Happy Tuesday, everyone! It’s time for another edition of Show Us Your Books, where I briefly recap what I’ve read since last time, giving you a sneak peek of what I might be reviewing on the blog next. What’s really exciting about this month’s edition is that there were a lot of books I was really into. It was a good month 🙂 Let’s take a quick look!
Linkup Guidelines:
This linkup happens the second Tuesday of every month. The next is Tuesday, December 12, 2017.
1. Please visit and comment with both of your hosts, Jana & Steph
2. Please display the button or link back to me and the linkup hosts on your blog post
3. Please visit a few other blogs who've linked up and get some book talk going!
Engrossing Reads
The Rules of Magic - This prequel was one of the books I was really excited about this month. I read and post about Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic in anticipation, and I scooped this one up from the library the first day it was available (thank you, waitlists!). I adored this much more than I thought I would. You can read my review here and check out a delicious recipe for Tipsy Chocolate Cake while you’re at it.
The Word Exchange - This debut novel by Alena Graedon combines our dependence on technology and the importance of language in a dystopian way that’s truly haunting. We read this for one of my book clubs, and even though we met almost two weeks ago, I still think about it almost every day. Admittedly, it started out a little slow, but just two chapters in and I was hooked. Keep an eye out for my review later this month!
Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance - I gushed about this book last week, and today it’s available to own! My post about Ruth Emmie Lang’s novel says a lot, so I encourage you to pop on over and read it here. I adored this imaginative story, and I know you will too. 🙂
They Both Die at the End - Since reading this novel, I’ve read some mixed reviews, but that doesn’t change how I felt about Adam Silvera’s young adult dystopian novel. Imagine a world where you knew exactly which day you would die but not how - on the morning of your death, you get a phone call with the warning and are instructed to make the most of it. That’s the premise behind this novel, and I devoured it in a single day. Even though the title is basically a spoiler, I appreciated that the ending wasn’t what I was expecting.
Passed the Time Just Fine
Turtles All the Way Down - John Green’s latest novel (also YA) was released to much fanfare. While I really enjoyed it, it wasn’t my favorite this month - it had a lot of stiff competition. I still like The Fault in Our Stars the best of all his work, and I can’t resist picking up a new John Green whenever one is released. This book takes on the important topic of mental health, and honestly, it’s executed expertly. Definitely worth a read.
Little Fires Everywhere - This is another novel that’s been getting a lot of attention since it’s recent release. Having enjoyed Celeste Ng’s previous book, I was absolutely looking forward to reading this one, which many people have said is better. For me, it was 3 stars (not a bad thing!). I liked getting immersed in the world of Shaker Heights that Ng described, and I thought the characters were very interesting. I just finished it this past weekend, and it’s possible that the more I think about it, the more I’ll like it. Another one I’d recommend - especially if you like keeping up with the latest in contemporary fiction.
Not Worth It
Nothing - way too many great reads this month! (But here’s looking at you, currently reading category…)
Did Not Finish
The Refrigerator Monologues - I was pretty excited about this book’s combination of feminism and superheroes. It was pretty short, and I thought I could power through, but I read about 25% of the book and still wasn’t feeling it. I had a lot of books I was really looking forward to in the TBR pile, so I just let this one go.
Currently Reading
The Power - I’m trying to save my judgments of this novel until the end, but I’m almost finished - last 100 pages to go! I will say that so far, I’m underwhelmed by Naomi Alderman’s dystopia. (Wow, I’ve read a lot of dystopia this month…) I was expecting amazing things, but I’ll admit I’ve put it down to read a few other books since starting it. I just picked it up again after finishing LFE and I’m determined to finish.
What did you read this month? Which books did you enjoy most? Least? I’d love to hear your recommendations!
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I have They Both Die at the End and Turtles All the Way Down to read (but I own them, so that's one step closer!!) I love the author's previous work. My favorite John Green is probably Looking for Alaska actually.
-Lauren
John Green is great! I've enjoyed all his books, and this one was no exception - really well done. And it tackled an important topic, which I appreciate. Hope you get to both of them. I'd love to hear what you think!
I've never heard of The Word Exchange. It sounds right up my alley though!
It was amazing! I think I mentioned it took me a couple chapters to feel that way, but everyone in my book club liked it. It's thought-provoking and really well done. I'm doing a larger post on it after Thanksgiving if you want to stop by and check that out 🙂
oh good to hear about The Rules of Magic! I've heard it's good, it's on my list but I haven't read Practical Magic yet - I've seen the movie of course. I'll get to them both soon! bummer you didn't love Turtles and Little Fires, they are both on my TBR, I'm sure I'll get to them eventually. I'm trying to wait for the hype for Turtles to die down, Fault in our Stars is my fave too.
