SUYB April 2018
Happy Show Us Your book day!! Today I'm linking up with Jana and Steph for Show Us Your Books.
I want to start with sharing a story about my library. I am constantly checking out books from my library, and paying fines. I recently checked with them that they had all my correct information. Well, two days later when I was trying to check out books on line, and I got a message that my library card was expired!! When I went into the library, they told me that they just wanted to check that all my information was up to date! UGH!!
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate 3/5
This book was a pick from the Diverse Books Club, the theme this month was Poverty. I went into this book hoping and looking for the same magic I found in The One And Only Ivan, except this book was nothing like Ivan. Still touching, but not as moving. It was the story of a family who falls on really hard times, and the eldest son starts imagining a giant cat to cope. The story from the kids perspective was heartbreaking, but because it was a kids book, it stayed simple.
Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks 3/5
I was really excited to listen to this book, because I really like Tom Hanks voice. This was a collection of short stories, and most of the stories were filled with nostalgia over the days before all electronic devices, and social media; He makes it a point to mention that in almost every single story. Most stories did not stand out for me, except for two. The story of the time traveler broke my heart and left me wanting a whole book on that story. The story of the Bulgarian man also made me cry, and left me wondering what happened to his friend, and if he ever made it to Chicago.
Flat Broke With Two Goats by Jennifer McGaha 3/5
This was the real story of a woman and her husband who lose their house, after the husband doesn't file for taxes for 10 years. They had a triple mortgage on their house to keep up with their lavish expenses, including international trips and private schools for their children. After losing their house, they go and live in a cabin in the woods to save money.
The book was ok, I mostly kept reading because I wanted to find out if she would stay with her husband after he messed up their entire financial future. The writing was not strong, as she keeps switching back and forth between her life at present, and her life in the past and how they got to be in debt with the IRS. It takes a long time to find out about the goats, but it takes too long to get any story going.
Trigger alert: A few chickens die in this book, if that is something you don't like, stay away from this book.
Dear Ijeawle or A Feminist Manifesto In Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
This felt like a follow up to We Should All Be Feminist by the same author, it was about the same length and amazing! Each point she made left me wondering how I can be a better feminist and reinforced some of the things my mom already seared into my brain. This book made me think different of some aspects of my life.
Behold The Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue 4/5
This is the story of a couple from Africa who are trying to make a life in the United States. The story is interlaced with the life of the rich family they work for, and the contrast and similarities of their lives.
This book was another look at the life of immigrants in the United States. I liked the characters, the struggles, the joys, and the flaws of the characters. I don't have enough words to express how much I liked this book.
Beartown by Fredrik Backman 3/5
I picked this one up, because I really liked A Man Named Ove, but this was nothing like that book. This took me a little while to get into, but I enjoyed it the story. This is a very relevant book, now and 10 years ago. I remember being in college and hearing about stories of women being sexually assaulted by members of the football team, and PSU being a football college, doing nothing about it. I wish all the victims would have had a conclusion similar to the one on this book.
American Housewife by Helen Ellis
I guess this was the month of short stories! I'm pretty sure I found this recommendations on the link up. I liked some of the stories, others were way too catty for my liking. But this left me wanting a book by a strong southern woman.
How is your reading going?
I want to start with sharing a story about my library. I am constantly checking out books from my library, and paying fines. I recently checked with them that they had all my correct information. Well, two days later when I was trying to check out books on line, and I got a message that my library card was expired!! When I went into the library, they told me that they just wanted to check that all my information was up to date! UGH!!
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate 3/5
This book was a pick from the Diverse Books Club, the theme this month was Poverty. I went into this book hoping and looking for the same magic I found in The One And Only Ivan, except this book was nothing like Ivan. Still touching, but not as moving. It was the story of a family who falls on really hard times, and the eldest son starts imagining a giant cat to cope. The story from the kids perspective was heartbreaking, but because it was a kids book, it stayed simple.
Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks 3/5
I was really excited to listen to this book, because I really like Tom Hanks voice. This was a collection of short stories, and most of the stories were filled with nostalgia over the days before all electronic devices, and social media; He makes it a point to mention that in almost every single story. Most stories did not stand out for me, except for two. The story of the time traveler broke my heart and left me wanting a whole book on that story. The story of the Bulgarian man also made me cry, and left me wondering what happened to his friend, and if he ever made it to Chicago.
Flat Broke With Two Goats by Jennifer McGaha 3/5
This was the real story of a woman and her husband who lose their house, after the husband doesn't file for taxes for 10 years. They had a triple mortgage on their house to keep up with their lavish expenses, including international trips and private schools for their children. After losing their house, they go and live in a cabin in the woods to save money.
