What I Read This November

Since last months update I am feeling much more positive about completing this year's reading challenge. Miscounting the number of books remaining assisted in this. I currently  have three to go and as long as the last one turns up from the library I should be done by the end of the year. So, I am feeling pretty happy about that. Without further ado here is what I read this November:

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee ★★★★
A popular author's first book




Although the publication and subject matter of this book are somewhat problematic I found myself enjoying the book. Lee had me laughing and crying throughout. I most loved the childhood flashbacks of my beloved Scout. Grown up Jean Louise did not disappoint either. The book could have done with more work, but I am glad to have got the chance to read it.

Stay With Me by Maureen McCarthy ★★★
A book that scares you




I remember reading a few of Maureen McCarthy's books in my younger days and enjoying them so I picked this up without reading the blurb. It wasn't exactly scary but the themes of kidnap and abuse are not comfortable ones to read. I didn't enjoy it as much as her earlier books, but it was interesting and readable.  
 

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins ★★★★
A book by an author with your initials




I found it difficult to find any authors who shared my initials that I hadn't already read so I decided it would be a good idea to reread Mockingjay before seeing the film. When I originally read the series I read all three books in a blur of frenzied reading and so on rereading I was surprised at what I remembered and that I actually liked it better. Then I got to see the film fresh in the memory of reading it which can be good and bad. I enjoyed the film and was sad it was all over. Although apparently they are going to make prequel films so if true that is pretty exciting (a book would be good too!).

Lost & Found by Brooke Davis ★★
A book with antonyms in the title




This book wasn't for me. I thought it was just that the first time I attempted to read it I was sitting in a doctor's waiting room with a fever. But it turns out it was also the book. It tried so damn hard to be quirky it overstepped. I'm not the world's biggest prude (or maybe I am) but a three page description of an elderly lady's thoughts on male genitalia doesn't really add to the story at all or endear me to her as a character. Also the story was completely unrealistic in any sense. I'm sure many people would love this book and find it very heart warming and all that but not this person.


This month I have mostly purchased books for others as Christmas presents, but I did buy one for myself. Also a book subscription box, but that won't arrive until late December. My library list is full (mostly of trashy Christmas romances) so that should fill my need for new books. 

Book Lover's Christmas Gift Guide

Don't know what to get the book worm in your life this Christmas? Never fear, here is a quick list of cute ideas just in time before all the final postage dates (don't forget to check, I have messed up Christmas shipping before and had to go out to the shops in person - what a nightmare!).

Firstly the obvious choice would be books, or gift vouchers for the purchase of books. At this time of year I love to read cute Christmas books - here are a few I have enjoyed over the last few years:

Other obvious choices would be the illustrated version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - it is just gorgeous - or an adult colouring in book such as The Secret Garden (Not a trend that I am following but definitely a trend).  

Next on my list would be a book subscription box (something I am getting this Christmas!) - these are really taking off around the world and there are many to choose from. There are so many around the world that look amazing; Owl Crate, Illumicrate, Uppercase and many more. I try not look at them as the postage to Australia is insane. I am trying out a couple of Australian ones, YA Chronicles which have done a fabulous job so far with their offerings and Foxthings which I'm less sure about (they seem to have had some issues but I'm hoping to see a box around Christmas - time will tell). 


Next on my list would be some bookish attire. Who doesn't want to share their love of literature in their clothing. Here are a few ideas:

1) A gorgeous Harry Potter Alliance Hermione quote tee from DFTBA records
2) A delightful Alice in Wonderland brooch from Etsy 
3) A whimsical book tee from Modcloth  
4) An Opening-line necklace from Modcloth
5) A flowing Due date scarf from Etsy
  
And last but not least a few extra bits and bobs that are fun:

1) A personal library set from Modcloth
2) Some adorable bookmarks from Etsy
3) A truthful cushion cover from Etsy
4) A useful tote from Modcloth
5) One of Frostbeard's delicious book themed soy candles from Etsy 
6) A Mockingjay pin replica (see I like book fandoms other than Harry Potter!) 

