Review: Life After Life

Title Life After Life
By Kate Atkinson
Genre Adult Historical Fiction
Pages 544
Rating ⭐️

Synopsis
A woman is born again and again living the same life during WWI and WWII. Bringing up questions of fate and blah blah blah!

First sentence
A fug of tobacco smoke and damp clammy air hit her as she entered the cafe.

•  

                                        
via GIPHY

• Honestly I could just leave that gif and you'd probably get my whole feelings towards this book. 
• But I'll share a few thoughts anyway. And hey! I squeezed in another book for my Adult Literarture Month! Looking for a bright side here, people! 
• This is my book club's pick for March. Honestly, working my way through this 500+ page book was torture enough. Really not looking forward to talking about it. Especially because I'm pretty sure everyone else will love it. Figures.
• My biggest problem with this book was how boring it was. It's so freaking long and repetitive. Did she really have to live THAT many lives? And every time you get into one life, she dies and it starts all over again! *rolls eyes*
• You can get on your soapbox and talk to me all you want about how deep this book was and how it makes you think about fate and choices but I just don't care. If an author wanted to make me think they should keep me interested and invested enough to give a damn! 
• And go ahead and yell at me about how this is about WWI and WWII. Yeah, I know! I read that part like 50 times on repeat! I honestly just stopped caring...if I ever started. 
• So, yeah, sorry but this books was slow, boring and repetitive. It was torture to pick it up and finish. If it hadn't been a book club book I would have quit 50 pages in. Not exactly a glowing recommendation, is it? 

Should you read it?
Once again, I seem to be alone in my opinion but don't say I didn't warn you about the blow your brains out monotony.  

Book Banter #8 Depth vs Fluff

It's been awhile since Suey and I had a good ol' Book Banter. We wanted to do one for my Adult Literature Month but couldn't come up with a topic. So bear with us as we make a bit of a stretch for our Book Banter to match up with my Adult Literature Month.

Most adult books have a bit more depth to them. Some symbolism, a moral or message. YA books can have this too but often our more shallow. (Just go with us on this.) So today Suey and I are going to banter about depth vs fluff. I'm all about a message or moral (not to be confused with agendas. I hate agendas) in a story. So if you're new to our blogs this is how this works. Suey will name 3 things in defense of fluff and I will rebuttal those reasons here. If you check out Suey's blog you can read my 3 reasons I love a message or moral to a story and see Suey's rebuttal. Make sense? OK. Here we go!

Suey
In Defense of Fluff
My part in today’s debate is to argue why fluff and books with no point (though I’m not sure there’s such a thing) or shall I say… books with no obvious message are just as valuable as books with a point and or message.
1 Escape. People read books for many reasons, and lots of people read books to learn, to understand the world, to figure something out and to gain some insight. But I maintain that one of the biggest reasons to read is to escape real life, to immerse oneself in another world, whether that be a fantasy one or a real one it doesn’t matter, just a world that has no real resemblance to our own. If this reason is valid, then I think that the book doesn’t necessary need a point to it… for the whole point is to read said book and escape.

Me

Yes, I've heard this before. I guess what really matters here is what your idea of escape is. I know most people would say escape is when you can just turn off your brain and not have to think or be present. But what if your life or job is a bit mundane and boring? Wouldn't an escape for you be reading something that wakes up your brain? Gets it thinking about new and exciting ideas? Gives it the depth and intricacies it craves? I know in my life I've been at a job or surrounded by people who wouldn't know and idea if it slapped them in the face. There is no intelligent discussion, no ideas, nothing! So for me, escaping into a book was reading something with intelligence oozing from the pages.

Suey

2 Brain Candy. Not only do we read sometimes to escape, but we read sometimes to give our brain a rest. If we have to be figuring out the point of the book, or what’s going on, or who’s who, or trying to understand a complicated plot, then our brain is working. Not to say that’s bad, but if you want to rest your brain from all that thinking then a book with no point, or a fluffy book, is just what you’ll be looking for!

Me

Yes, I suppose if you need a break, a fun fluffy book is just what you need. Or is it? Did you know our brains are more active while sleeping than watching TV? I'd much rather binge watch a TV show than read if my little brain needs a rest. Reading in and of itself takes a bit of effort so why not learn a little something, relate to a characters troubles and see a way out of your own, learn a new way of thinking while you're at it?

