Oh, look at me. Reading three books last month. That’s right. I read three books, which is one more than the previous month. I. Am. On. Fire. Not literally, of course. I paid attention in elementary school and know to stop, drop and roll versus blog while burning. Sadly, I think some would continue blogging until burnt to a crisp.
I had honestly hoped to read at least one more book last month but it didn’t happen. And that’s okay. Maybe I’ll read four this month. Maybe I won’t. Maybe I’ll grow two inches. Maybe I won’t. One of these things will likely happen. 😀
The Books I Liked
I am feeling a little anxious that I haven’t had a love book yet this year. The flip side is that I also haven’t had a DNF either.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
Book Description: When the owner of Styles Court dies under mysterious circumstances, a houseguest asks his friend, inspector Hercule Poirot, to investigate.
Book Review: I am a great lover of mysteries so it shames me to confess this is my first Agatha Christie novel. It will not be my last, however. This book introduces us to the legendary Hercule Poirot who I found to be quite a pip. He’s a bit more exuberantly goofy than I expected and I liked it. I did not guess whodunit, which always pleases me. It was also nice to enjoy a mystery without that sick feeling that some have given me lately, with too much relishing in the pain and misery. I can handle graphic violence but I don’t like misery or torture porn, which is how so many mystery/thrillers feel to me lately. I’m not sure if it’s because it’s actually true or everything is just too much right now.
To Read or Not To Read: Yup. She is a legend after all and all mystery readers should at least read one Agatha Christie novel.Cravings: Hungry for More by Chrissy Teigen
Book Description: Recipes. Pictures. Chrissy Teigen patent snark. The end.
Book Review: I enjoyed her first cookbook and enjoyed her second one a little bit more, mostly because more recipes appealed to me. The first one seemed a bit like, look at how bad a model eats. It’s not that I didn’t believe her because I did. She just made me roll my eyes a few times. This one seemed more like unapologetically yummy food, both healthy and not-so-healthy, and not trying to prove any point. Some recipes that I am eager to try include cheesy polenta with mushrooms, veggie couscous with spicy pine nuts, and garlic honey shrimp. I tried the blueberry cream cheese pancakes, which were heavenly, and will be sharing the recipe next Thursday (March 21), hopefully. I mean I have to make them, eat them, take pictures, write a post – that’s a lot of work and I make no promises.
To Read or Not to Read: Absolutely. Lots of great-sounding recipes and Chrissy always makes me laugh.
Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren
Book Description: Josh and Hazel aren’t dating. Nope, just good buds because that always works. And opposites don’t work, or do they?
Book Review: Hmmmm … so this is good but I had hoped to love it because it seems like the kind of romance book that would tickle my funny bone while rooting for their happily ever after too. And I did, to an extent. Hazel is super adorkable. I mean so adorkable that it got freaking annoying. She made me laugh and I liked her but … she was so damn adorkable. Are you tired of me saying adorkable yet? I got tired of her adorkable antics, which felt tropey at times versus true, goofy quirkiness. And I also got it after the 17th time you told me that Josh was hot that he was hot. I’m old, not senile.
To Read or Not To Read: I sound ranty, which suggests that I didn’t like the book but I did. Those who love romance will likely adore Hazel’s adorkableness and should read it. And if my repeated use of adorkable (adorkable, adorkable, adorkable, adorkable) make you want to punch me in my adorkable face, then it’s gonna be a no, dawg. This book ain’t for you.
TL;DR: What I Recommend
While I’m still pouting a bit about no love book so far this year, I do recommend everything I read last month. Want to laugh and make good food? Read Cravings: Hungry for More by Chrissy Teigen. Feel like honoring women pioneers during Women’s History Month? Read The Mysterious Affair at Styles to celebrate the Grand Dame of Mystery, Miss Agatha Christie. Is all the craziness of the world today turning you into a sourpuss? Read Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating …. ummmm … maybe. It could also make you more of a sourpuss too. 😀 Just saying. Sometimes romances help cure my grumpy moods and sometimes they make me grumpier. 😀
To More Great Books
I have four books on my nightstand, including Becoming by Michelle Obama. Super excited to read it but it might depress me too, remembering when I wasn’t scared every day. As usual, I’m joining my friends, Jana and Steph, for the very best link-up, Show Us Your Books. Be sure to visit and see what everyone is reading and recommending this month.
What books rocked your world last month?
Tanya
Aww, what a bummer that you haven’t read a book you’ve loved yet this year! I need to read the second Cravings recipe book. I have the first one and really like it.
