Hi friends! As I am writing this, I am on a bus to Martin, Tennessee for a work trip. I have been to Martin once before to attend my mom’s college graduation, so there really isn’t a better time to write this post. I got my love of reading from my mom, all through my childhood and while I was in school I watched my mom speed read through book after book, and it always made me want to read myself. I read normal children books- anything by Roald Dahl, all the Junie B Jones books and any other tiny novels. Then in sixth grade my friend Ciara let me borrow the first Harry Potter book, and that completely spurred my love of reading and love of Harry Potter.
In middle and high school I mainly read Harry Potter, Twilight, Hunger Games, etc.- all the very popular books. Whenever I had extra time, I did love getting into a Jane Austen piece! When I got to college, I had so little free time and even less free time that I wanted to spend reading. On Christmas and summer break I usually read through as many Harry Potter books as possible just to pass some time. This summer, after reading all of Carly’s book recommendations, I made it my goal to read eight books, and I am happily on my way to meeting that goal! I wanted to recap what I have read so far in case anyone is looking for something to read right now. Here is what I read in May!
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: I listened to this on audiobook, and it made me realize how I have skipped reading the fifth and sixth Harry Potter books often. It brought back so many details to mind from the book, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t cry when that one part happens.
The Hate U Give: I liked all the messages behind this book, but I sometimes have a hard time reading books that are set in the high school age because I am closer to it and easily recognize the cheesy, dramatized parts that aren’t really representative of high school. Other than the cheesy conversations that took place, I liked it and enjoyed the new perspective it brought me.
Gone Girl: I listened to this on audiobook, and it had me locked in! I was on the edge of my seat and stayed in my car many times to listen to it for just a few minutes longer. I knew there was a twist ending, but I didn’t expect what came. I want to add that so many people said something along the lines of “the ending is crazy!!!” which made me expect the very last sentence was going to be the twist, so I was kind of let down when the twist came a few chapters before the end and the ending wasn’t anything crazy. So just know when people say the twist at the end, they mean not the very end.
The Tenth Island: My boss let me borrow this, and I really enjoyed it! It was the experience of an award-winning journalist living and learning from the Azores, the islands off the coast of Portugal. It was really neat, and I kept forgetting it was a true story. I love true stories because I don’t love cheesy storylines, and they tend to be more realistic!
Commonwealth: I also listened to this on audiobook. It was a very slow start for me, and I really didn’t think I would like it. Each chapter changes to a new story or a new perspective, and it took me a long time to realize how each piece of information would fit together. When everything clicked, I loved it. I can’t wait to read more of Ann Patchett’s books!
Talking as fast as I can: Lauren Graham (Lorelai from Gilmore Girls) wrote this book about her experience filming Gilmore Girls both times and all that happened in between. I have always loved her, and I enjoyed listening to her episode of Armchair Expert. I am listening to it on audiobook, and it feels like watching a new episode of Gilmore Girls- I can’t believe how perfectly she fits the character. She literally talks so fast! I usually listen to audiobooks at 1.5 or 1.75 speed, but hers I listened to on normal speed. It was a really good, quick listen that left me with a new appreciation for actors! I enjoyed listening to it because of her fun personality, but there are photos in the book that relate to her story and those can’t be seen in the audiobook! Not seeing the photos didn’t take away from the book for me though.
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That’s all I read in May! I hope this post gave you some reading inspiration. I know it can be hard to figure out where to start. By the way, I am still enjoying my Knox County Library Card, mainly for the audiobooks as the books I most often want to read have a long wait list.
