Aug 26, 2012

Summer Reading

I always dreaded that Summer Reading List in school, so the week before school started I would cram all the books into my brain. Did it every year--it proved to be effective because somehow I passed each test. But now that I'm not forced to read books from a silly list, I love Summer reading! I did it big this Summer--I usually don't find the time to read this many books within 3 months but I have recently given in to audio books and it has saved my life sitting in traffic for 2 hours a day! What took me so long?
Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mocking Jay by Suzanne Collins
Thanks to my buddy, this was the first audio book(s) I "read". The series was great. I would never think I would like the sci fi/futuristic genre and teens killing other teens, but I actually loved it. The plot is very interesting and smart. I like how Books 1 & 2 keeps you on your toes with twists and turns, but to me Book 3 dragged a little. But please don't think I ruined it for you. Overall, I was hooked on the Hunger Games and was so glad it introduced me to a storyline I had no idea I would like.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling
As much as I love Kelly Kapoor, I thought this book was ehh… It's not supposed to be amazing, so I didn't expect much from the start, but I figured it would be funny to listen to on my way to CA. I guess it was much more fun to read/listen to because it was narrated by Mindy herself and her humor and tone is usually funny to me. But it's just awkward—there is no real plot, and she rambles on and on with advice and how she became Kelly Kapoor. I'm not sure if this is something I recommend as a good read; sorry Mindy!

The Help by Kathryn Stockett
I totally loved The Help. I'm not southern, colored, white, or from the 1960's, but I found this book easy to relate. It's a great story, and scary sometimes to think some parts could have been true back in the day when racial issues were so prominent in the U.S. This was another audio book and I recommend it. The narration is spot-on with its southern accents.

Fifty Shades of Gray, Fifty Shades Darker, Fifty Shades Freed by E. L. James
I was sort of bullied into reading this series. ALL the girls at work and my friends on facebook raved about this series so much that I just couldn't avoid it. I'm glad I read it {well, I'm still on Book 3 actually} because I can participate in everyone's conversations now. But, I didn't loooove it. It's a whole lot of BS, but what's a fiction novel without BS? I can see why it's so popular. I will finish Book 3 and hope to stop thinking about Mr. Grey every day.

2 comments:

  1. I agree with all your reviews! The only one I haven't read is the Mindy one even though I love her. But I was afraid of it being just random advice and ramblings which you totally confirmed! 50 shades is fun to read b/c you get to talk with all your friends about it but i couldn't take it anymore after book 2. The BS got to be too much. Can't wait for the movie though!

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