The book was ok, I mostly kept reading because I wanted to find out if she would stay with her husband after he messed up their entire financial future. The writing was not strong, as she keeps switching back and forth between her life at present, and her life in the past and how they got to be in debt with the IRS. It takes a long time to find out about the goats, but it takes too long to get any story going.
Trigger alert: A few chickens die in this book, if that is something you don't like, stay away from this book.
Dear Ijeawle or A Feminist Manifesto In Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
This felt like a follow up to We Should All Be Feminist by the same author, it was about the same length and amazing! Each point she made left me wondering how I can be a better feminist and reinforced some of the things my mom already seared into my brain. This book made me think different of some aspects of my life.
Behold The Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue 4/5
This is the story of a couple from Africa who are trying to make a life in the United States. The story is interlaced with the life of the rich family they work for, and the contrast and similarities of their lives.
This book was another look at the life of immigrants in the United States. I liked the characters, the struggles, the joys, and the flaws of the characters. I don't have enough words to express how much I liked this book.
Beartown by Fredrik Backman 3/5
I picked this one up, because I really liked A Man Named Ove, but this was nothing like that book. This took me a little while to get into, but I enjoyed it the story. This is a very relevant book, now and 10 years ago. I remember being in college and hearing about stories of women being sexually assaulted by members of the football team, and PSU being a football college, doing nothing about it. I wish all the victims would have had a conclusion similar to the one on this book.
American Housewife by Helen Ellis
I guess this was the month of short stories! I'm pretty sure I found this recommendations on the link up. I liked some of the stories, others were way too catty for my liking. But this left me wanting a book by a strong southern woman.
How is your reading going?
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie speaks to my SOUL. I love her. My favorite quotes are by her. Cannot get enough!
ReplyDeleteI loved Beartown, but hate Swedish authors in general. I'm weird like that.
Yes!! She is so good! I am going to request more of her books.
DeleteI enjoy Swedish authors, they bring a different perspective and I love it! My favorite mystery/ thriller series is The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.
My reading has been going terrible. I'm stuck in the middle of A Walk in the Woods. I started to give up on it when THEY gave up on hiking the whole thing. I am disappointed in them! If I didn't have the reddit app on my phone I would read more...
ReplyDeleteI remember being disappointing on them, but I learned so much about the AT from that book. Let me know how you like the movie!
DeleteSo frustrating about your library card! Hopefully now you won't have any issues with it for a long time. I really loved so many of these books! Dear Ijeawele, Beartown, and Behold the Dreamers! I've been interested in Tom Hanks book, but definitely need to make sure to get the audiobook.
ReplyDeleteThe ebooks of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's books have been on hold forever!! I'm like #450 out of 70 copies
ReplyDeleteI was not a big fan of Two Goats. She got on my nerves.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed American Housewife. Solid book of short stories.
Tom Hanks does have a very soothing, comforting voice. I'm not a huge fan of short stories, although I am curious (okay, flat out nosy) about his writing capabilities. Behold the Dreamers is already on my TBR. Sounds like I need to prioritize it.
ReplyDeleteBehold the Dreamers is on my list.
ReplyDeleteI like the voice of Tom Hanks too!
I loved Beartown! Behold the Dreamers has been on my to read list. I'm going to have to check out Crenshaw for my kids. I read the One and Only Ivan with my son and loved it!
ReplyDeleteHaven’t heard of the Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions and SO checking it out!
ReplyDeleteGoing to check out the Feminist Manifesto book. Beartown was 5 stars for me last year and I just read the sequel which I also loved. It's sooo different from Ove though so I can see what you mean. I loved both of them but definitely a totally different story/message.
ReplyDeleteBeartown was SOOO GOOD!
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned Britt-Marie on my blog post. Britt-Marie reminded me somewhat of Ove. I loved Beartown and agree that it was quite a departure from A Man Called Ove.
ReplyDeleteBeartown and both of Adichie's are on my list! :) XO - alexandra
ReplyDeleteSimply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
I need to read Beartown still... I've heard most people say that it's a pretty good one. Crenshaw sounds interesting and good (although I don't always enjoy having my heart broken by a book...). Tom Hanks' book is on my TBR list, too. I haven't read anything from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie but your review makes me curious!
ReplyDeleteAmerican Housewife is on my TBR and I just added Dear Ijeawele (unfortunately there's a waitlist at my library... hmph!), but I have The Feminist Manifesto currently on my Kindle app!
ReplyDelete