Suey

3 Happiness. I like to finish a book with a happy feeling (though yes some of my favorites are definitely not this way) and often the books that have more meaning are the sad, depressing ones. I mean, not always, but often. Does this make sense? And thus, I think those books that simply leave you feeling light and free and happy are worth it too, even if they didn’t leave you with some deep thought about the world.

Me

Nope! Sorry but I think what really makes me happy when reading a book is seeing a character learn something about themselves. Maybe they conquer something they never thought they could or they finally learn to stand up for themselves. Maybe they win against all odds. That's what makes me happy. Harry Potter is a great example of this. While there a tons of tiny lessons scattered through each book the great overarching lesson, in my opinion, is good vs evil. While some books left us a heart broken (Half Blood Prince)  and it seemed like evil was conquering, you just new good would win in the end. Didn't it make you happy that it did? That Harry learned and grew and became the boy that (with a little help) could conquer such great evil?  

Don't forget to go to Suey's blog and check out my 3 reasons I need a message or moral to a story! 

Does Writing Make Better Readers?

Yes, you read that right. We all know reading makes us better writers but can writing make us better readers? And what does being a "better" reader even mean?

As some of you know, I've been friends with Suey for sometime. 10+ years,  I think,  and we both can say with a certainty about each other that: I'm stingy with my ratings and Suey is generous with hers.

It's actually a little joke at our book club that Suey loves everything. However, I've noticed something. Lately my dear friend has been trying her hand at writing. I'm so happy for her because she's talked about it for years and now, finally, she's jumping in. She's going to conferences, writing groups and even sent out one of her manuscripts to beta readers! Once upon a time I wrote. Not so much now but when I wrote I didn't do these things. I just read How To books and wrote....quietly...and tried not to talk about it. So, I'm very proud of Suey for just jumping in and fulfilling her dream.

So back to that thing I noticed. Suey is not being so generous with her ratings anymore. I always blame my stingy ratings and critical thinking towards books on my past days of writing and reading those How To books. I knew all the rules and when I saw bad writing I knew it was bad writing and was disgusted. So, getting a good rating from me was a little more work. So, is Suey being a little more guarded with her ratings because now, a book isn't just a book? It's all these words and there are rules that, while not necessary, do make writing better.

I guess we'll never know. Suey and I have discussed this a little and she's not so sure she's being stingy with her ratings. But I've also noticed that since I haven't written for several years now that I'm not nearly as critical with my ratings anymore. So, there may just be something to all this. What do you think? Does writing make you a better (aka critical) reader?  

Book Blogger Appreciation Week Day 5

It's the 5th and final day of BBAW. I've had a lot of fun participating in the weeks events. Today we're talking about blogger burnout. Do you get it. And what to do about it.

I've been blogging since 2011. In 2013 I met a handsome fellow and began dating, got engaged and married. As a result of this, my blogging fell by the wayside for a year or two. Now, I wouldn't call this blogger burnout but it definitely felt like it. I was just so busy dating and then planning a wedding etc that blogging just wasn't a top priority. If I'd tried to keep it up it might have become a burden.

I've seen many bloggers over the years post about taking a break and then go silent for awhile but they return. I've also seen some of my favorite bloggers disappear completely from the blogging world. Did they fall victim to blogger burnout? I'm not sure but I think in their case and in mine it's clear to see what the culprit is: LIFE! Stupid, mundane yet busy life! So what do we do?

A few suggestions:

• Take a break if you need one. A guilt free break! 
• Blogging is not and should not become a chore. Remember why you started book blogging? It's because you loved books and reading. When books become just one more thing you have to read and review, take a step back and reevaluate. Reading should be enjoyable not a chore. 
• Don't read books you don't want to. It can seem overwhelming to get requests for reviews either from self published authors or a genuine publisher and it's hard to say no, but guess what? You can say no. Again: don't feel guilty! 
• Don't feel guilty! 

I can't stress the whole not feeling guilty thing enough. Guilt makes everything worse. If you need a break just take it. This wonderful blogging community is very forgiving. They'll stick around so don't worry.

And that's my advise. Not very exciting or mind-blowing, I know but hey.  Thanks again to the lovely ladies who brought back BBAW and hosted it. I had a ton of fun!

