A Book a Week – In a Dark, Dark Wood

I read In a Dark, Dark Wood because it was one of those “will be awesome!” books.

But this genre is not my thing apparently.

I read it. I read it fast. But I’ve had enough of books with only dislikable characters. I find that to be such a copout in writing. Most people have something we can like about them. Make your characters richer. Give me a reason to root for them. Or to at least make me want to read more.

Meh.

A Book a Week – 14

I read 14 because I read that it was good. But then I got worried because it was also supposed to be horror which i don’t read. In the end it was more scifi than horror in my opinion.

And I liked it.

It was different, fast-paced, interesting, and worth my time.

Not my super favorite, wont’ read more of him for now, but not sad I read it.

A Book a Week – 11/22/63

I read 11/22/63 because it was the only Stephen King book I could read (besides the one on Writing which is excellent). HE usually writes horror and I don’t read horror. But he’s an excellent writer so I wanted to give this one a try.

It was excellent.

I really liked the scifi bent. I liked learning all about JFK, especially since I knew very little about the whole story.

I recently watched the miniseries they made on this book and really enjoyed it as well.

Recommended.

A Book a Week – 1984

I read 1984  because my nephews had to read it for school and asked me if I could help them so to have the full context I decided to read it again.

Man is that book violent.

I remembered the ideology it was spouting but had conveniently forgotten how incredibly gritty and violent it was. It was a tough tough read.

A Book a Week – Among the Ten Thousand Things

I read Among the Ten Thousand Things on the plane back from Zurich.

It has a weird thing with time. Where the book starts at the end. goes backwards. and then goes all the way back and then comes back to catch up with itself. Or something like that.

It was interesting but not amazing.

I felt somewhat apathetic towards it.

A Book a Week – The Girl With All the Gifts

I read The Girl With All the Gifts because it was on a top listens list from audible.

This is the kind of book I would never ever have picked up on my own. I am so glad I did. It was weird, unusual and just crazy. It was fast paced and super weird.

Have I said it was weird?

It was weird.

I don’t want to give it away. Read it if you’re adventurous.

I’ve since read MR Carey’s new book, and liked it too. I don’t love love love either of them but I do like them. Mostly cause they are so unusual.

A Book a Week – Brewster

I read Brewster because a friend had recommended it. I put it off for a while but then decided to tackle it.

It was gritty and hard to read. But I liked it.

I think i am just tired of gritty and hard things. So if that’s your cup of tea, go for it.

I need a break.

A Book a Week – Kitchens of the Great Midwest

I read Kitchens of the Great Midwest because it was on amazon’s list as a great book to read.

And it was!

It was a gem of a book. Good writing, great characters. Nice way to have interconnected little short stories. I even loved reading about food (which I usually don’t care for.)

If you haven’t picked this one up, I’d recommend it.

A Book a Week – Fallen

I read Fallen because it had been on my YA to-read list for a long long time.

Man, was that a mistake.

This book dragged for days for me. And that’s a sign of a terrible book. The writing, the characters, the plot. None of it spoke to me. Maybe it was my mood when I read it. Maybe I’ve already read similar books. Not sure why I didn’t like it.

But I didn’t.

A Book a Week – Speak

I read Speak because it’s just awesome. I saw a friend have it on her goodreads and decided i might like it.

I loved it.

It was unlike anything, anything i’ve read in a long long long time.

It’s not for everyone. It’s weird. It’s unusual. But it’s also very interesting. Really different from other books. And I loved this small little book.

Not to mention, how awesome is that cover?

A Book a Week – How to Start a Fire

I read How to Start a Fire because it was on a list I had made and it was a quick read. I remember thinking it was ok but not amazing.  I hadn’t read Lisa Lutz before and I am not sure I will again. She has a new book out but I haven’t felt tempted to pick it up.

This, while okay, was relatively forgettable for me.

A Book a Week – To Kill a Mockingbird and Go Set a Watchman


I reread To Kill a Mockingbird because I wanted to read Go Set a Watchman and I felt it was important to read them in order. I hadn’t read To Kill a Mockingbird since I was in middle school but when people ask me what my favorite book is, I still say it’s this one. So I was a bit worried that a reread wouldn’t live up to what I had in my heart.

But it so did.

I fell in love with the book all over again. I loved loved loved the characters, the description, the setting, the plot. Just all of it.

Then I listened to Go Set A Watchman and it was just not the same. It was a lovely book on its own right. It had flaws but it wasn’t terrible. It just was no To Kill a Mockingbird.