Books of 2018

79 Books 

Won on Goodreads: 15
Nonfiction: 18
Re-reads: 12

I didn't read as many books this year, mainly because I slacked off during the summer. To recharge, I re-read a few of my favorites including Harry Potter, Rainbow Rowell, Born to Run, and The Little Stranger. I didn't have a particular goal and just read whatever, whenever. My biggest departures were books about Van Gogh and the Star Wars novelizations. (I recommend Leia and Phasma. The Aftermath trilogy was not my jam.) All in all, a good year. Looking to diversify a bit more in 2019.

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What I read

Won on Goodreads

Nonfiction and memoirs

Fiction

Did we read any of the same books? Any recommendations? 
And as always, if you're on Goodreads, let's be friends.

Past years: 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017

Books of 2017

87 Books 

Won on Goodreads: 19
Nonfiction: 22
Classics: 0 (who am I?!?!)

I had a slow 2016, so it was nice to get back to top form in 2017. I will admit, working from home allowed me to listen to several audiobooks (almost 30%). So, in a way, I cheated. At least I'm transparent! By the way, I highly recommend listening to audiobook memoirs read by the author.

2017 was a big year for winning books on Goodreads (read: how I do it). My wins, combined with the easy-to-follow-while-working audiobooks, made for a fluffier year of reading than I'm used to. And if I'm honest, watching the news and reading my Twitter feed stressed me out so I shied away from sad stories or dystopian futures.

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What I read

2017 Goodreads Wins

Memoirs and Nonfiction

Fiction and Graphic Novels

Did we read any of the same books? Any recommendations? 
And as always, if you're on Goodreads, let's be friends.

Past years: 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016

How to Win Books on Goodreads

Books I've won this year

I've been posting my Goodreads wins on Instagram and Twitter and keep getting the same question: "How do you win so many books?" It's true. I've won a lot of books in the second half of 2017. I've won 43 books since 2009, 12 of those since June 2017. So how do I do it?

1. Join Goodreads. You must have an account to win. 
2. Rate and review a bunch of books. Keep track of your reading throughout the year and make yourself a power user. You can't win books if you don't read. 
3. Enter a TON of giveaways. You can find Giveaways by clicking "Browse" > "Giveaways" from the top menu. This is the most important step. I have entered 3,450 giveaways and won 43 books (.012%). So, no, I'm not lucky. I enter a ton. I took a long break from giveaways, but in the past 4 months I've done a good job entering giveaways while we watch TV on Sunday night. I enter at least 25-50 and it keeps me from mindlessly scrolling sites like Facebook. 
4.  Enter giveaways of 25 copies or more. I enter one copy giveaways if I'm genuinely interested in reading a book, but lately I concentrate on the big giveaways. If there are 100 books your chances are obviously higher. I will say, I've stopped entering giveaways for books that look absolutely terrible (see #5). 
5. Read and review the books you win. Kind of like #2, but my BRF (best reading friend) Tricia and I have a theory that you have a better chance of winning more books if you read and review the ones you've won. There have been a few times where I've hated the book and didn't make it all the way through. I still reviewed it.  

This is completely unscientific. These tricks may or may not work for you. If you want to be friends on Goodreads, here's my profile.

Books of January 2017

Oh shoot. I almost forgot my January book round up! Our move is under way and we're currently decluttering, donating, and prepping our house for sale (we don't move for a few weeks). My brain is fried and I'm exhausted. But back to January...

It was my final month of work (11 years at the same place yada yada) and it was mostly filled with backing up files and going away bar outings. Luckily, I got out of town a few times: Athens, OH for a trail ultra documentary (with Devon Yanko) and DC for...things. Alex also went out of town- and got his upcoming job in Bozeman. Beyond travel and work, I ran a few races and somehow managed to keep up on my reading (/audiobook-ing). Without further ado...

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The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan
Rating: 4 / 5
I ended up listening to most of this on audiobook instead of reading and I'm glad I did. First, it's divided into five parts and is overly long. And second, the narrator had different voices for each character, which is always impressive.

Part one was really fun and did a great job setting the scene for friendship and romance. I dug Bex's time at Oxford, even if it's a little unrealistic she'd magically find herself in such an exclusive circle. And if you haven't heard, this is obvious Kate/William fanfic (names changed, characters edited). Some similarities were striking, but I think the authors handled the intersection of real and fake pretty well. Unfortunately, each part got a little slower and less interesting. Luckily Freddie (Harry) was there to liven things up while Nick was away.

I eye rolled the few obvious reveals (view spoiler) and Lacey. Move back to America and get your own life, grrrrl. The final section was also infuriating because it felt so manufactured. After 8 (?) years of being together (minus a break) we're supposed to believe there would be doubt the day before? Blah. I would have liked more about Bex finding her footing. She got pretty boring by the end.

Despite anything negative in the review above, I'll continue to read any book the Fug Girls release. They're funny ladies.

I'll Take You There by Wally Lamb
Rating: 4 / 5
I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
I have a few Wally Lamb books on my to-read shelf at home, but kept avoiding them because they are really long, so I was relieved to see this book wasn't. I got into the story immediately - probably because the main character's daughter is roughly my age. I liked the set up, the setting, and Felix's memories.

I wasn't wild about the "supernatural" element. In fact, I think it could have been omitted altogether. Felix could have taken a trip down memory lane prompted by his daughter's assignment. The trip could have veered slightly and covered Verna's story (via diary?) and I think he could have come across Lois Weber during his film school research. Oh well.

Despite my complaint, I enjoyed reading this and I appreciated the intention. Sometimes it's hard for me to read women-centric lit written by a man, but Wally Lamb did a great job. And many of the women's issues he discussed are, once again, timely (which I can't believe I'm saying in 2017!).

