April: What I Read

I finished the first quarter with some books that were pretty darn meh if I am being honest.  Except for my #1 book-- it was OUTSTANDING.

I read like crazy at the beginning of the month, but then I just sort of lagged there for awhile.  I read some of my books this month on my iPad because I had a big store credit to use, but really?  I don't totally like reading on my iPad, and it makes me a slow reader because I am always stopping to look at something shiny on the internet.

But still.

8.  Elimination Night: A Novel by Anonymous:  This was pretty awful, but sort of entertaining.  An American Idol roman a clef.

7.  The Troop by Nick Cutter: SCARY AS HELL and really gory, but really?  Just another Stephen King knock-off, and all the characters were cardboard cut outs-- I didn't care about any of them.

6.  We Are Water by Wally Lamb:  I usually like him, but I just couldn't quite connect with this.  There was no "why now" to any of the story telling, and much of the book was exposition.

5.  Knocking on Heaven's Door: The Path to a Better Way of Death by Katy Butler:  As the title suggests, this book was kind of a downer.  But I was really fascinated by her research and am interested in the kind of natural death movement she discusses.

4.  Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls:  Still a wonderful tear jerker.  And the main character is always asking God for things, so Jack got the idea that he should "prayer" for the easter Bunny to bring him stuff.  Erm.

3.  All Joy and No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood by Jennifer Senior:  This was great!  Lots of research from many social science disciplines and some really insightful discussion of work/life balance and issues of gender inequality.  I had some issues with it, too, especially the cavalier way she mentions that the book is really about middle-class parenting in the intro but then continues to make sweeping claims about all parenting throughout.  But still-- a great read.

2.  Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell:  Okay, sure, this is teen fiction, but it is wonderful, sweet, heartbreaking, delightful teen fiction.  You should read it if you have a couple hours to spare.

1.  We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler:  READ THIS!!  But do yourself a favor and don't read any reviews or press about it because they all offer a big spoiler. I went into the book blind and I think that's why I loved it so, so, so much.  (I would still love it with the spoiler, but my enjoyment was heightened this way.)

I am 41 books into the year, and so far The Goldfinch, Wonder, A Constellation of Vital Phenomena, and We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves top my list.