Whoa. Seriously, where does the time go because I swear yesterday was March’s Show Us Your Books Day, aka the best day of the month, now it’s already April’s turn. I must also confess that it surprised that I read only five books last month. It feels like I should have read more but apparently I merely thought about reading. Sometimes that happens, where I think I should read but decide to watch TV, snuggle with my cat or stare off into space and think about books instead. Yup, I’m an official #BookWeirdo
The Book I Loved
The book made me shout, “Woot! Woot!” like an annoying imbecile.
Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella
Book Description: Audrey suffers from anxiety but with the help of Dr. Sarah, her family and especially Linus, her brother’s gaming teammate, she’s on her way back to normal(ish).
Book Review: I’ve enjoyed several of Kinsella’s books and this one intrigued me because it actually dealt with a serious subject matter: anxiety and depression. Overall, it was another home run. I laughed, I cried and I wholeheartedly recommend the book. Audrey felt real, from how the disease crippled and paralyzed her at odd times to her euphoria at being “cooked” or fixed when she wasn’t. I also really, really appreciated that Kinsella never wrote Audrey as though she was romanticizing or mocking her mental illness, which unfortunately happens much too often.
To Read or Not To Read: You bet. It’s gotta a ton of heart, a sweet romance, a weird but loving family and an honest hero.
The Books I liked
These are the books I enjoyed overall, from most liked to liked.
Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney
Book Description: My name is Amber Reynolds. There are three things you should know about me:
1. I’m in a coma.
2. My husband doesn’t love me anymore.
3. Sometimes I lie.
Book Review: So … I screwed up. Bigly. At some point, I inadvertently skipped to the last page on my kindle and read it before realizing what had happened. My assumption is knowing the ending is why my brain revolted through the remainder of the story because it knew a truth that contradicted so much. And I had been really enjoying the little reveals of Amber’s lying. Ultimately, this is a well-plotted thriller (particularly since it is a debut novel) with solid twist(s) (maybe — I actually remain suspicious about some and I can’t decide if it’s because I might be right or still just confused! Also, I ain’t mad about this. At all.) and a worthy read for thriller/mystery lovers. Also, please do read and help me understand a few things because … still a little lost. 😀
To Read or Not To Read: Yup. But put your thinking cap when you do. Because as Amber states on the first page (and tells you in the title), sometimes, she lies.
Note: I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. Sometimes I Lie is now available.
Macbeth by Jo Nesbo
Book Description: A corrupt police force struggles to neutralize a growing drug problem in a town with few heroes.
Book Review: William Shakespeare was required reading when I was in high school and I wasn’t a fan because … wait for it … I could never understand what he was rambling about … and here it comes … I wished he just wrote in plain English. 😀 And just think, people, I was an honor roll student! But eventually I acclimated to his style and Macbeth was his first work that I understood, so curiosity got the best of me when I learned Nesbo wrote a modern update of it. Now it’s been 25+ years since I read the original so the details are a bit murky but overall I enjoyed this. Macbeth is now a SWAT team leader and Lady (that’s her name now) owns a fancy, schmancy casino. And yup, spoiler alert: they go power hungry and crazy. The only part I really didn’t like was I didn’t remember Macbeth so easily sliding into power hungry mode. Seriously, Lady is like kill him and dude’s like, sure thing, babe. Okay, he didn’t say babe but … still.
To Read or Not To Read: Well, I stayed up past my bedtime to finish it, so yes. I also now feel like rereading the original again. 😀
Note: I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. Macbeth is now available.
Girls Burn Brighter by Shobha Rao
Book Description: As girls, Poornima and Savitha have little opportunity in their poor village, although their friendship gives them hope until a terrible incident pulls them apart but that hope still burns strong within them.
Book Review: I don’t really have reading goals around the number of books I read, but one thing I am trying to do this year is read more books written by people of color. This book mainly takes place in India and Poornima and Savitha do not have easy lives. Being female, they are less valuable to their families because they require a marriage dowry; they are essentially a commodity. It’s not an easy story, sometimes quite bleak, but also demonstrates the strength of these women. The ending is a bit abrupt, although relatively positive.
To Read or Not To Read: Yes. This isn’t a book for when you’re seeking something light or sunny but a solid read that helped me better understand the plight of women in another culture and worth some uncomfortable feelings.
Note: I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. Girls Burn Brighter is now available.
The One by John Marrs
Book Description: Imagine — take a simple DNA test and learn who your soulmate is, but sometimes your true love has secrets. Big secrets.
