Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns by Lauren Weisberger (#14, Fiction)

I need to start mixing in some quality reads with all these guilty pleasures.

This book felt thin. Throughout you can sort of guess how things are going to shake out at the end, but you're not really sure why, or the motivations, or why things are happening or happened. It's very fairy tale, then messy, and finally fairy tale again, with a twist of simplicity for extremely complicated circumstances.  She basically uses huge gaps in time to explain away the complication... a bit lazy? 

A disappointment after the first book.

2.5 out of 5.

Hush by Kate White (#13, Fiction)

I told you I would read all she has! This one was even better than The Sixes.

3.5 out of 5.

The Sixes by Kate White (#12, Fiction)

I've always been a sucker for a mystery, starting way back when with my trusty Christopher Pike books.  Now, 20+ years later it's still my go-to. Kate White is exactly what I need when I want a guilty pleasure book.  I will read all she's got.

3.5 out of 5.

One Last Thing Before I Go by Jonathan Tropper (#11, Fiction)

I went to the library after This Is Where I Leave You was highly recommended to me. Unfortunately, the hold list was weeks long, so instead I went for another Jonathan Tropper novel.  I'm guessing that Jonathan Tropper has a very distinct voice.  Sort of a more casual, poor man's Jonathan Franzen. The characters are extremely flawed and the story is depressing overall, with humor weaved in for relief.

3.5 out of 5.

Broken Harbor by Tana French (#10, Fiction)

I'm still waiting for the mystery from Tana French's first book, In the Woods, to be solved.  But, in the meantime, I'll enjoy her other mysteries. Not the best, nor the worst of her murder squad series. It was a very dark read touching on the pressures of family life and how things unraveled for a previously happy family when the recession hit Ireland.

4 out of 5.

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell (#9, Fiction)

A book club pick. I tore through this book (my first post Teddy read... I didn't think I would ever read again!).  It was a very easy read and I was happy to ease back in, but it left me unsatisfied.  Upon reflection it felt like I had read a lesser version of a John Hughes movie. Meh.

2 out of 5.

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn (#8, Fiction)

Two years ago I left you with my scathing review of Gone Girl. It took another Gone Girl hater to suggest this book was as much a page-turner and far less infuriating.  I liked this one.  The characters certainly aren't loveable, but it's a messed up story that weaves and winds to an unexpected, but palatable conclusion.

3.5 out of 5.

The Billionaire's Vinegar by Benjamin Wallace (#7, Nonfiction)

I like wine. I like France. I like Thomas Jefferson. I like the idea of a secret stash of centuries old wine being found.  This book, I did not like.  It read like nonfiction for the majority of the time and the list of players and stories became too convoluted and long-winded.  It took me a LONG time to finish this one. Unless you are an extreme wine expert, especially old wine, I wouldn't recommend it.

2 out of 5.

Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos (#6, Fiction)

This was a page-turning, hard to believe, it all ends peachy peachy book.

2 out of 5

The True Story of Hansel and Gretel: A novel of war and survival by Louise Murphy (#5, Fiction)

Another World War II, Nazi book.  Obviously sad, but worth the read.

3.5 out of 5

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter (#4, Fiction)

The best part about this book is that it made me want to spend more time in Italy.  Just look at that cover!  Who wouldn't want to go back?

The story had promise, the writing was well done.  But I just didn't love some of the characters and felt the ending was a bit too perfectly put together. 

But, a good book to read on the beach, or for a quick read to get you back into the swing of reading!

2.5 out of 5.

What Remains: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship & Love by Carole Radziwill (#3, Nonfiction)

A book club pick.  As the opposite of a fan of the Real Housewives shows I was a bit skeptical to hear that the author is currently on the Real Housewives of New York.

Luckily, Carole is actually a very good writer.  Her story unfolded quickly and was definitely one worth telling.  But, that said, oh my god it was sooooo sad. 

3 out of 5.

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson (#2, Fiction)

I was really excited to read this book.  People had been talking about it for months, and I'd been searching the library for it every week until I gave in and just bought it.  For a long vacation this was at the top of the list and I couldn't wait.

I was disappointed.  It took me much longer to get pulled in to the story than I expected, and while I really like the idea of the "sliding doors" plot, it was pretty confusing.  That all being said, I still liked the book but I think my expectations were just way too high. 

And, of course somehow another book choice revolves around WWII, that theme seems to be the most popular in all my book choices lately.

Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, most likely.  But mostly because I want to discuss with them all the things I'm still confused about!

3 out of 5.

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz (#1, Fiction)

I'm a bit delinquent in posting my books for 2014 so far.  I have also been pretty bad about reading regularly, but with my one book a week during Lent challenge I am hoping to get back into the reading swing of things.

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao was complex.  There are just so many characters and so many plot lines that weave in and out of the novel that it's hard to characterize simply.  A combination of a coming of age, mixed with folklore and history, with a twist of love all tied together with the supernatural, and ultimately foreshadowed tragedy.

I feel a bit out of line in saying that I didn't love it.  The reviews were great, it won a Pulitzer, it was recommended with glowing praise, all the right ingredients for a five star read.  At the end of the day I think it just wasn't my cup of tea.  I liked it, I get why it was considered great, the writing is fantastic, but I guess I have to accept that just because something is highly acclaimed doesn't mean I also have to love it.  I can see it for what it is, and move on and be glad that I expanded my novel knowledge.

4 out of 5 stars.