I think you can skip PM if you've seen the movie - I adore the movie and watched it countless times before I read the book, so it just didn't do it for me. It wasn't bad, but I like the movie better (blasphemy, I know!). Rules of Magic, however, is unspoiled by a movie, and Alice Hoffman's writing is just so great. It was a wonderful reading experience. 🙂
I didn't love Turtles and Fires, but they were both good! Solid 3-star books (which is honestly how I classify the majority of the books I read are). Both are worth a read - don't let the PTJF deter you.
I haven't read any of Alice Hoffman's books yet ... but they're on my list. Also want to read They Both Die at the End and The Word Exchange.
I definitely want to check out some of Alice Hoffman's other novels! Her writing style is wonderfully immersive. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
The spoiler title of They Both Die at the End does not ruin the book at all and that, for me, makes it special.
I LOVED Turtles and Little Fires.
I agree about the title! I love that he didn't hide what the book was, and yet the ending was still not what I expected.
I loved The Rules of Magic so much.
I think my favorite John Green is actually Looking for Alaska. I started Turtles this morning.
Awesome! I'm sure you'll enjoy Turtles - it's really well done.
Is Rules of Magic a sequel to Practical Magic or just by the same author? I loved the movie Practical Magic and only found out recently that it was a book. I haven't read it yet but will do so. Turtles and Little Fires are both on my TBR. They Both Die in the End sounds really intriguing. If I recall correctly, my library did not have it. I need to see if they have it now or request they buy it. I've done that before and they actually purchased the book. 😀
Hi Tanya,
The Rules of Magic is the prequel to Practical Magic (and also by the same author). It follows the lives of Sally and Gillian's aunts. (I liked to my longer-form post about it in this one; that tells some more of what it's about if you're interested!) I think you should definitely look into seeing if they can grab They Both Die At the End from the library - it took mine a while to get it, but I'm glad they did!
I haven't read anything by Alice Hoffman but think Practical Magic would be fun since I like the movie so much. I'm glad you liked The Rules of Magic too- it's always the best when you're not disappointed by another installment of a book you enjoyed. Turtles All The Way Down went on my library hold list today after hearing so many other bloggers rave about it!
Turtles is super popular right now (people can't resist John Green!) - hopefully you get it in your hands soon. Definitely a worthwhile read.
I haven't heard of They Both Die at the End, but it sounds really interesting. My sister is bringing Turtles All The Way Down to Thanksgiving next week for me to borrow and I can't wait to read it!
Oh, exciting! I hope you enjoy Turtles 🙂
I've heard excellent things about The Rules of Magic. I haven't read Practical Magic, but I guess since this is a prequel it doesn't matter.
I actually DNFed The Power after struggling through about 200 pages. I was so disappointed because the premise sounded so promising. Oh well...I'm hoping that Red Clocks (coming this winter) will fill the feminist dystopian void for me. 🙂
It was great to connect with you via email by the way!
Ah, well that's so good to hear about The Power - I thought it was just me! I'm trying to "power" through (pun sort of intended :P), but we'll see what happens. There are so many other things I'm excited about! And I've just heard about Red Clocks, so I've added it to my list. I'm hopeful that it will be more like what I was looking for.
Read The Rules of Magic! It's fabulous. Great to connect with you too 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
It seems like everyone read Turtles this month! While I'm not a huge Green fan, I really like The Fault In Our Stars. I've been wanting to read Little Fires. I haven't read an Alice Hoffman book in years. The two that I read ages ago I wasn't a big fan of and never tried her again.
Wondering which previous Hoffman novels have you read, Nancy? I've only read the two in this "series" (if you can call it that), but was looking forward to checking out others.
This is a really fun meme-- and the first time I've seen it, strangely! I might be joining up in the future.
I haven't read any of the books you read last month. They Both Die in the End and Little Fires Everywhere are on my must-read list. I haven't read anything by Ng or Silvera yet and I feel a bit behind the bandwagon. Turtles All the Way Down is on my TBR only because my partner is a philosopher, so I've heard the story of "No, Mr. James, there are turtles all the way down." for years. I want to see how Green brings that into the story. I'm quite curious!
I hadn't read Silvera before either, but after this one, I'm interested in reading some of his other work. I adored Ng's Everything I Never Told You, which we read for a book club a couple of years ago. I'd recommend both of her novels.
Green works that phrase in quite nicely! I didn't really know anything about it prior to reading it. Sometime before it was mentioned in the book, my husband noticed the cover and told me the story. Definitely an interesting little add-in.
Hope you enjoy everything! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Jackie!
I've heard great things about The Power, but we shall see! 🙂 I haven't read any of these but am glad that you had a good reading month! 🙂 XO - Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
If you read The Power, I'd love to hear your thoughts. I've heard lots of good things, but also lots of people in my situation - I have finally DNF-d it. So much more to read out there!
Megan I just picked up Pratical Magic, can't wait to read it!!
Awesome!! Hope you enjoy 🙂