2016 Books: The Bad, The Good, and The Awesome!

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Well, it's a good thing that I am a teacher because I am a reading nerd. I have always loved to read, but this year, I just couldn't put books down! I was overwhelmed with audiobooks, chapter books, young adult novels, and everything in between!

My husband makes fun of me for reading so much, but in all honesty, I don't actually spend that much time reading, I just read really fast. I am one of those people who will finish a 400 page book in two days. I surpassed my goal of reading 41 books this year on Goodreads (my goal was 40! Come be my friend on Goodreads! I love to see what others are reading). I was pretty proud of myself.

I hope that you have seen my monthly reading posts. I am thinking of doing some kind of linkup or hashtag so that others can join. Would anyone even participate? Do people even read my blog anymore? Ha. I will link up all of the months of 2016 below if you want to see what I read and all of my thoughts on them.

Being in a Book Club has been so fun as well. This is not your typical gossip book club. It is a group of us who literally spend 3 hours once a month talking about the book the entire time. I'm not lying when I said 7 out of the 10 ladies are teachers. What nerds ;) . Let me know if you want to participate and join! We are, also, looking for a name for our book club. If you have any ideas for good book club names, let me know!

Okay, enough babbling. Here are the The Bad, the Good, and the Awesome Books of 2016.*
*in my opinion. It was hard to only put a few in each category!!

Let's start with the Bad. Get it out of the way.

Bad 

+Major Pettigrew's Last Stand // Helen Simonson: So so so boring. I made it to chapter five and then gave up. It's about an old man in England who falls in love with Mrs. Ali. Major snoozefest.

+Shout Her Lovely Name // Natalie Serber: A story about a mother and daughter and their trials. It was so terrible I could barely finish it. Confusing and not very well written.

+Landline // Rainbow Rowell: I read "Attachments" for book club and I really enjoyed it, so I thought I would try some of Rainbow's other books. This one was so incredibly boring and horribly written. I couldn't even believe I finished it.


Good

+Daring Greatly // Brene Brown: I love Brene Brown so so so so much. I enjoyed this novel a lot, but it definitely wasn't my favorite novel of hers. In this novel she talks about learning to step outside of your insecurities and comfort zone to "dare greatly." Some really great ideas, quotes, and concepts and one I would recommend.

+Intuitive Eating// Evelyn Tribole: This woman talks about her struggles with food and how to be "aware of what you are eating." Very good novel!

+Me Before You // Jojo Moyes: I read this book in one night. It definitely captured my attention. I loved the idea and the movie. The ending definitely had me confused (I don't know what I would do in that situation!). A good book!

+The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up// Marie Kondo: Very interesting take on cleaning up your life. I was fascinated by it and it definitely helped me organize parts of my life. I found that the process took too long, but I loved the idea and concept of it (and it did help me! I just don't have a year to do this! ha).

+Rain, Reign// Ann M. Martin:  Young Adult Novel about a girl with Asperger's from her point of view. I loved the concept of this book and it had me in tears at parts because of her relationship with her dog. A little scattered at parts, but it was my favorite young adult book that I've read this year.


Awesome

+Quiet: Life of an Introvert in an Extraverted World // Susan Cain: This novel talks about what it is like to be an introvert in today's world of extreme extraverts. I don't know if it's just because I am a very extraverted introvert, but I absolutely loved this passage from an introvert's point of view. This is something that I think all people, introverts and extraverts alike need to read (especially if your spouse is the opposite of you!).

+The Nightingale // Kristin Hannah: The life of two women, very opposite sisters who live in France during World War II. Amazing!!!!! I cried like a baby.

+Ready Player One // Ernest Cline: Year 2044, teenage boy in virtual reality trying to deal with puzzles. It is hilarious, intriguing, and incredibly well written.

+Dad is Fat// Jim Gaffigan: Hilarious, hilarious, hilarious!  Autobiography of comedian Jim Gaffigan. I would encourage you to even listen to it on audiobook. I listened to it while reading along at parts. I really enjoyed it.

+Nineteen Minutes// Jodi Picoult: I read this novel about eight years ago, but we read it for book club so I decided to re-read it. I forgot how much I love her books. Even though Jodi Picoult's novels are all of the same, this one is definitely one of my favorites (and I have read a lot of books by her!). I thought this story about a young boy involved in a school shooting is interesting, relatable and it was incredibly well written.


