House of Bennetts

Howdy howdy. I have slowed down my pace somewhat on reading because my last crop of books wasn't anything excellent. It's funny how I can get discouraged with reading so quickly- I think it has to do with the money aspect (spend $10 for something you didn't love: boo!).... which is why I am finally discovering .... the Denver library! Hahhahaa. They have e-books on there as well as the old school paper back versions. I certainly appreciate the convenience of my kindle, but have grown more patient with getting titles in order to save some cashola. Here's what got consumed by yours truly over the last few months:

story of happy

This is the Story of a Happy Marriage

People LOVE Ann Patchett and I would definitely love to get coffee with her one day, but this book just didn't get under my skin like I wanted it to. It really is a collection of short stories, some of which I loved and some of which I (cough cough)... skipped/skimmed. I will say that if you have ambitions as a writer, it is a must read.

Rating: 5 out of 10

haus

Hausfrau

Dark. Dark. Dark. And f'd up y'all. And more f'd up-ed-ness. If you are already depressed, avoid this book. If you are a housewife who looks around and wonders at how many ways you can F up your life, avoid this book. If, however, you enjoy a spicy, sexy-ish, sad, psychological tale, then dive on in. (I have no idea what rating to give this).

Rating: 6.5 out of 10

it's what

It's What I Do

Loved, loved, loved this beautiful book. As someone who loves photography, but knows literally nothing about it, this book was inspiring, educational, moving, and suspenseful. It's part history lesson, part biography, part HELL YES GIRL POWER, and all about finding that passion and pursuing it no matter the barriers.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10.

knockoff

The Knockoff

Eh. Just like every other chick-lit book out there really. It's like a Devil Wears Prada updated for 2015. I did appreciate the nugget of truth in the book about how horribly we 20s and 30s folk treat 40s and 50s folks who are definitely interested in learning about technology, but who also have a TON to offer if we will just listen to them. A good quick read.

Rating: 5.5 out of 10.

americanah

Americanah

This book is so INCREDIBLY good that I want to savor it like a cupcake. I don't care what your ethnic or genetic or political or ideological or religious background is, if you truly want to gain an insight into the following issues then I demand you read this book immediately: inherent bias, racism, class and gender bias, immigration, the struggles immigrant populations face, love, America, Nigeria, first world v. third world, our obsession with stuff, how said stuff WILL NOT actually make you happy, America's PERVASIVE racism, and how to be a better human.

I mean it... it's convicting and life-changing and glorious.

Rating: 10 out of 10.

Got any gems you've come across lately!? I am looking for new reads for the summer!

It's been an up and down few months in book land for me, but one that also saw me continue my break neck speed of reading. Some I liked, some I really didn't, and some I couldn't even finish. This was the list for my honeymoon: books

I started all of them but Crazy Little Thing, and finished the other 5 except Station Eleven. Let's dive in shall we!?

storied

The Storied Life of A.J. FIKRY:

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It's just great and reminds me of being on Cape Cod with my Esther as well as my own personal love of books.

Rating: 9 out 10.

station

Station Eleven:

Hmmmmmm. Sort of a post-apocalyptic type thing. I am going to try to finish it eventually but for now, Hmmmmm.

Rating: 3 out of 10 so far (much more to do with genre of the book than anything else).

hidden

Hidden:

Good. Solid book. Reminded me a lot of Husband's Secret and Big Little Lies. Not as great as those two, but a solid read with a decent twist or two.

Rating: 6.75 out of 10

one lavendar

One Lavender Ribbon:

CHEEEEEESY. Predictable. And more Cheese. Perhaps it is because I have read so many good novels lately that this one was kind of blah for me, but I appreciated the nod to a woman fixing up her house and the scenes on the water. That's about it. So cheesy. Have I said that already?

Rating: 3 out of 10

longest

The Longest Ride:

The same kind of goes for this one. I haven't read Sparks in years, but thought I'd give it ago. I was meh about the book, but will of course see the movie because I am cheesy like that.

Rating: 4 out of 10

I also finished reading ...

everything i never

It was a good, solid book, but I found myself skimming through parts of it. Other people have loved this book, but I just didn't have a ton of empathy for a girl who had two parents that loved her possibly too much. Just not my reality really and so had trouble LOVING it.

Rating: 6 out of 10.

girl

What can I say about this book that hasn't already been said by everyone out there. It is like Gone Girl, but took a little longer for me to get into it. The timeline, flipping back and forth thing threw me off because I read it on a kindle. I think in paperback it would have been easier. The ending is twisty and fantastic, but I also thought it was a great commentary on addiction.

Rating: 7.75 out of 10