Also, I've noticed that having your husband out of town for some eight weeks results in a lot of reading, while having him home and working a lighter summer schedule means your reading drops off a lot. Hence, 19,747 pages and 76 books in the first quarter of the year, while the second quarter was a comparatively measly 31 books and 9,041 pages. We shall see what a baby does to this mix.
Anyway, here is what I read, in brief, during Q2 2010:
- Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs by Ron Koertge Practically perfect books.
- Fireworks over Toccoa by Jeffrey Stepakoff This book annoyed me like crazy. But I can't tell you why without completely spoiling the book.
- A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland Indiana by Haven Kimmel Meh.
- The ABC's of Kissing Boys by Tina Ferraro I mean, with a title like this, I didn't have really high expectations, but it was surprisingly not as terrible as I anticipated.
- Operation Yes by Sara Lewis Holmes I wanted this to be The Wednesday Wars. It was not. But it was still quite decent.
- When the Whistle Blows by Fran Cannon Slayton I wanted this to be October Sky. It kind of was.
- The Education of Bet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted Quick and fun. Perfect for Cancun.
- Genesis by Bernard Beckett This book. . . . just got weirder and weirder.
- Ruined: A Ghost Story by Paula Morris Gothic-y ghost story set in New Orleans. Good, but not great.
- The Widow's Season by Laura Brodie What a freaking bizarre book. I had no idea what was going on.
- Blindsided by Priscilla Cummings I was so obsessed with books about people going blind when I was a kid. I would have loved this one.
- In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan I can't stop thinking about how the French stop eating when they are full while Americans stop eating when the food is gone. A little more technical than I would have liked, but interesting.
- Locked Inside by Nancy Werlin This kind of made me ready to be done with Nancy Werlin for a while. It was good, but not gripping.
- The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott Exactly what you expect from Elizabeth Scott - fluffy, circumstance-crossed romance.
- I So Don't Do Makeup by Barrie Summy When I remember this book, I remember in cartoon form for some reason. Is that weird?
- The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley I can definitely still hear the narrator in my head.
- The Anti 9-to-5 Guide: Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside the Cube by Michelle Goodman I have recommended this book to a lot of people. I still would.
- Curse of the Blue Tattoo by L.A. Meyer This is the one that hooked me on this series. Jackie Faber is a force to be reckoned with.
- Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin I generally really enjoy her books, but this one forced me to write Jeanelle a long angry email about how atrocious this book was.
- Under the Jolly Roger by L.A. Meyer More Jackie Faber.
- The Candidates by Inara Scott Good enough, but kind of slow.
- Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien Read this aloud to the third graders. I love this book.
- The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University by Kevin Roose I've kind of already forgotten this book.
- Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl Dahl's usual weirdness.
- Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson A nice, fluffy teen summer book. Just the way I like it.
- The Maze Runner by James Dashner Am I the only person who didn't love this book? I wanted to, I swear.
- Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer by John Grisham Quite good, but not sure that I'll read follow-up books.
- Matched by Ally Condie This book was so so good. It's coming out in the fall and I will have many raving things to say about it at that point.
- In the Belly of the Bloodhound by L.A. Meyer This series is taking a turn for the less awesome, I'm afraid.
- Ivy's Ever After by Dawn Lairamore Delightful.
- Scumble by Ingrid Law Nice but it wasn't any Savvy.
Because I so totally trust your opinion I will never read it either. I'm still really disappointed in her. I hate that we waited a year for her to write a new book and this is what she gave us. Boo hiss.
ReplyDeleteMy friend had a baby girl last week. Holding a day old baby is quite possibly the most delicious treat in life. Can't wait until it's your turn.
As always, I am in awe of your prolific reading!
ReplyDeleteDude, you got to read Matched? I saw the ARC at ALA, asked for one, and was told to get in a ten-year-long line. For an ARC! I couldn't handle it. But I'm glad it's living up to the hype.
ReplyDeleteI should have suggested this earlier- since you are having your baby this month. But if you want to get a full night's sleep sooner than later AND have a happy baby, read these:
ReplyDeleteOn Becoming Babywise by Gary Ezzo & Robert Bucknam
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Dr. Marc Weisbluth.
It's the way to go. Good luck!
i didn't love the maze runner either. i mean, i liked it, but i thought it would blow me away and it fell really flat for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to hear about Matched.
Except for Mrs. Frisby - which I read and adored as a child - I haven't read anything on your list, although I've got several of them on my to-read list. I'm eager to read Matched!
ReplyDeleteyour best review and the book isn't out yet: "Matched by Ally Condie
ReplyDeleteThis book was so so good. It's coming out in the fall and I will have many raving things to say about it at that point."
You know where I live and you know I am good for the shipping charges :)