Quick Lit: December 2015

I've got quite a collection for you today! It's actually Quick Lit from November and December, because the internet kept eating my November post. (I should've saved more often.) But I'm finally getting it together.

So let's dive in!

Big Stone Gap is the first of the four books in the Big Stone Gap series, and probably my favorite of them. Just a quick, fun read. And bonus: apparently there's a movie now? I haven't seen it, but it's got Ashley Judd in it. $11.99 for Kindle

Big Cherry Holler is the second in the series, and I didn't care for it. I was frustrated by the main conflict (marital issues), but I powered through so I could keep going in the series. $11.99 for Kindle

Milk Glass Moon is the third book, and might have been my favorite. Things have calmed down a bit for the family, and I enjoyed this one the most. $11.99 for Kindle

Home to Big Stone Gap is the final installment of the Big Stone Gap series. It was a good way to end it, and I don't feel the need to read any more, should any more be released. Let's end on a good note, shall we? $11.99 for Kindle

Rococo was probably my least favorite Trigiani book of all. It wasn't bad, but I didn't particularly enjoy it either. Unless you are a big Trigiani fan, I'd skip it. $11.99 for Kindle

Beneath the Bonfire is a collection of short stories, which is something I don't read too often. It was a nice change of pace, and I really enjoyed it. A couple of the stories have really stuck with me since I finished it, which is always the mark of a good read for me. $10.99 for Kindle

We are Called to Rise was a really good read for several reasons. I enjoyed how well the author weaved the stories together, and I loved how CASA was depicted in the story. It was pretty heartbreaking, covering some touchy subjects like immigration, the foster system, homelessness, PTSD in veterans, and police shootings. Worth a read. $7.99 for Kindle

I hated Those Girls. It was graphic, gruesome, and I only finished it because I wanted to see what happened. I read the first half, and skimmed the rest. Don't waste your time, unless you're ok with horrible descriptions of rape and violence. $12.99 for Kindle

It's only been a few weeks since I read Beautiful Ruins, but the contents are already blurry. Clearly it didn't stick with me! I did enjoy it while reading it though, it seems like a good airplane or beach read. Plus it's on sale! $3.99 for Kindle

I love Kate Morton and all her books, but the Lake House might be my all-time favorite of hers. It seemed a little more mystery than the others (or maybe it's been too long since I read a Kate Morton book), but it kept me wondering and intrigued the whole time. It's a new one, so the wait might be long at the library. If you can't wait, don't! Just buy it. $12.99 for Kindle

And I finally finished the last Tana French book, The Secret Place. Not my favorite French novel, but it was intriguing and kept me guessing for awhile. $12.99 for Kindle

Of course, I'm also listening to the Harry Potter audiobooks again because they are finally available on Audible! In fact, they are the only reason I re-activated my Audible subscription. They really are that good. 

So...what have you been reading? 

Previously on Mrs Robbins Sparkles...

Quick Lit: October 2015

I'm back today to share some of the books I've been reading lately. 

I went on a serious reading kick the past few weeks (I didn't feel like doing much else!) and I'm going to be reading even more this weekend when I participate in the 24 Hour Readathon. So here we go!

Very Valentine is the first in the Valentine series - it's the book I should have read first instead of the Supreme Macaroni Company. It was pretty good, but honestly I was a little frustrated. It wasn't the author's fault, but since I already knew how everything ends up I was wishing I could hurry through to that part! I bet if you read this in the correct order you would really enjoy it. ($9.99 for Kindle)

Brava Valentine is the second in the Valentine series. I enjoyed this a little more than the first, but was still rather frustrated. Again, that is entirely my fault! I picked this up at the library, but I actually also had it on my Kindle. ($7.99 for Kindle)

Like most books written by comedians (or comedic writers) Why Not Me is best as an audiobook. I'm not sure it was as good as Mindy Kaling's first book, and it wasn't as funny as Amy Poehler's book, but it was amusing and kept me laughing. Which is all I really ask of a book from someone like her! ($12.99 for Kindle, but get it on audiobook instead!)

I picked up Disclaimer on impulse at the library. It was in the New & Noteworthy section, and it sounded intriguing. The premise is that a woman reads a book that is essentially about her, but she has no idea how the book ended up in her house or who wrote it, because there is no way anyone could know the story the book tells. I was actually a little surprised by the twist, and I found the book pretty enjoyable. Definitely worth a read. ($9.99 for Kindle)

Ugh, I finally finished the Hypnotist Love Story. It was by far my least favorite book by Liane Moriarty, and I really struggled to finish it. I'm not sure what exactly it was that bothered me, but I didn't really care for this book at all. If you love Moriarty and you're a completionist, then go for it. But I can't recommend this with good conscience. Unless perhaps it's the only book you have on you when you're stuck on a road trip or an airplane. ($9.99 for Kindle)

Like I said, I should have quite a few more books to share next month! If you want to see what I'm reading, you can follow me on Instagram. Until next time, friends!

Previously on Mrs Robbins Sparkles....

Quick Lit: August 2015

Hello there! It's been a couple months since my last Quick Lit entry. Unfortunately I haven't had much time to read lately, so my list is still pretty short. But it's something, right? I'm working on a few more books right now - the fourth in the Murder Squad series has been languishing on my Kindle for weeks! But I'm working on it :) 

Faithful Place is the next book by Tana French in the Murder Squad series. I really enjoyed this one. It is told through the eyes of Frank Mackey, who appeared in the previous French book. Frank believed the love of his life stood him up the night they agreed to runaway together, but when her suitcase shows up in his old neighborhood he finds himself investigating what really happened that night. One of my favorites in the Murder Squad series! ($8.99 for Kindle)

I picked Life Drawing up at the library on a whim. It was in the New Arrival pile, and it looked intriguing. I'm so glad I did, because I really enjoyed it! It starts out with the narrator telling you that her husband is dead, but by the end of the book I'd completely forgotten that part and was shocked by the ending. I'd recommend this one for sure! ($9.18 for Kindle)

Dead Wake was another book I pulled from the New Arrival pile. It is non-fiction, which I don't do too often. But I've always been intrigued by the sinking of the Lusitania, and how it affected America's entry into WWI. The chapters alternate between the actual events occurring on the Lusitania and what was simultaneously happening in Britain, America, and on the German submarine that would ultimately sink the Lusitania. If you have any interest in WWI or the Lusitania, this one is for you. ($3.99 for Kindle)

I Was Here is by Gayle Forman who wrote If I Stay, which I have not read but I saw the movie previews everywhere last year. This book was definitely YA. It was a quick read and just had that YA feel, but it was good. It tells the story of a teenage girl who is dealing with the suicide of her best friend. A little dark (it is about suicide, after all) but a good read. ($9.99 for Kindle)

I listened to Wicked Girls on Audible. It was recommended in the same breath as Girl on the Train and Gone Girl, but I wasn't really into it. There were moments when I would turn it off because it was infuriating. I think it may be a book that would be much better read than heard. It flashes between events that happened in the 1980's and present day, telling the story of two women who were convicted of murdering a child back then and what they are doing now. It took me months to make it through this book. If you want to give it a chance, definitely read it instead of trying Audible. ($12.09 for Kindle)
 

And that's it for this month! I'll have a couple for September, and I hope to be back on a monthly basis now. I know some people really look forward to these, which makes me super happy! 

Have a great Saturday, my friends. I'll see you next week. 

​Previously on Mrs Robbins Sparkles...