Here are some of the books I read since the last time we spoke about books.
The Interestings
The cover of this book is pretty killer and so is the character development. Follow a bunch of creative kids grow into careers that either stuck with or veered off from their creative inclinations and see how that affects their lives. I’m talkin’ their whole lives, so get ready to grow and cringe and maybe cry with these characters.
Eleanor & Park
I read this book for #PluckyReads book club and since I’m a world class procrastinator, I read like 85% of it in one day (between baking projects). Also my phone died during the discussion that took place on the phone because I’m a hot mess. Anyway. It started off really strong, and maybe it’s because I was speed-reading to make it to the discussion on time, but I think the ending was a little weak. Basically you should read it so we can discuss if I’m completely off base here. Either way, I loved the main characters, I cried, I felt butterflies, I got angry and there’s a playlist on Spotify created by the author (which automatically makes it 10x more awesome).
Where’d You Go, Bernadette?
This one I loved. I didn’t expect to love it, but I did. It’s told in letters, notes, emails, documents, text messages and I’m such a sucker for nontraditional storytelling. It’s a little mysterious, a lot hilarious and as a die-hard Harriet the Spy fan, I can appreciate the fact that one of the central characters is a 15-year-old girl with a ‘tude, so there’s that.
The Opposite of Loneliness
This collection of essays by Marina Keegan is very different from the other essays included in this list (just realized I’ve been on an essay kick). Keegan was a brilliant writer who was killed in a car accident five days after graduating from Yale. Knowing the tragic story before reading the essays did some weird stuff in my brain, but it’s obvious that the book (put together by her family members posthumously) is not famous for the tragedy alone. Her fiction pieces have stuck with me months after reading them and her non-fiction was equally compelling. Please read it so we can talk about the implications of the dice game.
Not That Kind of Girl
I don’t know if you guys heard, but Lena Dunham liked my Instagram photo once, so we’re practically besties now. This collection of personal essays just proves it. She’s funny, strong, smart, awkward, batshitcrazy and I thoroughly enjoyed the illustrations throughout this book. Check it out, and be prepared for some serious stuff. I mean, I think we’ve established that I cry easily, but I shed some tears in this one too.
Paper Towns
I think John Green should be my bestie too. Maybe I’ll start tagging him in random Instagram photos and see what happens. I mentioned this one previously, and while I don’t think this story is quite as epic as some of his others (TFIOS and Looking For Alaska), I really enjoyed it. I always love his writing, but when you grow up in Central Florida, you really enjoy accurate depictions of it. Or I do, at least. John knows what’s up, and I smiled a lot throughout the whole thing. I definitely recommend it for a quick beach or short flight read.
Me Talk Pretty One Day
David Sedaris is hilarious. This is a collection of his essays spanning his childhood to his move to Paris and everything in between. Read it if you want a good laugh and you get off on a bit of self-deprecation (raises hand). All the Light We Cannot See – I totally just started this one, so I have nothing to say except that I needed an eighth book cover and I’ve heard approximately 1,467 people say it’s incredible. Stay tuned.
Milk & Honey
Does anyone else miss hidden tracks? I’m pretty sure that’s the only thing I miss about CDs. Nowadays where do we find hidden treasures? Nowhere. No mystery left at all. Well, I’m here with a bonus book for you because I love surprises (and because there’s no cover art). It’s written by a brilliant writer named Alexandra Franzen who just so happens to be a personal hero of mine. This chick knows about creative business, writing effectively and sexy stuff. This book, only available in e-book form, is smutty and awesome. Think Fifty Shades without the “inner-goddess doing back flips” verbiage plus major #foodporn. Buy it here (it’s $7).
Check out my last two book roundups here and here, and let’s be friends on Goodreads.
What have you read lately?
I've actually read half of these!
I loved Paper Towns, but I'm guessing the movie bombed because it's not playing ANYWHERE around where I live. Not That Kind of Girl I read on a plane, and need to re-read it because I feel like I missed parts. I *loved* the way Where'd You Go, Bernadette was written. ANNNND The Opposite of Loneliness was a great read, but why can't I remember the dice game??
I'm re-reading Twilight for the 5th time so feel free to haze me.
I really want to read The Opposite of Loneliness. I've heard so many great things.
I enjoyed Paper Towns (the book and the movie) but I felt the same about both; they were enjoyable, but nothing spectacular. Sometimes the best things are simple and quiet though, so that's a good thing.
I love this post. Of course!! A few that are new to me! Definitely gonna check them out. 🙂