I actually wrote August Book Club before correcting myself. Shows you how awesome my mental state is at the moment.
I just hope I can remember what I actually read this month.
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
So, I finished this right on the first or second day. This was definitely a special kind of post-apocalyptic book. And I liked it. I mean, it was horrific and sad and hopeful and crushing, but it was very real and raw. And I don’t know if I’d want to see the movie due to…specific scenes. If you like post-apocalyptic/survival, I do recommend it.
the princess saves herself in this one by Amanda Lovelace
One thing fellow literary people need to know about me is I hate poetry. The only poetry I could tolerate was Poe (even then, I have a much stronger preference for his short films). And then I read Lovelace. There is something so connecting with her work. It’s like she breaks all the rules while creating a large overarching story through various forms of poetry. Talent! I loved it so much I bought the second part of the series: the witch doesn’t burn in this one (which will likely be in next month’s book club). Highly recommend to all ladies, even if you hate poetry (like me).
Dr. Frankenstein’s Daughters by Suzanne Weyn
I’m one of those weirdos that really enjoyed Frankenstein in high school. It’s one of my favorite classics. So I was…interested. At first it was out of pure curiosity since (spoiler) Frankenstein’s wife dies on their wedding night. And until then, he had been somewhere else making a man. But it was interesting. I had a hard time with it…UNTIL THE END. Oh man! This twist was actually unexpected (a lot coming from me). It all came together in the end, and that on its own was worth it. It wasn’t as connected to Frankenstein as I had hoped, but it was a good book on it’s own. I do recommend it.
That Was Then, This Is Now by S.E. Hinton
Hinton is a young adult classic, if not the staple of young adult genre. But I’m talking about The Outsiders. I got another book of hers for a nickel, so I thought I’d give it a try. Unfortunately, I think she peeked at The Outsiders. I had read other works of hers before (Tex, Rumble Fish, and Taming the Star Runner), but TWTTIN seemed to be her next most popular work, so I gave her one last try. Guys, just stick with The Outsiders. That is truly the amazing book.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
I heard nothing but good things about this. ‘A crazy twist’, ‘the next Gone Girl‘, ‘such suspense, much thriller’. And after I read it, I just sat there asking myself, “really?” Everything about the book was completely obvious! I knew what had happened and why within the beginning of the book. Remember when I said unexpected twists are a lot coming from me (look above), I wasn’t kidding. Dr. Frankenstein’s Daughters was a bigger twist than this! Shame! I won’t spoil anything in case you want to watch the movie or read the book. But I wasn’t a fan.
The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
That’s right, I started the grand trilogy! I’m a fan of the world, even if I’m not a fan of fantasy as a genre. But reading this book is a lot more than fantasy. I understand now why people love this trilogy so much. It’s amazingly written, the characters are fantastic, and the world is…well…out of this world! Tolkien is a genius and no one can top him (screw you George R.R. Martin). I love it, and am excited to finish with The Two Towers and The Return of the King. And of course I recommend it.
There was a roller coaster of feelings with the books this month, and I’m not changing it next month either. Here’s what we’re reading in August:
The Two Towers and The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien (duh); the witch doesn’t burn in this one by Amanda Lovelace; The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank; and Bag of Bones by Stephen King.
Let me know if you have thoughts about these books or if you read any of them.
Hugs
Alexandra
Alexandra TG 