What did you read last month? - January

[Wigs]

Okay so as we discussed, here is our 'talk about what you read last month' thread!

[Wigs]

I read three books, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, and Ready Player One.

Wicked and Phantom were enjoyable but not superb (in both cases I far prefer the experience of the musical itself.) I recommend Phantom to anyone who likes classics or historical cheesy romance, and Wicked to people who enjoy fantasy and are okay with some darker sexual themes coming into play (and are not expecting something as wholesome or fun as Wicked the musical or Wizard of Oz)

Ready Player One was an abysmal experience that I ranted about here in my review. I found it just an extreme example of ignorant male fantasy and found so many problems with how it was presented and written. I have a friend who stopped reading male authors completely and while that is a rather extreme vow, this book makes that prospect sound appealing, haha.

[Kelly]

I started the Malazan Book of the Fallen series. It's epic fantasy like ASOIAF but has actually been finished. I'm more than halfway through the first book, Gardens of the Moon, and I have the next two books checked out as well. So far, amazing word building, interesting characterization, and the author is actually an archaeologist and anthropologist who has developed 300,000 years of history and sociology and such for his world.

[Lynda]

You

I finished this book within 6 days. It is entertaining and I highly recommend. Cute bookstore employee falls in love with an aspiring writer and won't stop at anything to make her all of his! Here is a great quote from the book: "The internet was designed with love in mind. It gave me so much of you."

[Annie]

Hello, everyone! My ONTD! username is semiramis30. Happy to join you!
I havent finished yet Canada by R. Ford. It is kinda slow but I am confident it will be done by this month.

[bailey]

This month I read Murder On The Orient Express (Agatha Christie), Sacre Bleu (Christopher Moore), Misery (Stephen King), Why Not Me (Mindy Kaling) and Fates and Furies (Lauren Groff)

My favorite was Misery, which was so much more horrifying than the movie or play. I was riveted.

My least favorite was Fates and Furies. It felt way too pretentious for me, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters.

[Z]

I read Dark Places, Jurassic Park and Death of the Family.

Really enjoyed Jurassic Park, though the second half could have been shorter and Death of the Family was a little...meh. I can start to see why people have issues with the New 52.

Dark Places was quite engaging, but at the end it was a little...oh okay. You know? I can't decide if I enjoyed it or not?

[jo]

I read
- the husband's secret and big little lies
- the girl who loved Tom Gordon
- bad feminist
- men explain things to me
- the secret history
- the weight of blood
- American gods
- the clasp
- still alice
- fourth comings: a Jessica darling novel (beach re-read)

I really enjoyed American gods and the weight of blood the most!

[Knobby]

Wigs wrote: "I read three books, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, and Ready Player One.

Wicked and Phantom were enjoyable but not superb (in both cases I far prefer the experience of the musical itself.) I recomm..."

If you hated RPO, don't read Armada. I liked RPO and thought it was cute, but Armada takes what you hated about RPO and multiplies. I write about it in my review if you want to read it.

I read:
- A Practical Wedding: Wedding Planner - for work
- Under a Painted Sky - better than I expected it to be! Slow start but good middle and end
- Jewel: Never Broken - for some reason I became really intrigued by Jewel (the musician)'s life and borrowed this from the library. She is fascinating and this book is interesting. I'd recommend it!
- Tiny Beautiful Things - I have feelings
- The Ethical Slut - someone told me to read this and it was interesting and pushed the boundaries of what I thought relationships could be, so I'm glad I read it
- Everything I Never Told You

[Andi]

Elissa wrote: If you hated RPO, don't read Armada. I liked RPO and thought it was cute, but Armada takes what you hated about RPO and multiplies. I write about it in my review if you want to read it.

Double to that. My god, Armada is a rip off of rip offs. It only got published due to the success of Ready Player One. Even still, that book wasn't amazing by any means. If you've seen The Last Starfighter/basically any sci-fi 80's film, then you already know the plot of Armada and it's ending.

As for me, I read all three of the Liveship Trader books in Robin Hobb's Realm of the Elderlings series. If anybody has been interested in them, or has been deciding to pick them up, do it.

[Carmen]

idk if you guys are counting graphic novels, but I finally got Saga, Volume 1 from the library and I loved it. I also read Revenge of the Pieman in a two woman book club with one of my friends. We came upon this series when we were trying to find something that we could both read. I finished another book in the Passport to Peril series, Norway to Hide. I love this series because it's hilarious, and it's me and my book club friend if we were amateur sleuths lol.