I know. It truly bums me out. I really liked Cravings 2 as more of the recipes were more the kind of things I’d make. But with the same ‘ol Chrissy snark! 😀
I love Agatha Christie although I prefer Miss Marple to Poirot. She truly was the queen of crime fiction.
I went back and forth on whether to start with Poirot or Miss Marple but would like to try Miss Marple too. She is definitely the Queen of Mystery!
I’m kind of embarrassed to admit that I haven’t read any Agatha Christie books! I also enjoyed Cravings: Hungry for More better than her first cookbook. It still amazes me how “real” Teigen seems. I loved Hazel and yes, “adorkable” is the perfect word to describe her!
Okay, I feel better to know I’m not the only mystery lover who had/has not read an Agatha Christie novel. 😀 I feel like I need to reread Hazel and Josh where I feel less ansty and cynical and maybe it will then move to love!
Josh/Hazel was such a cute book! i’m not into romance books much but i do like a light-hearted, fun read after the heavy shit that i usually read lol
Romance was once my favorite genre. And I still like it but I have to be in the right mood for it and maybe my mood wasn’t right for Josh and Hazel because I truly expected to love it.
Totally get what you mean about stuff being too graphic. In high school I read a ton of mysteries and didn’t get bothered like I do today…not sure if I’m just more aware as an adult or if the news provides enough of it 🙁 Hope you find a “love” book soon! Those ruts can be frustrating.
It does feel to me lately that books (and TV and movies too) seem to really dwell on acts of violence to where they almost revel in it and it’s freaking despair 24/7. And yeah, the proliferation for 24/7 news doesn’t help either.
My grandma’s favorite author was Agatha Christie, and I always wanted to read some of her books because of that. But the first one I ever picked up to read was Murder on the Orient Express when the newest remake came out. I’m glad I read it, really liked it and want to read more of her books … but it’s been a couple years and I haven’t read one since.
I avoided Murder on the Orient because I know whodunit, even though I haven’t read the book but it got spoiled to me years ago. But I’ve heard it’s one of her best books so I definitely plan to read it at some point!
I had that Christina Lauren on my list but just havent gotten to it. Added the Agatha Christie to my list 🙂
So many people love Josh and Hazel and I did but they (mostly her) also grated my nerves hard at times. I think because I kept picking at it, instead of just enjoying it for what it was and was meant to be, which I struggle to do when I’m in an aggravated mood. I just can’t take silliness, even sweet, fun silliness (which I what desperately need in my life!)
I kind of felt the adorkable vibe from Not So Nice Guy by RS Grey. Like, we get it. you’re short and quirky. Also, in The Hating Game. We get it: you’re short and quirky. (I didn’t finish that one.)
Yeah, sometimes authors just over emphasis something to point that it gets annoying. Because being adorakable in itself isn’t something that would annoy me but when adorkable, adorkable, adorkable becomes 24/7, it gets old fast.
I love Chrissy Teigen but never read her books. This second one sounds way more me though, I think I’ll start there.
It’s a great cookbook … well for the things I like to it at least. 😀 But you’ll definitely enjoy Chrissy’s snark and her personality shines throughout, regardless of what’s she’s cooking.
I don’t think Ive ever read an agatha christie book! I love Chrissy Teigen!
It always made me feel weird that I hadn’t since I claim to be such a big mystery fan. So glad I finally gave her a try – she’s fantastic! As is Chrissy. Very different but two great dames!
I’m excited to checkout Chrissy’s cookbook- I’ve really enjoyed her first one and actually find myself using it for recipes, so I’m happy to hear you like the second one even more!
Yeah, the second one had more recipes that appealed to me, which is, of course, highly subjective! But she’s still the same fun, snarky person so it’s definitely worth the read.
You’ve got me intrigued. I’ve never read an Agatha Christie book either & isn’t she like the queen of mystery? I need to check some of her stuff out
She is most definitely the queen of mystery. I think you’ll like her too!
Chrissy Teigen is just the best!
She is. She’s one of those people that you know would be so much to just hang out with.
Love me some Agatha Christie! And I totally know what you mean about it not giving you the sick feeling! I’m right there with you!
Good. I’m glad I’m not the only who occasionally gets that sick feeling from mysterious. I can take a lot but sometimes authors go a bit too far for me.
I’m a fan of anything Agatha Christie. She’s such a masterful storyteller. I believe I read this one but I’d have to check.
I bet you have since it’s Poirot’s debut. I’m looking forward to reading more of her work.
I love Agatha Christie, though I need to read more by her. My favorite is The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. I highly recommend! Sorry you didn’t LOVE Josh and Hazel. I do want to check that one out at some point.
