March: What are you reading?

[mellenhead]

I'm just about done with Hollow City, which is the 2nd book in the Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children series. It's quite good and I was able to fall back into the story easily despite reading the first book quite a long time ago.

[Rowan]

mellen, I'm glad you mentioned that because I have Hollow on hold at the library but can't remember the first one. I was debating not picking it up but I guess I will give it a go.

[Spudd]

I'm finally back to "I Know This Much is True" by Wally Lamb. I had taken a break because I kept getting library books so I had to prioritize them over this one, which I happen to own. It's really good so far.

[Sílvia]

Ugh Spudd, that's frustrating! I loved I know this much is true.

I finished Me before You by Jojo Moyes, which I loved, even though the ending was predictable. I'd like to know who was the genius who came up with the idea of that cover. The one with the girl releasing the bird Still, best story I've read in a long time.

Then I started Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage by Alice Munro. I've only read the first story so far and found it incredibly boring. Sigh. I'm so not a high-brow literature kind of girl.

[Bugsy]

I loved that one too, Spudd and Silvia. I keep pestering Jason to read it, because I think he'd enjoy it or at least learn something.

Silvia, I'm glad to hear you liked Me Before You also. It really is a lovely story.

[mellenhead]

Finished Hollow City - I liked it - the ending sets up for the third book, of course. Rowan, will be curious to hear what you think.

I didn't have anymore library books (the horror! ) so I picked a book out of my TBR stack on my bookshelf - Ender's Game. This is one of these books I've always meant to read and haven't. Anyway, I'm about halfway through and it's good! Will have to check out the movie when I'm done (and probably be annoyed by it....)

[Spudd]

I loved Ender's Game. I listened to the audiobook for it, and it was amazing. There are some books where the audiobook really adds something.

[Bugsy]

Ditto to Spudd a million times over. I'd read the book back in the early 2000s and loved it, and then two summers ago Jason and I listened to it while driving up to far northern WI for a camping trip. It was the first time he'd "read" it. We both thought that the audiobook was just fantastic.

I haven't seen the movie, but yeah it's one of those that I'm very hesitant to watch because it's practically guaranteed to be messed up.

I just started rereading "The Introvert Advantage." It's by a PsyD, but I don't remember her name. I'd found it interesting and helpful when I read it in nursing school, but now that I'm working a "real job" I thought it might be even more applicable.

[mellenhead]

LOVED Ender's Game. I thought I had the ending figured out and was totally wrong, which is always a nice surprise.

Next up is Grasshopper Jungle. From the reviews I've read, this promises to be a bizarre and interesting book.

[Rowan]

I read The Bear on the plane and it was ok. I thought the premise was really interesting so was looking for more I guess. Easy read though.

I'm reading The Martian right now which I'm loving.

[Sílvia]

I gave up on the Alice Munro after 2 stories. I'm not a fan of short stories, so it's not all the book's fault, but holy boredom. Has anyone else read anything else by her and do you recommend it? I feel bad both for her and for myself for giving up on a Nobel prize winner, but life's too short.

Then I read The Fault in Our Stars. I can understand the appeal with teenagers. With adults, not so much. It was a decent read and I enjoyed it, but it was immensely depressing, the two teenagers did NOT sound like teenagers at all and it was too... commercial. A novel about 2 kids with cancer who fall in love with each other? OF COURSE it would sell like warm rolls! Still, I was too curious to pass it up.

Now I think I'll start the new Mario Vargas Llosa.

[Bugsy]

haven't read any of the works you mention, but I also really dislike short stories, so don't feel bad. You like what you like, and that's ok.

[Rowan]

Still loving The Martian!

[mellenhead]

Rowan, I LOVED The Martian. I've been telling everyone to read it.

Finished Grasshopper Jungle. I swear the author must have been high when he wrote it. I totally enjoyed it though. It's told from the POV of a very horny 16 year old boy that is love with his best friend and his girlfriend and how he's dealing with that as 6ft tall grasshoppers take over his small Iowa town.

I think I'm going to start The Wolf of Wall Street tonight.

[Rowan]

Loved The Martian. Best book this year so far.

I'm reading Laura Lippman's latest. I have Hollow City that I should read but not in the mood yet.

[Rowan]

I read After I'm Gone by Laura Lippman. I liked it. I enjoy her stand alone novels. I find series books are only good for so long into a series.

Not sure what's next. I could start Hollow City but it's due on Wed and I'm not sure how far I would get.

[mellenhead]

I'm about 1/4 of the way into The Wolf of Wall Street. Meh. This seems like one of the few times this would be better as a movie than a book. That is more a reflection of the writing though, I suppose. All the main character does is talk about tits and ass and getting laid like he's 16. I doubt I'll finish it.

[Rowan]

I started The Troop by Nick Cutter yesterday. I have high hopes.

[Sílvia]

Gave up on the Mario Vargas Llosa, so that makes it TWO Nobel prize winners I've given up on this month alone Well, at least I've read and liked other books by this one.

Then I read Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. It had a few good moments, but overall it kinda sucked. The premise (no spoilers) was a very bad idea and a risky move, IMO. Apparently it pissed a lot of readers off. I knew about it before I started reading, so I wasn't pissed, but I still think it didn't work. Also, the book dragged and dragged. You could remove 150 pages from the middle and you'd never notice. I bet the movie will still be funny and cute, though. This was obviously made with it in mind. I bet she already has a contract signed.

Then I started The Husband's Secret. It's very gripping so far. It's just a shame I got it in Portuguese (it feels like a dubbed movie), but I was too curious and they didn't have it in English. But at least the translation seems good.

[Rowan]

I'm still reading The Troop. It's become a bit of a slog but I'm determined to finish it. The plague is a contagious tapeworm but they used a genetic model organism (worm, yes but not in the tapeworm family). My inner geek is having issues accepting it.