Review: To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great book! Full review to come!

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Review: Carry On

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 or 3.75 stars. I love Rainbow Rowell's writing, but I read this to try to get out of a reading slump and it only partly worked. I was interested, but because I was still partially in a reading slump, I took too many breaks while reading it and kept loosing sight of the story. Once I got towards the end, it went very quickly and I was really drawn in. However, I had to get through 2/3 of the book before I got to that point. I think if I hadn't taken so many breaks from reading it, I'd likely feel differently. I was really glad that Rainbow Rowell wrote a book for Simon and Baz (I loved them in Fangirl!), but I think I liked Fangirl and Eleanor and Park better. I appreciated the diverse romance aspect of it, but I felt a little bit like I had missed a lot in the previous "books" (for those who aren't familiar, this book is sort of supposed to be the final book in a fake series that made an appearance in Fangirl). I appreciated getting Simon Snow's story, but I still felt like I was missing so much. Still, I loved the last third of this book and I always enjoy Rowell's writing. I know some complained that it was too similar to Harry Potter, but I didn't really think so. It was clearly inspired by "chosen one" narratives, but Rowell has her own voice and it was a very unique story. I can't wait to read more by her!

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Review: Wreckage

Wreckage by Emily Bleeker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3 or 3.5 stars. My book club picked this book for October and I didn't think I would enjoy it, but I did. It had some mixed reviews, but overall, it was an enjoyable read. I wasn't spectacular or anything, but it was fast-paced and kept me wanting to know more. Some was fairly predictable and some should have been predictable (but wasn't), but everyone in the book club said they liked it. It led to some interesting discussion about lying and when it is/is not ok to lie. The author also has some interesting discussion questions posted on her website (found at https://emilybleeker.com/wreckage-dis... ). It's not something I would have picked out, but I'm glad I read it!

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Review: Wreckage

Wreckage by Emily Bleeker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3 or 3.5 stars. My book club picked this book for October and I didn't think I would enjoy it, but I did. It had some mixed reviews, but overall, it was an enjoyable read. I wasn't spectacular or anything, but it was fast-paced and kept me wanting to know more. Some was fairly predictable and some should have been predictable (but wasn't), but everyone in the book club said they liked it. It led to some interesting discussion about lying and when it is/is not ok to lie. The author also has some interesting discussion questions posted on her website (found HERE . It's not something I would have picked out, but I'm glad I read it!

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Review: Wreckage

Wreckage by Emily Bleeker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3 or 3.5 stars. My book club picked this book for October and I didn't think I would enjoy it, but I did. It had some mixed reviews, but overall, it was an enjoyable read. I wasn't spectacular or anything, but it was fast-paced and kept me wanting to know more. Some was fairly predictable and some should have been predictable (but wasn't), but everyone in the book club said they liked it. It led to some interesting discussion about lying and when it is/is not ok to lie. The author also has some interesting discussion questions posted on her website (found HERE. It's not something I would have picked out, but I'm glad I read it!

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Review: Days of Blood & Starlight

Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars. I am LOVING this series!! And it came as such a pleasant surprise! I picked up the first book on a whim and devoured it. Then I listened to the second on audiobook. The narrator is excellent (one of my favorite narrators in a long time, actually).

This book definitely doesn't suffer from second-book syndrome. The characters are vivid and complex and the story is extremely engaging. I love the continued friendship between Karou and Zuzana (and now Mik as well). I hope she continues to play an important role in the last book. The book (view spoiler)[ ended on such a cliffhanger (hide spoiler)], so I can't wait to read more! I will be continuing this series as soon as possible!!

Has Laini Taylor written anything else? Because I want to read it!! :)

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Review: Edenbrooke

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.75 stars. These are such light, fun books! They are a little silly, but very enjoyable. I really looked forward to my drive to work so I could listen. That said, the narrator's voice for the audiobook version did really annoy me. Also, a few of the lines came across as very sexist. I understand that it was written to take place in regency-era England, but I still found a few of the lines to be unnecessary. However, the book was a quick listen and extremely entertaining. I think I enjoyed it a bit more than Blackmoore, although both were fun. I liked the main character and the love interest. I love regency-era romances (although I prefer to just read Jane Austen, but these are good too). You know everything is going to turn out ok in the end in these books, but that is part of their appeal. I hope that Donaldson writes more of the "Proper Romances," because I'm sure I'd read them!

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Review: The Longest Ride

The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.75 stars. With Nicholas Sparks, you know exactly what you are going to get. Take some tragedy paired with true love and something "heartwarming" and coincidental and there you have it. However, even though I know exactly what to expect, I always enjoy it! This was just like all of his others, but it was a good story. I was always looking forward to when I could next listen to it. There were two stories told at the same time, and I enjoyed both of them. Ruth and Ira's story was good, although not a whole lot happened in it. Sophia and Luke's story moved more quickly, but (view spoiler)[ connected to Ruth's desire for a child more, (hide spoiler)] so I enjoyed them fairly equally. I got exactly what I was expecting, but that was exactly what I wanted. I need to see the movie now!

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