You Can't Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain by Phoebe Robinson
Rating: 4 / 5
I ended up listening to most of this, but it'd be fine to read, too. The audiobook is read by the author, which is my preference in a memoir / essay collection.

I enjoyed the intersection of feminism, pop culture, race, and humor. I'd recommend to anyone who's read and enjoyed Roxane Gay or comedienne memories. Standout sections include "Uppity," "Casting Calls...," and "The Angry Black Woman Myth." She breaks down some infuriating situations with class.

I'll ding it one star for the "Letters to Olivia" section. It didn't seem as polished as the rest.

Finders Keepers (Bill Hodges Trilogy #2) by Stephen King
Rating: 4 / 5I flew through this book when I had time to read, but it's not as good as the first one. Probably because Hodges isn't in it for over half of the book. I did enjoy the stories of Peter and Morris and that ending (very, very end / last page) was kind of.... interesting. I jumped into the next one (halfway finished as of today).

Casanova, Volume 1: Luxuria by Matt Fraction
Rating: 3.5 / 5I liked it... then I didn't... then I liked it again. Honestly, I think it bugged me early on how sexual the sister was with her brother. Beyond that, the art was great and the story was bizarre (which I enjoyed). I feel like this would make a good cartoon like Æon Flux (NOT the movie).

Casanova, Volume 2: Gula by Matt Fraction
Rating: 4 / 5
Lordy, I almost wanted to make a chart, diagram, or SOMETHING to make the timelines more tangible (before and during this set). And, gosh golly, I think you need a Masters in Comics to really GET THIS on a deeper level. This is a pretty good review, especially re: the art and references to other works.

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As always, these reviews were taken from my Goodreads. For past months, click here.

What's the last book you read?

What are you looking forward to reading? 

Books of 2016

56 Books 

Won on Goodreads: 8
Non-fiction: 11
Classics: 6

My original goal was 55 books, which is much lower than normal. Thank goodness I set a low goal, because I barely reached it. I don't know what happened in 2016, but I read 20 less than 2015 and nearly 40 less than 2014! I will say, I concentrated on quality over quantity and abandoned a few books I couldn't get in to.

I read three Jane Austen novels (Emma, Northanger Abbey, and Persuasion) and have one more to go to complete the set (Mansfield Park). I'm surprised I hadn't finished Emma before, but think I mistook memorizing the movies as reading the book. I read another Thomas Hardy book this year (Far from the Madding Crowd) and continue to consider him, Austen, and Willa Cather as a few of my favorite authors.

What I read

(click month for titles and reviews)

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

If you're still reading, did we read any of the same books? Any recommendations? 
And as always, if you're on Goodreads, let's be friends.

Past years: 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015

Books of December 2016

I'm going to do my year in review post in a moment, but here is a quick look at my December books. I pumped up the (reading) volume in December, but it didn't take me over 60 books for the year. Whoops. (Luckily, my goal was 55.)

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Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple
Rating: 4 / 5
Eleanor is an interesting character and I could see how some won't enjoy reading about her. I found her entertaining and was happy she surrounded herself with such nice men (/and Timby). She says the things you (I) think, but gets into situations that are a bit embarrassing (luckily not too uncomfortable to read about).

I loved the artwork for The Flood Girls and I liked that side of Eleanor's character. The second section was also an interesting departure from Seattle. The final part with her husband was a surprise, but I didn't mind it. Good for him.

The one thing I truly hated was related to Yo-Yo! I couldn't stop thinking about him and it bothered me so much! Thankful for the resolution.

Best. State. Ever.: A Florida Man Defends His Homeland by Dave Barry
Rating: 4 / 5
I won this (audiobook) in a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway. 

First, the narrator was not great. He got better as it went, but his speaking style was stilted. Occasionally a New York-type accent came out, which I actually enjoyed more. (He also reads a lot of crime novels and best sellers, to which I think he must be better suited.)

I wish Dave Barry had narrated his own book. I heard him talking about the book on NPR after I entered the giveaway, so what a happy coincidence when I won! I've read his work before and I'm pretty sure my mom liked(/s) him, so maybe I've actually heard him read his own stuff.

Anyway, this was a funny look at silly situations in Florida, along with a handful of touristy stops. He hit some old, some new, but all weird. I enjoyed the section in The Village and the mermaid place (which I looked up, then spent a while reading the mermaid bios).

This was a good listen during work.

If I Could Turn Back Time by Beth Harbison
Rating: 5 / 5
I won this in a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway. 

This was my second book by Harbison and I enjoyed it even more than the first. What could have been an eye-rolling chick lit novel about a women waking up 18 again, was well done: humorous and smart. I liked that the main character, Ramie, was self-aware (as much as you can be in this situation) and used her financial-analyst logic to try to figure out her situation.

There were times where I thought I knew where it was going – and I guess I ultimately figured it out, but only a few chapters from the end – but overall, the story was even better than I expected. I enjoyed Ramie revisiting her past. I can't imagine waking up at 18 and having to go back to school for a few days. Nightmare. (Mainly because I, too, can't remember my schedule)

Anyway, this was a pleasant surprise. Maybe not a "best book ever" 5 star, but I flew through it and didn't groan once. That's a huge milestone for me lately!

The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer
Rating: 3 / 5 
I'm so glad I listened to the audiobook. I don't think I would have enjoyed this without Amy Schumer's narration.

