Summer Reading Update

Back in June, I posted about some of the books I love and some books that I wanted to read this summer.  You can read that post here.  Although I didn't get  to everything on my "Want to Read" list, I did read several  of them and several others and wanted to share my opinsion with you.

My Thoughts on the "Want to Read" Books I Read

1.  In The Woods by Tana French
I was actually a little disappointed by this one.  Although the plot was intriguing, too much was left unfinished for characters that she does not seem to plan to revisit.  If you like closure in your books, then this one is not for you.

2.  The Dive from Clausen's Pier: A Novel by Ann Packet
This was yet another lackluster book for me.  I wanted it to speak to me, but it really didn't.  I just never could relate to the main character. 

3.  The Shack by William Paul Young
I am in the middle of reading this one right now and so far it is fantastic.  If it continues to be as good as I think it will, then it will get it's very own post.

Some of the Other Books I Read this Summer (and mostly liked)

1.  Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult
I really loved this one - really!  The plot of the book centers around a young, unmarried Amish girl who is accused of murdering her newborn.  I am fascinated by the Amish culture anyway and the plot was extremely engaging.  As with any Jodi Picoult book, there are plot twists and surprises that make them great reads.  Will this book change your life?  No.  But will it entertain.  Absolutely.

2.  The Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan
This series about the children of Greek gods living on Earth centers around a son of Posiedon who first learns he is a demigod and then that the world is in a time of great trouble.  It is geared towards tweens and teens, so Noah already had all 5 of the books and loved them.  If he gets involved enough in a series of books to read them all, then I usually try them out too.  These were really fabulous.  I was entertained and would recommend them to anyone looking for something relatively easy yet engaging for their children. 

3.  Bleachers by John Grisham
This was on Noah's Pre-AP English Summer Reading List, so after he finished it, Tommy read it and then I read it.  In a complete 180 from the normal legal thrillers he usually writes, this book is all about small town high school football.  I loved it because it was both simple and deep.  My hubby loved it even more than me, so I would vote this as a great potential stocking stuffer for all the football loving men in your life.

4.  A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett
I picked up this book at a church yard sale for the hubby, because, well Jimmy Buffett - seriously!  Tommy read it and loved it.  I read it and kinda liked it.  It's definitely a guys book, but entertaining and fun.  This would be a perfect vacation read because it does not require any thinking and it's all about tropical places.  It is obvious that Jimmy wrote it - it practically screams Parrot-Head!

Hope you try some of these.  Most really are worth reading. 

Here is my updated "Want to Read" List for Fall

1.  A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini - carry over from summer
2.  The Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris - carry over from summer
3.  Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King - I'm so excited about this book of four stories that will be released in November
4.  The Scarpetta Factor by Patricia Cornwell - This is the 17th novel centered around Dr. Kay Scarpetta.  I'm behind because number 18 is being released soon.  These are all great reads about murder and forensics.
5.  Millennium Trilogy:  The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson - I don't know too much about these other than from what I have read they are fast moving and the heroine is phenomenal.


I am in no way affiliated with or compensated by any of these books.  These are simply my opinions.