I hope you all have a magical Christmas and your stockings are filled with bookish items galore! xox

What I Read This October

Starting to feel like I am not going to finish this challenge within the given 12 months, but I may just surprise myself. I have read more books and much more widely than usual so either way it is pleasing. But with 10 more books to read at a busy time of year.. we shall see.


 
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury ★★★★
A banned book



This has been on my list of books I've wanted to read for a long time and it seemed like a perfect choice to read during banned book week. 

 
Big Cherry Holler by Adriana Trigiani   ★★★★  
A book set in another country



Although not quite as enjoyable as Big Stone Gap I enjoyed reading what Ave Maria had got up to in the years following the first book. I laughed and I cried along with her. But at times I also wanted to shake her and yell at her terrible decisions. Anyway, I will continue the series in the new year and no doubt continue to be astounded by her life choices.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling ★★★★★
A book from your childhood



I love picture books and I just had to get my hands on this beautiful book. I hadn't read it in a couple of years but I still love it. Technically I read it originally as a teen, but I'm going to count it for this challenge as my childhood as if anything Harry Potter evokes the child within. I love it and I want to give a copy to every child I know. I look forward to spending all my money on these editions as they are released.

 
12 Doctors 12 Stories by Various Authors ★★★★
 A book of Short Stories



I don't love short stories but I do love Dr. Who so that helped me with this challenge. Technically didn't finish this until the first of November because I was too tired to read the last story as planned.

The First Doctor: A Big Hand for the Doctor by Eoin Colfer ★★
An average story, not the best start. Not surprising I didn't love it, as I couldn't get into Artemis Fowl.

The Second Doctor: The Nameless City by Michael Scott ★★★★
This was a great story, loved the adventure and the Doctor/companion relationship.

The Third Doctor: The Spear of Destiny by Marcus Sedgwick ★★★
The Doctor, The Master, and some Vikings, whatever could go wrong.

The Fourth Doctor: The Roots of Evil by Philip Reeve ★★★★
I liked this story. Eleven being brought into the story was just a bit of a bonus.

The Fifth Doctor: Tip of the Tongue by Patrick Ness ★★★★
Great story. I need to get my hands on some of his other writing shortly.

The Sixth Doctor: Something Borrowed by Richelle Mead ★★★★
This was another good one. Interesting story and world. Excellent Doctor/Companion banter.

The Seventh Doctor: The Ripple Effect by Malorie Blackman ★★★
If you are going to write Daleks it needs to be a bit more exciting than this was. Okay butterfly effect story.

The Eight Doctor: Spore by Alex Scarrow ★★★

This story was maybe too descriptive (of unpleasant imagery) for my liking but interesting enough.

The Ninth Doctor: The Beast of Babylon by Charlie Higson ★★★

Liked the insane crab lady companion, did not like the talk of how wonderful and lovely Rose Tyler is. Blegh.

The Tenth Doctor: The Mystery of the Haunted Cottage by Derek Landy ★★★★★

This was a super fun story, I really enjoyed this and would have loved to see it as an episode. Even with Martha Jones as companion I loved it so that is saying something. 

The Eleventh Doctor: Nothing O'Clock by Neil Gaiman ★★★★

I was really looking forward to Neil Gaiman's contribution and made myself read the Doctor's in order not to rush getting to it. As he has written a few episodes you can see in this story how well he knows Eleven and it is enjoyable to read.

The Twelfth Doctor: Lights Out by Holly Black ★★★★

This story was quite short and to the point, as someone who doesn't really feel a connection with Twelve I was surprised to enjoy this so much.  


I did pretty well on the book buying front this month, only buying Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone illustrated version. If you can walk past that beauty, you are a stronger person than I! I'm going to a library book sale sometime this week so next months tally may not sparkle so.  

