Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Recommended Reading - August

I don't know if I was channeling my inner student this past month or if I was just nostalgic for those Summer Reading Lists because I found myself reading a lot of Contemporary Young Adult novels, a genre I rarely read. But I tell you, the Standouts below should be - if they aren't already - on school reading lists everywhere.

Books Read in August:  11

Total Books Read in 2013:  63

Standouts:

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick - this is an uncomfortable and unsettling book to read. It pulls us and pushes us to places we don't really want to go, but we will because we want to know what happens. My heart hurt for pretty much every character in it. An excellent read.


*****

Right Behind You by Gail Giles - another difficult, emotional read but it feels less raw, less gritty than the one mentioned above. It is so well done that I made a note of the author so I can hunt down more of her work. And because I was just so blown away by the brief summary of the novel, I'm sharing it right here:


When he was nine, Kip set another child on fire. Now, after years in a juvenile ward, he is ready for a fresh start. But the ghosts of his past soon demand justice, and he must reveal his painful secret. How can Kip tell anyone that he really is--or was--a murderer? (Goodreads)



*****

Thousand Words and Bitter End by Jennifer Brown - these are two books I wish every teenager - not just the girls! - would read. Thousand Words is about "sexting" and Bitter End is about teen dating abuse, but both novels are really about choices and decisions - good and bad - and taking responsibility.



*****

Have you read any of the Standouts? Will you add any of them to your To Read list? How did your summer reading go? Read anything fantastic? Read something that disappointed you? 

26 comments:

  1. My summer reading was more sporadic than I had planned. I did read a fantastic book though (The Day After Tomorrow - not related to the movie in any way).

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    1. I tend to read more in the summer months - maybe because it's so hot outside and it's easier to curl up inside with the air conditioner on and a good book in my hands. :)

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  2. Wow that sounds like heavy reading. I haven't read any of these. This summer I've read all kinds of books from romance to murder to science fiction to paranormal romance. I'm getting caught up on the books I put on the TBR pile during A-Z. I might get through the pile before the next A-Z. ;)

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    1. I do tend to gravitate toward "darker" books but most of those usually leaving me feeling better at the end - there is light at the end of the tunnel kind of thing. :)

      Don't get your hopes up about that TBR read pile - I'm sure the Fall will bring a lot more titles for you to add to it. :)

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  3. Some great books to add to my TBR pile. Awesome!

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  4. Your August sounds like my July, reading wise. I love that you read so much. I do too, just a ton of it falls in the category of articles, magazines, and educational literature. Still, as any wise person must, I afford myself a minimum of 4 just-for-fun novels a month. This month I'm going to finish The Book Thief, and I Am Number Four. I've only got about 80 others on my TBR list to pick from. How's a girl to choose?

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    1. I read magazines, too - some related to the writing craft, some just for fun.

      I hope you enjoy The Book Thief - don't forget the movie coming this Fall! And I can't remember if I read I Am Number Four or if I saw a movie based on it....

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  5. Wow! That list is staggering! 11 books just this months? I haven't read that many all year! Boy, do I feel lazy.

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    1. Don't feel lazy! I just really enjoy reading, and I make it a priority, turning off the TV more often than not. :)

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  6. Thanks for sharing your standouts. I just finished reading The Night Circus and thought it was great.

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  7. I haven't heard of or read any of these, but they all sound good. The subject matter sounds hard to deal with all around.

    Shannon at The Warrior Muse

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    1. You're right about the subject matter, but every author handled it very well - nothing felt preachy or condescending to me.

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  8. The Matthew Quick book went on my TBR list as soon as I'd finished the Silver Linings Playbook. Your review makes me want to read it right now!

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  9. I wish, I wish, I wish I could have done more reading over the summer. It's so frustrating! But I'll keep an eye out for these titles, though the book by Matthew Quick sounds a little too heart-wrenching for me. (: Thank for the reviews!

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    1. You're welcome! Yes, some of these books are definitely "darker" than others and that's definitely not everyone's cup of tea. That's why I usually try to mention that somewhere in my mini reviews. :)

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  10. Great reading! I might try a few of those . . . although I usually steer clear of the serious books. Sad, I know, but then sometimes they sneak up on me too. Princess of Las Pulgas by C. Lee Mckenzie was gritty and wonderful and I read that last month. I also really liked Cast of Stones by Patrick W. Carr which included the main character's struggle with alcoholism as well as a sword and sorcery adventure. And thirdly, The Thirteenth Tale, was a dark but excellent read. (Well, dark by my standards)

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    1. Not sad at all. Some people just don't enjoy those kinds of reads. I enjoyed THE THIRTEENTH TALE - by Diane Setterfield, right? I read the ARC of her new one and liked it okay.

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  11. "Right Behind You" sounds terrifying, but works as redemption story since my first thought is he's a monster. Thanks for letting us peek at your reading list Madeline!

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    1. It's really interesting how the author is able to get us inside this kid's head, see who really is and make us see what happened. Definitely check it out! ;)

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  12. Nice post, great blog, following :)

    Good Luck :)

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  13. You know me: I'm a s-l-o-w reader. Still in the first third of WOOL. I need to stop watching Breaking Bad on Netflix and read more!

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    1. I'm looking forward to reading DUST soon. And I know I'm going to be in trouble once the new season of The Walking Dead starts. :)

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