Monthly Book Reviews

*January/February Books (did separate posts in these months)
-These Is My Words- Nancy E. Turner
-Go Set a Watchman-Harper Lee
-Daring Greatly-Brene Brown
-Quiet: Life of an Introvert in an Extraverted World- Susan Cain
*March (started combining all of my books in one post in March! Ha)
*April 
*May
*June 
*July/August
*September
*October
*November/December


What books did you read in 2016? Which ones did you love? Which ones did you hate? I would love your thoughts!

BOOKS IN JUNE.

You like my hair and outfit? Literally came from a swim party and my boobs are all blah in a swimsuit. You're welcome. 

Why Not Me?// Mindy Kaling

Genre: Autobiography 

Rating: 4/5 stars (see more on GoodReads)

Summary: In Why Not Me?, Kaling shares her ongoing journey to find contentment and excitement in her adult life, whether it’s falling in love at work, seeking new friendships in lonely places, attempting to be the first person in history to lose weight without any behavior modification whatsoever, or most important, believing that you have a place in Hollywood when you’re constantly reminded that no one looks like you.

My thoughts: 
We read this book for book club this month. I listened to most of this on audiobook this time simply to change things up. I know Mindy (not like personally) but I loved her in The Office and I currently watch The Mindy Project. I like her. I think she is smart, funny, and normal (as far as celebrity normalcy goes.) It was an interesting discussion this month for book discussion because my friend did not really know Mindy. This book was her first introduction to Mindy and she listened to it on audio. Let me start off by saying that Mindy's voice is annoying. I will be the first one to say that. Needless to say, my friend in book club did not enjoy this novel at all. So, with that being said, I think it's important to know that listening to this rather than reading it may change your idea of the novel and her. In my opinion, you need to be a "fan" of Mindy before reading it. 
Some thoughts regarding this novel: 

1. I love that Mindy debunks the celebrity norms--with her body, her sense of humor, and her background culture. What I enjoy about female comedians , and more specifically, Mindy, is her willingness to make fun of herself and joke about her idiosyncrasies. The chapters and essays in this book definitely reiterated that. 
2.  I LOVED when she talked about confidence in women and that this idea that young women automatically are victims and will have self confidence issues needs to stop. We automatically assume that girls will have confidence issues? Why? Because they are "fragile?" I think it is imperative, like she states (and I love that she brought this up) that we teach our daughters that they are not victims. 
3. My favorite part of the novel is when she talked about the things that keep her up at night--those were all things that I think many of us can relate to. 
4. Her short essays were funny and witty overall. 

I disliked a few of the chapters regarding her ex boyfriend (it had nothing to do with anything--and she didn't explain that relationship and the relevance to her life currently. If you are going to talk about a boy in the past, you need to explain why you are talking about him...just my thoughts.) I also though her commencement speech was annoying. 

Favorite Quote from the book: 
"Work hard, know your shirt, show your shit, and then feel entitled. Listen to no one except the two smartest and kindest adults you know, and that doesn't always mean your parents. If you do that, you will be fine."

Me Before You/ Jojo Moyes 

Genre: Realistic Fiction 

Rating: 5/5 stars (see more on GoodReads)

Summary: Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick. What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane. Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that. What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time

My thoughts: 
(note: kind of some spoilers! Ha). 
I truly enjoyed the main character. Lou is feisty, outspoken, unique and quirky. She is willing to open herself to new possibilities and I loved that. I loved the fact that I could not put this novel down. I literally read it in one day. It's a pretty easy read, but it still pulls at your heartstrings. I learned even more about quadriplegia as well.  I am a sucker for a good romantic story. This book completely met those frivolous female needs of mine! I loved that this novel made me think. Even though I personally hated the ending, it made me think what I would do if I were in his position? Would I change my mind for the person I love? Would I want that person to have a free life without me. Even though I wanted him to change his mind, I almost feel like I would do the same thing, interestingly enough. 

Favorite Quote from the book: 
“You only get one life. It's actually your duty to live it as fully as possible.” 

