This is an occasional series that chronicles my quest to read 60 books this year. Book reviews 2014: take six. Let’s see how it went, shall we?
Guys. I did it! I read 60 books this year!
*Busting out the virtual champagne for celebration.*
I mean, there was a time when I thought this wouldn’t happen. Remember when I was so far behind pace it was laughable? I am officially an audiobook fiend, and I owe my kicked-up pace to being able to listen on my commute to work.
I listen at double speed. H walked in on me listening to a book one day and was aghast that I could understand anything at all because it sounded like a chipmunk talking. Crazy thing is … I’ve been listening to books fast for so long that 2x sounds slow to me. I wish Overdrive would go up to 4x.
Anyway, onto the books. This is a pretty good crop. Only two of them made me want to shoot fire out of my eyeballs. Which ones? Read on to find out …
(Do you follow me on Goodreads? You should!)
P.S. Book Reviews 2014: Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3 and Part 4 and Part 5
Book Reviews 2014: 60/60
Astonish Me / Maggie Shipstead
File under: Literature, dance, broken dreams, broken hearts
Plot: Joan is a good dancer, but not good enough. Her obsession with perfection leads to a brief relationship with a world-class dancer, the ramifications of which reverberate through her life for decades to come.
Review: If you have watched Centerstage as many times as I have, you will enjoy this.
Amazon Goodreads
Rules of Civility / Amor Towles
File under: 1930s, New York, historical lit
Plot: Katey is a young woman who navigates Manhattan society after befriending a man who seemingly has it all (but looks can be deceiving).
Review: A smart read that has a great sense of time and place and will have you rooting for the heroine throughout.
Amazon Goodreads
Big Little Lies / Liane Moriarty
File under: Suspense, mystery, chick lit, mama drama
Plot: Kindergarten moms are at odds with one another after what appears to be a clear-cut case of bullying in the classroom, but everything comes to a head when someone winds up dead at a school fundraiser. Whodunit and why?
Review: I loved every single character in this witty tome. Oh, and I didn’t see the twist coming, so big win!
Amazon Goodreads
Fat Chance / Nick Spalding
File under: Bumbling, meandering, WTF, ugh
Plot: A British couple joins a Biggest Loser-style weight-loss competition and aside from a few fat jokes and ridiculous situations they create for themselves … nothing interesting happens, ever.
Review: Maybe I didn’t like this book because I’m not the type of fat person who would ever see clothing that was too small and think, “Why don’t I take this to the dressing room and trap myself in it, you know, just for the fun of public humiliation?”
Amazon Goodreads
Archetype / M.D. Waters
File under: Dystopian, scifi, love triangle whyyyy
Plot: Emma wakes up after an “accident” and can’t remember anything about her life. She has dreams about an entirely different life. Or are they visions?
Review: There’s nothing groundbreaking here (the “twist” is obvious from the title of the novel), but it’s a fun enough read and I’m already working on the sequel.
Amazon Goodreads
Astray / Emma Donoghue
File under: Short stories, historical literature
Plot: A collection of stories that all stem from enticing and/or mysterious historical news/documents about people who are either about to take on or finish a journey.
Review: Emma Donoghue’s writing gave me goosebumps.
Amazon Goodreads
The Vacationers / Emma Straub
File under: Beach read, chick lit
Plot: Family with problems goes on a European vacation and has to come to grips with their choices.
Review: Move along now, nothing much to see here. It’s just a bikini and some words. Enjoy.
Amazon Goodreads
Ask the Passengers / A.S. King
File under: Coming of age, Y.A., LGBT
Plot: Teen girl struggles to come to terms with who she is and who she loves and why she needs to tell anyone or label herself.
Review: I imagine this sometimes painfully real and beautiful book would be a huge comfort for young gay people.
Amazon Goodreads
The Giver / Lois Lowry
File under: Y.A., dystopian, utopian, philosophical
Plot: In a world where everything is the same, and decisions are made for you, Jonas has been chosen to become the new Receiver, which means he must carry the burden of painful memories for a society that doesn’t want or understand pain.
Review: This genius little book is like an onion, and I’m still peeling back layers and theories.
Amazon Goodreads
Rooms / Lauren Oliver
File under: Literary fiction, mystery, hauntings, zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Plot: A man’s long estranged family returns home after his death to find mysteries underfoot and ghosts living in the walls.
Review: If only the book were as exciting as my plot line makes it sound.
Amazon Goodreads
In a Nutshell
Three to read: Astonish Me, Big Little Lies, Astray … or The Giver
Three to pass: Fat Chance, Rooms, The Vacationers
So there you have it. SIXTY down! I still can’t believe I’m on track for 70 books this year.
What have you been reading lately? I’m always on the lookout for a good book … do share recommendations in the comments. Have you read any of these books? Do you agree/disagree with my assessment? Let’s discuss in the comments below.
P.P.S. Linking this post with Modern Mrs. Darcy. Check it out for more reading recommendations!
THE SMALL PRINT: This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for supporting Little Gold Pixel!
