Tuesday, August 4, 2015

July Book Recap

I actually read quite a bit in July.  I still only managed to get through four books, but they were interesting reads.  And, I visiting two awesome used book stores and found some books that had been on my want list for months, some even more than a year!

July Book Recap
First off, what I read:
Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich was sent to me last month by Favorite Color Swap partner- Kenzie.  It was a fast read and enjoyable.  I described it to my husband as Doritos in book form.  I liked it, but there wasn't a whole lot of nutritional/intellectual value in it.  I can definitely see why people read her books though, because there were some laugh out loud funny parts.  Basically, it's a good summer read, but I don't think I could read her all the time.

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin was loaned to my by a friend when I told her how sometimes I have to fake being happy, and then it evolves into real happiness.  It was a good read, and interesting.  I don't agree with Rubin 100% of the time, but she makes some very good points, and I've even been adapting some of her happiness strategies to my life.

Sherlock in Love by Sena Jeter Naslund was far and away my least favorite book of the month, maybe even the year.  I love a good book that includes Sherlock and Watson, but this book was a major drag.  First off, when it starts, Sherlock is dead.  But, I didn't let that dissuade me.  I thought maybe it took place during the time Watson thought Holmes was dead.  But no.  He didn't pop back up.  And what Watson unraveled was some far fetched story about an illegitimate Holmes sister who was younger than Mycroft and Sherlock.  And, throw in Irene Adler for a romantic angle.  The only reason I gave it two stars is because Mad King Ludvig is also a character of some importance to the plotting of the book, and ever since learning of his exploits in the Stuff You Missed in History Class episode, "Mad King Ludwig Dines Alone" I've been intrigued by his story.

The Feast Nearby by Robin Mather was probably my favorite read for the month.  It's not so much a memoir, but more a cook book, with food essays interspersed.  Mather makes me want to buy a little cottage up north and preserve my own food and roast my own coffee and own chickens and just live a slow life.  I've tried two of the recipes in her book so far, and both turned out very well.  I have a few more I want to try before I hand the book back over to my mom.  (I had bought it for her for Christmas a few years ago, and she had loaned it to me after she read it.)

Now what I acquired:
  • Unafraid by Susie Davis- picked up from Blogging for Books- I would not describe myself as fearful, but I do feel like the world is a cesspool of human depravity sometimes, so I thought this would be a good read.  Also, I was intrigued that the author had been a student during a school shooting at her school in 1978.  I always just assume Columbine was the first school shooting, although in hindsight, that was probably a little naive.
  • A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson- I picked this up at my aunt and uncle's one day, and found it really interesting. Came across it at Spinster Books in Ashland, WI.
  • Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan- This book has been on my book wishlist for almost two years.  Was super excited to find it at, also at Spinster Books.
  • The Keeper of Lost Causes by Juss Adler-Olsen- Also from Spinster books.  I'm hoping this is a cross between Tana French's Murder Squad and Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. 
  • The World's Last Night by C.S. Lewis- Lewis is one of my favorite authors. Found at Chequamegon Books in Washburn, WI, which is a book lovers dream- floor to ceiling books, wooden floors, boxes of books stacked in aisles, and literally the most beautiful view out their backdoor that I have ever seen!
  • We Took to the Woods by Louise Dickinson Rich- This one has been on my wishlist for over a year.  Found a 1942 copy at Chequamegon.
  • Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott - Never read her, but intrigued by what I know about her.  
  • Peterson Field Guides Wildflowers- Just needed a more comprehensive wild flower guidebook.
So most of my books acquired this month came from a day trip up north where two friends and I scoured two used bookstores for several hours.  I've decided to stop feeling so guilty about acquiring more books all the time.  I've realized half the fun is the hunt and it's not a terribly expensive hobby, so I'm just trying to hunt for books I want to read and then be sure to read them.  It doesn't do any good to find them if I'm only going to haul them home and let them collect dust on my bookshelf.

2015 Totals
Total Read: 25
Total Acquired: 37

6 comments:

  1. Walk in the Woods...funny and well worth reading and rereading. Traveling Mercies - anything Anne Lammont writes is worth reading. Humorous, but thought provoking. Love your lists. Thanks for making the effort.

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    1. Thanks Judy. I'm really excited to read Traveling Mercies. It's on my August to read list. :)

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  2. I have also read a Walk in the Woods and there were a few moments there that were just hilarious.Enjoy

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    1. I had started A Walk in the Woods at my aunt and uncles and didn't want to put it down. I think it'll be a good one!

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  3. I think a Walk in the Woods sounds good.

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    1. I think it will be good, Jolene. The bit of it I had read was humorous and still informative.

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