Landline//Rainbow Rowell 

Genre: Realistic Fiction 

Rating: 3/5 stars (see more on GoodReads)

Summary: Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble; it has been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply — but that almost seems beside the point now. Maybe that was always beside the point.Two days before they’re supposed to visit Neal’s family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells Neal that she can’t go. She’s a TV writer, and something’s come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her — Neal is always a little upset with Georgie — but she doesn't expect him to pack up the kids and go home without her.When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she’s finally done it. If she’s ruined everything.That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It’s not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she’s been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts...Is that what she’s supposed to do? Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?

My thoughts: 
A few months ago, we read Attachments by Rainbow Rowell for book club and I loved it, so I wanted to see what else she has written. Rainbow's novels are the perfect "by-the-pool" novels. They are pretty easy reads, but not completely childish and ridiculous. She is a great summer-read novelist. With that being said, I did not love this novel (Attachments is by far her best novel!).

I don't really know what to say about this novel. It was good. It was predictable. But that's it. I liked the insightful message fighting for your marriage. Overall, pretty good. Kind of boring. That's it. Haha!

Favorite Quote from the book: 
“Nobody's lives just fit together. Fitting together is something you work at. It's something you make happen - because you love each other.” 

Eleanor and Park//Rainbow Rowell 

Genre: Realistic Fiction (Young Adult)  

Rating: 3/5 stars (see more on GoodReads)

Summary: Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor. Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park. Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.

My thoughts: 
Besides the insane amount of F words, this book was okay. Normally I don't mind swearing, but this was a little excessive (I would not want my young teen to read this, so it's strange that it's considered young adult). I have seen a plethora of different opinions regarding this novel. Some people have loved it and some people hated it. I was a little in between. I did not devour it like others have stated, but I did not hate it. I did not love the end of the story, but I did enjoy the "realness" of the situation. It was a heavy relationship for teenagers, but Rainbow captured the difficulty and hardships of being a teenager perfectly. 

Favorite Quote from the book: 
“I'm sorry about yesterday," she said.

He hung on to his straps and shrugged. "Yesterday happens.” 

A Man Called Ove (Book Club!!) // Sierra's Book Reviews

Like I mentioned last month, I love being in a book club. I am excited to be the co-host with Bonnie this month for the novel "A Man Called Ove" by Fredrik Backman. 

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Rating: 5/5 stars (see more on GoodReads)
Summary: Meet Ove. He's a curmudgeon, the kind of man who points at people he dislikes. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him the bitter neighbor from hell, but must Ove be bitter just because he doesn't walk around with a smile plastered to his face all the time?
Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove's mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents' association to their very foundations.

My thoughts: 
One thing that is so interesting to me about book clubs is that I come away from them with such a different perspective than I did before going in. This novel caused such an interesting discussion because some members of the group did not love the cheesiness that accompanied this story. Call me a romantic (okay, I am one!) but I loved it. I loved the heartfelt, compelling story that showed that even a horrible man like Ove, all have a good side, even if it's in unconventional ways. I think that Ove's character is incredibly unlikeable. In a way, almost painful. He is, frankly, horrible. He is a bitter old man (although the book said that he was 59? Since when is that considered old? That was a bit confusing) who clearly has a lot of negative emotion to work through. For me, I wanted to learn about his past. I know that Ove was stuck in his ways because of experiences that we went through. So, for me, I wanted to keep reading so that I could understand WHY he was acting that way. I don't think that Ove could have  carried the story alone. I think that he needed some serious help from his hilarious neighbors, if that makes sense. With that, my favorite character in the story is Paravaneh. I loved her. So much. I loved that she was feisty and annoying, but you loved her in spite of them. I loved that she didn't take Ove's crap. She added some pizzazz and realistic nature to the story,  in my opinion.

The way that Ove talks about his and Sonja's relationship will tear at any female's heartstrings. It is clear that he felt that she married way below her level. In his mind, Sonja was perfect because she had passed on. And although that was a little annoying, for me, it was endearing. When someone passes on, you tend to just remember the good things. I hope that my husband thinks of our memories and me the way that Ove does with his spouse.

In the story, Ove mentions that when you don't share sorrow, it can drive you a part. That is what happened with him and his neighbor Rhune. I think that this is SO true. Often times when someone is going through a hard time, they need someone to step up and in a sense say "I'm here for you. I've been through this." These types of trials either make or break a relationship. Unfortunately, for Rhune and Ove, the death of a loved one, tore them apart. I have seen this happen in my own life and the lives of so many others, so I could relate to this part of the story immensely.

