What I’ve Been Reading

I love reading.  I realized last year that I really don’t read as much as I could or should, so I challenged myself to read 26 books this year.  I figure I’d set my goals at a very realistic number and if I beat it, I’ll be super excited.  So far, I’m right on track.  Here’s the books I’ve read so far this year.

The Light Between Oceans – LOVED this book.  When I started it, I worried that it would be a little slow, but you become really entangled with the characters and their story.  I would recommend this to anyone.

This One is Mine – I loved Where’d You Go, Bernadette, so I was really excited to read something else written by Maria Semple.  I did not like this book.  I hated all the characters.  It’s like they want you to hate them and I don’t like stories like that.

No More Dirty Looks – I read this as part of my clean learning and I thought it was put together really well.  I learned a ton and have made some pretty big changes to the products I buy for our household. I would recommend it to anyone that is looking to clean up their routine a little.

Dark Places – Gillian Flynn did not disappoint in this book.  I love her writing style using different perspectives.  I could not stop reading this one.  If you liked Gone Girl, I think you should definitely give this one a try.  I can’t wait to read her other book.

Allegiant – I finally finished the Divergent Trilogy.  Liked the first two books and I hated this one.  That has been my thoughts on a lot of trilogies that I’ve read in the past.  From what I’ve read, many people agree with me on this.  I just don’t like the turn it took.

30 Things Every Women Should Know or Should Have by the Time She’s 30 – I knew a few people that read this and liked it.  I’m kind of over lists and books written by other people about what I should do.  I like to make my own lists.  I would say if you like these kinds of things, it’s not too bad.

The Husband’s Secret – I really liked this book.  It was another story written from multiple perspectives and that seems to be my thing right now.  I would recommend this book to anyone.

When She Was Gone – This was another one that I wouldn’t recommend.  I didn’t love the story.  I liked some of the characters, but I didn’t get too into the story.  I feel like this is a book that others have really liked, so maybe it’s just me.  It was written in a few different perspectives, so I don’t just love all books written that way.

To keep on track for the summer, I decided to participate in the Summer Reading Challenge that I’ve seen a few people participating in.

10 points: Read a book that was written before you were born.
10 points: Finish reading a book you couldn’t finish the first time around. (You must have at least 150 pages left in the book to use it for this category.)
10 points: Read a book from the children’s section of the library or bookstore.
15 points: Read a book that is on The New York Times‘ Best Sellers List when you begin reading it.
15 points: Read a historical fiction book that does not take place in Europe.
15 points: Read a book another blogger has already read for the challenge. (Yes, you will have to wait until the first check-in to choose this book! So no one will be able to finish this challenge in only one month; sorry!)
20 points: Read a book with “son(s),” “daughter(s)” or “child(ren)” in the title. No other words will count—including kids, offspring, etc.—so please don’t ask. 🙂
20 points: Read a book that was/will be adapted to film in 2014. (Here are 16 ideas to get you started, but I know there are plenty more options.)
25 points: Read a book written by a blogger. (Submitted by Jessica of The Tangerine.)
25 points: Read a biography, autobiography or memoir.
30 points: Read a pair of books with antonyms in the titles.