Ummm let's see. Oh, I read three pages of The Magicians before deciding that I was going to trust my friend who didn't care for it. I'll just watch the show instead on that one.

[Nadia]

I thought I read a lot in January but it turns out I just started up a whole bunch of books as usual.

I actually finished Wishful Drinking and Modern Romance. I recommend both. Wishful Drinking because Carrie Fisher and Modern Romance because it was pretty informative while still being light and funny.

Oh and I'm like one page away from the end of Star Wars: Before the Awakening so I'm counting it for January. Its a great read and really fleshes out each of the trio. (view spoiler)[LOL @ "Beebee-Ate" though. (hide spoiler)]

[Jess]

I read a lot in January! I finished 11 books. I'm doing an A-Z author challenge, so most of my authors this month started with "H."


Sharp Objects - Okay, but I guessed the killer and the twist very early on.

Rolling in the Deep - Like "Sharknado" as a book.

Wool Omnibus - I finally read this and loved it! I wanted more.

The Dovekeepers - What a great book. Such strong female characters.

Promises to the Dead - Middle grade Civil War historical ghost story.

A Monster Calls - Excellent!

The Doll in the Garden - Another ghost story.

The Outsiders - Basically identical to the movie.

The Old Willis Place - A ghost story with a good twist.

Everything I Never Told You - A little more cliche riddled than I would have liked.

Duct Tape: 101 Adventurous Ideas for Art, Jewelry, Flowers, Wallets and More - Just something to flip through.

I'd say my favorites for the month were Wool and the Dovekeepers.

[Amy B]

My personal goal is 30 books for 2016, but I already ate up 9 books in January. I've decided for Black History month to read something meatier that will take me a bit longer....I decided on Root by Alex Haley. Only to find out, while 20 pages in, that it's partially plagiarized! I'm disappointed and intrigued. I'm going to finish reading it, but what a shame!

[Amy B]

Noteably though, I finished Farenheit 451, Animal Farm, Confederacy of Dunces and the crown jewel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian. All are wonderful and worth the read.

Sherman Alexie is a national treasure.

[Annie]

Lol no. He is an american author.

[sraxe]

MNLO wrote: "Like R Ford, the embarrassing politician?"

lol this was exactly what I thought!

Well, that's a relief that it's not him.

[sraxe]

I read 10 books in January.

The most fun book I read last month was Level Up by Cathy Yardley (which is free on Amazon and Smashwords and other places, btw). I would go into all the things I loved about it, but I already covered that in my review. The other fun book I read was Cracked by Eliza Crewe, the third in the Soul Eater trilogy.

I started and finished off current batch of books in The Associates series by Carolyn Crane (Against the Dark, Off the Edge, Into the Shadows and Behind the Mask). I hated the series more and more as I went on because of the author's continual need of falling back to sexist double-standards. She kept putting the heroines in damsel in distress situations (even the ex-CIA field agent and head of a spy agency...), along with giant differences in the sex lives between the heroes and heroines (book #1: celibate, book #2: never experienced pleasure with a partner, book #4: celibate and had never taken a partner willingly). I complained about the entire series in my review of the last book.

The other four books I read were kind of forgettable. The first two were Marrying Stone and Simple Jess by Pamela Morsi. I thought they were going to be way better than they actually ended up being, so that was disappointing. Then there was Winter Ball by Amy Lane and Shift Out of Luck by Ruby Dixon. Not much to say about them, really.

[IMY]

I read 8 books in Jan but the only one memorable enough and worth talking about is Stoned: Jewelry, Obsession, and How Desire Shapes the World. If you like jewellery and history, this is right up your alley. If I were ever to get married, I no longer want a diamond engagement ring but an emerald instead.

[Casey]

I read 6 books last month, which is a lot for me.

The one I'd highly recommend was Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War. It was really compelling and I didn't find it dry.

I also read Fahrenheit 451, which was good in a lot of ways but I was surprised by the racism... no ever talks about that when they're singing this novel's praises.

Job: A Comedy of Justice was a bit slow and the characters were annoying but there were some good critiques of Christianity.

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms. It's been on my list forever and I'm glad I finally read it. I'd liked the main character a lot and the world building was interesting. I could have done without the romance but that's just a personal preference I suppose.

Also read Everything I Never Told You and the last book of the Walker Papers series by C.E. Murphy (a really meh series but fine for filler "nothing else to read right now" type reads).

