Friday, March 1, 2013

Recommended Reading - February 2013

Even though I'm behind in my Goodreads Challenge, I'm happy with my progress (12 books read toward the goal of 100), and I am really enjoying the many different books I'm reading.

Unfortunately, though, I've started a handful of books only to stop reading and start feeling disappointed. I took a chance on buying a few hardcovers I'd heard good things about - yeh, gift cards! - only to regret my decision. One of novels became plodding and heavy-handed, while the other started out with a great narrative voice but once the characters started talking to each other, the dialogue came across as stilted and forced. But it's all just my opinion and, even though I was kind of annoyed at using my gift cards, I re-framed it as supporting a couple of debut authors. I didn't care for the books, but I'll pass them on to someone else, someone who might just love them.

*****

Books Read in February:  6
Books Read 2013:  12

Standouts -

Kings of Colorado by David E. Hilton - this coming-of-age novel reads like a cross between Stand By Me (The Body) and Lord of the Flies. It's raw and heartbreaking and bittersweet and if the first sentence doesn't pull you in, the voice will.

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey - this novel is like a fairytale for adults. I curled up with it and a cup of tea, and I was lost in a different place (the Alaskan wildness) and a different time (the 1920s.) It's a love story about love in its many forms - between an older married couple, for a child, for friends, and for the wild, brutal, beautiful place where the story takes place. If you're looking to lose yourself in a book, this is the one.

*****

Have you read either of the Standouts? What were you thoughts? Think you'll pick up one of them? What have you read and loved lately? 

10 comments:

  1. They both sound pretty good!! Unfortunately I haven't been reading much lately. Have to get back into that.

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  2. Jess - if I don't spend enough time reading, I get very cranky. Just ask my poor husband. :)

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  3. I haven't read either of the standout novels.

    And I'm very curious to know which ones you started and stopped.

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  4. Hi Madeline,

    I haven't read either book, but both sound interesting.

    I just finished "Coincidence is God's Way of Remaining Anonymous: Reflections on Daytime Dramas and Divine Intervention" by Gloria Loring (from Days of Our Life).

    It's thought-provoking and uplifting.

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  5. MJ - I tend to not review/blog about books I don't like or care for. I'd rather promote the ones I think deserve a bigger audience or that I think other people would enjoy. And honestly, sometimes I just feel bad because as a writer, I know how much work went into the novel I hold in my hands even if it wasn't my cup of tea. (I'm kind of mushy that way.) :)

    Donna - glad you found a book you enjoyed! I think you'd particularly like THE SNOW CHILD.

    Alex - yeah, I'm happy with the six.

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  6. The Snow Child sounds really interesting!! Happy Saturday my friend :)

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  7. Kings sounds good to me; I'll have to add it to my queue. I'm finishing my 3rd book of the year, so I'm just about on target. I'm a s-l-o-w reader, and I always seem to pick 500+ page books.

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  8. Milo - definitely check out KINGS! I think you'd enjoy it, plus it's not a long book, either. :)

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