Edit- Reposting after the first was removed.
I told myself I must read one book a month this year. I love collecting books, and when I read books, I'm usually invested, but I do not read enough. I read 3 books last year. So that was my challenge to myself this year. I think I don't read as much because I tend to get tired, my eyes get heavy, and I fall asleep. Any advice on how to kick that trend would be appreciated.
Here are the books I've read this year: 2 I listened on audiobook.
Hello, Molly!: A Memoir – Molly Shannon gives a heartfelt and hilarious account of her career and life in this memoir. I was shocked and saddened right at the first chapter when she talks about the death of her mother. A great listen as she reads the audiobook. Highly recommend.
Salem's Lot – Stephen King's take on vampires. Loved the small town life stuff, it helped create the perfect atmosphere for the story. I think the climax is a let-down and rushed, but otherwise a solid vampire tale.
The Devil in the White City – A dense read that I think is a bit of a slog in the middle, but picks up at the end. I appreciate all the work Larson put into his research, and I was captivated for half the book. It felt a bit repetitive, and I think a lot could be cut. If you are interested in any of the topics, pick it up.
Kitchen Confidential – Loved this book. Bourdain is a great storyteller, and I felt like I was in the kitchen with him. It was funny, insightful, and a super quick listen. Didn't expect to like this one as much as I did. Bourdain narrates his audiobook; he does it well.
Cold Storage – David Koepp is a screenwriter, and this was his first stab at a novel. While it lacks in the details, it makes up for it in quick-paced suspense. I thought it was pretty good and look forward to the movie. Climax felt a bit rushed.
Berserk Deluxe Edition, Vol 1 – a 600+ page Manga. Beautiful artwork, gnarly gore and violence, with taboo subjects that might turn off every other person. I thought some of the artwork was a bit repetitive (lots of arrows to faces), but I look forward to continuing the violent adventure.
Rogue Lawyer – My first John Grisham novel. Not exactly what I was expecting based on all the Grisham movies I've seen. It doesn't focus on one case, but rather on one lawyer working the cases no one else wants. In the end, a few of them bleed together for the plot. Quick and easy read. I have Camino Winds and might give that a shot next.
A Heart That Works – A devastating novel about Rob Delaney's 4-year-old son who died from a brain tumor. Full of anger, grief, and comedy. I felt like a cathartic piece for him to write, so I forgive some repetitive bits, but I was invested in his son's story. On the smaller side, less than 200 pages, so you can get this done in one sitting if you can sit through the sadness.
So as you can see, I'm way ahead of my goal. I have Dungeon Crawler Carl on the docket next and Hidden Pictures after that, who knows….
by Layden87