelia Peabody. My favorite mysteries are by Susan Wittig Albert, The China Bayles series featuring a lawyer turned herbalist in Central Texas.

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    1. I've never heard of that series! I'm checking the first one out right now. They look like cozy mysteries, but American!

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  3. Damn that's a lot of books! Good for you! I can only manage one every couple weeks or so. I loved Goon Squad. Going to check out a couple others.

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  4. Yay Amelia Peabody! I have read all of those at least 4 or 5 times. I agree about re-reading mysteries, it is relaxing to know what you are getting into and that you will like it ahead of time. Also, I have a terrible memory so if I wait long enough in between I can manage to forget even major plot points.

    The fact that we have this in common makes me trust your book opinions. I will have to check out this Inspector Lynley!

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    1. I love the Inspector Lynley series but it's very different from Amelia Peabody - just a word of warning! It's set in modern times and sometimes gets graphic (but not as intense as the Kay Scarpetta series, if you've ever read those). I don't want to disturb you if you aren't normally into that kind of thing!

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    2. I love that you read Inspector Lynley! I was introduced to him a few months ago and I am on In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner right now too.

      I hear something big will happen in the next few books. I also agree that they are hit or miss.

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    3. Not to worry, I am not easily disturbed so graphic doesn't usually bother me. I think it sounds interesting!

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  5. OH YAY! A book list. I'm always looking for books and just added a bunch of these to a list I keep in my purse. I'm currently reading The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer. So far, so good.

    And I LOVED Goon Squad. Like so much.

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    1. Adding that one to my list! I needed some new recs.

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  6. I like the Inspector Lynley stories, but I prefer the tv series to the books - the author is American and I notice small inconsistencies that kind of bug me.

    However, the Amelia Peabody author Elizabeth Peters can do no wrong!!

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    1. Yes, isn't it funny that she's American? Californian, actually, I think. I haven't tried watching the TV series, but I might go for it.

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  7. I loved Wild, The Sisters Brothers & A Visit from the Goon Squad. Funny because I just read the Road for the first time last year so I know how you feel about feeling like a late bloomer on that one. I've marked a few of your books to my library holds list. As for more recs, I also love Good Reads and would encourage you to start an account, just because it's always fun to get good book recommendations!

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    1. I have no idea why I'm so intimidated by Good Reads. You guys are always recommending it. I just need to suck it up and join.

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  8. I also read every novel Agatha Christie published when I was in 6th grade. Did you hear that they've recently opened Christie's house to the public? There was a great article on her in the Smithsonian a couple years ago:

    http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/Where-Agatha-Christie-Dreamed-Up-Murder.html

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    1. Oh, that's fun! Agatha Christie will always be one of my favorites. I started with only Miss Marple but moved on to Poirot pretty quickly and now I think he's actually my favorite.

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  9. Yes Inspector Lynley! I always feel slightly silly reading them in public because of the book covers. Never tried the show but I do quite enjoy the Inspector Lewis series (which I watch with my mom). Happy weekend!

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    1. The book covers are so intense! And the books are so huge! I'll admit I rarely read them in public but I keep them stashed in random places for emergency reading (I have one in my locker at the gym and two in my office at work, just in case).

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  10. If you're into mysteries, have you tried reading Ariana Franklin? She usually writes historically based mysteries.

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    1. I haven't heard of her! I'll add her to my list - thank you!

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  11. Great list. I always feel like a literary 1st grader when I see your selections. I did just finish Wild and enjoyed it. It was kind of mindless reading--not profound, but a good enough story to be interesting. I do, however, LOVE to read Cheryl Strayed's previously anonymous column, Dear Sugar. Have you read it?

    http://therumpus.net/sections/dear-sugar/

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    1. Oh, I haven't read that and I love advice columns. I'll check it out!

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  12. I love your book posts! I read The House of Tomorrow on your recommendation and I loved it. Always look forward to see what you've been reading

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    1. Awww...thanks! Book posts are some of my favorites because I get all your recommendations and you guys have good taste! Also, I just love talking about books.

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  13. ooooh i haven't read some Elizabeth Peters in AGES, but i adore her Amelia Peabody series. simply the best, and funniest writing out there.

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  14. I own The Brothers Sisters. It has been sitting in my readers for months. Tip: if you are going to recommend the book to a friend and decide to visit B&N.com to grab a link, DO NOT just type in 'brother sister'in the search box. What will come up will destroy your faith in humanity.

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  15. I love British mysteries! My absolute fave is Dorothy L. Sayers; I have a huge crush on Lord Peter Wimsey, her detective. Same time period as early Christie but less formulaic.

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  16. I love British mysteries! My absolute fave is Dorothy L. Sayers; I have a huge crush on Lord Peter Wimsey, her detective. Same time period as early Christie but less formulaic.

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  17. I just got into murder mysteries this summer so I am loving this list! Thank you! I just read Tana French's In the Woods and omg have been dying to talk about the ending!! I might need to scour internet boards for that fix. I read Laura Lippman's What the Dead Know and enjoyed it. I also just bought Jane Smiley's Duplicate Keys which I heard was very good.

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