Today my not so secret inner book nerd is rejoicing because it’s time for my and Steph’s monthly book chat!!!
I started off the month plowing through some books. I think I read 5 in 10 days or something ridiculous like that. Then I slowed down to a regular pace and read a more normal 1 book every 5 days or so.
What I read ran the gamut, too. It was insanely eclectic, even for me. But rather than me rambling on about how much I read, let’s recap the books instead:
The Journalist and The Murderer by Janet Malcolm. Recommended for those of us who are huge Serial fans, it explored the relationship between a journalist and his subject, using the example of subject who sued the journalist who wrote about him for libel or something like that. I don’t know because I hated the book and I didn’t finish it. I barely remember what I did read. I do remember despising the author of the book, and the tone she set, right off the bat and that probably swayed my ability to finish it. It makes me sad because, being a huge criminal justice nerd, I should love a book like this. But I really just wanted to throw it out a window.
As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes. A sweet book about a classic movie, written by someone who is both proud and humbled to have been a part of it (and he conveys that perfectly in the book without seeming too arrogant. He totally could have crossed that line, too). I love this movie, and have loved this movie, for so long and getting the behind the scenes sneak peek made me love it even more. If you read it for nothing else, read it for the Andre the Giant stories, how Cary Elwes and Mandy Patankin learned to fence, and the sidebar additions from the rest of the cast.
The Adderall Diaries by Stephen Elliott. When I heard about this book, I knew it was right up my fucked up alley. Half memoir, half investigative (sort of) journalism about a murder, I was mesmerized more by the author’s horrible childhood and life in the S&M world than I was by the murder he investigated and reported. The author’s life intrigues me so much I will probably binge read more of his work, even if it’s not autobiographical. I just want to support his career.
Paper Towns by John Green. I read this book in maybe a day and a half, if that much. It was probably more like a few hours but the story stayed with me for days afterwards that it feels like it took longer. Since it’s John Green, you know it’s YA, and the story was similar to Looking for Alaska in that it was a teenage boy obsessed with a teenage girl who goes missing. Except that the ending of this book is haunting, the whole story makes you think, and leaves you both happy and sad. I hope the movie adaptation does it justice. If the adaptation for The Fault in Our Stars is any indication, it will.
The DUFF by Kody Keplinger. So this chick was 17 when the book was published. Which means she was even younger when she wrote it. Given that fact, the shallowness of the story, the mostly superficial characters, and a weird storyline about parental alcoholism that’s only somewhat relevant get a bit of slack. It’s a cute, easy YA read that, had I been in high school when I read it, I probably would have loved it. My adult self was not upset that she read it. However, my adult self is completely displeased with the movie trailers and how they seem to have completely butchered the story. This is why books to movie adaptions have a bad rep.
The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace by Jeff Hobbs. Holy shit, you guys. What a book. If you take out the author injecting himself into part of the story (since he was Rob’s roommate at Yale), and maybe a little bit of the exploitative factor, it was a hell of a book. Jeff Hobbs is a fantastic writer, who was helped by the fact that Rob has a terrible, amazing, and, as the title suggests, tragic story. I don’t even know how to properly summarize the book. It should be it’s own post because I have so many thoughts on it. Even if you don’t like nonfiction, please read this one.
Beyond the Pale Motel by Francesca Lia Block. Another blogger mentioned this one in a Show Us Your Books linkup and I apologize to that person because I can’t remember who it was. And I also apologize because good grief, did I dislike this book. I hated every character, including and especially the main one, it was terribly written, and what made me really dislike it is that the story had so much potential and I felt like she rushed through parts of it just to get to the end which she clearly thought was the big payoff, considering she named the damn book after the ending (trust me, that gives away nothing). It was not a big payoff. It was just ridiculous.
I’m currently finishing Denis Leary’s Why We Suck, Celeste Ng’s Everything I Never Told You, and I have All the Bright Places, You, Ugly Girls, Why We Broke Up, and The Economy of You on tap for next month. We’ll also see what else the library chooses to deliver.
So, tell me, what did you read? Link up below. Nonbloggers, let me know in the comments.
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I’ve now added two more books to my “to read” list. Thank you! (The Adderall Diaries and The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace)
Your positive peer pressure worked.
