I have always been able get lost in between the words of a good book. In this world, so full of hatred and love that I struggle to understand how both can flourish, books are a balm to the soul.
I have read* sixty-one books this year, and while not all of them have been magical, many have been pretty great. This is my final regular book review post of 2015, although I will share a “Best of” list next month, as well as the results of my self-imposed Reading Challenge.
Disclosure: The Amazon links are affiliate links, which may earn me enough to buy a 99-cent Kindle special.
After You by Jojo Moyes
In my last book review post, I promised to give my thoughts on Moyes’ After You, which is the sequel to Me Before You. Spoilers ahead if you did not read the first book!
It was good. Not as good as Me Before You, but still a great read. Life didn’t end for Louisa after Will died, but it wasn’t rainbows and unicorns, either. She’s living, but only in the literal sense. Enter some new characters, keep some old ones (her wacky family, a little of Will’s parents), and you have a satisfying sequel for fans who want to know what happens next. A bit predictable, but not quite as predictable as I was predicting it would be. If you loved Me Before You, After You is definitely worth reading. If you haven’t read Me Before You, read it first. And have tissues on hand.
March by Geraldine Brooks
I love when authors take a fictional character and breath new life into him or her. Brooks does that with March, as she tells the story of Mr. March, the father of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy in Little Women. An abolitionist, March serves as a chaplain for the Union during the Civil War. Brooks fleshes out the backstory of both Mr. and Mrs. March, and I loved how she created a complex character from the barely mentioned man in Alcott’s novel.
This is the third novel I have read by Geraldine Brooks. I highly recommend her Year of Wonders and People of the Book as well. Her newest novel was published last month; The Secret Chord is about the life of King David. That’s my next read!
The Martian by Andy Weir (audio)
I have not seen the movie yet, but I’ve heard it was great. I guarantee you that the book is even better. My attention drifted a bit during some of the technical passages, but astronaut Mark Watney is witty, clever and brilliant – the MacGyver of space. Watney is left behind on Mars when the crew thinks he is dead, and this book is his amazing quest to survive until he is rescued. It is funny, suspenseful, hopeful, and thought-provoking. It is not scary, and it does not contain any Martians. I recommend the audio version – it was a great listen.
Case Histories by Kate Atkinson
This book has been sitting on my bookshelf for years, and I finally picked it up as part of a reading challenge. Atkinson is an excellent writer, but I don’t usually enjoy her stories. This novel, however, hooked me in. A toddler disappears from her home, a young woman is the victim of a random attack, and a new mother’s rage turns fatal. These three unrelated stories of loss find common threads when private detective Jackson Brodie begins investigating. Both character study and mystery, Case Histories is by far my favorite of the three Atkinson novels I have read.
You by Caroline Kepnes (audio)
I took an extra long walk today just to finish this book! Guinevere Beck walks into the bookstore, and Joe is smitten. But he’s smitten in a sociopathic, completely creepy kind of way. Using social media and old-fashioned stalking, Joe infiltrates Beck’s life, manipulating their encounters and doing whatever he has to do to make her his.
Every character in this novel is royally f#$*ed up. There is vulgar language and there are gritty, intimate scenes that would make your mother (and probably you) blush. Joe is darkly humorous, fascinating, troubled, charming, and dangerous. Even as I am shaking my head at the insanity he spews, I recognize slivers of truth in his observations. He is an unreliable narrator, but that makes the story intriguing.
I would not recommend this book for teenagers, or anyone who doesn’t care for pathological characters and disturbing plot lines. But if you’re up for a suspenseful, messed-up ride, definitely give this one a try. Thank you to Beth for recommending it!
A Prayer for Owen Meaney by John Irving (audio)
I knew nothing about this book, other than the fact that it is one of Allie’s favorites. So when it was a daily deal on Audible, I snatched it up. I don’t read many modern classics, and I’ve never read anything by John Irving.
With no expectations, this novel was a pleasant surprise. Goodreads summarizes it better than I could, describing the book as the story of “boys bonded forever in childhood: the stunted Owen Meany, whose life is touched by God, and the orphaned Johnny Wheelwright, whose life is touched by Owen. From the accident that links them to the mystery that follows them–and the martyrdom that parts them–the events of their lives form a tapestry of fate and faith… “
The story unfolds slowly, taking the time to develop rich characters and build suspense. Instead of fast-paced action, A Prayer for Owen Meaney is a leisurely unpeeling of layers, and I was a bit sad to get to the last one.
Note: Owen Meaney is a small boy who becomes a small man, and his voice never changes. In the book, Owen’s dialogue is written in all capitals. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator changed his voice for Owen’s dialogue. In fact, Irving chose the narrator because of his “Owen” voice. It was high-pitched, squeaky, and a bit grating – just as I think Irving intended it to be.
I hope you are finding some magic in books – please share your recommendations if you are!
*I have actually read 46 books and listened to 15. Audible has made driving, folding laundry, walking the dog, and preparing dinner bearable, and even enjoyable. Try it out for free HERE. You can cancel after your 30 day trial ends, but you still get to keep the two downloaded books.