I would say this fits between Mindy Kaling's (low) and Tina Fey's (high) memoirs. I appreciated the organization of topics/essays. They flowed nicely. Schumer is silly sometimes, but honestly this book isn't funny. She deals with some "heavy" topics including her father's illness (MS), divorce, cheating, abuse, and gun violence. It was a bit too raunchy for my taste because the sex talk really seemed to be there just to further her "persona" - which she also fights against. Her stance isn't consistent: "I'm not a slut!"/"Here's a chapter about my vagina and what's been in it!" "I'm not into weird sex stuff"/"Here's a weird sex thing I did."

Again, it was entertaining, but I had a hard time figuring out how I feel about Amy Schumer. On one hand, I'm glad she can be herself and she's a different type of female celebrity (not here to please everyone). On the other hand, I wish she'd calm down. She'd speak of her confidence and make lists about how awesome she is, but instead of sounding insufferable OR confident, it sort of came across as desperate. Like, "see how cool I am despite what the internet says??" I wish she'd just own it. Maybe in her next book!

Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed
Rating: 4 / 5
I have no idea why I got this, but I'm glad I did. At first, I didn't enjoy it. I think that's because the first section was full of drugs and emotional and sexual abuse. I thought Sugar's way of answering questions with a story of her own was odd - almost as if she was trying to prove just how wild her life was. But then something clicked. Duh. Those backstories made the advice less "do this" and more "have you considered this?"

I recommend the audiobook. I don't think I would have gotten through the book. The author is the narrator, which is always good with personal non-fiction. She's had a crazy full life (you've read/seen Wild, right?) but she's a decent person and she gives great advice. And I really appreciated when she called people out on their bullshit (A Big Life). She's sympathetic, she states the obvious, and she made me feel like I could stand to live a little!

Don't I Know You? by Marni Jackson
Rating: 3.5 / 5
I won this in a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway. 

Based on the summary, I thought this would be kind of goofy, but it wasn't. The collection of short stories follows Rose through her life as she encounters several (famous) storytellers. Marni Jackson is a great writer, so it was easy to fall into Rose's world.

The first half was so well done and felt real, but about halfway through the stories began to get a little absurd (Keith Richards, Van Morrison, Margaret Atwood, Leonard Cohen...) -- mainly focusing on celebrities in new careers, trying to live outside of the spotlight. I kept reading, even if I had to suspend my disbelief and wondered if we'd find out Rose was dreaming/ in a dissociative fugue during that last half... but it wrapped up so nicely in the end, I guess she wasn't. (Or was she?)

I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes the celebrities mentioned in the summary or enjoys short story collections with a unifying theme. My favorite encounters were John Updike, Joni Mitchell, Bill Murray, Meryl Streep, Charlotte Rampling, and even Agnes and Jimi. Gwyneth and Adam Driver made me laugh.

I Feel Bad about My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman by Nora Ephron
Rating: 4 / 5
I enjoyed this more than Heartburn, probably because she could be honest (not hidden behind her fictional account) and jump around between topics.

Nora Ephron was a funny lady. Sad to say was because the last essay is about life's lessons, how friends are dying around her, and what happens in the end. Despite that semi-sad ending, there were several passages that made me laugh out loud. I especially enjoyed her rants about staying pretty (glad I don't live in NYC), the beginning of her essay on modern parenting ("blame the backlash against the women's movement..." -- I see where she's coming from!), and her long story about her beloved apartment.

Short, but sweet. I kind of want a cabbage strudel.

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As always, these reviews were taken from my Goodreads. For past months, click here.

What's the last book you read?

What are you looking forward to reading? 

Books of November 2016

Happy last day of November! Life slowed down a bit – or maybe my books got fluffier – but I was able to maintain a quicker reading pace. My last book of the month took eons, but I'll let it slide because it was somewhat entertaining (more below).

This month was full of ups and downs. Personal ups: work slowed down and I had more time than normal to relax, our house is clean and decorated for Christmas, we went on a mini trip to Indianapolis, I ran through several parks, we met up with friends, and Thanksgiving was lovely. The downs of this month were related to news: post-election politics, the OSU attack earlier this week, and the Tennessee fires. Sometimes it's tough to balance your own lovely life with the bleak news of the world without feeling too selfish. I'm not sure this is an appropriate intro for my monthly book post, but there it is...

Anyway, on to the books I read:

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What Light by Jay Asher

Review: 4 / 5

It's been a long time since I've read a normal, non sci-fi or scary missing girls YA novel. To compare it to something else, this felt similar to a Sarah Dessen book. It was a nice Christmas-y setting without being over the top cheesy. The main character was grating at times, but honestly, what teenager isn't? I didn't love this, but I obviously liked it enough to read it in one day. I think it's more of a 3.5, but I'll round up because I want the author to keep writing books. ;)

Replica by Lauren Oliver 

Review: 4 / 5

This book had an interesting structure: you can read Lyra's story, then Gemma's (or vice versa), or you can read them each one chapter at a time. I went the chapter at a time route so the story would be fresh in my mind. I liked the concept of this one. I'm not 100% sure about the ending and would have liked to hear more from Gemma's parents, but you know, I really appreciate that this wasn't another YA trilogy. I suppose there are similarities between this and other sci-fi stories, but I think it would make a good movie or even a show.

P.S. Grrrrr since I read this it's been changed to "Replica #1" on Goodreads which means it is, in fact, a series. 

Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier
Review: 4 / 5

As always, Telgemeier's books are beautifully illustrated and this one is no exception. The theme is a bit odd for me after her memoirs and Drama, but I went with it. It was a heavy background for a story about ghosts, and I'm not sure I suspended disbelief or understand how Maya will end up, but I respect the author's path. Unfortunately, there are several negative reviews on Goodreads that make me wonder if I'm uninformed and should be offended by this story (using Day of the Dead as a basis). I'd be curious to see what others think.

Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson 

Review: 4.5 / 5 

I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. 

I enjoyed this mystery/thriller and would have finished it sooner had I the time. It moved quickly and I appreciated the storytelling structure. I feel like some authors set themselves up for failure with symmetrical chapters from multiple narrators, but this was a a nice variety with the omniscient narrator following various characters over different timelines. I thought the mystery unraveled nicely, and while I wasn't completely shocked in the last third, it was a solid story. One of the best novels I've won in a Goodreads giveaway. 

It Gets Worse: A Collection of Essays by Shane Dawson

Review: 2.5 / 5 

I didn't know who this guy was, but his book was a nominee for the Goodreads best of 2016, so when I saw it at the library in Indianapolis, I picked it up on a whim. It only took a few hours to read and I loved the artwork at the beginning of each chapter. 

I don't know if you need to read his first book to love this, but I was able to get a decent grasp of this guy after a few stories. He's a YouTube star and "director." I enjoyed his last essay about ignoring critics and doing your thing. Unfortunately his "thing" is not my jam, but it obviously works for lots of teens/true millennials, so you do you, Shane. 

P.S. A blurb on the back compared him to David Sedaris. Not yet, but if he works on his writing, maybe someday!

The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer

Review: 3 / 5

Technically, this was well-written and well-researched, so I'll give those elements a 5. But it took me forever to get through. It went fast when I actually read, but I found myself avoiding it. In fact, it's now overdue from the library. 

Regardless of my laziness, it is a good book, but there was something missing. I kind of felt the same with The Host. Clinical tone, one-dimensional characters, with hyper-realistic details related to the main character's field of study. Say what you will about Twilight, but I flew through those books because I had to know what would happen. (The last few movies sucked, by the way.) I never felt that urgency with this book. It's been compared to the Bourne Identity and I get it because that was another book I found pretty lifeless and dry. And like BI, I think this would make a better movie or even TV series. 

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As always, these reviews were taken from my Goodreads. For past months, click here.

What's the last book you read?
What are you looking forward to reading? 

Books of August – October 2016

It's been a few months since my last book post. I usually prepare monthly round-ups, but life got crazy (mainly work) and my reading took a hit. In year's past I've been able to read through the craziness, but I'm not sure why I wasn't able to do that this time. I think because I tried to read books I didn't care about just because they were "must reads" or short. I abandoned 2 books during September and I don't regret it one bit. (I've listed one below because I made it more than halfway. I dropped another around page 50.)

I'm at 43 books for the year, which is much lower than normal. I will more than likely hit my base 52 books a year goal, but I will not reach 75–90 as in year's past. Oh well.

I'm currently reading Lauren Oliver's Replica, which I'm enjoying. I've won 4 books on Goodreads in the past month, so I will slowly make my way through those. I also plan to buy the second book in Stephen King's Bill Hodges trilogy.

Without further ado, here are the books I finished between August and October:

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August

A Woman's Guide to the Wild: Your Complete Outdoor Handbook by Ruby McConnell
Review: 5 / 5
This is a great guide to the outdoors that works for beginners and advanced outdoorswomen alike (probably more of a refresher for the latter). There are helpful illustrations throughout and the content is divided into chunks by topic. The author is very thorough, especially with her packing lists and map reading tutorials. There are also stories and tips from experts (all female, of course). Most importantly, she dives into what can be embarrassing issues for women while camping. I was very pleased with this book and recommend it to anyone with a passing interest in hiking and camping.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, John Tiffany
Review: 3 / 5
J.K. Rowling did not write this. Yes, she outlined the story and had final approval on the stage production, but this was so cheesy she couldn't have possibly written a bit of dialog (minus what came from the books).

I kind of enjoyed it. I think I'd like it more as a movie or play (probably play so I wouldn't focus on new actors. I did imagine Hermione as the new actress, so I suppose I was subconsciously keeping my original trio (head trio, not movie trio) separate from this new, older set.)

The dialog was painfully trite at times. I didn't feel like any of the characters (minus maybe Ron) sounded like real people. 13 year old boys do not have deep conversations about feelings and friendships -- something JKR MASTERED with Harry and Ron. It was to the point where I wondered, are Albus and Scorpius in to each other? (Which would be fine, but they weren't!)

I love the world of Harry Potter and this felt like fan fiction. There were major plot holes and conveniences that work well in a film or on stage due to time constraints, but the gaps are hard to accept when you're made to believe J.K. Rowling wrote a story (she didn't! she didn't! she... etc) I have a whole list of things I liked/didn't like on Goodreads. There are spoilers. YEESH. Lots of feelings.

September

A Shoe Addict's Christmas by Beth Harbison
Review: 3.5 / 5
I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.  First off, if Hallmark or Lifetime doesn't scoop up the rights to this story they're doing it wrong. It's your classic lonely girl/works too hard/hates the holidays story with a guardian angle. I thought it'd be a direct A Christmas Carol rip-off, but there was a twist to the flashbacks that I enjoyed. Definitely predictable and obviously written very quickly (lots of typos, some inconsistencies), but some scenes were really great that you can tell Harbison is a good writer.

You don't need to read the Shoe Addicts series to get into this book (I haven't read them and it seems like those characters are on the sideline here).

Wildflower by Drew Barrymore
Review: 2 / 5
I chose the audiobook and well, ... I like Drew Barrymore and enjoy when celebrities read their memoirs, but man, she was a little over the top. It felt like listening to that SNL monologue about her family members (others speaking in the famous DB voice). It was all too much. Combined with her surprisingly mundane stories and her periodic screaming re: aha moments and I had to peace out about a third of the way through. I was going to finish since I only had 4 more hours, but a friend (T) said, "why do you like to torture yourself?" and I didn't have a good response. So, I stopped.