[Caitlin]

I read 5 books this month - trying to get ahead of the game early in the year (my goal is 50) so I can indulge in some longer books later on without falling behind.

An Unkindness of Ravens - I tend to enjoy Ruth Rendell as an author, but the truth is I only vaguely remember the plot, but I know I enjoyed it at the time.

One Shot - formulaic thriller, a friend of mine lent it to me - not really my favorite genre, but not bad for some fluffy reading.

I Capture the Castle - LOVED this book! Didn't read it along with the group last year since I was swamped, but finally got around to it. Just a lot of fun to read, the ending wasn't exactly what I'd been hoping for/expecting, but I appreciate that it wasn't all tied up in a bow.

Lost Girls - An excellent read about the victims of the Long Island serial killer and the case itself, I first heard of this book in an ONTD post at some point. I made the possible mistake of reading this during a trip to NYC so there was a little extra creepy factor in it for me. I can't emphasize just how riveting this book was, and the care that the author took with his subjects and their families.

Admission - Expected to like it, but just...this fell flat in every sense. It wasn't *technically* a bad book, but did not live up to my expectations. There was so much more that could have been done with the story, and so much fluff that could have been sacrificed.

[Claire]

I read (or attempted to read) 9 books in January, but most of them were terrible, unfortunately. I did enjoy The Nightingale at the time, but now looking back on it, it's not that memorable. Hopefully February will be better!

[Aesha]

I read Glamour in Glass, Without a Summer, Everything I Never Told You, and started Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead for class. I'm hating the Brene Brown book. I am going to finish the last of the Glamourist Histories series before moving on so that I don't forget what the heck is happening there.

[Lynda]

I love this thread! Let's do this every month

[Jess]

Lynda wrote: "I love this thread! Let's do this every month"

I agree!

[RavenLovely]

I was all over the place in January (talking about genres)
I started with Many Lives, Many Masters: The True Story of a Prominent Psychiatrist, His Young Patient, and the Past Life Therapy That Changed Both Their Lives- it was ok but I expected more from a scientific mind. There was no sources for any of his claims, and therefore I found it nothing more than entertaining fiction. then I moved to That's My Son: How Moms Can Influence Boys to Become Men of Character I loved this book and plan to read it yearly.
Third book was The Giver I plan to read all three books in this series.
Last book for January was Cut: The True Story of an Abandoned, Abused Little Girl Who Was Desperate to Be Part of a Family I found the story interesting, but poorly written. I don't see myself reading any more books by Cathy Glass. I found it impossible to believe the way she portrays herself in the book. I felt it lacked authenticity.
Looking forward to new February reads!

[RavenLovely]

Jess wrote: "Lynda wrote: "I love this thread! Let's do this every month"

I agree!"
I just found it, but I love it!

[Ela]

well damn... everyone has read 5 to 9 books and I just could finish 1 book. I just haven't found the right book

[Jess]

Pinky wrote: "well damn... everyone has read 5 to 9 books and I just could finish 1 book. I just haven't found the right book "

Don't feel bad, I get to read a lot because I'm unable to work.

[Heather]

I'm trying to force myself to finish series I start this year and kicked off January by reading second books in a series and was disappointed in all of them.

I wish I never started the Paper Magician Trilogy because, between the author's odd "~women should be at home for their men~" attitude and the shoddy worldbuilding, I am just not enjoying it.

Sapphire Blue was boring and I wound up editing it in my head as I read it. You could cut out every mention of Gideon's face and not lose a thing. (view spoiler)[And we still aren't told ANYTHING about why it's bad that the Count get a complete chronograph. (hide spoiler)]

I pulled on my big girl pants and finished The Jennifer Morgue after DNFing it last year and the only thing I can say for it is that, yay, I'm done with it and can move on to the next in the series.

Out of all that I read last month, I wound up really enjoying The Girls at the Kingfisher Club, This Book is Full of Spiders, and The Rook.

[Christy]

I read The Grownup by Gillian Flynn and Bird Box by Josh Malerman. LOVED Bird Box. Felt like I couldn't put it down. It's been a long time since I had that with a book.

The Grownup was ok. Easy to read, kinda meh about the ending. But I didn't hate it. And the opening line was A+

[Z]

Heather wrote: "I wish I never started the Paper Magician Trilogy because, between the author's odd "~women should be at home for their men~" attitude and the shoddy worldbuilding, I am just not enjoying it."

