june book report.

"It was good to walk into a library again; it smelled like home." - Elizabeth Kostova

These are all the books that I read in June. The first four I read in Beijing (and on the plane home), and the last four I read since being home. Have I mentioned I love libraries and vacation?

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty / I really liked this book. It was fun and light, but also serious: Will Alice get her memory back? What will happen to her marriage? The rest of her family? It was a little predictable, but also felt refreshing, if that makes sense.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins / I think because of all the hype and rave reviews, I was expecting great things. Maybe my standards were too high, but I didn't love it or even like it that much. It was too slow for me, I think, and a little boring. That being said, I did speed through it because I wanted to know what happened.

Inside the O'Briens by Lisa Genova / I read this book so fast. It was one of those ones that I would think all day, I can't wait to read when I get home! It's about a family struggling with Huntington's disease and the characters are so real. They aren't perfect or unimaginable; I ended up feeling like I knew them. The ending was a little disappointing, only because I wanted to know exactly what would happen. I've read all of Genova's books and I think this and Still Alice are my favourites.

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty / This is the third book by Moriarty I've read. I hate to say it, but I didn't like it that much. It seemed like there were too many characters and we didn't get to know any of them very well. It just didn't feel like a very rich novel. I finished it because I had to see how it ended (I liked that we find out what happens to everyone), but it wasn't as good as her other novels I've read.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel / I borrowed this book from the library based on a review by my favourite blogger Elise. When I picked it up and read the description, I told my Nan, "This is not the type of book I'd usually pick for myself, but Elise and I have similar tastes, so I'll try it." It's set mostly in Canada, which is cool. And it was well written. Bottom line, I liked it but didn't love it.

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes / I read this in just a couple evening hours, a few jet-lagged early morning hours, and then a couple more late morning hours. It was so good. This is the third book by Moyes that I've read, and although I've enjoyed them all, this one is my favourite so far. It takes place during World War I and current time, telling a rich story of people connected by a painting. Read it; you won't regret it.

We Are Called to Rise by Laura McBride / This was an interesting read told from the points of view of a few different people who all end up being connected somehow. I really liked it and recommend.

The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand / I don't think I've read a book by Hilderbrand that I didn't like. This one is set in a restaurant on Nantucket and it was a fun, quick, and easy read. Great for summer!

spring book report.

My friends (and most people who know me) know I love to read. Because of that, a lot of people ask me for book recommendations and I am happy to give them! If I know you also love to read, I'll sometimes give recommendations without being asked. Book lovers unite! 

I've had a few people ask for recommendations in the past couple of weeks, so I thought I'd share what books I've read recently-ish and some quick thoughts/reviews. Maybe it's something I could do regularly. 

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion / I really liked this book. It's a love story, but not your typical love story. I remember I was excited each time I had a chance to read it because it was fun, made me smile, and I wanted to know how Don's project would work out.

Someone Is Watching by Joy Fielding / I've loved Joy Fielding's books since high school. This one wasn't my favourite, and I thought it was a little boring at times, but it kept me guessing, as any good thriller should. (I remember staying up all night years ago to read Charley's Web.)

Graduates in Wonderland by Jessica Pan and Rachel Kapelke-Dale / I think any twenty-something woman who isn't sure what she wants to do with her life would like this memoir. I especially liked it because one of the authors lived in Beijing and I found myself highlighting entire paragraphs that she wrote, thinking, "Yes! Exactly! Beijing is like that!" I also found myself wishing I was friends with Jessica and Rachel. Beijing aside, I felt like we had a lot of things in common. 

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty / I'd been seeing this book all over the internet so I figured it was about time I read it. It was good! It was the first book I'd read by this author and I had a feeling I'd want to read all her books, like I do with Sophie Kinsella or Jennifer Weiner. I think part of why I liked this book so much is because I work with little kids at a school with rich parents. I think I read a review somewhere that said the characters and plot aren't realistic and I mean, it is a novel, but I don't think it's too far-fetched. 

The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion / Yup, this is the sequel to The Rosie Project, above. I didn't like it as much as I did the first, but I had to know what happened to Don and Rosie. 

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes / This is the second book I've read by Moyes, and I liked it better than Me Before You. For some reason, I felt so connected to the characters. The ending is predictable, but I think it's worth the read. 

I just started reading What Alice Forgot and I have a feeling I'll be done pretty soon. I was reading The Emperor's Children but I gave up. I wanted to like it but I just couldn't get into it; I'd fall asleep after a few pages no matter when I read it—morning, afternoon, or night. 

Tip: I've always been a big fan of libraries, and even now that I'm living in China, I borrow books from New Brunswick's electronic library. Having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card ;)

Have you read any of these books? What did you think?

read a book instead.

As a book-lover who hasn't been reading too many books lately, I love this phone wallpaper by Austin Kleon.

Also! I think I'm going to join a book club this year! A real-life one, not an online one! Hooray! It's been on my Life List forever.

Are you in a book club? What should we read?