Oh, the cat. I love the cat. The cat symbolized, in my opinion, Sonja. Ove talks about her love for cats and when he meets cat, he feels a sense of duty to take care of it...for Sonja's sake. I actually thought it was funny because he IS a cat. He is fickle and particular--cats only like you if they choose to like you, and that's exactly what Ove does. I felt that they were companions and that he could subconsciously, relate to this cat. The saab. The stupid Saab. So annoying. I wanted the author to shut up about it! But the Saab symbolizes his unwillingness to change. Also, the fact that he put his heart and soul into that car and it was something that he prided himself in.

All in all, this book was not perfect. It had many flaws. It wasn't written amazingly well (was it translated from Swedish, by the way? We were wondering that in book club? I know he is a Swedish author...), One's grumpiness, for me, got quite annoying (Like...we get it...you are pissed off at the world! Ha) and the idealism that correlates with this story can be unrealistic. But, honestly, I loved it. I found myself crying towards the last few pages because it just made me want to be a better person. As cheesy as that sounds. I loved seeing the beauty of change in mankind and all the wonderful things that can happen when you have a "village that loves you."

Some of my favorite quotes from the novel: 

...all people at root are time optimists. We always think there's enough time to do things with other people. Time to say things to them. And then something happens and then we stand there holding on to words like 'if.'

Ove had never been asked how he lived before he met her. But if anyone had asked him, he would have answered that he didn’t.

He was a man of black and white. And she was color. All the color he had. 

And then he utters seven words, which Parvaneh will always remember as the loveliest compliment he'll ever give her. "Because you are not a complete twit.” 

But sorrow is unreliable in that way. When people don’t share it there’s a good chance that it will drive them apart instead.

You only need one ray of light to chase all the shadows away

Bonnie's thoughts: 

So I think I must have been the person who Sierra was referring to who didn't like the cheesy, romantic story.  Don't get me wrong!  I love a good story that tugs on the old heart strings.  But I did have a few problems with A Man Called Ove mainly in that everything wrapped up a little too perfectly for me at the end.  It was like we just wrapped all our problems up and put beautiful little bows on them and placed them underneath the Christmas tree and isn't life just perfect?  One book club member said she appreciated that because so little is that way now- in real life and in our media- so it was refreshing to read something that tied up perfectly even if, admittedly, it wasn't realistic.  I can see that.  I guess I had to suspend my sense of reality a little bit to "buy" the end of the book.

For me I also struggled with the book because there was so little plot.  I get that it's a character driven story, but I would have liked something to happen.  I was much more interested in the back story, and found that to be my driving force in reading the book.  I really enjoyed reading about Ove and Sonja's relationship (although it did bother me a little that someone as perfect as Sonja would marry someone as grumpy and mean as Ove) and I really enjoyed the backstory of Ove and his dad.  Those were the parts of the story that propelled me forward- the present story line was pretty boring for me.

I think the main take away from the book and the thing that I liked about it was Danica mentioned that in  real life it's hard to give people like Ove much of a chance because they're so grumpy and mean and we're just like, "Ugh!  Old grumpy people.  Just learn to be nice!"  I think the most interesting conversation stemmed from that- that "being nice" is different for different people and that we don't have to ask people to "be nice" on our terms.  For example, Ove is a very thoughtful, considerate person in a lot of ways (he lets the boy who has been kicked out of his house live with him, he takes care of the stray cat, drives Paravenah and Patrick to the hospital) but he isn't nice in the conventional, obvious way.  He allows himself to be a good person in the way that he sees it, not in the way that the world values "good people" or "kindness".

Cute girls at our book club meeting (I somehow am ALWAYS in workout clothes...) 

Some questions you can answer in your post are:
1. What did you think about Ove and Sonja's relationship? How do you think it affected him?
2. In the story, Ove mentioned that when people don't share sorrow, it can drive them apart. This happens to him and his friend Rhune. Do you think that this statement is true?
3. Who is your favorite character in the story?
4. Is Ove likable enough to carry the story?
5. Did you see any symbolism in the cat or the Saab?


Or you can just talk about some of your thoughts from reading! I would love to know your thoughts!

Sierra's Other Book Reviews: Go Set a Watchman // These Is My Words //  Intuitive Eating // Happier at Home // Happiness Project // Wild // Elizabeth Smart: My Story  

Come join us next month, either online or in real life, for book club! :)