Book Review: I love the concept of the book — matched DNA that leads to your one, true love sounds intriguing and ripe for all kinds of tantalizing problems, which the book delivers. Unfortunately I felt as though we followed too many characters (five) and the individual stories of Mandy, Nick, Christopher, Ellie and Jade (less so with her) could each been an entire book. It’s still a good quick read though that touched upon some of the more murky sides of DNA love matches but shortchanged their stories with having to service five characters equally.
To Read or Not To Read: Yes. It’s a solid, pass-the-time book.
TL;DR — My Recommendations to You
So this was a good month of reading overall. Because I am greedy and not ashamed, I would have liked more love books but all the books I read last month were solid books that I recommend. Finding Audrey is one of those rare non-fantasy or dystopian YA books that I enjoy and a good fit for those who like lighter, more humorous YA books. Sometimes I Lie is fine choice for mystery/thriller lovers, although I strongly recommend that you do not accidentally read the last page until you are actually at the end of the book. Your brain might hurt otherwise! 😀 Macbeth is a good choice for those who enjoy updated classics or want to see Macbeth in the 70’s as a SWAT leader in a drug-infested Nordic town. The One is a fast, solid read and Girls Burn Brighter is an excellent choice for those who want to expand their reading horizon and explore other cultures.
To More Great Reads
Well, every month I claim to almost be caught up with NetGalley and here I am claiming it again. I get caught up, then add a book or ten. It’s possible I have an addiction; it’s possible I don’t really care either. 😀 As usual, I’m joining Jana and Steph for their amazing Show Us Your Books link-up. I can’t wait to see what everyone read last month!
Tanya
I read Macbeth in school and I’ve seen the play twice, I think. The updated version sounds intriguing.
It was. It’s been 20+ years since I read the play so some things I couldn’t quite remember but overall it was true to the story without being slavish to it either, if that makes sense!
The MacBeth retelling sounds interesting and The One with the DNA love matching…intrigued. Thanks for sharing!!
I love the concept behind The One and the murky problems that would happen if such a thing existed.
Finding Audrey was really good! the Macbeth retelling sounds interesting- Shakespeare is also hard for me sometimes 😉
Finding Audrey was really good. It actually surprised me because even though I enjoy Sophie Kinsella, I was worried about how she would handle mental illness. But she did a great job. I’m glad I’m not the only who struggles with Shakespeare at times! 😀
I also enjoyed Finding Audrey very much! Sophie Kinsella really surprised me with this one!
I’m intrigued by Sometimes I Lie, I’m going to look it up.
Finding Audrey surprised me too. I read Kinsella for the silliness but that aspect about her books worried me a bit going into Finding Audrey but she did a great job of treating a serious subject with a light, respectful touch. I still think about Sometimes I Lie which is always a sign of a good story to me!
I’m definitely going to give Finding Audrey a try!
Excellent! I hope you enjoy it, Lauren!
We all have an addiction for those who participate in this link up 😉 haha
I loved Audrey too… I’ts been awhile since I read that one. Hearing about old books I enjoyed makes me want to re-read them – but SO MANY NEW GOOD BOOKS 🙂 the struggle is real.
I’m the same way, Rebecca … hearing people talk about books I loved makes me want to reread them but then …. some many other new books to read. Sometimes I say screw it and reread favorites because I equate them to guilt-free comfort food!
i am with you on the netgalley addiction, i swear every time i read one, i add 10 more. it’s crazy. i have heard mixed things about Finding Audrey, good to hear you liked it! i will have to add it to my list.
I constantly tell myself to not go to NetGalley and see what’s new. And I swear two seconds later somehow I’ve magically landed on the site and I’m requesting all sorts of new books! I can’t help myself! Overall I thought Kinsella did well with Finding Audrey. I typically read her books for the goofy, laugh-out-loud characters, which she did have in Finding Audrey but it also never felt disrespectful to me either.
I think having an addiction to books is the best kind to have. Oh, I didn’t realize Macbeth was a retelling. It’s not my favorite Shakespeare play, but I’m curious. And yeah…Macbeth isn’t as crazy at first (that’s Lady Macbeth).
-Lauren
I think that’s the one aspect that felt a bit off to me. Lady is definitely power hungry and does go crazy but it felt a little brushed over to me. He was just so darn agreeable that she didn’t even have to really manipulate him and I remember her being more manipulative.
Already requested Sometimes I Lie from the library! Can’t wait to get it.
I hope you enjoy it, Steph!
I read Macbeth in high school and in university but I hated it, haha, so I might not be too keen on the updated version either. I liked Finding Audrey – it was actually my first book by her so I need to try another sometime.
