Books I Finished This Week

September 9-15, 2018

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez

After all that I had heard about this book, it sadly did not live up to my expectations. I wanted to love it, and at times, I did love Gabriel García Márquez’s stylistic way of writing. He describes the settings so wonderfully and uses imagery in such a perfect way to give the sense of “magical realism” that extends beyond the supernatural as we know it. But the timeline was messy and haphazard to the point it was hard to follow along and ruined the magical appeal.

Synopsis: The brilliant, bestselling, landmark novel that tells the story of the Buendia family, and chronicles the irreconcilable conflict between the desire for solitude and the need for love—in rich, imaginative prose that has come to define an entire genre known as "magical realism."

I’d Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life by Anne Bogel

This was a wonderful, quick little read that truly had me falling in love with reading all over again. I’ve followed Anne Bogel’s blog Modern Mrs. Darcy for a few years now and often enjoy her recommendation lists. When I saw an email that she was writing a book herself, one all about a reader’s life, I knew I had to have it, and I’m so glad I purchased it. It is a nod to everyone of us who is thinking about the book we are currently reading, just finished or is next on our list.

Synopsis: For so many people, reading isn't just a hobby or a way to pass the time--it's a lifestyle. Our books shape us, define us, enchant us, and even sometimes infuriate us. Our books are a part of who we are as people, and we can't imagine life without them. In this collection of charming and relatable reflections on the reading life, beloved blogger and author Anne Bogel leads readers to remember the book that first hooked them, the place where they first fell in love with reading, and all of the moments afterward that helped make them the reader they are today.

Choke by Chuck Palahniuk

One of my friends warned me that this book is dark and fucked up, it’s messy and also “weirdly heart wrenching”. I have to agree. The entire time I was reading this book I kept thinking “OMG”, “what the hell am I reading?”, “this is so good!”. I couldn’t put it down and thus finished it in a couple hours.

Synopsis: Victor Mancini, a medical-school dropout, is an antihero for our deranged times. Needing to pay elder care for his mother, Victor has devised an ingenious scam: he pretends to choke on pieces of food while dining in upscale restaurants. He then allows himself to be “saved” by fellow patrons who, feeling responsible for Victor’s life, go on to send checks to support him. When he’s not pulling this stunt, Victor cruises sexual addiction recovery workshops for action, visits his addled mom, and spends his days working at a colonial theme park.

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Capote does an amazing job of piecing together this crime; giving you the facts of this true story but also making it feel like fiction. Although he begins the book by introducing you to both the victims and most obviously the killers, you are still in suspense throughout the entire novel.

Synopsis: On November 15, 1959, in the small town of Holcomb, Kansas, four members of the Clutter family were savagely murdered by blasts from a shotgun held a few inches from their faces. There was no apparent motive for the crime, and there were almost no clues. 

Books I’m Currently Reading

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

I’m about 60% done with this one and am enjoying parts, but it’s slow going. Because of the subject matter, I start shuddering too much and have to put it down for a few days.

Synopsis: Humbert Humbert - scholar, aesthete and romantic - has fallen completely and utterly in love with Lolita Haze, his landlady's gum-snapping, silky skinned twelve-year-old daughter. 

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

I’m only about 25% through this book as I received In Cold Blood from the library and had to finish that before to return it on time. Definitely was enjoying it though and looking forward to starting again next week.

Synopsis: During a summer party at the family farm in the English countryside, sixteen-year-old Laurel Nicolson has escaped to her childhood tree house and is happily dreaming of the future. She spies a stranger coming up the long road to the farm and watches as her mother speaks to him. Before the afternoon is over, Laurel will witness a shocking crime.

Books I Was Reading Last Year - 2017

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

I felt so small after reading this book and had a slight headache from trying to make sense of it all, but man, it was good. 

Synopsis: "Are you happy with your life?" Those are the last words Jason Dessen hears before being knocked unconscious and waking up to a life that isn't his own. His wife isn't his wife, his son was never born, he is a genius who achieved the impossible rather than an ordinary college professor. Which life is the truth? Can he get back to the family he loves? 

Books I Was Reading Two Years Ago - 2016

Annihilate (Hive Trilogy #3) by Jaymin Eve and Leia Stone

3/5 Stars

Sorry, no detailed review to share with you for this book. I do remember really liking the first book of the series but feel it went downhill from there.

Synopsis: There are two things Charlie Bennett despises: bullies and vampires. Which in her experience, is really the same thing. After the battle with the Quorum, she's left with no other option. The vampire's rule must end. But when more shocking secrets are uncovered Charlie wonders if she'll be alive long enough to follow through with her plan.