Books Lately

Show Us Your Books day with Steph & Jana! I tried to knock out a few netgalley books since the last link up, I'm still not ahead but isn't that always the way with netgalley. Getting there!

My photos are always with Penny because she is a) the only cat that ever lays on me and b) the only cat that allows me to rest my book on her. It's quite handy really, until she moves, which she always does because you know.. cats.

One of Us Is Lying - Karen M. McManus
breakfast club meets gossip girl meets pretty little liars
I've had this book forever and I kept putting it off, don't know why. It was addicting and I really wanted to know what happened. I did guess the ending, but I guessed several other endings too so I was bound to be right with one of them. I read it in one sitting, liked the characters and the story. I see why some people wouldn't like it or be offended by some of the 'twists' but they did not bother me.
Received copy from Netgalley.

All the Ugly and Wonderful Things - Bryn Greenwood
follows the relationship between a man and girl with 13 year age gap
This is one of the most disturbing, sickening, heartbreaking books I've ever read. I had some issues with the direction of the book towards the end, regardless of how realistic, and of course with the whole 13 year age gap which wouldn't be the end of the world except things do get physical when she is like 13. This is not a true romance, it's not super graphic or erotic, and like On the Island you might find yourself rethinking things, rethinking your gut reactions. I don't know. I read a review that said this was a hard book to read and even harder to put down and I agree completely. 

The Great Alone - Kristin Hannah

family moves to alaska in the 70s

This is actually my first Kristin Hannah book after The Nightingale. I loved that one so much I didn't think any of her others would be able to compare, but when I saw this on netgalley I couldn't help but request it. I do not think the synopsis does this one justice, it sounds dreadfully boring but it is anything but. The pacing is a bit odd, really slow at first and super quick at the end. I loved the characters and their relationships. This book is heartbreaking and I felt all the emotions. I teared up several times, nothing like the all out sobfest of The Nightingale though. I definitely need to check out more from this author!
Received copy from Netgalley.

Surprise Me - Sophie Kinsella
couple freaks out when they realise they have 60+ years left together
This is a typical Kinsella book in my opinion, the characters get into stupid sticky situations because they don't think or research things properly and there's a lot of miscommunication. It passed the time just fine though it did feel like there was a lot going on, almost like it was two books smooshed into one (which is funny, given a quote in the book). Definitely not my favourite of hers, my expectations might have been a tad too high after loving My Not So Perfect Life, but if you're a fan of hers already you might enjoy it. 
Received copy from Netgalley.

Murder on the Orient Express - Agatha Christie
murder mystery on a train
I picked this up for 2 reasons - 1) the movie, I have a strange obsession with reading books before watching the movie, even if I don't really have an interest in the book or movie (I didn't say it was a logical obsession) and 2) my mana is a huge Agatha Christie fan. She owned and loved all of them. She can't read anymore, her eyesight is too bad. I've always meant to pick up one of her books, but my nana hates Jane Austen so I figured our tastes would be pretty different. This book took me two months to read, which is an age for me. Even though it took me a long time, I really enjoyed it overall. It was funny and interesting.

Artemis - Andy Weir
a criminal-ish and a conspiracy on the moon
I ignored this one for several months because my expectations were way too high. Andy Weir probably should have pulled a JK Rowling and published this under another name because everyone will compare, and I'm sorry, it just pales in comparison to The Martian and Mark Watney. Which is a bummer, obviously. I liked the overall story and I was definitely interested, I just would have liked more from the characters and their relationships. Overall it was an enjoyable read that passed the time just fine, I don't regret reading it.
Received copy from Netgalley.

By the Book - Julia Sonneborn

persuasion retelling

I love Persuasion retellings, as I might have mentioned a time or twenty. I had high hopes for this one but it was very disappointing unfortunately. I wasn't a fan of the writing, the story itself didn't focus enough on Adam (Wentworth) and Anne as much as I'd like, there was a love triangle.. honestly, the other guy is probably what ruined it for me. Sometimes drastic changes in retellings work, sometimes they don't. This one just didn't sit right with me and I struggled through it. Womp womp.
Received copy from Netgalley.

How to Stop Time - Matt Haig

man lives for over 400 years

I...... nope. Note to self: if you find a book dreadfully boring and not matching the synopsis, DNF it. I loved the concept but this fell super flat for me. The main character was insufferable and so boring. It goes back and forth all over time (he is 439, after all) and we meet lots of famous people (come on now, just because you're old doesn't mean you will have met every bloody person who will turn out to be famous in a century or two). I didn't hate it but I didn't love it and have already forgotten it.
Received copy from Netgalley.

Nemesis - Brendan Reichs

girl survives being killed every 2 years but also the world seems to be ending plus a little bit of hunger games/lord of the flies

This was the book Gina and I decided on this month and I think we'd both like to apologise to anyone who read along with us... this book was a mess. It sounded good because of the girl getting killed every 2 years but somehow surviving that, and that's why I picked it up. I admit I didn't read the entire synopsis because I didn't think it would be much more than that, because why would you need more than that? This book tried to fit too many things in, answered about 10% of the questions that arose and the answers were lazy with someone explaining shit. Should have DNF'd.

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry 

Linking up with Steph & Jana.

Gina and I will be reading Homegoing before the next link up if you'd like to pick it up as well. I've heard nothing but good things, hopefully it is better than the mess that Nemesis was.

TL;DR - I recommend One of Us Is Lying and The Great Alone.

Read anything decent lately?