-Lauren
I definitely remember seeing that book and it been touted as one of her best. But I decided to start at the beginning, whether necessary or not, I don’t know. But I enjoyed getting to know Poirot. Yeah, I am bummed about Josh and Hazel because I figured it would be a love book. Maybe my expectations were too high? Or maybe it’s just an okay book for me. 😀
KITTY!
i need to read the first hercule book – i read murder on the orient express, not knowing it was a series. my nana was a huge fan of agatha christie so i really want to read some more of hers. i’m glad you didn’t hate josh & hazel lol. hope you find a book to love soon!
Seriously, right? Not my kitty unfortunately but so handsome or pretty that I could not resist! I avoided Murder on the Orient Express only because I knew whodunit and wanted to read something where I knew nothing about what was happening. But I definitely want to read Murder because it’s one of her most famous books. I definitely didn’t hate Josh and Hazel but I didn’t love it either, which I expected to do. Oh well.
I am SO HAPPY you read your first Agatha Christie book and you enjoyed it!!!!!! 🙂 yay!!!
I know, right? I’ve just been telling you for years that I will read Agatha. And now I can say: Mackenzie, I read an Agatha Christie mystery. And more importantly, I liked it! 😀
Josh and Hazel wasn’t my favourite from Christina Lauren (I’m not sure what was yet, haha). Still liked it a lot though 🙂 I’ve only read 3 Agatha Christie books and this was not one of them so I will add it to my list!! (FYI the ones I read were Murder on the Orient Express – VERY good especially if you haven’t already heard the ending – it blew me away, Death on the Nile – which was okay, and And Then There were None which was pretty chilling). Good luck with 4 books in March!!
I do know the ending to Murder on the Orient Express, which was why it was the one book I avoided. But I will read it. And Then There Were None sounds really good. Well, I don’t want to brag, but I’ve already 2 books this month. 😀 We’ll see if I make it to four!
I loved Hazel a lot.
I keep meaning to peruse Chrissy’s cookbooks. I like her so much.
I loved Hazel and hated (or more like she annoyed me) her. But my mood may have played into it because I was very nit-picky when reading it, which you just cannot do when reading a light romance. I think you’d really enjoy Chrissy’s cookbooks.
Sadly, I haven’t ever read an Agatha Christie book either! Kind of hard to believe really. I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been in a bit of a reading funk. It just happens sometimes unfortunately, especially after a long run of books you just don’t love.
I hear you. She’s the Grand Dame of Mystery and yet so many of us haven’t read her. Yeah, my reading funk is almost a year old, which just plain sucks. Hoping it goes the way of the Dodo bird soon.
I liked Josh and Hazel A LOT, and we all know how I feel about romance books.
See, this is why I honestly thought I would love it. A ton of non-romance lovers really enjoyed it. And while romance is no longer my favorite genre, I still enjoy it. Maybe expectations were too high or my mood not right or maybe — heaven forbid — it just wasn’t my jam. It happens!
ooh checking out this agatha christie and what a gorgeous kitty!
I hope you enjoy it! Not my kitty sadly, but my kitty is gorgeous too. 😀 I am also deeply biased.
Hazel is on my to read list. I keep hearing interesting things about it.
It’s gotten a ton of rave reviews and I do think it’s a book most will enjoy. Sadly I just didn’t love it as much as I expected but I still enjoyed it.
I also must confess that I’m a major mystery fan who has NOT read Agatha Christie. Does it make it even worse if I tell you that I’m a librarian? Haha. Great reading month for you!
Another one! I was the same: a huge mystery fan who had never read Agatha Christie. I completely understand now why she is revered! Uh oh. A librarian who has not read Agatha Christie? I don’t know. They may take away your library card. 😀
YAY FOR THREE BOOKS!! I love Christie and her books. And I love love love Chrissy and her snark! I don’t have either of her books but I want them 🙂 Josh and Hazel’s Guide has also been on my tbr list for far too long!
I know, right? It’s about being happy about the little things – like opening and reading three books! Chrissy is just so much fun and personable – ti why we all love her, right?
Thank goodness someone else who is excited to finish just 3 books! haha I feel so accomplished when I have 3 to report each month. You might try Swear on this Life for a good love story…I enjoyed it.
Yup, three books feels real good because it’s been a long time since that happened. And let’s be real: it don’t take too much to read a cookbook. LOL! But I’m claiming it anyway. 😀 Thanks for the recommendation – I’ll definitely check it out!
I have only read one Christie. I need to get to more eventually. I’m not the best with mysteries. I LOVED Josh and Hazel. She can be a lot at times, but I liked their dynamic SO much. 🙂 XO – Alexandra
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