I have been iffy about reading The Martian largely because of its popularity. I’ve never been one to gravitate to what’s popular right now (with the rare exception of maybe one or two books) and tend to wait until the hype dies down. Maybe I’ll look into that once my stack decreases a bit. Haha. Yea right. That sucker never decreases.
I know what you mean about the hype, Kim. That’s why I read The Martian before the movie came out, and I didn’t know who played any of the characters except for Matt Damon. And even then, I was able to forget the casting and focus on the story.
I’m so sad I missed The Martian in the theaters! I think it would’ve been the perfect accompaniment to the book, especially since, like you, I sort of glossed over the technical stuff. Lisa from Expandng introduced me to the book when she selected it for her book club and I really enjoyed it!
I’m making an effort to try and read more (reading blogs is often the only reading I get to do in a day), but it’s been hard to find interesting and light reads. This looks like a great list, and I’m very intrigued by March. Love the classics, but they are often anything but light! Perhaps a modern interpretation of a classic character could be the perfect balance?
Could be, Leslie. March was not a light read, but interesting and easier to read than the classics.
I am quite ashamed to admit I have not done much reading this year. However, I just ordered a bunch of books on Amazon to enjoy over the holidays. I plan on doing a little more relaxing than normal! I’ll let you know if I find any gems in the ones I ordered.
Please do, Michelle. I’m always looking for new reads.
Great suggestions, just as my book club contemplates what to read in 2016. Thanks for sharing. I might listen to The Martian, based on your review. I’d like to find another good audio.
Ok so I keep hearing about The Martian. I suppose it’s time to go ahead and get it. We’ll be in the car for 7 hours each way Wednesday and Sunday so… time! xo
Ugh – that’s a loooong time. Good luck!
I’m so glad to find another audio fan! Great suggestions, thanks!
You’re welcome!
I’m trying to imagine Owen Meany as an audio book. My english teacher read it to us in pieces in high school and he had a very funny voice for Owen! I LOVE that book.
I’m so curious about After You. I know I’ll have to read it.
I know you do. You’ll like it – really.
Holy cow, that is a LOT of reading you’ve done!!! I’m super impressed!! I find it soooo hard to read these days with my little ones! How do you do it?!?!?
My little ones aren’t very little! I also read on the elliptical – carefully.
Prayer for Owen Meany is probably my favorite by John Irving. I wonder if “hearing” the voice would’ve worked for me. Interesting. I think if I had a car I might be an audio book person but since I don’t, I don’t know, it’s never come up. Yay, the Martian. I remember you were reading that. And Case Histories is funny because I’ve had it on a shelf for a long time as well but I also was kind of lukewarm about another of hers so I occasionally eye it then end up picking something else. Maybe now….
It’s worth a shot, right? The reading challenge I’m doing has an entry “a book you own but have never read.” So that fit the bill!
I wish I had more time to read books.
I’d read even more if I had the time! Or if I could stay awake longer.
These posts remind me I really need to make time for reading. I could go with audio books. Also, you have a way of summarizing and reviewing the books that makes me want to start again.
You should definitely listen to audio books – you don’t even have to make the time. Listen in the car!
This is the time of year when I amass my list for the coming year based on lists like yours. Thanks! I love your reviews. BTW I am a huge John Irving fan, and Widow for Year is my favorite! Happy reading.
Thanks for the recommendation, Nancy. Irving is one of those authors that I’m not sure how I never experienced.
I’m probably going to star After You next week. I’m moving into the part of the year where I listen more than read, just don’t have the time. I’m almost down with the audio of Drew Barrymore’s book, and I’m reading Brave Enough by Cheryl Strayed. Can’t wait for you Bets of post – I’m working on mine, too.
Yay – I love reading those posts.
More books to add to my list! I read at least two — possibly — three books from your last post and I really enjoyed them! I tried audible for a bookclub book and it was unbearably slow. I think it was just the narrator for that particular book. I would like to give audible another try, though, especially for long car rides to New Jersey!
Are you listening at regular speed? I listen at 1.25x or 1.5x speed. It seems really fast at first, but after a minute or so you get used to it. That may help; regular speed is too slow for me too.
I actually did it at the faster speed and it still felt too slow!
I cannot imagine what “Owen” sounds like on an audio book!!! I have exactly what I think it would sound like in my head so I may be afraid to hear it. Wow!! You described it perfectly and, I think one of the best things about the book is how slowly it’s developed and how well thought out all the characters are. This is the time of year when I generally read it but have yet to pick it up. One of my favorites scenes is the Christmas Pageant of ’52!
You have also piqued my interest with “Martian” and I just downloaded it as my first free audible book. Thanks! You know I also have to check out “You.” That sounds perfect for me 🙂
Another great list Dana!
Having never read the book, I had no trouble accepting the voice as Owen’s, but I imagine it would be more difficult for you.
The Martian is a great audio book, and You is crazy! Let me know if you read and what you think.
I literally just started reading After You and your review came at the perfect time. I cannot wait to see how this book’s story unfolds and can’t thank you enough though for sharing more about it here, as well as will be adding a few more of your reads to my list now, too 😉
My pleasure, Janine!
The Martian is such a great movie! I liked the book, too, but everything is better with Matt Damon 🙂
And, March sounds really interesting!
It was – let me know if you read it!