LOL! I had to read Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet in high school, which I did not like but mostly because it didn’t make much sense to me. So Macbeth is a favorite just because I got it which is probably not the world’s best reason! Kinsella is a go-to when I need something silly. She can be a bit formulaic (although Finding Audrey is probably the exception) so she’s not an author I can binge but her books typically make me laugh.
Macbeth was the only Shakespeare play I liked as well! #soulsisters #honorrollstudentalso
I am intrigued by this book and will have to pick it up. Question for you: I see this author’s books all around the webs, are their other books worth the read as well?
We are #soulsisters, Mackenzie!
Okay, I like Jo Nesbo. He wrote The Snowman which was apparently made into a horrible movie starring Michael Fassbender but the book was good. And I started his Henry Hole series with The Snowman, which is like #8. I went back and read the first two, which I enjoyed but the next book dealt Neo-Nazis and I can’t deal with them right now. I will say that I’m not sure if you’ll like him because his books are a tad graphic if I remember correctly.
I’m reading Girls Burn Brighter now. As in, I just started it so we’ll discuss next month.
Sometimes I Lie sounds like my kind of book.
I’ll be curious to see your thoughts on Girls Burn Brighter. It was humbling to me because some days it’s very easy to whine about my very #firstworldproblems. I think you’d like Sometimes I Lie, but just don’t accidentally read the last page before you get to the end! 😀
I really enjoyed Finding Audrey, too. I appreciated that the focus wasn’t on the trauma that happened to her, but on the healing process and how she’s swimming through the aftermath. I also loved the support from her family- even if it was occasionally misguided or totally off target. I think it was very realistic.
Girls Burn Brighter sounds interesting. For some reason I find myself drawn to Indian literature. I think having been to the country lets me visualize it better than other settings (like history or Russian or African- since I’ve never seen it).
The One sounds intriguing…
I felt exactly the same way about Finding Audrey. She really hit the right notes … from how her family dealt with it and to her struggles. It was still funny and silly yet respectful. I didn’t realize you’ve been to India. I do think you’d enjoy Girls Burn Brighter. It’s not a “happy” book but it is a powerful book.
I need to read Finding Audrey – I’ve seen it mentioned many times! Sounds like something I would like. Sometimes I Lie sounds way too fascinating not to check out.
I hope you enjoy both books, Jess. They are very different from one another but both are really good!
How have I not heard of Finding Audrey? I love Sophie Kinsella. I’m definitely going to look for that one at the library!
I hope you like it!
After my so-so Kinsella book this month I’m going to avoid reading any of her other stuff anytime soon! I had Sometimes I Lie on hold at the library and just picked it up today! Glad to hear you enjoyed it! And no worries, I won’t skip to the end! LOL!
I like Kinsella but I have to space out her books too. They can be a bit formulaic, although Finding Audrey was a bit different being YA and also dealing with a more serious topic than her typical books. I hope you enjoyed Sometimes I Lie and yes – definitely don’t pull a Tanya and read the last page early!
Finding Audrey has been on my list for a while, so I’m glad to see you loved it!
I literally just finished Sometimes I Lie today! I really enjoyed it … But I also didn’t accidentally see the last page early on. I could definitely see how that would mess with your head and make the rest of the book less enjoyable. I actually didn’t see any of the twists coming, and that’s very rare. It took me a while to read it, but that was mostly because I was always busy with other things and sometimes didn’t have more than a few minutes to devote to it. If you’d like to chat about it, let me know … I’m curious about the things you were confused about and am now wondering if I got them right in my mind! 🙂
I added Girls Burn Brighter. I already had The One on my list.
I’m glad you had an overall great reading month, even if you didn’t read as many books as you initially thought you did. (I didn’t either, if that makes you feel any better.)
I will email you later about my questions or ponderings as I don’t want to give out spoilers here. 😀 I did not get a lot of the twists either, which is unusual for me. The only I guessed is that “The Guy” (we’ll just call him that) was shady.
You’ve just made me bump Finding Audrey up my list! 🙂 Thank you for your thoughtful review, I’m so excited to read it now. Sometimes I lie sounds fascinating, and I swear to goodness that I will read a thriller or two this year. LOL XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
Well, now I hope you enjoy Finding Audrey as much as I did. I thought Kinsella did a great job. I laughed a lot at Audrey’s family and emphasized deeply with Audrey’s suffering, which to me felt right. We can laugh at mental illness itself but not at the person who’s suffering from it. Sometimes I Lie would be a good choice for a thriller. It’s mostly mind games. And just don’t read the last page early! 😀