Howdy Bookworms!
Today I’m going to do a roundup of the books I’ve recently read that I’ve been a little too lazy to review individually. It’s a thing that happens sometimes, I trust you won’t mind terribly? I’m going to include a graphic of a cookie, so I’m assuming you’ll forgive me. It’s hard to stay mad at chocolate chip cookies, even if they are imaginary.
ONE. Shades of Grey
by Jasper Fford: Hold your roll there, folks, I’m not talking about that soft core porn/ Twilight
fan fiction (mostly because I already talked about it.) This is a different book. And what an enjoyable romp of a book it was! Jasper Fford’s unique brand of quirky humor and general weirdness thrills me to no end. I mean, remember The Eyre Affair
?! (Review) In Shades of Grey, some unnamed tragedy destroyed society as we know it and the mysterious dystopian society that has replaced it is completely based on the levels of color blindness. It is weird and wonderful.
TWO. Why Not Me?
by Mindy Kaling: If you have the opportunity to experience this book via your earholes, I highly recommend the audio book. Mindy Kaling’s voice telling her own stories makes it that much more enjoyable. It’s a cute, fun book in which Kaling addresses some of her experiences in Hollywood. Her discussion of body image I found particularly interesting, because it’s complicated. And I totally get that. Also, apparently she and I wear the same size. Which means we should become best friends so I can raid her closet. Obviously.
THREE. Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania
by Erik Larson: Dead Wake is about the sinking of the Lusitania (obviously), which has long been considered a major catalyst for the US entering WWI. I like Erik Lason, I do. But he tends to get bogged down in details I don’t find super interesting. Like, the carrot of the Lusitania sinking is dangled before me and the U-Boat life is all grossly and wonderfully described, but that dang U-Boat sees and sinks or damages boat after boat after boat- none of which are the Lusitania. I’m not good at delayed gratification.
FOUR. The Lowland
by Jhumpa Lahiri: I’ve been meaning to read Jhumpa Lahiri for a long time, but you know what finally got me to pick of one of her books? I read that she’s Mindy Kaling’s favorite author. I don’t typically base my reading choices on celebrity endorsements, but since Mindy Kaling and I are sharing clothes now, she’s more of a trusted friend than a celebrity. This book was SO GOOD and the only reason that it’s being lumped into a tiny review is because I don’t feel smart enough to discuss it with the nuance it deserves. Here’s a snippet of the synopsis from Goodreads: “Two brothers bound by tragedy; a fiercely brilliant woman haunted by her past; a country torn by revolution. A powerful new novel–set in both India and America–that explores the price of idealism and a love that can last long past death.” So yeah. You can see why I can’t review this properly, right?!
Whew! What a whirlwind! And what a variety. High five to me on for the complete randomness of reading choices. You can’t plan this kind of thing folks. To borrow a phrase from the brilliant Andi and Heather, this is FREE RANGE READING at its finest! What have you been reading, Bookworms?
*If you make a purchase through a link on this site, I will receive a small commission.*
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Sarah's Book Shelves
I normally love Erik Larson, but I didn’t love Dead Wake…especially the first half. I got so annoyed with hearing the intricate details of what these people were wearing and eating!
Words For Worms
Right? Maybe it’s because I watched Titanic way too many times as a young teen, but I felt like I already knew all that stuff, you know?
Janani
I LOVE JHUMPA LAHIRI SO MUCH! Go read her book, The Namesake, and then go and read her memoir In Other Words. She’s amazing. I just started reading the Thursday Next series and I’m in love!
Words For Worms
I have The Namesake on my list, I can’t wait!
Ashley F
I love all thing Jasper Fforde. Seriously. I named my cat Jasper.
Words For Worms
This is awesome.
Charleen
I don’t know, I can really hold a grudge against imaginary cookies, mostly because they aren’t real cookies.
Words For Worms
Excellent point, LOL.
Andi M. (@estellasrevenge)
Free range readinggggg! Go girl! And I have picked books up (and loved them) for some very shady reasons indeed (Meg Ryan loving Pride and Prejudice in You’ve Got Mail, Meg Ryan loving A Moveable Feast in City of Angels…do we see a theme?), and Mindy Kaling seems as good as any to me. Glad you enjoyed Lahiri! I loves her!
Words For Worms
Hahahha Meg Ryan characters as reading recommendations… I feel like there’s a post in there somewhere…
Kristen M.
Fforde’s next book was supposed to be a sequel to Shades of Grey but, from what I can tell, he seems to be writing something completely different. I do want to go back and read this one though because it had some interesting ideas!
Words For Worms
I know! I saw that it was supposed to be a series and I went a’hunting. Looks like he changed his mind. Or is just taking his time. Hard to say.
MWGerard
Haha, I didn’t mind the background details in DEAD WAKE, but I do enjoy that sort of stuff. It makes it seem more real to me. And I will always love Jasper Fforde. So inventive!
Jenny @ Reading the End
CAN I TELL YOU SOMETHING. The Lusitania sank on my birthday, and actually, Hitler surrendered on my birthday. Hitler in fact surrendered on my in fact birthday. AND YET. And yet, somehow, because of someone’s insane and stupid decision, VE Day is not on my birthday. GRUMBLE. GRUMBLE. GRUMBLE.
Monika (@lovelybookshelf)
I loooove Jhumpa Lahiri! And I need to listen to Mindy Kaling’s book, because I adore her as an actress. Thanks for these mini reviews!
Leah
I really enjoyed pumping Kaling’s first book into my earholes, and it sounds like I need to listen to her second book as well! And I loved The Namesake, so I’m pretty sure I need more Lahiri in my life; I’m glad you enjoyed The Lowland!
Words For Worms
So much goodness!
Katie Wilkins (@DoingDewey)
I love memoirs read by their authors, so I’ll definitely try to pick up Mindy Kaling’s book that way too 🙂
Words For Worms
Totally worth it!