I cannot believe that 2010 was the last time I did a book post (besides coffee table books). I still highly recommend all the books in this post. If you are looking for some to add to your list. I enjoy reading so it’s time we made a book post a habit. My mom gave me a kindle for Christmas two years ago and it has really helped me read more because I can read in bed without disturbing my husband with each page turn (the new kindles can also be read in the dark, mine can’t, so that would be even better). I still buy books that I want the actual copy of, but I definitely read my kindle more. It’s so tiny I can easily take it on trips, etc., without lugging several books around with me.
THE BOOKS
Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel, by Jeannette Walls — This is sort of a sequel yet prequel to The Glass Castle. Jeannette wrote it about her grandmother Lily. If after reading The Glass Castle you sort of hated Jeannette’s mother (I did), this helps explain her by the way she grew up and what her mother was like.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close: A Novel, by Jonathan Safran Foer — Anything that has to do with 9/11 is fascinating to me. I definitely want to see this movie, but Jonathan Safran Foer has an interesting writing style. Some love it, some don’t. I liked the story, but not the writing style. Still worth reading in my opinion.
Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard, by Liz Murray — Another book (similar to The Glass Castle) where you just want to smack the parents. Liz is one amazing girl. Basically living on the streets in her teens she made it through and ended up at Harvard. One of those amazing stories that make you grateful for what you have, and also make realize what you can accomplish if you put your mind to it.
The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins — Let me just tell you a little about how reading The Hunger Games happened for me. I was resisting. I typically don’t like to read hype books and especially ones that are sci-fi-esque or imaginary. Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, I know they are amazing stories … not interested. Never read them, and I’ve only seen the first Harry Potter movie (which was fine), but have no intention of seeing more. My siblings however are obsessed. As adults. Back to The Hunger Games. Just something about kids killing kids I was like, um no thanks. Not the picture I want in my head before I go to sleep, heck ever! But my sister kept telling me it was good. Well that did nothing. Then I was on a plane in January 2012 and the lady next to me pulled it out. We had been chatting a little so I asked her about the book. She said she resisted at first also, but couldn’t put it down. So I thought fine, this random lady on a plane likes it, okay. So I bought it on my Kindle around that time, but couldn’t bring myself to read it. That summer, I had just finished a book (on my Kindle) and wasn’t ready to do to sleep yet, and the only other book ready to go on my Kindle was The Hunger Games. I thought fine, I bought the thing, I’ll read it.
I read all three books in the series in nine days.
I’m not even sure where the second book ends and the third begins in the story line. So you could say I thought they were good. I ate them up. I finally saw the movie over this Christmas season (a little late I know). Reading the book first sort of ruined the movie for me because I just saw all the things they left out, but I definitely wouldn’t have wanted to see the movie before reading the book. The book was too good and I wouldn’t have wanted the movie to ruin it. If you haven’t read the series yet, take it from the resister, I loved it.
What books have you read lately? Have you read any of these? Did you like them? Please tell me in the comments!
I have a thing for memoirs. But they are just so damn inspiring to me. With the life and amazing parents and family I’ve been given, I have extremely high expectations for myself, because so many people who have none of that and have accomplished extraordinary things completely alone — maybe not even knowing where they are going to sleep or where their next meal will come from. And then they go to Harvard. Just amazing.
I bough the first book of the hunger trilogy but have not read it yet. I’ll give it a shot.
xo
http://pinksole.com
Give yourself some time to get into it! I couldn’t put it down!
I couldn’t put down the Hunger Games triology – I read them all in a single night (and I mean ALL night – didn’t go to sleep until 5 am). I haven’t read any of the books in the first part of the post, but you can be assured that I have them marked as “read next”
After reading The Paris Wife, I’m on a classics bender and have been tearing my way through Hemingway and Fitzgerald. This kick also reunited me with my FAVORITE classics author, Kate Chopin. I may or may not have splurged on pretty hardcovers of these books as well. Whoops.
Ooooh I’ve got The Paris Wife on my list, and definitely have a ton of classics I need to read and re-read as well!
I never thought about it like that, but maybe that’s why I too love memoirs so much. I read a little bit of everything, but it’s the memoirs on my to-read list that I get most excited about.
I fought the Hunger Games trend hard. I wanted nothing to do with them. When I was finally convinced to read them… I fell in love. I’m re-reading the first one again now just for fun!
Wow, I didn’t realize how many other people were with me on this! I have however resisted the Dragon Tattoo one… too many weird names.
I have an embarrassing obsession with YA dystopian/fantasy/supernatural novels. I don’t know what that says about me. If you liked The Hunger Games, definitely give the Divergent trilogy a try (the last one isn’t out yet). I also liked the Delirium trilogy (haven’t read the third yet though), and right now I can’t put down The Mortal Instruments. None of which would probably interest you, but I’d say at least give Divergent a try!