What I Read This September

 
All the Light we Cannot See by Anthony Doerr  ★★★★
A Pulitzer Prize Winner
 
  

I was super keen to read this for the longest time, then I finally bought it and put it off for ages (story of my reading life). It took me a long time to get into it because I was always super tired and reading a page or too each night before falling asleep. I nearly gave up but then I got into it. It was probably a good thing most of the chapters were like 3 pages long. It was a beautiful story which at some times totally confused my brain as it is not written in order of events, which I figured served a purpose as a writing style but at times it made me so mad! 


Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider ★★★★




I needed something to read on the train, so, I finally got around to reading this ARC I got when I signed up to Net Galley and foolishly clicked on everything I thought I might like. But this book was definitely the best of the lot. It was very much in the style of a John Green novel with bonus excellent pop cultural references I appreciated. Also it made me cry a little and learn a little about the history of TB and freak out a little about disease outbreaks, but not too much. I would like to try her other books sometime in the future.

 
Big Stone Gap by Adrianna Trigiani ★★★★
A book your Mother Loves



My Mum reads a tonne more than I do so when you ask her for a list of her favourites you know they will be good. This book didn't disappoint.
In the past we made one of the recipes from one of Adriana Trigiani's books, the Our Lady of (Drown Your) Sorrows Consolation Cake, with Heavenly Frosting and it was truly insane. I mean it could probably kill a man. But *drools* there is something like $30 of candy in the thing. Anyway, so I knew I should one day read the book series that lead to me eating said cake. I'm currently reading the second book and my Mum, Whoppi Goldberg, and Sarah Jessica Parker recommend it, so maybe you should read it too.

 
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews ★★★




I needed another book for the train so I went with this one because it was the cheapest on my Kindle. It was okay, I didn't love it or hate it. The writing style was a little annoying at times. I think this may be better as a movie, but I have not seen said movie though so can't report on that.

That was the only book I purchased this month. I am plotting purchasing the illustrated version of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone it can totally count as a book from my childhood.

What I Read This August

I have been very lax on the reading/blogging about reading front lately. I don't want to point any fingers but Netflix.


The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins ★★★
A mystery or a thriller: This was an okay read, I didn't find it all that thrilling just rather so-so. I'm not that big on this genre so it wasn't all that surprising that I felt that way.


The other two books I read are probably not going to be counted in the challenge, but here they are anyway: 

The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger ★★★
Now I usually make it a rule to read a book before seeing the film adaption but this time around it didn't go that way. The film was quite loosely based on the book it would seem and I just found it much more enjoyable. 

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins ★★★

I was super keen to read this after finishing Anna and the French Kiss earlier in the year but something about it really irked me. At first I was annoyed by all the obvious quirky character choices of course she was adopted by her gay uncle and is dating a 20 something rock star *yawn* but I got over it by the second half and  liked it a little more plus I read like half of it on the train to and from the city.

I'm like 99.99% sure I didn't buy any books during August, the only book stores around here are QBD which is not my favourite. So that may be beneficial. Still don't have a local library card so may go crazy soon (even though I have many books I could read).

What I read this July

I knew I would be hopeless at reading and blogging about what I had read this month due to moving interstate so I tried to write about things as I read them and on rereading my thoughts on the books I probably didn't need to bother! Finally in my new home and struggling to stay awake and read most nights, August wont be very productive, nevermind...


I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson ★★★★★
A Book With Non-human Characters: Yes, I am counting the ghosts. I really enjoyed the emotional journey that was this book. 


Paper Towns by John Green ★★★★
A Book that was made into a Movie: Managed to finish off re-reading this with an hour to spare before seeing the film. Still love it. So much fun. Good adaption too.
          

Mr Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore by Robin Sloane ★★★★
A Book With a Number in the Title: An enjoyable read, not entirely what I expected. Not what I had originally intended for this challenge but I found it while wandering through the library and picked it up so changed a few things around to fit it into the challenge.



In  good news I enjoyed all three of the books I read throughout July. 
I can not remember what books I bought this month, at least two, one of which was Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee. $18 for a hardback is a pretty sweet deal though.