Book Blogger Appreciation Week Day 4

And here we are at day 4 of BBAW! Today's Topic: Social media and blogging!

Honestly, besides using Feedly to follow my blogging friends I don't do much else. Well, I am on Goodreads and I get on Twitter occasionally. I'm on Instagram but mostly I just post pictures of my silly cats there. I'm also on Facebook and while I have a few blogging buddies that I follow there, I'd say Facebook is more for keeping in touch with family.

So, yeah. Super boring post today. I have no advice on keeping up with it all. It's hard but I guess if you care, you make time.

If you want to follow me on any of the above mentioned sites you're more than welcome! You wouldn't want to miss all my kitty pictures!

Twitter
Goodreads
Instagram
Facebook

Happy Reading!

Book Blogger Appreciation Week Day 3

It's day 3 of BBAW! Today We're supposed to talk about books we've read because of a fellow blogger.

Oh my gosh! My TBR list used to be like maybe 200 books. Now It's over 700 and that's with me going through it every once and awhile and purging it! So, how did it get to be that much? I started blogging!

I used to keep track of every book recommendation and add it to my reviews. So if my friend Suey read and loved a book that looked good to me I'd add it to Goodreads and make a note that she was the one who recommended it. Then link back to her review in my review. Alas, I stopped doing that. I was never sure if anyone even noticed or used the link. Maybe I should bring it back? What do you think?

Back to talking about books that I've read because of a fellow blogger. I'm going to give a shout out to my friend Susan of Bloggin' 'Bout Books. Lately everything she reads looks just fascinating. Her reviews (when they're in favor of the book) make me want to go right out and buy said book right now and read it RIGHT now!

Here's a few books I've read because of her...

Pines by Blake Crouch.
This one just looked too mysterious and weird not to read! I inhaled in in two days and am very intrigued. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series.


Bone Gap by Laura Ruby
This was one of my favorite books last year. This book deserves way more praise than it's getting. Magical realism at it's best here, folks!



And because of Susan I've added these little gems to my TBR list. I have no doubt they'll be just as good.

Black-Eyed Susans Julia Heaberlin
It's about a survivor of a serial killer. It sounds very mysterious and exciting!
(I didn't link this one to Susan because I can't find her review of it. Now I'm thinking maybe I didn't even see this one on her blog but I SWEAR I did. So maybe she was talking about it?? Correct me if I'm wrong, Susan)

The Sparrow Sisters by Ellen Herrick
It sounds like a delightful magic realism reminiscent of Sarah Addison Allen only maybe a bit darker.




So what about you? What books have you read because of a fellow blogger?

Book Blogger Appreciation Week Day 2

It's day 2 of BBAW! Today we're interviewing bloggers. I signed up to interview another blogger to get to know someone new. Then I got the email with the name of the blogger I'd be interviewing. Wouldn't you know it...It was my good, IRL friend Suey! We had a laugh over this but decided to just go ahead and interview each other anyway. Enjoy!


 I actually know you pretty well but tell me something about you that I don't know. 

Um... what don't you know? I think you truly know it all! Let's see:
* I recently sent a DNA test into Ancestry.com to learn where I come from
* I tried to play Skyrim once, but it didn't go over well
* I drive past your house probably six times a day at least. (I think you know that one!)
* I want to learn archery and also how to box.

(Besides you driving by my house I didn't know any of these things! How fun! I want to learn archery too but I already know I'm quite awful at it.) 

2 Do you have a favorite book and if so what is it?

I always list The Book Thief as my favorite book, though there are so many that could be named. But this one seems to have it all. I love its uniqueness, its message, its characters, the writing style, the power of the words and the setting. It's truly an amazing book.

3 What's your favorite book to film adaption?

There are so many! I can't list a favorite! Probably the Colin Firth Pride and Prejudice. Also, Lord of the Rings. Also, Holes. Also, The Hunger Games. I'll stop there...

4 I know you like TV. Is there a book you wish would become a TV series?

My first thought is the Starbound trilogy, but not sure if that would work as a TV show. Some long drawn out saga would be fun to do as a TV show, but I haven't read something like that for a long time it seems. Gah! I can't think of a good answer here! What do YOU want to see as a TV show?

(Well, look at what they did with The Vampire Diaries. I read the books and, wow, they weren't at all like the series. So maybe they could make it work. I'd like the Mathew Swift Series to be a TV show. I think it might be a movie one day but a TV show would work better.)

