We survived our 50 books in one year challenge. In 2009 we are still reading...

Friday, March 14, 2014

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.