My November Books
I stumbled onto some great books this month. It was funny though that the ones I thought I was really going to love only turned out to be OK and a few I really wasn't sure what to expect ended up being my favorites!
1. Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult-- When Nina, a local prosecutor, finds out that her 5 year old boy has been molested she takes the law into her own hand. What ensues is a scandal that no one would have imagined and begs the question "What would you do to protect those you love?" I enjoyed this heart wrenching book so much; though admittedly the content was quite heavy at times.
2. All We Ever Wanted by Emily Griffen-- When her son has broken some school rules and is faced with possible expulsion, Nina begins to question her own parenting and realizes that she and her husband no longer share any of the same views. Told from multiple viewpoints I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun and quick read.
3. Save Me the Plums by Ruth Reichl-- While I cannot say I was ever a reader of Gourmet magazine I did enjoy this memoir written by Ruth as she took over the job as editor in chief after having been a restaurant critic for years. However, since I had no frame of reference for who many of the people were (including the author) it was slow going. I really enjoyed the recipes tucked inside though.
4. The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer-- A fantastic WWII novel. I was hooked with both the story lines and could not wait to see how they intersected. Alice is in present day Florida dealing with a son who is on the Autism Spectrum and is non-verbal, her grandmother is in the hospital and has lost her ability to speak with her recent stroke. Alina is growing up in Poland, near the German border and though there are whispers of a possible Nazi invasion no one believes their army is any match for the Polish government-- until the night of the first attack. This was one of those books I just could not put down and while I kept guessing what was coming next I was occasionally wrong. I really enjoyed the twists and turns and the author's notes in the back of the book.
5. Becoming by Michelle Obama-- While I enjoyed this book written by our former first lady, I honestly can't say it was a favorite of mine. I liked her easy to read writing style and getting a behind the scenes look at both getting to and living in the White house but I guess after all the hype I expected so much more. I mean it was good but it wasn't a book I could not put down and everyone made it sound like it was this unbelievable, amazing story (which I guess it is when you think neither one of them came from old family money and together they became President and first lady) but it was told in such a no- nonsense way that it seemed quite logical. I guess knowing what was obviously going to happen before it did made the story too predictable to me?! I don't know. I'm glad I read it but I don't see myself telling others this is a must read.
6. The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo-- This book was another that I read because it came highly recommended and while I enjoyed the basic storyline I really did not like how the story kept jumping around all over the place. I usually like stories that weave multiple storylines (like The Things We Cannot Say) but this one often left me feeling confused for a minute or two each time it changed from one to the next. And I was a good 1/3 of the way into the book and kept thinking... where is the fun?!
1. Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult-- When Nina, a local prosecutor, finds out that her 5 year old boy has been molested she takes the law into her own hand. What ensues is a scandal that no one would have imagined and begs the question "What would you do to protect those you love?" I enjoyed this heart wrenching book so much; though admittedly the content was quite heavy at times.
2. All We Ever Wanted by Emily Griffen-- When her son has broken some school rules and is faced with possible expulsion, Nina begins to question her own parenting and realizes that she and her husband no longer share any of the same views. Told from multiple viewpoints I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun and quick read.
3. Save Me the Plums by Ruth Reichl-- While I cannot say I was ever a reader of Gourmet magazine I did enjoy this memoir written by Ruth as she took over the job as editor in chief after having been a restaurant critic for years. However, since I had no frame of reference for who many of the people were (including the author) it was slow going. I really enjoyed the recipes tucked inside though.
4. The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer-- A fantastic WWII novel. I was hooked with both the story lines and could not wait to see how they intersected. Alice is in present day Florida dealing with a son who is on the Autism Spectrum and is non-verbal, her grandmother is in the hospital and has lost her ability to speak with her recent stroke. Alina is growing up in Poland, near the German border and though there are whispers of a possible Nazi invasion no one believes their army is any match for the Polish government-- until the night of the first attack. This was one of those books I just could not put down and while I kept guessing what was coming next I was occasionally wrong. I really enjoyed the twists and turns and the author's notes in the back of the book.
5. Becoming by Michelle Obama-- While I enjoyed this book written by our former first lady, I honestly can't say it was a favorite of mine. I liked her easy to read writing style and getting a behind the scenes look at both getting to and living in the White house but I guess after all the hype I expected so much more. I mean it was good but it wasn't a book I could not put down and everyone made it sound like it was this unbelievable, amazing story (which I guess it is when you think neither one of them came from old family money and together they became President and first lady) but it was told in such a no- nonsense way that it seemed quite logical. I guess knowing what was obviously going to happen before it did made the story too predictable to me?! I don't know. I'm glad I read it but I don't see myself telling others this is a must read.
6. The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo-- This book was another that I read because it came highly recommended and while I enjoyed the basic storyline I really did not like how the story kept jumping around all over the place. I usually like stories that weave multiple storylines (like The Things We Cannot Say) but this one often left me feeling confused for a minute or two each time it changed from one to the next. And I was a good 1/3 of the way into the book and kept thinking... where is the fun?!