The Girls by Emma Cline
Review: 4 / 5
This book held my interest and went quickly (which was welcome after almost a month of inactivity). It was an interesting look at true events under a new name; to see how someone could get sucked into the community and ideals. I felt bad for the girls. I'm glad I didn't know what the book was about before I started it, though I don't think knowing would have kept me from reading. Just glad it was a surprise.

Emma by Jane Austen

Review: 4.5 / 5 

Minus Pride & Prejudice, Emma is the Austen novel I know the best, but for some reason when I went to read it this summer, I could not get into it. I took a break during August and came back in September, finally interested.

I thought Emma was a bit insufferable in the beginning (maybe a mix between her snobbery to R. Martin and because I wasn't in the mood to read about her), but it was fun to watch her evolve. Happy to report Frank Churchill has a much larger role here vs. in the 1990-whatever movie, though he is a bit insufferable, too (of course). Overall, another lovely Austen book. I felt like I got to know the townspeople and am thankful I don't have to spend time with Mrs. Elton. Oh, and My Knightley was great, but I needed time to get over the nearly 20 YEAR AGE DIFFERENCE. ;)

October

Sense & Sensibility (The Austen Project #1) by Joanna Trollope
Review: 3 / 5 
After reading Eligible I decided to go back and read the other Austen Project books from the beginning. The real Sense and Sensibility is a bit boring, but I still enjoyed it.

Where Eligible excelled in making the Bennet siblings look lazy, but not completely useless, I felt like the Dashwood women –minus Elinor, of course– were insufferable. (Honestly, in this version Elinor is also insufferable from her martyrdom, but at least I understand that she's trying to help her family.) Bringing Marianne into the modern age is tough. She's gorgeous and bohemian, but she's also sickly and laaaaaazy. She's supposed to be a passionate balance to Elinor's suppressed feelings, but she kind of came across as a rock dragging the family down with her selfishness. This is also kind of true in the original S&S, but because of the 1810 setting you don't really wonder why Marianne doesn't have a job or a better doctor.

Despite not liking the main lady characters very much, the side characters were great. I wish someone would have punched Fanny, but they took the high road. Bill Brandon needed a little work (is he old? hot?), but I was happy every time he reappeared. Edward's portrayal, on the other hand, honestly seemed to rely on Hugh Grant's character in the movie because he was pretty underdeveloped and described in the same manner you'd describe HG in any of his 90s roles.

(Ack - this is getting long.) In summary: not as good as the source material because it didn't modernize well. Eligible seemed to handle it better, but maybe that's because Pride & Prejudice is a more familiar story.

Mr. Mercedes (Bill Hodges Trilogy #1) by Stephen King
Review: 5 / 5 
Great book. Can't really say too much without ruining the plot, but I enjoyed the villain and side characters. I'm looking forward to the other installments in the series. If I had time, I would have read this in one sitting.

A side note to non-SK readers: his recent books are mysteries and thrillers vs. horror.

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As always, these reviews were taken from my Goodreads. For past months, click here.

What's the last book you read?
What are you looking forward to reading? 

Books of July 2016

July was a jam-packed month of travel, fun outings, out of town visitors, and so much productivity. I checked off many to-do list items (that have been looming for about two years - yikes). Reading took a bit of a back seat, but I'm pleased that I'm getting back into classic literature. And like last month, most of my reading took place walking to and from work.

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Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Review: 4–4.5 / 5

I thought this was good (and funnier than a normal JA book), but I didn't love it. Catherine was a clueless, but well-intentioned main character. It was interesting to ponder the age difference (/level of maturity) between Catherine and Anne in Persuasion. The only downside to reading Persuasion so recently: I sometimes confused which side characters were in Bath! Didn't happen often, but enough to be amusing. 

I enjoyed the eventual scenes at Northanger, but it felt like it took a long while to get there (though the beginning of the book is great for different reasons). I suppose in the end, I wasn't in love with the last few chapters and the direct address at the end. It was funny (and at least JA did it a few times before), but it kind of felt like, "I'm tired of writing this book, here's the end" -- Which honestly isn't very different from her abrupt post-engagement endings in all other books, just more straightforward. Hmmm... maybe I liked this more than I thought. 

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

Review 3.5–4 /5

First, I "got" it and very much appreciate the themes of hypocrisy, "innocence," and group-think. I think May is a great character and enjoyed how Newland seemed to think she was naive, when in fact she understood (better than him). Despite my admiration for the theme and message (and I actually loved the "controversial" ending!) it took me eons to finish. I'd fall asleep after a few pages and the majority of my progress was made on walks to/from work. I glazed over at times and - this is important - never once did I truly believe the love between Newland and Ellen. Perhaps it's because I kept imagining Michelle Pfeiffer as Ellen. I hope she surprises me in the movie version because as gorgeous as she is I cannot believe she was the best actress for the part. Perhaps the casting director didn't read the character descriptions for the ladies... (though, as a die-hard Winona Ryder fan, she seems perfect for May even if she isn't tall and fair-haired. I'm a hypocrite.) 

Anyway, I'm glad I read it and I think the last two chapters saved it for me (the dinner party, the afterwards), but this was not my favorite Edith Wharton book.

You Will Know Me by Megan Abbott

Review: 4 / 5

This was entertaining - I flew through it, but I think it's time for Megan Abbott to try something new. Yes, it was from an adult's perspective, but the world was similar to The Fever and -especially- Dare Me. The mysterious sense of dread and odd lapses of memory reminded me of The End of Everything. I'd still recommend this, but I think I'm getting a little tired of the repetition. Having said that, I suppose it's sometimes nice to know what you're getting in to?