Erin recently posted…List #21 – I’ll show you my books; you show me yours…
Hahaha! I’m glad it worked! Looking forward to seeing your reviews, too. I think we have similar taste.
Geeze Louise. You and Steph are reading Olympians. Your non fiction picks
Appeal to me. I need to be in the right frame of mine to read tragic stuff. It seems to hurt my soul. I know I can send lights to them, but it is hard for me to read. Good Goddess, the news is hard to read!! Thanks for the reviews. Love, Steph’s Momma
Reading Olympians. I like that.
Robert Peace was sad and hard to read, especially knowing the end before you even start. But I am glad I did read it.
I want to read Everything I Never Told You, I’m #9 on my library wait list so it should be in my hot little hands soon!
Kelli recently posted…Weekending on a Tuesday
Thus far, it’s a great book and I am so glad I am reading it. I reserved it as an eBook so I didn’t have to wait as long. #noshame
I want to read Paper Towns now. The movie trailers for the DUFF is a little weird, I had no idea it was a book. Hmm.
Kerry recently posted…January Books I’ve Read
It was a decent book, especially when you consider her age when she wrote it. There are adults who can’t write like that! I don’t know that I’ll see the movie. Probably when it’s on HBO.
I’m adding Paper Towns to my Goodreads even though I didn’t like John Greene’s 2 other books. Maybe he’ll grow on me. The Adderall Diaries sounds intriguing. I kinda love the dark stuff! Great linkup as always. I seriously look forward to it every month!
lisacng @ expandng.com recently posted…Tweetviews – book reviews in 140 characters
I am so happy to hear that!
I love John Green. I *might* have a small crush on him, too, because he’s hysterical. Looking for Alaska wasn’t his best but I truly enjoyed this book. Hopefully this will be the one to turn you around!
As You Wish is on my to-read list and I’ve heard really positive things about the book. Not forgetting massive fan of The Princess Bride – what a book and film!
The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace has me intrigued. Very intrigued.
Also, holy hell do you consume books! Wish I could manage that.
Jaina recently posted…Project 365: January 2015
I hope you read both! Very different but both excellent.
I do read a ton. It’s like breathing to me. It’s basically the only thing I do every day that I don’t have to put on my to-do list.
Trying to get to that point with an exercise routine/gym going! That’s the trick isn’t it? For anything I guess. Just make it part of your day-to-day.
Jaina recently posted…Project 365: January 2015
Oh I want to read the Princess Bride one, that sounds so interesting!
Julia recently posted…Weekend Recap
It really was! I loved the behind the scenes look and you really got a sense of how much he enjoyed being part of the movie.
One of the first lists where I havent read any! Adding them now!
I love it!! Happy to give you some new, unheard of recommendations!
I have that John Green book on my to-read list and I’m excited to start it. The Adderall Diaries sounds interesting too. Right now I’m reading a mystery book that I was sent and I just finished a business book about prioritizing that I really ended up enjoying. I usually find those types of books a snore but I think I may even write about it.
Karen recently posted…Spotlight On Suzanna Linton: Willows Of Fate
I generally get bored with business books but every once in a while, I’ll find one that I really enjoy.
I adore John Green, and I think the only one of his books I have left is An Abundance of Katherines. I’m looking forward to it.
FINE! You’ve convinced me on the Robert Peace book.
SMD @ Life According to Steph recently posted…Show Us Your Books! – What I read in January
YAY! I hope you like it!
It sucks when a book turns out to be really bad or even just disappointing… I will definitely check a couple of these out, especially the Adderall Diaries. Thanks!
It’s definitely annoying when a book is terrible or disappointing but I guess it’s to be expected. You can’t love everything you pick up! I hope you enjoy The Adderall Diaries!
ahhh my favourite part is your honesty, lol. Paper Towns is on my list to read, as is As you wish (but I want to read the book and rewatch the movie before I read that). Ihave never heard of Robert Pearce, but the goodreads synopsis sounds interesting. I am not a fan of nonfiction. So with those 2 strikes against me, you think I should still read it?
Kristen recently posted…Books Lately
I think you still should read it even if you don’t generally like nonfiction. It’s a fascinating read.