5 How long have you been blogging and what does the future of your blogging life look like?

Next month it will be nine years of book blogging. (I blogged for a year before that on Yahoo's 360 thing, which was awesome at the time. So in fact, it's been ten years this month since I actually started writing blog posts. Wow.) And my future is... steady. I think I will perhaps not be posting as often as I have been, but will probably never quit intentionally. My blogging may shift to have more of a writing spin then a reading spin. But that remains to be seen too. Here's hoping I can just ride the wave of change and keep up with it all!

Thanks for the fun interview, Suey! I learned things about you that I didn't know! 

Be sure to check out Suey's blog for my interview. Thanks for stopping by! 

Book Blogger Appreciation Week Day 1

I know I've been focusing on my Adult Literature Month this...well, month, but I decided to participate in BBAW. So this week I'll following their prompts. It's probably a good thing because I haven't finished another book yet so I don't have anything to review. So today the lovely ladies hosting BBAW have asked us to: "Introduce yourself by telling us about five books that represent you as a person or your interests/lifestyle."

I'm not sure I understand what they're going for but I thought I'd go ahead and try naming five books that will give you an insight into my personality.  Here we go.

A Madness Of Angels by Kate Griffin

If you've followed my blog for any amount of time you probably know that this series by Kate Griffin is one of my favorite series of all time. If you didn't know this let me just tell you a little about it. Matthew Swift is a sorcerer. Matthew Swift live in London. Matthew Swift was murdered. Though his body was never found there's no doubt of his demise. But he's back and full of vengeance...and something else, something powerful. 

The reason I chose this book as an insight into my personality is because this "thing" (can't say much without being spoilery) that is now a part of Matthew makes him incredibly powerful, special and unique. I LOVE stories like this. Call it low self esteem or boredom of the mundane life I live but I always wish I was all powerful, special, and could still be as humble as Matthew is. Love it! 

Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz

There's this deep part of me that wished I was as self sacrificing as Odd. I know if I had some power or ability I'd become some super villain. Seriously. Wouldn't it be nice to have telekinesis around crappy drivers in rush hour? I'd be flipping cars out of my way blaring Flight of the Valkyries and laughing manically. Sigh! But deep down I really wish I could be as humble and selfless and giving as Odd.

 Elevated by Elana Johnson

The message I got out of this book is one I loved and so desperately wish I could apply to my life. I don't want to be too spoilery but I kind of have to be so if you haven't read this one and plan to, you might want to skip this. At the end of the story Eleanor finally puts herself first. As hard as it is to walk away from Travis she does it. Not because she didn't love him but because she had learned how destructive and damning the relationship was. I'm not saying I need out of my marriage or anything. I just wish I had more love and respect for myself and could learn to put myself first. Not in a selfish way just in a necessary way. 

Getting the Girl by Markus Zusak

If you read my guest post on Suey's blog a few years ago you know all about this one. If you missed it you really should check it out. If you don't want to click on over there. Let me just say this. You know the song Killing Me Softly by the Fugees? About this girl who goes to a club and this guy is singing this song and she swears it's all about her? Well, that's how I feel about this book. I read it and just sat there crying. I swear Markus was writing about me! 

  

Persuasion by Jane Austen

I'm actually a hopeless romantic. I know, you'd never guess it by how much eye rolling goes on around here over the romance in books but I really am a romantic. This book is my type of romance. When Captain Wentworth picks up Anne and puts her in the carriage when they all went for that walk and she was tired...Sigh!!! I just about die. And of course the letter he writes! I cried like a baby the first time I read that. 

So there you have it. WAY too much information about me....well, this is awkward...Just kidding. I hope you enjoyed this insight into my personality. 

Review: A Reliable Wife

Title A Reliable Wife
By Robert Goolrick
Genre Adult drama
Pages 305
Rating ⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
It's 1909, Ralph Truitt places an ad in the paper. He's looking for a wife. Someone to come out to rural Wisconsin and share his home but he has an ulterior motive. Catherine Land answers the ad. She seems like the perfect humble, reliable wife but she too has secret.



First Sentence 
It was bitter cold, the air electric with all that had not happened yet.