There's a good review on here that likens MA books to a feeling of dread in the pit of your stomach, and I agree. She never paints a pretty picture and I rarely root for her characters (minus Drew).

The Gingerbread Girl by Stephen King
Review: 2 / 5

I listened to the audiobook after I read about it on Fairytales and Fitness. Not my favorite Stephen King story. In fact, I thought it was a little too basic (and why was the guy so evil??). When I saw it was a short story for Esquire magazine AND written during the time he wrote Duma Key it made a lot more sense. Sure, it only takes a few hours to get through, but if you're looking for a great Stephen King story set in Florida read Duma Key. Far superior. (Though it's about 15x longer...)

Sellsville : circa 1900 by Carl H. Weisheimer
Review: 4 / 5
(I borrowed this book from my mechanic.) It was written in 1971 by my work landlord's uncle and deals with the Columbus area in which I live and work (no longer referred to as Sellsville). The name came from the Sells Brothers circus which wintered in the area  and my house stands on their old farm land. I had fun imagining how the area looked in the early 1900s and enjoyed the anecdotes (murder mystery, bar fights, building locations, family tales), but one of the most interesting parts of the book was finding out the area was very integrated. In fact, the local school was called the "Polka Dot School" because of the even mix of whites and blacks. There's a good section on the Mill (where I work), but a big chunk of the book is devoted to the Sells Brothers circus. There was a quick write up about the book and neighborhood in the Columbus Dispatch in 2013 along with a photo of the Mill and my landlords. Anyway, this book is out of print and I don't really expect people outside of Columbus to care, but it was an interesting read, nonetheless. 

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As always, these reviews were taken from my Goodreads. For past months, click here.

What did you read in July?

What are you reading now?

Friday Five: I illustrated a book!

Welcome to another Friday Five with Mar, Courtney, and Cynthia! Since this week is a Free Friday so I thought I'd talk about something a bit different: illustrating a children's book! 

Background 
The short chapter book (ages 6-11) is titled Princess Bella and the Dragon's Charm and it was written by Pete Planisek. He's written other short stories and novels – including a Frankenstein series– so a kid's books was a bit of a departure from his normal, gothic fare. I came on board after he'd tried out a few other illustrators. I used to draw all the time for work [portfolio sample], but nowadays I do more analytical documentation, so it was good to get back to artsy stuff.

Fancy author photo

Learning Experiences
Content Creation:
When we began working together I was traveling a lot for work and had freelance clients. It was tough to find time for drawing. Additionally, I truly believe in the phrase "if you don't use it, you lose it." My drawing skills had all but vanished in the years my job took a turn from art to planning. After several months of very little progress I finally hit my stride. We're going to work on a second children's book and I think it will be a smoother process (on my end) and I will produce better and more engaging art.

Chapter 4 evolution: version 1 vs. version 4 (click to enlarge)

Some promotional bookmarks

Layout + eBook:
For now, the book is an eBook. Pete is looking to publish physical copies as early as fall. Physical copies will allow library and classroom purchasing, giveaways, and lead to more in-store events. I'm looking forward to a physical book so we have more control over the layout. One thing about eBooks: you have to be very flexible with the layout to allow for different fonts, font sizes, and even page color. I did not lay out the eBook version, so I don't have any tips or tricks, but I am looking forward to seeing how the physical copy layout progresses. I have an InDesign file of how I want it to look, but we'll see what's truly possible! (I will post an update when physical copies are available.)

Release Party
On April 14 we had a book release at Barnes and Noble. Pete talked about his process and how this book differs from his others, while I gave a little insight into illustration (3:45). By the way, Pete broke his foot just before the release!

Freebies
We're in the process of creating an activity bundle to go along with Princess Bella and the Dragon's Charm. In the meantime, we have a few coloring pages and mazes for download.

Download PDF

Buying the (e)Book
The eBook is available for purchase on Amazon | Barnes and Noble | eJunkie
For more information, visit Enceladus Literary.

Books of June 2016

June was a fairly low key month. We ran a trail race, volunteered at a beer event, and I participated in a lot of group runs. We also bought a new mattress, moved our bedroom to a cooler room, and I made baby steps in my clutter removal. In addition to decent life progress, I read some good books. I think I'm getting back into classic lit (I'm in the middle of Northanger Abbey right now), which is a pleasant surprise because 2015 was a classic lit drought. Without further ado....

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Hansons Half-Marathon Method by Luke Humphrey, Keith Hanson (Contributor), Kevin Hanson

Review: 4 / 5

Easy to read and I'd recommend to anyone looking to amp up their training. 

I skimmed some areas (gear, race day prep) and focused on the science behind the plan, workouts, and paces to use. Currently, I'm in the first month of my 18 week plan. The milage is high for a half marathon schedule. I do believe goals can and will be reached if one adheres to the plan (which is based on cumulative fatigue), but I'm not quite sure if I want to devote my free time this summer to training (and it may not sync up with my running group's workouts). I think the basis is solid and if followed to a T, I think a PR is almost guaranteed. 

My only gripe: I think Hanson's could use one more plan between Just Finish and Beginner. Just Finish is too bare bones and the Beginner is already a big jump in milage and feels more Intermediate. Based on the plan descriptions I should use Advanced, but there is no way I can fit in that kind of milage and maintain sanity. I'll do a recap of my Hanson's experience when I finish. 

Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

Review: 3 / 5

First off (before I rip it apart), this was well written and I was able to get through it quickly. I enjoyed reading it, even if parts made me mad. 

