April Reads

Last month I read 9 books, which is definitely a record for me! Since then I've slowed my roll, though not intentionally. 

Before I go into all that though, I have an announcement! Michael and I will be hosting a special Three on Thursday on Thursday, May 21st. Topics will be announced this Thursday, so I hope you'll come back for that and join us the following Thursday! 

Now, onward to what you really came here for- the books! I had a solid mix of fiction and non-fiction, and just released vs. older books. 

Between Sisters- Cathy Kelly: 2 Stars
Netgalley

Just like the other one I read by this author (It Started With Paris), this one had way too many characters. (Like the character on the first page that didn't make another appearance until 70%, and I'd forgotten who she was.) I found myself skimming parts because there were characters and entire storylines that I felt had no business being there. It was also overly predictable, and the ending was just too pat and cliched. I think I would have enjoyed this if it was half as long and focused on the two sisters (and maybe Pearl, since she was the one who raised them) and their abandonment issues. As it stands though, it was drawn out and convoluted by the entirely too large cast and all their backstories that had absolutely no bearing on what I thought was supposed to be the main story.

The Honey-Don't List- Christina Lauren: 3 Stars
library e-book

I'm usually a huge fan of these two, but this wasn't my fave by them. I wanted more James and Carey and less Tripp, Joanna-and-Chip-esque family drama. Unfortunately, that's all I have to say about it ::shrug::

If I Never Met You- Mhairi MacFarlane: 4 Stars
library e-book

This is my first by Mhairi McFarlane, and it certainly won't be my last. I didn't expect to like this as much as I did, which made it that much better! I loved how "real" and messy these characters were. And wowwweee- some of those scenes were steamy! It's been awhile since I read a true romance so I'd forgotten how, um, "romantic" it could be, and was very happy I was in the privacy of my home reading those parts! I also really enjoyed how McFarlane wrote about things I've often either thought or done before- it was like she understood me, or maybe women in their 30's everywhere. 

I must have been a genocidal warlord in a past life to deserve this. Or the kind of person who puts their bag on the seat next to them on public transport in rush hour.

It was weather made for big socks, takeaway curry, Shiraz, and episode four of that spy drama thing on Netflix. Laurie would still have all those things tonight, plus a bath.

Sleeping in someone else’s arms was one of those things that worked in movies and was uncomfortable as piss in reality.

Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? - Jeanette Winterson: 3 Stars
own; hardback

I didn’t realize that this was primarily about adoption and the effects of that on this person’s life. That being said, I really enjoyed the memoir parts but not the inclusion of so many outside texts and poems. I also liked her description and personal devotion to books and reading and the way she wrote about that. Here are the three I remembered to highlight:

"Every book was a message in a bottle. Open it."

"Books, for me, are a home. Books don’t make a home – they are one, in the sense that just as you do with a door, you open a book, and you go inside. Inside there is a different kind of time and a different kind of space. There is warmth there too – a hearth. I sit down with a book and I am warm."

"Yes, the stories are dangerous, she was right. A book is a magic carpet that flies you off elsewhere. A book is a door. You open it. You step through. Do you come back?"

What They Meant For Evil: How A Lost Girl of Sudan Found Healing, Peace and Purpose in the Midst of Suffering- Rebecca Deng: 3.5 Stars
Netgalley

I picked this because I thought it was interesting- I've read stories about the Lost Boys of the Sudan, but never about the Lost Girls. I guess that makes sense since there are only 89 of them. This could definitely fall under Christian Lit which is not a preferred genre of mine, but I found Deng’s life story to be absolutely enthralling- what she survived, how, how she took opportunities nearly by force, how she clung to hope in situations where many were unable or incapable of doing so, what she thought of America and "all these white faces, looking almost identical" (haha), and her unfaltering drive to get an education. She kind of lost my interest at the end because she started getting preachy, but overall I was captivated.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

The Wife- Alafair Burke: 3 Stars
own; hardback

I wanted more. It felt like a big build up to... not what I was expecting, but also not that surprising, all things considered. Maybe it was the MC's lack of empathy at the end? Not sure, but the ending seemed a bit anti-climatic. 

Sadie- Courtney Summers: 4.5 Stars
own; ARC paperback

Pretty sure I'm the last person to read this, which is ridiculous considering I received this as an ARC months before it was released to the public. Anyway, I'm not sure what to say that hasn't already ben said about it. It was incredible, I read it in a single afternoon. Drew me in immediately and though I’m not usually a fan of open endings, I think it was the right choice in this case.

Verity- Colleen Hoover: 4.5 Stars
Kindle Unlimited

I'm not sure why I didn't pick this up sooner , especially since I'm already a huge Hoover fan, but wow! This kept me up reading way past my bedtime. I didn't *love* the budding relationship, that part seemed a bit much. Definitely didn't see that last twist coming though! 

There was one thing towards that I didn't understand though (highlight for spoiler): Jeremy had already read the fake book, that was why he tried to kill her originally. So why did he act so shocked when Lowen shows him? 

Book Stats (previously /now)
Total number read: 12 / 20
Netgalley: 7 /9
Owned: 1 / 3
Non-Fiction: 0 /2
WOC: 3 / 4
Given Away: 18 /22

Currently Reading: The Boy From the Woods - Harlan Coben

What are you reading?

Linking up with Steph and Jana!