amazon / goodreads
I really did enjoy this book. I love books about books and book lovers, they make me feel more normal. The story is very interesting, some of it had me on the edge of my seat and some of it.. less so. I did enjoy it but I am not sure if I will read the other 2 or not. I had seen the movie several years ago and as soon as I finished the book I re-watched the movie. Now, I'm a weirdo and I like Brendan Fraser, but the movie isn't the best. It's ok, but the book is better (duh). Read for the winter challenge (15 points).
One of my favourite quotes: Books loved anyone who opened them, they gave you security and friendship and didn't ask for anything in return; they never went away, never, not even when you treated them badly.
amazon / goodreads
I don't know why I waited so long to read a Georgette Heyer book but now I can't wait to read them all. I absolutely adored this book. It was hilarious, witty, charming, entertaining... oh my goodness I giggled like a school girl. Now, it is not funny like Bossypants, but it is terribly funny and entertaining for a Regency romance. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Janeite for life but seriously Georgette Heyer is the bomb dot com. You know how you read a book for the first time and you just know it will be a favourite? Like, you want to slow down because you know this will be the only time you get to read it for the first time? I tried to slow down but I couldn't help myself. I LOVED this book. It made me so giddily happy. I actually read this for the winter challenge (10 points) as I overdosed on Ms Plum.
amazon / goodreads
This book has been reviewed very highly so I tried to keep my expectations in check. It was interesting and well written, the author can definitely weave magic with words and her polished phrases are beautiful to read. She captures the essence of a reader’s delight in books in a way that strikes a chord with anyone who has ever loved a book. It did take me awhile to get into though. I really liked Margaret but I never really got attached to Vida Winter. The twists or secrets that came out at the end were kind of confusing and I would have liked to know more. I know I'm being confusing because I did enjoy this book and would recommend it - I think it's the kind of book that most people would enjoy. It just wasn't absolutely enthralling, and I'm not sure if it will make the re-read shelf. Read for the winter challenge (20 points).
amazon / goodreads
I hate to give 4 stars to this very disturbing and creepy book as that indicates that I "really liked it" when the fact is there is nothing to like about this story. I could not however put it down. It is like driving past a terrible accident, you don't want to look but you can't help it! The 4 stars are for Flynn's ability to pull the reader in and hold them squirming until the end. There was a lot of 'wtf did I just read?' but I expected that. In terms of enjoyment whilst reading, I liked this more than Gone Girl, perhaps because my expectations were lower. Read for the winter challenge (25 points).
amazon / goodreads
In terms of enjoyment whilst reading, 5 stars. It's not literary genius, and if I weren't an Austen fan it'd be more like 3 stars, probably. But what can I say, I loved it. I giggled and loved all the characters, just really enjoyed it. I knew I would, I love the movie too. Both are perfect for an Austen nut like myself.
Skimmers, I would recommend The Grand Sophy (if you like those types of books) and The Thirteenth Tale.
Linking up with Jana & Steph for show us your books! Also with Rebecca for her super awesome winter reading challenge.
I'm just NOW reading Gone Girl, so I think that maybe I'll give Sharp Objects a try…I did see the movie Austenland with Keri Russell lol.
ReplyDeleteooh so many books to read, and a billion stars? gotta check that one out!
ReplyDeleteohh i liked Sharp Objects! i read it when i was on vacation in greece and it was so creepy it gave me a nightmare.. but the story was really interesting so i couldnt put it down. i liked Gone Girl more but Dark Places was just tooo gory for me! xo jillian - cornflake dreams
ReplyDeleteI do not know if you like biographies but I am reading "My Life In France" by Julia Child and it is excellent. I find the life of a chef/cook fascinating though. I have talked about it so much while reading that Drake is dying to read it next. :)
ReplyDeleteWah, I really need to read more! I usually just read blogs and when I'm not reading blogs I spend my time watching Netflix or playing a video game...lol... need to squeeze in some book reading time :P
ReplyDeleteJessica
the.pyreflies.org
Yay book! I put The Grand Sophy on my to-read list. I'm so glad you liked Austenland! Shannon Hale is one of my favs!
ReplyDeleteI love your choices of books you always pick. I want to read Sharp Objects & Thirteenth Tale... you made me excited for both!! I saw you posted on IG so you got an extra bonus entry for the giveaway too :)
ReplyDeleteWow good for you for reading 100 books in a year! Very impressive! It reminds me I need to take more time to read! And Inkheart is intriguing me - I absolutely love books about book lovers!
ReplyDeleteOoo, Austenland sounds right up my alley, and so does The Grand Sophy! Definitely going to check those out!
ReplyDeletei haven't read any other flynn books - but I can see how it leaves you wondering what the heck you just read if it's her same style of writing!! You are killing your goal this year!
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to read Austenland. I loved the movie. It's too cute. :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVED Sharp Objects. It was so dark and twisted and messed up and awesome. They're making it into a TV show and I hope it does the book justice.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up!