• Wow, that book was a New York Times Bestseller? And it had a readers guide in the back. Sometimes I'm quite baffled by books like this. How and why is this a New York Times Bestseller? Why is it being read in book clubs? Is it really worthy of having a readers guide included? 
• Now, don't get me wrong. I didn't loathe this book or anything. I just wasn't blown away by it. The writing was lovely at times. Check out that first sentence. Very lovely. But this whole book was like watching a soap opera. The characters were terrible people. They were meant to be but it was painful to read about. 
• So, the whole point of the book was about how nobody is perfect. We're all pretty awful people; flawed and imperfect but that we can change. While I appreciated the message and the symbolism of Catherine's obsession with the garden I thought the whole thing was pretty heavy handed and more than that, it wasn't subtle at all. We all got the message. There was nothing left to interpret on our own. Nope! We had to just take the slap in the face message from the author and accept it. 
• So, yeah, I didn't hate the book but it was blunt and dull and just plain weird. 
• Maybe in another mood I might have loved it. But right now at this point in my life it just didn't work for me. 

Should You Read It?

I wouldn't shut this one down completely but I would warn those that might consider it to be warned. There's a lot of sexual talk and descriptions. Nothing gratuitous like erotica but, yeah. 

I Can Relate!

I've discovered something during my first week of reading adult literature for my Adult Literature Month. I'm an adult...and so I can relate to these adult books. Go figure! I know, I know. It's nothing profound but I love reading adult books because the issues the character's are dealing with are so relateable.

See, I love YA but I can't exactly relate to falling in love with two boys who may or may not have supernatural abilities and just not being able to decide which one I want to be with forever and ever! I can't relate to going to high school (any more) and being bullied or going to parties or dances. Yes, I remember being a teenager. So, reading YA is like a trip down memory lane; a bit of nostalgia. But when I can connect with a character who's dealing with issues I might very well be dealing with...well, there's just something so wonderful about it. 

I read a book this month with a character who was struggling with fertility issues. I have fertility issues too so I could totally relate! It was like the author had secretly followed me around and was able to read my innermost thoughts and feelings and then write about them. It was heartbreaking and comforting at the same time to know that this character wasn't based on me but on the thousands of other woman out there just like me. And we all feel the same. So, yes, it was sad but I felt understood and validated in my sometimes crazy thinking. 

So,yeah. I like these adult books. (mostly contemporary literature) They are relatable and isn't that what we all love in a good book? Being able to relate to a character? It's not impossible in YA but it's a heck of a lot easier in adult books cause, well, I'm an adult.

What says you? Have you noticed this too or do you still completely relate to YA and think I'm an old, stodgy, fuddy duddy? 

Review: What Alice Forgot

Title What Alice Forgot
By Liane Moriarty
Genre Adult Contemporary
Pages 466
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Alice wakes up in the gym after a fall and head injury to discover life is not at all what she remembers. The last thing she new, she was 29, married, pregnant with her first child and madly in love. But when she discovers she's actually 39, has three kids and is going through a nasty divorce she'll have to piece together the last ten years she's lost to discover what happened and how things got so bad.

First Sentence
She was floating, arms outspread, water lapping her body, breathing in a summery fragrance of salt and coconut.

• Remember my theory about Australian authors? About how there's something in the water down there because they're all such amazing authors? Yeah. Liane Moriarty is quite the talented writer. I loved Big Little Lies and I was very intrigued by the synopsis for this one so I knew I had to read it next. 
• This is one of those book, for me anyway, that you go into already hoping for that perfect ending that you want. So what if it's too neat and happy. I wanted it anyway! 
• I was expecting amusing and entertaining and I got it. I also got this heart wrenching, almost too relatable story that made me ache with understanding and happiness. 
• I can't say enough about Liane's writing. I'm going to call her by her first name because I totally want to be her friend...I'm just going to pretend we are friends. It's not just technically perfect, it's so perfectly deep! There's so many hidden nuances in this story that could never be handled by a lesser author. 
• I loved the whole thing! Cover to cover, The romance the humor the tears. It's raw and real and then funny and sweet. I couldn't put it down. My life totally got put on hold for this treasure. 
• I can't wait to see what other wonderful stories and quirky characters Liane comes up with next. 

Should you read it?

Yes! In fact, I'd recommend this one to start with if you want to try one of Liane's books. And I'm saying that having only read two. So you know it's good. 