Ah man I bought this. Wish I hadn't now.

[Heather]

Z wrote: "Ah man I bought this. Wish I hadn't now. "

Don't let me deter you! You might think I'm completely wrong, so I'd say give it a read.

[Ellen]

I read a biography about Gouverneur Morris and now I think I'm going to read The Light Between Oceans since there's a movie coming out based on it.

[Ashley]

Last month I read Gray Mountain and Rogue Lawyer, both by John Grisham, and The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty.

John Grisham books were okay. Was expecting to like Gray Mountain a lot more, since the main character is a lady and I was expecting her to be a badass. John Grisham can't write women, so she just came off like a whiny idiot.

The Last Anniversary was a fun read. I love Liane Moriarty's books.

[Melissa]

I read 7 books in January, which I was really pleas/ed with. Its a great start to the new year. Here is what I read:
The Mitford Snowmen (a short book I picked up for Bout of Books Read-a-thon.)
The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland (A really good book about the "plane people" who were stranded in Newfoundland on 9/11)
Full House (An ok short story I picked up for Bout of Books)
A Steak in the Drawer: Recollections of a Teenaged Cruise Ship Waiter 1963 (Interesting, about the ship the SS Keewatin)
Death Comes To Kurland Hall (The 3rd book in the regency mystery series. Enjoyable.)
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper (Longer than expected but it was ok)
Growing Up Duggar: It's All About Relationships (..It was exactly what I expected it to me. Not sure if thats a good thing or not..)

[IMY]

I was so excited to find a female led detective series In Death. Read the first 2 in the series Naked in Death & Glory in Death. So far I am underwhelm. There is way to much time spent on her love life. I wish the author had spent a few books setting up Eve as a detective before introducing the love interest. And how very cliche that the love interest is handsome, successful, powerful and rich? I'll give it a few more books but if the formula doesn't change, I'm out.

Anyone have recs for female detective crime thrillers or mysteries?

[Brittany]

IMY wrote: "I was so excited to find a female led detective series In Death. Read the first 2 in the series Naked in Death & Glory in Death. So far I am underwhelm. There is way to ..."
I really enjoy the In Death series... the love interest sticks around but the romance of it isn't the main point. Primary focus in all of the novels is the police work... I think it's just super comforting for me to be able to come back to these books with the familiar characters (currently on #35 myself).

They definitely aren't the finest literature, but definitely a better female detective led series than others I have read (ie. Marie Force's Fatal series which is far more romance-y).

[IMY]

Brittany wrote: I really enjoy the In Death series... the love interest sticks around but the romance of it isn't the main point. Primary focus in all of the novels is the police work...

It's very disappointing to hear this is considered a better female detective led series...

Two books in a row where Roarke swoops in at the end and saves Eve... looks like book 3 will be my last. I just don't like Roarke, a little too perfect, a little too Gary Stu.

[Lindsay]

Sadly, I have read one book so far this year. And I didn't like it all that much. it was Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver. And after reading We Were Liars, it was a knockoff that had a frustrating and forced reveal. I have not loved a great many of her books so I'm not sure why this one made it onto my list when I have so little time to read!

My goal for the year is 15 books and to take 4 weeks on one is not a good start!!

[Wigs]

Question, has anyone attempted to start the Hamilton biography that Lin Manuel used to write the musical and if so is it readable?

[bailey]

Wigs wrote: "Question, has anyone attempted to start the Hamilton biography that Lin Manuel used to write the musical and if so is it readable?"

I have! I've just started it. It's very readable, in my opinion. The only problem is that I have a hard copy and it's massive, so I can't really commute with it

[Jess]

Wigs wrote: "Question, has anyone attempted to start the Hamilton biography that Lin Manuel used to write the musical and if so is it readable?"

I was wondering the same. I might have to add it to my digital book wishlist at the library.

[Jess]

Victoria wrote: "Considering it is coming out in April..."

Alexander Hamilton came out in 2005 or so.

[Jess]

Gotcha!!! I'm not sure when they'll release the book for the Broadway show. I'd imagine that they would publish that and get a soundtrack out as soon as they can, if they don't already have some things released.

[Michelle]

Amy B wrote: "My personal goal is 30 books for 2016, but I already ate up 9 books in January. I've decided for Black History month to read something meatier that will take me a bit longer....I decided on Root by..."

You could definitely do the Autobiography of Malcolm X!