36/52 Challenge books read.

What I Read This June

I didn't make much progress with the reading challenge this last month. I finished a grand total of three books.  I am currently at 33 of 52 books read for the Popsugar Ultimate Reading Challenge. This month I read:


Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier ★★★★
A Classic Romance: As I mentioned last month I  struggled through the beginnings of it but eventually got to the dark twisted core of the thing. Not what I expected at all.

  
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel ★★★
A Book Set in the Future: Another book that was not what I expected. However, not in a good way. I waited nearly half a year to get it in at the library. The story let itself down in parts. 

  
Grace's Guide: The Art of Pretending to be a Grown-up by Grace Helbig ★★★
A Funny Book: While this was amusing in parts, I feel the same jokes were over used. It was enjoyable enough.


I bought too many books for someone who is in the process of moving and reading so slowly at the present time... 

What I Read This May

May was not the most productive reading month for me. I read some great books over the first half then struggled through the beginnings of my classic romance title, Rebecca. I did get through four enjoyable books though, they were:

Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Abertalli ★★★★

A book published this year: I picked this up while wandering through the library and it was an easy and enjoyable read.

All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven ★★★★

A book that made you cry: *sob*

Paddle Your Own Canoe by Nick Offerman ★★★★

A non-fiction book:  A good effort from Nick Offerman. It featured some hilarious tales from his life throughout. I would have loved more about Parks and Recreation though.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio ★★★★★

A book with a one word title: Such a beautiful book. I waited about five months to get it from the library and it was totally worth it. I laughed, I cried, I would recommend it to anyone. 

I purchased a couple of books this month which is totally bad, especially with attempting to pack for a move and all that. I bought All the Light we Cannot See and Jasper Jones (but that was for a book club thing – although I didn’t read it.. yet) and my friend bought me Rebecca because I was talking about maybe using it for my classic romance prompt. So far my June has been very slow, but I have been doing so much reading professionally I have struggled to read for pleasure and also reading a novel outside my preferred genre when mentally exhausted.

What I Read This April

April was a relatively even reading month for me. I managed to complete five more books towards the challenge. They were mostly enjoyable reads. It is getting harder to fit things I just want to read into the challenge as I have reached the halfway mark having now read 26/52 books, but I will persevere. I have a bunch of books in mind for the challenges that I would love to read which should keep me going. I was very happy to hear All the Light we Cannot See won a Pulitzer prize as I had heard great things (and not yet decided on a book for that prompt).

 

Anyway, this month I read the following:

Love Saves the Day by Gwen Cooper ★★★★

A book with more than 500 pages – The copy I had was large print so this is totally cheating. I originally had it down as my crying book but have something else in mind for that one, may change it again in future. Anyway for a book with a super cheesy title it was pretty great. I took a while to get into the perspective of the cat, like with The Bear and the children’s point of view but somehow less annoying. It was a good read and even non cat lovers such as myself could have a good cry over it. 

Shattered by Teri Terry ★★★★

A trilogy (book 3) – The trilogy really came together with the last book.  I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

Hold me Closer: The Tiny Cooper Story by David Levithan ★★★

A play – This was enjoyable enough, but I don’t believe plays are best read in one’s head. At least not mine, I am not musically oriented enough to figure out how the songs would sound, or I would have probably enjoyed it a bit more. 

Just Don’t Fall: How I Grew up, Conquered Illness, and Made it Down the Mountain by Josh Sundquist ★★★★

A memoir – Just love his writing style, very easy and enjoyable to read. 

Where’d you go, Bernadette by Maria Semple ★★★★

A book set somewhere you have always wanted to visit – Read this book after being recommended it by a few others participating in the reading challenge. A different book, I loved how it slowly pieced together and came to make sense as you went. She has written for television programs I have enjoyed too. I may one day read her first novel but probably not during the challenge. 

I think I only purchased the one book last month which was The Girl on the Train which I haven’t gotten around to reading yet.