Tag

I got tagged by Amy and I'm very excited. One: It gives me something to blog about and, Two: It's a fun tag. Check it out! 

1. Find a book for each of your initials

I decided to pick from books I read and, whew! I've only read two books that start with the letter J. So, while this wasn't a favorite book or anything, it was alright. Finding Audrey, however, is an awesome read!

2. Count your age along your bookshelf: What book is it? 

Um, my TBR shelf or my read shelf? I chose TBR.


3. Pick a book set in your city/country

Fun little book that takes place in my state.


4. Pick a book that represents a location that you would love to travel to

London! Again and again I could go there.



5. Pick a book that’s your favorite color

Um, I don't really have a favorite color. I like dark blue and purple.


6. Which book do you have the fondest memory of?

I read this wonderful book a few short months after getting married. It was winter and we were living in a tiny little apartment. I would curl up on the couch while my husband watched Breaking Bad and read so thoroughly entranced that I think my poor husband wondered just what he's gotten himself into marrying this crazy book loving lady.



7. Which book did you have the most difficulty reading?

This book and I did NOT get along. Saying I had to force my way through it just doesn't do the pain I had when reading it justice. I think at one point I hurled the book across the room and just started sobbing. *shudders* 

8. Which book in your TBR pile will give you the biggest accomplishment when you finish it?

Um...All of them Duh! No, I honestly just don' know.


I'm not going to tag anyone else by name. But feel free to tag yourself, I'd love to see what you come up with! Thanks, Amy! That was fun! 

Review: Still Alice

Title Still Alice
By Lisa Genova
Genre Adult contemporary
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Alice Howland is a professor at Harvard, a mother of three and living her perfect life in Boston. It seems nothing could go wrong. Until Alice starts forgetting things. When she's diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's her world is shattered.

First Sentence
Even then, there were neurons in her head, not far from her ears, that were being strangled to death, too quietly for her to hear them.

Another book club book. I actually voted to read this book even though I knew it would be sad. Most people in my book club weren't overly excited to read it but, in the end, they loved it. I loved it too.

It was heart wrenching to read. And while I didn't cry, the book certainly pulled on my heartstrings. I hate to use the train wreck cliche but there's just no better way describe reading this book. I just simply couldn't look away.

In the beginning, Alice reminded me of Joan Didion from The Year of Magical Thinking. She had this unreal life that just seemed too perfect and she came off as arrogant. Mind you, Alice is fictional and Joan isn't but I saw plenty of similarities and I was a bit worried I wouldn't be able to have any compassion for poor Alice. I did. It was so hard to read about her mind and memories slipping away. I can't even imagine.

The ending of the book was my absolute favorite part. Because here you are reading this dreadfully sad book and then that ending!!! It just made me feel good. Loved it!

The discussion came up in book club of what exactly the purpose of this book was. Some people thought it was just too sad and that it left them feeling depressed. Was that its purpose? I think it was just to educate us about Alzheimer's. And it did. And it gave me a lot more compassion for those suffering from it.

Should you read it?
I hate to sound like one of "those" people but I think everyone should read this book.

Review: Hinges of Broams Eld

Title  Hinges of Broams Eld
By Jennifer Cano
Genre Middle Grade Fantasy
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
When elfin warriors escort Livy to Broams Eld, she discovers a world where imagination is power, tadpole soup is what’s for dinner, and trees whisper secret enchantments. There she finds not only friends, a welcome home for her dare-devil antics, and magic, but an astounding destiny to inherit—if she can survive her first night. (From Goodreads)

First Sentence
Livy Hinge's aunt lay dying in the backyard, which Aunt Neala thought was darned inconvenient.



I love this cover but I don't think it says, middle grade, which this book is. Confession time! I don't get along with middle grade books. I just feel like they're over simplified and the characters, of course, are middle grade age and they act it...and I don't see the appeal. However, I wanted to read this book for Utah Book Month. The author lives just down the road from me and so I thought I'd give it a go.

For awhile, at the beginning, I was wondering if I should keep going. It definitely had that middle grade feel going and it kind of jumped right into things, introducing us to this whole new world with weird words and customs that I couldn't quite wrap my head around. While I don't like to be held by the hand through world introductions, I also don't like being slapped in the face with them either. But I stuck with it and am very glad I did.

By about 35% through (I read this on my kindle, not sure what page) I found myself immersed in the world. It had a very, 1st Harry Potter book, feel to it. I don't know if it was intended or if I was just looking for it but there were some similarities for sure.

My favorite thing about the book was the ending. I can't say much without being too spoil-y but I just loved the way all the kids worked together to save their world and the magical world Cano created.

I'm assuming there will be more books to come and I'm good with that. There were a few open ended questions that I'd be interested in knowing the answers to.

Should you read it?
If you can get past the slightly jarring beginning you won't regret reading this delightful little tale.

Review: If Only It Were True

Title If Only It Were True
By Marc Levy
Genre Adult Contemporary
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
When Lauren's car's breaks fail and she's in a horrible accident it leaves her body in a deep coma. But her soul is wandering around San Francisco. Arthur has just sublet a new apartment but is surprised to discover the previous occupants is still there...and only he can see her. Together Arthur and Lauren will have to learn to trust each other enough to believe the impossible and maybe fall in love.

First Sentence
The novelty clock sitting on the unpainted wooden nightstand sounded at five-thirty.



Does this one sound familiar? If you've seen Just Like Heaven with Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo then it should. This is the book that the movie is based on. I picked up this book at a used bookstore on sale because I liked the movie and had heard the book was quite different. And it was. It was much more serious than the movie. This ones much more a romance than a rom-com.

The author is French, and while I couldn't find if this one was originally in French and had been translated or not, I wondered. It had a strange feel to it and I couldn't decide if that was due to the author's style, ethnicity, or if it had been translated. Either way, it felt different. Not in a bad way just...different.

I felt like I was being held at arms length from all the characters and couldn't quite connect to any of them. When it started getting more into Arthur's past, I felt like I understood him more but he's the only one I connected with on any level.

I'm not sure why this one is a bestseller (or was). It wasn't awful, just not that great. I did love the ending though. It made me smile and sigh a little. Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to those who liked the movie and are curious about the book.

Should you read it?
If you HAVE to connect to characters to enjoy a book I'd say skip this one. If not, then enjoy!

August Wrap Up

Oi! I think I survived August. Now if I can just make it through these next few weeks, I think things will finally slow down. Maybe I'll have more time to read. Maybe I'll blog more. Maybe I'll try a K-drama. Who knows. But one thing is for sure. I won't be remodeling for as long as I can possible help it! I only managed three books in August. I also had two books I put down because they just weren't doing it for me. Look at me getting all better at setting aside books! Alright, here you have it.

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon. Where We Belong by Emily Giffin and If Only It Were True by Marc Levy

Favorite of the month was Where We Belong. No least favorite. So, that's good. Here's hoping for a much calmer September and lots of reading and blogging!