I appreciate your thoughtful honesty in your reviews! There have been so many times I've heard all the hype about a book and read it thinking "I don't get it." The book was ok, but the hype seemed over the top. I love when people are respectful and honest!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I hate when that happens... and I get that different people have different opinions but when I see over and over and over again that this book is a must read I assume it's over the top spectacular.
DeleteThe Things We Cannot Say was a favorite of the year and Perfect Match is one of my favorite of Jodi Picoult's.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree The Things We Cannot Say was one of my favorites this year for sure. I'd have a real hard time just picking a few favorite's of Jodi's though; she has so many varied topics that always seem to really make me think.
DeleteI hope to read Obama's book eventually.
ReplyDeleteI just received a book called Bible and Breakfast which reminds me of the one you read with recipes tucked in. I'm hoping for some new breakfast inspiration!
I love books with recipes tucked inside! (Though admittedly I rarely think to actually make any of the recipes.)
DeleteThanks for the book recommendations! I've been wanting to read Michelle Obama's. No way can I read the first book on the list. I can't deal. But the WWII one looks so good, and I'd never heard of it.
ReplyDeleteI pursued child psychology in college so there isn't much about child abuse that shocks me; saddens me for sure but I already knew who did it long before they revealed it.
DeleteGreat honest reviews - I am drawn to the discussion of the WWII book. That era kind of fascinates me.
ReplyDeleteOh me too; I just love anything WWII (and even WWI when I can find it!).
DeleteI was surprised by how much I enjoyed Save Me The Plums considering I never read Gourmet.
ReplyDeleteMe too; it was really fascinating and I honestly had no idea there were so many jobs associated with putting a magazine together.
DeleteI read Perfect Match years ago. Jodi Picoult always deals with such heavy but though-provoking topics.
ReplyDeleteShe really does; I just love her books but often take a break between reading them.
DeleteThanks for sharing. I'm going to add Perfect Match and The Things We Cannot Say to my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteI do not think you will be disappointed in either of those.
DeleteGreat reviews. I really like The Most Fun We Ever Had. My friend felt the same as you. Have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteI liked it but I just kept thinking their live didn't sound very fun at all.
DeleteI really liked Becoming, but that logical way of thinking and presenting things is my style. High expectations/reviews can sort of warp the reading experience, which is unfortunate.
ReplyDeleteI loved her writing style but I think it was definitely a case of expectations warping the experience for me.
DeleteIt's great that books you weren't sure about ended up being good reads!
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
I do love when they surprise me like that.
DeleteThat's my fear with the Ruth book - I don't really know the players so I wonder if it would be hard for me to catch on.
ReplyDeleteI caught on to most of what was happening but didn't always get the significance of who the players were and how they might change the outcome of what they were all working on.
DeleteI love jodi books but didnt know about this one. Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteI love her books too but they can be pretty depressing and upsetting for sure.
DeleteI loved All We Ever Wanted, and I'm definitely going to give Jodi Picoult's book a try--I can't believe there's one of her books that I missed!
ReplyDeleteI say that when I see one I haven't read too! I'm finding more of her earlier works that my library doesn't necessary have are ones that I've missed; but once I googled her and I found a few that sounded "new" to me.
Deleteoh, bummer about michelle obama's book. i adored it because i knew almost nothing about her or barack before i started it. well, i knew he was president and she was his wife, but that's about it lol. i didn't move here until his second term (term? is that what it's called? i'm going to go with term). it was actually a slow very easy to put down book for me, but i still loved it.
ReplyDeleteYep, term is the correct word. I did think was easy to put down too which I liked but I had to read it rather fast as it was due back at the library and other patrons were waiting for their turn with it.
DeleteI really enjoyed Becoming. It was slow at times, but well done.
ReplyDeleteI did think it was well done and I loved getting a behind the scenes look at what it must be like to have to live in the White house; I laughed out loud when her and her daughter were trying to "escape" out onto the lawn.
DeleteI've enjoyed a lot of WWII books. I'll have to keep this one in mind. I really enjoyed Becoming. It just felt like she was telling the story and making no effort to 'impress' us or put out a popular book.
ReplyDeleteI like WWII books too but have to pace myself with them since they are often quite emotionally intense books.
DeleteThing We Cannot Say sounds very intriguing I will have to look it up. I enjoyed Becoming but listening to it on audio was the way to go for me. I don't know that I could have gotten through reading the hard copy.
ReplyDeleteMy librarian said the same thing to me about listening to Becoming rather than reading it; I just never think of getting Audiobooks for myself but I think this is one I would have really enjoyed.
DeleteI put The Things We Cannot Say on hold at the library yesterday and your review makes me excited to read it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
DeleteLOL Oh my gosh, you finally helped me articulate my disdain for The Most Fun We Ever Had. There was no fun at all! The sisters were so unpleasant to each other. It was fine- but definitely not a fave.
ReplyDeleteThe sisters were rather unpleasant to each other and I found it odd that they were all resentful of the close relationship their parents shared too. I can't say I hated it.. just found it a bit odd and definitely not a fav.
Delete