Hahaha! I will look up Divergent, but we’ll see… 🙂
I’m a big reader ! I haven’t read the glass castle yet, so I’ll definitely add it to my to read list.
I just finished Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and it is amazing ! I was on the edge of my seat every step of the way. ! It’s a triller with a twist. Absolutely loved it !
I alse really loved The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, it’s whimsical and magical and has a great love story. I’ve heard they will be making a movie out of it, that I will definitely go see !
WHHHAT!!! You HAVE to read The Glass Castle! It’s soooo good. I think they are making a movie now/soon. I want to read Gone Girl! And will put Night Circus on my list!
I’ve tried to ignore the Hunger Games after being slightly terrified by the movie, but I think I’ll have to try the book!
I’ve been really into Sarah Addison Allen’s books, they’ve got a touch of magic, suspense and are a bit naughty!
LOL i love hearing about your “hunger games” experience because mine was exactly the same. i literally resisted it for YEARS, but finally my mom and boss convinced me to read it and i think i read all three books in about a week. i loved them so much that i actually re-read them!
I’m going to have to get my hands on Half Broke Horses, I read The Glass Castle and kind of felt the same way you did, but maybe the prequel will cast a new light! Thanks for the suggestions, too, always looking for new reads.
Loved the Hunger Games trilogy, but couldn’t get into Gone Girl, I’ve read that’s being made into a movie too.
I’m doing Great Gatsby right now to refresh myself before the movie comes out in May. Up next, I think I’ll read the second of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo books. Have you read them? So good!
Elizabeth of The Corner Apartment
Great Gatsby is my favorite book… I’ve reread it several times, enjoy!
Read the entire Hunger Games series back to back and loved it 🙂 Unimpressed with the movie
xo Ashley
thetiniestfirecracker.com
I actually didn’t really like the way they filmed it. Seemed soap-opera-esque to me.
oh man. someone recommended the HG books to me before they were hype and i was the same. not interested. but last spring break grace wouldn’t stop talking about them and we wanted to see the first movie with her so i ran out and INHALED the first book. like, started reading at 8p and was finished by breakfast. loved it. had similar thoughts on the movie, but that’s usually to be expected. can’t believe i still haven’t read the other 2! need to do it.
HOW DID YOU NOT IMMEDIATELY WANT TO READ 2 & 3?!?!?!
I resisted the Hunger Games too but loved them. Am also resisting the Dragon Tatoo. I just finished reading Clara & Mr. Tiffany and loved it. A look at a female artist at a time when women weren’t taken seriously, living in NY and finding her own path to success. Had to hit the Met after reading it to see the Tiffany works in person. Inspiring.
I added it to my list! Thanks!
I love books and similar to you, I vary between an actual book or my kindle/ipad kindle reader. I really enjoyed Laura Hillendbrand’s ‘Unbroken’ – a WWII Story on Survival (truly an incredible read!) and of course, ‘Gone Girl’ by Gillian Flynn.
Enjoy!
Kristin
Both on my list! Thanks!
Jeannette Walls is one of my absolute favorite authors. Reading The Glass Castle made me physically react to her stories because the writing’s so good (and resulted in a lot of odd looks on the Metro). But catching up with her sequel Half Broke Horses just blew me away. Great recommendation!
I often feel odd recommending the book I’m about to name, but it’s just so damn good: Room by Emma Donoghue. Enjoy!
Xx, Maiah
Room sounds amazing! Added it to my list!
I love both Half Broke Horses and Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close so I will have to get my hands on Breaking Night!
xo.
I second the recommendation of The Night Circus. It totally had me enveloped in the magical world and thinking “this would be a fantastic and beautiful movie.” Now that it’s going to be made into a film, I can’t wait!
I haven’t read it yet, but I keep hearing more and more about Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In, if you’re in the mood for some non-fiction inspiration for working women.
Happy Reading!
Recently read (for fun read!) “Where’d You Go Bernadette?” and loved it. The book is a mystery “where is she?” at its core, but it’s really exploring the characters through every other character. The narrative is relayed through letters, emails, transcribed phone calls and threads the history with the present mystery. I don’t read fiction often because when I find a book like this the rest of life gets put on hold until I’m finished devouring the book!! Even worse when it is a trilogy – a la “Hunger Games” or “Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”.
I’ll second (or third or fourth?) the love for Night Circus and Gone Girl, but my favorite recommendation lately is Cutting For Stone. Beautifully written, seriously, one of those books you just cannot stop thinking about after it’s over.
I totally agree with your Hunger Games comments. I resisted and thought it was going to be some Twilight tween series. Needless to say I read all three books in four days on my commute on the train. Please continue with your monthly book posts, especially with summer on its way