Read Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3 and Part 4 on my quest to read 50 books.
This is my final reading report for 2013. The links lead to the full book reviews I wrote.
The Cuckoo’s Calling / Robert Galbraith aka J.K. Rowling » To quote directly from my book review: “I love mystery/detective novels. I do. I did NOT love this one. In fact, I struggled so much to stay awake through the first 100 pages that I ran out of time on my library loan and said, ‘Eff it. I’m not re-borrowing this one.'”
Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock / Matthew Quick » Eh. I wanted to like this book more, but I felt like Leonard needed a good punch to the face. I did appreciate the message that happiness is something you have to work at, that it’s not just handed to you. Unfortunately I’m not sure Leonard himself got the memo.
The Bone Season / Samantha Shannon » When I first started reading this book about clairvoyants and an alien race, I thought it might suck me in like the randomness that was the Darkfever series. I’m not sure whether I’ll pick up the next installment, though, because it meandered so long toward the end that I started speed-reading and flipping pages just to be done with it.
Please Ignore Vera Dietz / A.S. King » Finally, a coming-of-age story that is perfect. It felt … true. I cannot do this book justice with my reviews. I loved it.
Etiquette & Espionage / Gail Carriger » Every time I read a Gail Carriger book it puts a smile on my face. Sarcastic, snooty, steampunk. All of the above. If you’ve never submersed yourself in this world before, I recommend the Parasol Protectorate series, though I must say that this book appears to be the start of a fun series, too.
The Book Thief / Markus Zusak » You would think I’ve reached my quota of World War II books for the year, but I’ll be damned if they haven’t been some of the best reads. This one? I think I can stop now and forever, because there will be no other WWII book that can compare with it. I felt absolutely gutted when I read the last page. The sky was chocolate brown.
Attachments / Rainbow Rowell » I felt like I was transported back to the first newsroom I worked at. The vibe was spot-on. A perfectly cute romantic comedy, asking the important question: Is it really stalking if it’s your job to read other people’s emails? Discuss.
The Returned / Jason Mott » A quiet, gripping read about how people would react if the dearly departed came back to life (and not in a zombie way). Poetry is the author’s specialty, and it shows in the lyrical prose that was simply entrancing. To be a TV series (called “Resurrection”) in the spring.
Island Girls / Nancy Thayer » I wanted a fun beach read. This was not what I was hoping for. Too whiny, too arrogant, too many inexplicably rich people with questionable money sources.
Eleanor & Park / Rainbow Rowell » You know, 1980s teen dramas don’t get better than this. I imagine Molly Ringwald as Eleanor and Brandon Lee as Park. You can sense the quiet desperation in the music they pass back and forth. There is some contention over the ending. I won’t spoil anything. I’ll just say I love it.
In this list of 10 books: three are about teen angst, four have some kind of communication with the dead. The three best: Please Ignore Vera Dietz, The Book Thief, Eleanor & Park
There you have it. I’ve read all 50 books! I think I’ll set my book reviews goal for 60 next year. Think I can handle it? Before I move on to 2014, though, I’m going to compile my top 10 list for the year. I think it’ll be difficult to whittle down because I’ve read some good ones.
Meanwhile, what have you been reading? I’m always on the lookout for a good read.
