Yes, you read that right... August! I've finally got round to writing this post on the one book I finished in August, which also happens to be the last book I finished. My reading has really slowed down - time has really passed in a blur these last few months!
I wanted to get this in quickly before the end of the year, so that my reviews are complete for 2015. I've decided not to continue with book reviews on the blog, as I don't really enjoy writing them and I'm not sure they're that interesting as I don't want to risk giving any spoilers! But it was worth a go.
Gone Girl
- Gillian Flynn
This book was really good! I've mentioned previously that I watched the film for this first, which was excellent. It then inspired me to read all the books by Gillian Flynn, and I've reviewed her other two here already. (Sharp Objects and Dark Places.)
This is her third book and it was so good. I think it would have been better if I'd not already seen the film, as I knew what was going to happen. I still enjoyed it, though, and would most definitely recommend it. It is dark, intense and very intriguing, keeping you wondering and questioning (well, it would have done if I hadn't seen the film!) A great book, which leaves you thinking about it after you've finished reading. Read it!
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I didn't finish any books in June, so there were no book reviews for that month. My reading (along with my crafting!) has been pretty slow-going lately.
I did finish one book in July, though. I started it in May, so it took a while, due to other things going on in my life.
Sleepyhead
- Mark Billingham
I don't think I got fully into this book, due to how long it took me to read and what with everything else going on. But that's no fault of the book!
The story revolves around a young woman who has been attacked and left in a coma, unable to move or communicate. However, she can still see, hear, think and feel. Other women have been attacked in a similar way, but have been killed. DI Tom Thorne is on the case to find the person responsible, and communicating with the girl in the coma could be the key to cracking the case.
I do think it was a good book, but perhaps didn't enjoy it as much as a few I had read previously. I'm not sure I quite warmed to the characters. I think it's worth a read, but didn't leave me that excited. Although, again, it might be due to my lack of focus when reading it.
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My book reviews are getting later and later each month. I know I spoke last time about possibly not continuing, but I wanted to review this months books as they were so good!
Dark Places
- Gillian Flynn
Back in February I read Gillian Flynn's first book - Sharp Objects - which was very dark and very good. Her second book - Dark Places - is just as dark and twisted! I was hooked from the very first line.
The book flits between today and about 25 years ago when violence struck the Day family, and delves into the truth of what happened on that blood-soaked night. If you want a bright, happy, cheery read, then keep away! It's definitely not a feel-good book. I loved it, though - it kept me intrigued and interested throughout. I highly recommend it.
Before I Go To Sleep
- S J Watson
I'd seen a trailer for this at the cinema, but never got round to watching it. However, I realised the film was based on a book so bought the book. Ooooh, this was really good too! Not as disturbing and twisted as Dark Places, a bit nicer to read despite being a bit of a thriller and having some scary and tense moments.
Something has occurred in the main character's past to cause her to have amnesia. Every morning she wakes up not knowing where she is or what has happened, and anything she learns during the day she forgets again when sleeping that night. I won't give anything away, but it is such a good book. A real page-turner, I couldn't put it down! Really loved this - definitely read it! I want to see the film now.
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Let me first start by saying that I have started replying to your comments on the actual blog post, rather than replying via email (or more usually not at all, sorry!) I've never been sure of the best way to respond, and some commenters are no-reply bloggers, so I can't email them back. I've always wondered whether anyone would remember to pop back to the post to see my response, but I thought I'd give it a go. If you have any thoughts on this and the best way to respond, I'd love to hear them!
So, if you've commented on the last few posts, you will find a response there. (Try not to get too excited now!)
Secondly, I am getting later and later with my monthly book reviews. I have to admit I'm not really enjoying writing them, and I'm not sure that anyone is enjoying reading them?! I'll keep going for a bit longer, though.
Only one book read in April... I don't know what I did with my time, as I have achieved very little lately! (Hence the lack of blog posts recently.)
The Affair: (Jack Reacher 16)
- Lee Child
The Jack Reacher reading continued. This was a good one. It actually went back in time to the period just before Reacher left the army, and explained the situation leading up to that point. In all the years and adventures covered in the books (which start about six months after he left) the situations surrounding his departure were never quite clear. Now they are! It was a good story, and had the usual escapism you get with a Jack Reacher book. I won't give anything away, but I enjoyed it and recommend it.
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March was a very slow reading month. Only two books, and the first one wasn't a full length book, more a guide.
I was clearly in a very decluttering mood...
Simplify
- Joshua Becker
This is an e-book and as the cover says, it is seven guiding principles to help anyone declutter their home and life. It's a short guide, I read it in an hour or so (I think, I wasn't timing it!)