Unfortunately, I hate-read the last bit. I'll try to avoid spoilers, but there were a few things that nearly ruined the story for me. First, it was so similar to a Stephen King short I just read in Full Dark, No Stars. Second, Helen being helpful. Why all of the sudden? Third, it was unnecessarily graphic. Some scenes felt like they were added for shock value. We get it, he's nuts. Fourth, Claire was so unlikable near the end. Her (saint) sister took on so much and to be forced into hard labor after everything is absolutely ridiculous. [My Goodreads review had a spoiler that I've removed.]

Ultimately, this brought on my post-Gone Girl genre fatigue. I read a lot of similar books last year (multi narrator, time shifts, twists and turns, so much violence against women, etc) and I still feel icky. What made Gone Girl (and other Flynn books) so good was the lead character taking control (even the meek Dark Places girl). And Amazing Amy wasn't a victim. These girl-thriller books are getting grosser and grosser. No longer mysteries, but almost glorifying torture and rape. Yikes. Oh, and the last chapter from the dad's journal was creepy. Get a grip dude. Kids grow up. 

Persuasion by Jane Austen

Review: 5 / 5

I gave this a low rating in 2008. I wonder if I actually read it or if I listened to a BBC drama and considered myself informed. Either way, it's good. Not the best ever, but better than 90% of books I read so I'll keep it at a 5. Anne Elliot is another great protagonist. I'd write more, but this is a classic and really speaks for itself. 

Hit Reset: Revolutionary Yoga for Athletes by Erin Taylor

Review: 5 / 5

I found out about Jasyoga through Oiselle (of course) and by extension Erin Taylor's book Hit Reset. I'm not a yogi, nor have I participated in a yoga class. I've done some free yoga before a 10k and tried to follow YouTube videos, but I don't keep up with it even though I've enjoyed it in the past. 

This book is a great collection of pre- and post- workout stretches. They're quick, easy, and effective. I don't often have time to find my zen, so it was nice to pick up the book and get going. There are great descriptions and introductions, but my favorite part of the book is the full-color photo-based layout. I appreciate the work that went into getting various athletes (and the author) to demonstrate each move. I also like that it's divided into regions. So far, it's been a great guide for someone like me who has a casual interest in periodic deep stretching.

When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka
Review: 4.5 / 5

This is a book I've had for a while, but was too afraid to read in case it was super dry and depressing. It is sad, of course, but told in a straightforward manner which makes it a relatively quick read for such a heavy topic. I was thankful for the different perspectives and divided sections of the story. The writing is simple, but well done. 

Alex and I talked about Japanese internment after I finished and each confessed to learning very little about it during our World War II units in school. I hope schools are reading this (or something similar) these days.

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As always, these reviews were taken from my Goodreads. For past months, click here.

What did you read in June?

What are you reading now?

Books of May 2016

After a big book fail in April, I pulled myself together and read six books in May! It felt great to plow through most of these stories in a single day, but it was also lovely to spend my walks to work reading some classic literature (Far From the Madding Crowd). Once upon a time, I'd read one classic novel for every three or four new releases/YA novels, but I fell off the wagon. I think Thomas Hardy has convinced me to get back into books from 1860-1910 (my favorite novel era). Besides books, I had a bit of running burnout in May, so perhaps that gave me extra time for reading?

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Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
Review: 4 / 5

It took me a while to get into the story, but once I did it went fast...er. I didn't fly through it, but it held my attention. Unfortunately, I can't say much because there are so many spoilers, but it's definitely a weird story. I'm sorry... I really can't say any more. I think it could make an interesting movie, but they'd have to shorten it quite a bit. 

Patience by Daniel Clowes

Review: 5 / 5 Maybe not a true 5 (AKA "best ever"), but it was an exciting read with great art. I always think Daniel Clowes artwork is beautiful (and weird), but Patience has some impressive full page spreads. I didn't see where the story was going in the beginning, but once I got about a third of the way in, I was hooked. I read this in a few hours (and it only took that long because I had to go to work). This is a good mix of themes from Clowes' other books and the sci-fi story was helped along by his strange art. He does a great job mixing hyper-realism, bright colors, and gritty subject matter/characters. I'd recommend this to someone looking for a great overview of Clowe's storytelling and art.

I Was a Teenage Fairy by Francesca Lia Block 

Review: 4 / 5I've had this book for years, but put off reading it because of the title. I love Francesca Lia Block books and haven't read one in quite a while. It was nice to get back into her world (and I'm thankful I took a break - I read too many in a row). Usually her LA is like a dream world - even if dark things happen under the surface. In this story, the darkness was always there and LA not so dreamy. Mab was an interesting addition and I liked how she did/did not appear to others. I was able to finish this book in one evening, so it obviously held my interest.

Summerlost by Ally Condie 

Review: 5 / 5

Such a great book and fast read. At first, I was so against every setup: "ugh I don't want to read about this!" "Don't get a job!" etc... But a page later I'd forget my complaints. Just so good. I would have liked this when I was 12, too. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a good, summer read. 

Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld
Review: 4.5 / 5

At first, I was skeptical. Why on earth was Curtis Sittenfeld writing a Pride and Prejudice knock-off? I've read three of her books, so I know she's good. And even if sometimes I don't love her characters, I always tear through her books. 

One of my favorite sub-genres (or whatever you want to call it) is P&P retellings, so I've become a partial expert. And lately, the stories were getting stale or outright ruined the characters Austen created. (Death Comes to Pemberley wins as the worst fanfiction written by a respectable author ever.... Oh wait never mind, that honor goes to Longbourn; where they managed to ruin Mr. Bennet AND make Wickham way too creepy.) As you can see, I had some doubts going in. 