Review: Pines

Title Pines (Wayward Pines #1)
By Blake Crouch
Genre Adult mystery/scifi
Pages 315
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Secret Service Agent Ethan Burke is sent to Wayward Pines Idaho to investigate the disappearance of two colleagues but a terrible car accident gives him amnesia. Waking up with no ID, no money and not even able to remember his own name he wanders the sleepy streets of Wayward Pines. As his memories return he realizes things are not as they seem and the residents are hiding something from him. Will searching for his colleagues and trying to piece together the town's mystery land Ethan in danger?

First Sentence
He came to lying on his back with sunlight pouring down into his face and the murmur of running water close by.

• Confession! I meant to read this book for my Adult Literature Month. I started it at the end of January thinking it would take awhile...Nope. I flew through it. I couldn't put it down and I ended up finishing it in two sittings...in January. I'm still counting it towards February though. 
• So yeah, I couldn't put this one down. It was one of the books that sucks you in because you want to know what the hell is going on! 
• It's been awhile since I read a mystery and I quite enjoyed myself. Before you completely write this one off because you don't like mystery you should know it has a hint of the scifi to it...I can't say more without ruining it, just don't write this one off without giving it a shot.
• After inhaling this one I read the author's note and found that he wrote this book because once upon a time he used to watch a TV show called Twin Peaks. He adored it and then it got canceled. Isn't that the way it always goes? So, he wrote his own story that reminded him of that old, beloved TV show. I totally can relate to this! I loved the show The Pretender that used to be on NBC and then got moved to TNT. It was canceled without an ending and I was devastated. I still have an old manuscript lying around with a story I wrote that was inspired by it.  
• Speaking of TV shows. This book was made into a TV series. Did notice the guy on the cover is Matt Dillon? Did you? The pilot episode was directed by M. Night Shyamalan. If that doesn't tell you how creepily great this book was, I don't know what will.  I'll be trying to find and watch this first season. 
• Ugh! I just want to say so much about how many great things were in this book! It was so creepy and atmospheric and, and, and! Oh! Just read it! 
• I did have a few issues with this one, of course. Mostly just that I wasn't enamored with any of the characters. Now, remember, I'm a plot girl but I do like to connect to at lease one character. 
• I also wanted to know if this one was self published or what? I noticed a few typos. It was fine but something I thought about. 
• Wow! This was a super rambling review. So, I'll just end on this: It takes a pretty intense, mysterious book to grip me and suck me and make me not want to put it down. This book did just that.

Should you read it?

I would totally recommend this one, but to be honest, I'd really only recommend it to certain people. If you love character driven stories with lots of romance and kissing this one might not be for you. But if you love mystery and excitement and having your mind blown than, yes. Read this book! 

January Wrap Up 2016

The first month of 2016 has come and gone. I had a pretty good start to the year. Here's what I read so far.

Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando
Fun contemporary NA book,

The Radleys by Matt Haig
Slow unconnected start but whirlwind ending.

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
Too rambling and disconnected for my taste. Not sure why it one an award.

Winter by Marissa Meyer
The exciting albeit long ending of the Lunar Chronicles.

Smile by Raina Telgemeier
Graphic novels aren't my favorite but this one was OK.




Favorites of the month were Winter and Roomies. The Radleys ending was very good but that slow start makes it NOT a favorite. Least favorite was The Year of Magical Thinking.

Februaries plans...I already talked about my Adult Literature month on Monday. If you missed it you can check it out.

Happy Reading!

Adult Literature Month

Hee Hee! I love saying adult books. It makes people think of risque books. Alas, if you like that sort of thing, I'm just talking about books written for adults. AKA not YA. I predominately read YA and as much as I love it, I think YA  books may be rotting my brain. So welcome to my Adult Literature Month! For the month of February I shall only be reading adult literature. I'll post my reviews and a few themed discussion posts. I'm really excited! I mean, I love YA books but adult books are great too. Right?

Here's what I'll be reading this month. Yeah, I only have 3 books planned. I'm right in the middle of a remodel of my soon to be library so I don't know how much time I'll have to read. Plus, adult books sometimes take a bit longer to read. So, hopefully I'll get to more books but this is what I plan on to begin with. What do you think of my choices?

Of course you can join me. You don't have to link up or do anything special. Just commit to reading only adult books for the month. Easy, Peasy! Let's get this party started!