Have you watched the Austenland movie yet? It is the same as the book- not a work of genius but so fun.
ReplyDeleteOnce I finish gone girl I want to read more of hers. I really like her writing style.
ReplyDeleteStupid iPad I swear I just sent a response!? Oh well so for the record you're my new book advisor. I will only be reading Kristen approved novels. I really liked 13 tale but until your review I totally forgot what it was about. And gone girl was awesome so I'll have to pick up her other one. I just started reading 'life after life' have you heard of it? Definitely a good non fiction read
ReplyDeleteTotally adding The Grand Sophy to my to read list that seems to be ever growing thanks to this damn link up! haha!
ReplyDeleteG Flynn books are on my list...I kinda liked Gone Girl and want to read Sharp Objects. I'm thinking about changing my other genre one because the one I chose is suuuper long and not one I wanted to read. Just one someone gave to me to read.
ReplyDeleteI just haven't had time to read lately. I keep saying I am going to and I have a list of books from everyone's blogs but I haven't picked one up. Although, I have been reading about natural therapies - a lot less entertaining!
ReplyDeleteI also have a hard time saying I like Gillian Flynn books because they are so disturbing. But so well written and hard to put down! Haha! I didn't realize Austenland was a book before the movie. I'll have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteSharp Objects is on my to-read list. Glad it is worth a read. I did like Gone Girl.
ReplyDeleteWell I'll be reading the billion stars book ;) And I've been wanting to read another Gillian Flynn book.. that's kind of how I felt about Gone Girl, too. It was so strange but I couldn't stop reading it!
ReplyDeleteI feel the exact same way about the Gyllian Flynn book. That was so disturbing but it was impossible to put down !
ReplyDeleteHave you seen The Duchess? It's right up your alley and was SO good! 18th century Brits and the gorgeous Keira Knightley ;)
ReplyDeleteOooh fun! I have started a non fiction and am starting another fiction. Hoping December is a good month for reading! :) Austenland the movie is very cute. I watched it with my girlfriends over the summer. My KC loves flight of the concords.. so I had to laugh a little at Brett. :) XO -Alexandra
ReplyDeleteSimply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
Good job, 100 books for 2014! After I read Gone Girl this coming month, I'll give Sharp Objects a try. Glad you held on to the end. I give up on books very easily. Just too little time to waste.
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ReplyDeleteI actually haven't read any of these books. I am adding a few of them to my lisit ! yes, I have a book list...but seriously, what book nerd doesn't? :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE your book review and def picking up the Grand Sophy!!! mwah!
ReplyDeleteI love reading your book reviews! I know I've told you I'm not a big reader and it takes a lot for a book to interest me enough to finish it, but I feel like your reviews give me a pretty good sense of whether I will like it or not. I did read Sharp Objects and liked it better than Gone Girl. Even though all of her books are pretty dark I've found them all to be really different from each other.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you read Sharp objects after being so hesitant to read gone girl! Haha! I heard that's it's pretty f-ed up hhaha! Now I really want to read it since you liked it better than gone girl!
ReplyDelete<3 Shannon
Upbeatsoles.blogspot.com
Ha, ha skimmers :) I liked Gone Girl the most out of all her books. I found The Thirteenth Tale slow to get into as well, but liked it once I got into it.
ReplyDeleteOh, I thought Sharp Objects was totally disturbing!!!
ReplyDeleteYes! So many books to add to my reading list! I can't wait to look into these more!
ReplyDeleteMelanie @ meandmr.com
I'm definitely going to check out The Grand Sophy. I watched Austenland and enjoyed it. You just can't help but giggle about how silly it all is. I'm sure I'd enjoy the book too. Thanks for the reviews!!
ReplyDeleteSharp Objects is on my "to-read" list hopefully in the next little while. :) I love reading your book review posts.
ReplyDeleteI want to read the rest of Gillian's books. Gone Girl irritated the shit out of me but I loved it. She's definitely a great author in that she can lure you in and keep you interested, while at the same time saying to yourself: "What the fuck???"
ReplyDeleteSo I have Gone Girl on my winter reading list but it's a total leap for me.. I get really easily freaked out and like disturbed by things that don't seem to bother other people a lot and I was debating whether or not I even wanted to put Sharp Objects on my to-read list. Now after your review I'm leaning toward no haha!
ReplyDeleteI have heard the same thing about Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn but couldn't make it through the first couple of pages. Austenland looks fun!
ReplyDeleteSome good choices. I have a list mile long and I really have to do one long post with my list soon! I get all excited over books. Its so odd!
ReplyDeleteI loved The Thirteenth Tale.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up!
I'm working on Sharp Objects now an it's... interesting. I'm not to the twist yet, but I'm ready to get there.
ReplyDeleteI liked Sharp Objects better than Gone Girl too-- and I'm totally with you on the story being so creepy, but somehow so good at the same time. I'm adding The Grand Sophy to my to-read list!
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