While it's not perfect, I flew through the book in less than a day. I finished it as soon as I possibly could. Liz Bennet is great - flaws and all - and I enjoyed this version of Darcy. I laughed as each character was introduced and each time the plot aligned with P&P I was delighted. Of course, the author had to change some things to make it more modern and cut out some side characters/plots, but I thought the changes suited the story. Again, it wasn't flawless, but it held my attention and I think it's a great update to the classic. I could have probably done without the final chapter (or at least she could have moved it), but I think that was probably Sittenfeld's cool girl commentary.

Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

Review 4.5–5 / 5

This novel had an overall happier tone vs. Tess of the D'Urbervilles (my favorite) and I am extremely thankful for that. Yes, there is tragedy, but it wasn't non-stop suffering. Bathsheba is a great female lead, Oak is the reliable friend/confidant you'd love to have, and Troy and Boldwood were welcome additions to the drama. There were also great townie characters, a beautiful setting, and plenty of farm drama. Pretty much everything you'd expect from Hardy. 

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As always, these reviews were taken from my Goodreads. For past months, click here.

What did you read in May?

What are you reading now?

Books of April 2016

Oh man guys, I only read two books in April. I haven't had a less than 4 book month since I started using Goodreads (2008). I kind of feel bad, but while I enjoyed the books I read, I didn't tear through them. I read while walking to work and before bed, but April was packed to the brim with freelance illustrations, work, running, and... life. I can usually fit in reading no matter what I've got going on, but April was kind of a fail. C'est la vie... 

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Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King
Review: 4 of 5
This short story collection was by far the most gruesome collection of Stephen King stories I've ever read. I usually don't get sick or grossed out when I read his books, but there were segments of each story that were so detailed and... messed up. The overarching theme seemed to be terrible people who do terrible things (and mostly men to women) and the consequences. The "lightest" story was the third one, "Fair Extension," and it was still pretty terrible.

"1922" and "Big Driver" were decent tales, "Fair Extension" was an interesting premise, but "A Good Marriage" was my favorite of the bunch. (Smart that they put it at the end!) I appreciated SK's afterward. He addressed the grisly nature of the stories and I felt a bit better about these terrible tales after reading his statement!

I'd only recommend this book to SK fans... and maybe people who like true crime shows.

Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination by Helen Fielding
Review: 3 of 5
I prefer Fielding's other non-Bridget book Cause Celeb, but this was an easy, fluffy read. There were parts of it that felt kind of sloppy, but the witty humor helped. It took me a lot longer to read this than I intended and I forgot about some of the minor side characters (one of whom became more important), but oh well. The end was stupid but –again– oh well.

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As always, these reviews were taken from my Goodreads. For past months, click here.

What did you read in April?
What are you reading now?

Books of March 2016

My Goodreads 2016 challenge is taunting me with a menacing message: "You are 2 books behind schedule." I've never been behind schedule, so this is a new feeling. I read a pretty good collection of novels this month and I even started reading while walking to work. But I guess it's not enough to meet my quota. (/crying) Anyway, March is over. It seemed to go by very quickly. I ran a lot, sat around a little, and apparently didn't read enough. How about you?

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Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer

Review: 5 of 5I really liked this one. Cress is great, Thorne has been fun, and I love getting more Cinder. Scarlet is also good, but I'm not wild about Wolf. Oh well. Looking forward to the next one! These are kind of exhausting, but quick to read when I give myself time.

Can You Keep a Secret? (Fear Street Relaunch #4) by R.L. Stine

Review: 3.5 of 5

I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway. 

This is a relaunch of the old Fear Street books (new stories, I believe). I read Goosebumps, but didn't make it to Fear Street, so I'm not sure how similar the writing / age range is. Definitely felt like a teen book with simple language, but I'm not complaining. It was a very quick read, which I welcomed after a few lackluster weeks of reading. 

The story was pretty good, minus a weird animal subplot I didn't think we needed. If that subplot turns up in a second book perhaps I can get behind it. Honestly, it seemed unnecessary and wasn't very spooky because its been done several times (in books and on TV) in the past 10 years. Despite that, the main plot read like the beginning of a scary movie. I wish Stine would have focused his attention on the meatier story that started in the woods and added a few subplots with the friends and Lou. 

All-in-all a quick, fun read. Nothing revolutionary, but I had a good time getting through it. 

Behind the Shattered Glass (Lady Emily #8) by Tasha Alexander 

Review: 4 of 5

This was one of my favorite Lady Emily books until the last 30 or so pages. They felt a little rushed, parts of it came out of nowhere (considering we had an inside view), and the ending was a little... too sweet. Despite those things, I really liked the new characters. Emily is definitely too perfect (so smart, so caring, so progressive!), but she's fun to read about. Don't you wish you were a Victorian-era millionaire?

Amulet, Vol. 2: The Stonekeeper's Curse (Amulet #2) by Kazu Kibuishi 

Review: 3 of 5

As always, great art and exciting panels. I think I'll enjoy the next few more since some of this felt like set up for new adventures.

1922 by Stephen King

Review: 4 of 5

[Full disclosure: this novella is part of Full Dark, No Stars, but I wanted to review it separately because of it's length and the fact that I couldn't put it down despite it's graphic nature.] I've read a ton of Stephen King stories, but rarely do I find myself feeling queasy at descriptions of blood and gore. That was not the case with a few scenes in this story. I'm not sure if it was the inclusion of animals or what Wilf does... but yikes. King does a great job setting the scene (rural Nebraska in 1922). I hate what happened, but I couldn't put it down. And if it wasn't so gruesome and terrible, I think this could easily become a movie... though, it's pretty messed up, so maybe it's better it isn't. 

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As always, these reviews were taken from my Goodreads. For past months, click here. 

What did you read in March?

What are you reading now?