February Reads. End of Month Wrap-Up #amreading

/ Eve Messenger

february-reads-2017

Hello, fellow book junkies! This month’s flash reviews will each be accompanied by a complaint. Yes, even for a five-star book. Why? Because I’m feeling ornery–and, yes, I did use the word ‘ornery.’ Happy reading!  XOXO, Eve Messenger

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson  YA fantasy – I’m so glad I finally got a chance to read this book. There’s a sort of love triangle. The main character Lia is a snowflake. Wait, that doesn’t sound good. But this book was so fun to read, thanks to Pearson’s excellent writing skills, imaginative world-building, and strong characters. Complaint: the ending was too abrupt. 4.75/5 stars

Hold Still by Nina Lacour YA contemporary– There is something both bold and gentle about Lacour’s writing style, and I could read it all day long. Read Hold Still if you like A.S. King’s Please Ignore Vera Dietz. Complaint: The photography teacher is a bitch. 4/5 stars

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen  adult historical A college student in the Depression-era Midwest loses everything and winds up working in a circus. Rosie the elephant is a superstar. Main character Jacob Jankowski is hugely likeable. The historical details are well-researched. Complaint: I’m not convinced Jacob’s old-man-reflecting-back-on-the-past chapters were necessary to the plot. 4/5 stars

Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin YA historical Outstanding writing, interesting concept, memorable main character with a very unique ability. (Full Goodreads review here.) Complaint: Yael’s inner thoughts sometimes veer toward melodrama. 4/5 stars

DNF – The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick -adult historical mystery  Sadly, my affinity for books with “girl” in the title failed me here. Netgalley has been the source of many good books, but this was not one of them. My favorite thing about this book is the pretty cover. The Girl Who Knew Too Much had too much telling, not enough showing. I never got into the characters–or past chapter five. Complaint: I decided to read this book.

The Girl with the Lower back Tattoo by Amy Schumer –celebrity autobiography audiobook – Beneath that bawdy comic exterior, Amy has plenty of depth and intelligence, and she isn’t afraid to express it in her book. Well done. Complaint: Amy occasionally gets preachy. 4.25/5 stars

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman – adult contemporary  This book is a brilliant character study, a must-read. Often humorous, A Man Called Ove opens the door to the world of suburban Sweden. One-of-a-kind character Ove (whose name is apparently pronounced oo-vay, which I didn’t learn until I’d read all 337 pages thinking it was ove like “stove”) and the entire cast of diverse characters comes alive under the masterful pen of Fredrik Backman and translator Henning Koch.  Complaint: Ove acts like he’s 90, not 59. 5/5 stars

Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham – celebrity autobiography audiobook Lauren Graham seems just as sweet in her book as she does in her interviews and the characters she plays. She is a good writer, but. . . Complaint: Lauren Graham is too sweet to reveal anything riveting about her life or career.

16 thoughts on “February Reads. End of Month Wrap-Up #amreading”

  2. There are some good books on here that I’ve been curious about, I’ll have to check out your reviews 🙂 I finished Wolf by Wolf and I agree it was good but Yael’s thoughts indeed could bubble with a dash of melodrama.
    I’m also here to stop by and let you know that I’ve nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award! I’ve been following your blog for a while and I really enjoy most everything you post. You write good reviews and always have an interesting reading list! (Post is here: https://pooledink.com/2017/03/05/blogger-recognition-award/ )

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  5. Fantastic reading month!

    “Complaint: I’m not convinced Jacob’s old-man-reflecting-back-on-the-past chapters were necessary to the plot.”

    I felt the SAME way when I read WFE!

    I’m so happy you loved A Man Called Ove! I did as well when I read it last month. I remember listening to the audiobook and when the narrator pronounced Ove’s name it threw me off for a long time lol

    I’ve been wanting to pick up Talking As Fast As I Can! It sounds like Lauren plays it safe in the book though?

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    • Omigosh, yes, I just loved A Man Called Ove. What great characters all the way around, especially the Iranian lady. Yep, Lauren plays it safe. I’m sure she’s really nice, but in a book too nice can veer on boring.

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  6. Seems I have a lot of good books to add to my to read pile 🙂 Some I’ve never heard of, but a few others I’ve seen at the store and had been contemplating reading like A Man Called Ove, and Water for Elephants.

    I’d also like to let you know, in case you haven’t yet seen the post, that I’ve nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award! If you’d like to participate please head over to the post for the rules here: https://maniacalbookunicorn.wordpress.com/2017/04/06/the-one-lovely-blog-award/

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