I discovered that there is such a thing as a minimalist way of life over a year ago, and Joshua Becker's blog 'Becoming Minimalist' has been a great source of information and inspiration. In the past year I have done a lot of online reading, and have started my own blog, Exploring Minimalism. Therefore, I would say that this book didn't really provide anything different for me.
However, I think if you are new to the idea and are interested in cutting the excess from your life and living more simply and contentedly, then this would be a very inspiring and motivating read!
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying
- Marie Kondo
I'd read about this book here and there online, and decided to give it a go. I was impressed!
The way of tidying detailed in the book has been named the KonMari method. The book describes how to tidy and declutter our homes - once and for all - using this method. As mentioned above, I have been researching minimalism, decluttering, simplifying for the last year or so. However, I still felt that this book gave a bit of a different perspective and fresh food for thought.
I can see that Marie Kondo could be considered somewhat eccentric in her views, and the way she seems to almost humanise the items we own. However, when you get down to her method for tidying our homes, I can't help thinking that it's got to work! I can honestly say that reading this book inspired and excited me - maybe I need to get out more?!
I would definitely recommend it if you are interested in decluttering and tidying your home, leaving only those things which make you happy. I plan to publish a series on Exploring Minimalism, showing how I get on trying out the KonMari method. Keep an eye out for that!
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Another month of 2015 is over, and I'm here with a brief review of the books I read in February... just two again...
Worth Dying For: (Jack Reacher 15)
- Lee Child
The next in the Jack Reacher books, after reading number 14 (61 Hours) last month. For some reason I struggled to get into this at first, but not through any fault of the book. I think I just had other things going on, so didn't really get the chance to sit and read it enough. Once I did get into it, however, I was hooked and really enjoyed it!
Jack Reacher has ended up in another small town, whose residents are being controlled by a nasty bunch of brothers. There are mysteries past and present to be solved... lucky Reacher is there then! I won't give anything away, but it was more typical Jack Reacher shenanigans, with a touch of sadness.
Sharp Objects
- Gillian Flynn
I went to see 'Gone Girl' at the cinema, and loved the film. I later found out it was based on the book by Gillian Flynn, so I requested all three of her novels for Christmas. 'Sharp Objects' is the first one.
Oooooh, what can I say?! I couldn't put it down - so good! It's pretty dark, somewhat disturbing, and keeps you intrigued throughout. Camille is a journalist who reluctantly has to go back to the hometown she's kept away from for many years, in order to report on a year old murder and a currently missing girl. A more intense and sinister read than the escapism of Jack Reacher, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Keep away if you like a cheery read - this isn't exactly uplifting! It sticks with you, though, and keeps you thinking about it.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book by this author!
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I've decided to do a brief review of books I read throughout the year. I like to see reviews on other blogs to give me ideas of new books to read, so I thought that some of you might find it interesting and it will also serve as a record for myself of what I've read. I'm going to post on a monthly basis.
So, here goes with January's reads... I've only finished two books this month, damn that full-time job getting in the way of reading and crafting and fun things!:
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)
- Mindy Kaling
Mindy writes for and acts in 'The Office' (American version) - she is also the creator and star of 'The Mindy Project', a comedy series which I love watching. As I find that series so funny, I thought I'd give her book a go.
I'm usually a fiction reader and I think this might be the first autobiography (or biography) I've read. (I prefer to live in a happy fantasy made-up world!) I just got the impression it would be a fun read, and I was right. It's a quick-to-read light-hearted book. You hear about Mindy's childhood and how she came to be where she is today, interspersed with random musings and abstract thoughts which made me laugh.
It's seem less like an autobiography and more like listening to a funny, clever friend chatter away. If you want to relax and have a laugh with an easy read, I recommend this book. I really enjoyed it.
61 Hours: (Jack Reacher 14)
- Lee Child
I started reading the Jack Reacher books last Spring/Summer and have now finished the 14th one.
Jack Reacher was an Army Military Policeman and the books start about six months after his exit from the Army. He is very big, strong, and tough (not quite captured by little Tom Cruise in the Jack Reacher film!) and seems to find himself in the midst of trouble wherever he goes. Thank goodness he's around to lend a hand and save the day! He is a bit of rebel, and does things his own way, by his own moral code, but always ultimately for the good.
In 61 Hours, Reacher - thanks to a mini-bus accident - ends up trapped by a storm in the freezing cold town of Bolton, South Dakota. But of course, dodgy-goings-on are afoot! (He does encounter all sorts of mischief, this fella!) I don't like to give away much of the story, so I'll just say that I really enjoyed 61 Hours. It is a fast-paced, easy read, that keeps you interested and turning the pages (or clicking the button on your electronic reading device). A great bit of escapism, not too taxing!
And that's it for January. More next month!
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