Total Basset Case: Good Readin'

Jan 28, 2015

Good Readin'

One of my goals this year is to read more.  Plain and simple.  Less phone and tv, more books. 
Last year I did an okay job (books on cd help a lot) but this year I would like to step it up a notch.
But first, I need to catch you up on some books I did finish but haven't blogged about yet.

1. Big Little Lies - This is actually the first book I finished in 2015 (and on my Fire!).  I had heard great things about it and was not disappointed.  It was a very quick read and I enjoyed the short chapters.  The book starts out with a murder at a school function and works backwards to unravel the story.  Each chapter ends with the characters sharing tidbits of the night as witness statements.  Little by little more is revealed. 

2.  The Husband's Secret - Another Liane Moriarty winner.  I am sure just about everyone has read this book by now.  But if you haven't, do it!  I am the biggest fan in the world of 'everything happens for a reason' and this book sure puts that into perspective.  

3.  We Were Liars -  To give you my honest opinion, I did not like this book.  It was very good up until about the middle and then something terrible happened involving dogs and I could just about do no more.  Then the ending came and I was even more upset.  Once I knew the ending (crazy twist!) I felt like the whole book was one big, fat lie.

4.  Mercy Snow - I am not sure how I came across this title, it may have been a random library pick up.  I would give this one about a 3.5/5 stars on a scale.  The story is simple enough develops nicely revealing more and more truths about the past lives of the characters.  
In a very small town that seems divided by class and dislike, it turns out the townspeople are all more connected than they ever thought they would be.  

5.  The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks - There is a large chance that I picked this book up because it has a basset hound on the cover.  Thankfully the basset hound continued to appear throughout the book.  This was a great, light read with quite a bit of humor.  In short, Frankie attends a very preppy school and begins wrecking havoc all over campus by pulling intricate pranks.  She manages to infiltrate a secret society fraternity that has been around for generations and pin the pranks on them.  Plus, let me repeat, basset hounds.

6.  The Silkworm - I spent about 14 hours listening to this book.  I will admit I fast forwarded through a few parts.  The Silkworm is written under J.K. Rowlings pen name and now I understand why the Harry Potter novels are so long.  Last year I listened to the other book in this series, Cuckoos Calling and The Silkworm picks up where it left off.  
Comoran Strike is a private detective with a bum knee trying to navigate England and solve quirky mysteries.  This time it is of an author that has gone missing and eventually shows up dead.  Turns out it is a small world among the literary professionals in London.   

7.  Reconstructing Amelia - I borrowed this book from Kait after hearing glowing recommendations.  It is a definite page turner and question of what in the world is going to happen next.
Amelia's mother is summoned to her private school because Amelia is in trouble but by the time she has arrived, Amelia is dead.  Soon after, her mother receives a text that Amelia didn't die the way it seems she did.  This starts a search of trying to put the pieces of Amelia's secrets and life back together and figure out how and why she died.  

8.  Yes Please - We are huge Amy Poehler fans in our house.  I requested this book on cd from the library months ago and it finally arrived recently.  I listened to it as quickly as I could and laughed the entire time.  The book on cd is read by Amy which makes it a million times funnier.  Not only is Amy hysterical at all moments, she is also empowering and insightful.  If you are looking for some girl power, motivation and laughs, pick up Yes Please right now.

There you have it! Do you have any good recommendations for me?  I just started The Headmaster's Wife after hearing great reviews!

If you aren't already, be sure to follow me on Good Reads here

7 comments:

Sarah Tucker said...

I'm almosttt done with The Husband's Secret and I can't wait to read Big Little Lies!!

Unknown said...

Thanks, Sarah! I have been meaning to read Big Little Lies, and this was just the encouragement that I needed. 😊

Unknown said...

I love a good reading recommendation post! I have got Reconstructing Amelia on my list - my list is so long though!

Jen said...

I'm always looking for great recommendations and I'm going to add Reconstructing Amelia to my list. I just read Landline and Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell and they were both pretty good and a fast reads. Have you read any books by Jojo Moyes? I keep seeing her books pop up in different book review posts and I've got a few on my list to read.

Anne said...

Hmmm, interesting to hear your take on We Were Liars! It's been on my list, but this makes me feel like I might want to get to some of the others first...I've read The Disreputable History and liked it so assumed I would like another by the author but I guess we shall see!

Love the Liane Moriarty ones of course, and while I enjoy the Cormoran Strike character, why on earth are those books soooo long?

Have you read The Secret Place, Tana French's newest one, yet? Just writing my review of it - loved, but then again I love everything by her!

Ashley Robyn said...

I have a hold on Big Little Lies but just downloaded The Husbands secret per your request. Excited to have a quick read for the weekend. Thank you for sharing.

Holly said...

I'll have to check some of these books out! Love getting new book recommendations! I just finished We Were Liars too. I didn't like the dog part either. The end was crazy. Overall, the book was an easy read, but kinda boring for the most part. Not as good as I had expected given some reviews I'd heard.