02 July 2013

Last Month in Review: June 2013

Though my stats aren't bad at all this month (12 books in total), I'm really surprised that it's not higher, considering that part of the month I was on vacation and usually read a LOT more than that.  This year I blogged more and socialized on-island more than usual, so perhaps that's the reason. In chronological order:

1. Manuscript Found in Accra by Paoulo Coelho.  This was an audio book read by Jeremy Irons, so it was great listening.  The story itself, though? Not so much.  Have you read Kahlil Gibran's book, The Prophet? If so, then you've read this book already.  If you're innocent and optimistic of the world like I was in high school, you'd probably like it.  If you're more jaded now, then you probably wouldn't.

2. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein.  I read this for the new YA-for-Adults bookclub my bookstore just started.  It was really good.

3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J K Rowling.  I re-read this book (not sure how many times I've read/listened to it in total) for the BEST READALONG IN THE WORLD. I'm still in mourning that it's over.

4. A Marker To Measure Drift by Alexsander Maksik.  This was a helluva fine read and a complicated one: a survivor of the civil war in Liberia makes her way to Santorini. Homeless there, she focuses on two things: day to day survival and maintaining her sanity after what she witnessed. As the book unfolds, the reader gets an intimate portrait of both Jacqueline and the island, the beauty of one acting as a counterpart to the horrors in her mind.  The book is also beautifully written and it's probably one of the best books I've read so far this year.  Keep an eye out for this one, folks.  It's going places.

5. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black.  Very fun romp through vampire lit.  Review here.

6. We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo. Serious book, very good. Review here.

7. This Is Paradise by Kristiana Kahakauwila.  An excellent short story collection. Review here.

8. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.  The most fun I've had with a book in a LONG time.  Review to come.

9. Birds of a Lesser Paradise by Megan Mayhew Bergman.  A good story collection, particularly if you like animals, as they play secondary characters in all of the stories.

10. The Rathbones by Janice Clark. Pretty good novel, but ultimately not the best book for me.

11. Headhunters on my Doorstep by J. Maarten Troost.  Let's just say that this wasn't my favorite of his works. Review to come.

12. The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri.  Another fantastic and strong novel from one of my favorite authors.  I used to say that I preferred her short story collections, but this novel was so strong that now I'm not so sure. Review to come.

9 comments:

  1. Super curious about A Marker to Measure Drift. It sounds like one I'd definitely enjoy, I love a bit of complexity. I've been hearing great things about The Rosie Project everywhere, looking forward to the review!

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    1. The Rosie Project is one of those rare novels that is outrageously funny and a little clever and well written.

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  2. The Harry Potter Readalong may be over in reality, but it will live on forever in our hearrrrrts <3

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    1. Don't you think that if we start planning NOW, we could have a HP Readalong Reunion somewhere next year? How much fun would that be? We'd stay up all night and discuss Hogwarts plumbing and wizarding mortal souls and shipping all of our faves.

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  3. So many books that sound so good! I really should check out Code Name Verity, it sounds like it's actually GOOD YA and not the random dystopian/paranormal stuff that gets hyped up lately.

    And 12 books is awesome, btw! I'll be on "vacation" (off work but probably not going anywhere) this month and I'll be lucky if I break 10...

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    1. Yes, Verity is very good. There's a "twist" in the end that I thought was fairly predictable and arguably would have made for a more interesting (but probably less satisfying) book had it not been there, though.

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  4. I'm itching to get my hands on a copy of The Rosie Project. I keep hearing such good things!

    Nice June! Here's to an amazing July :)

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    1. It's SO much fun. I really cannot remember the last time I laughed so hard reading a novel.

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  5. i like to read Harry Potter,i have read all of it and many times,also the movies. now it is over,i can not accept it.

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Please, sir, may I have some more? (Comments, that is!)