january reads
i am a huge reader. i plow through a book every few days. i developed a love of reading by default. i'm pretty sure i've shared this story before but just in case you missed it here you it is again. when i was growing up my house went pitch black dark at 8 o'clock, even during the summer. everyone, including pets, was bed down for the night. we were not allowed to have our big overhead lights on or music going and this was before a thing called laptops, ipads, and cell phones. since i wasn't necessarily tired at 8, i read. turned on my reading lamp and was transported to magical places.
there have been times when i have lost my love of reading, but i always come back to it. my books are like friends. during the time i am carressing a books pages the characters are my confidants, their world is my world. that is until i am done with the book and then i am done in that world and onto the next. i have a hard time getting rid of books, even ones i didn't care for. i have an ever growing stack of books on top of my dresser and gracing the shelves of bookcases.
i have read some interesting books this month. now i am no book critic. far from it. i find something interesting, of value, or worthwhile in every, yes i mean every, book i read.
i picked this book because i loved the little girl on the cover. the cover says for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. i have felt like an outsider many times in my life. i thought there must be something that will resonate with me even though i'm not a buddhist, i am not an asian refugee, nor was i aware that buddha had a dinner to steal. the title leads you think that there will be food invovled and there was lots, but i was surprised at how romantic the author made crappy american food sound. overall it was a decent read.
the picture being set sideways caught my attention first. i was hoping there would be some revelation throughout the story as to the curious position of the picture, but there wasn't i still have no idea why the picture is sideways. an interesting coming of age story where you get to follow this young man try to navigate life. he didn't suck his thumb as much as i was hoping for, that sounds strange, but it's true.
this was my book club pick for january. i probably wouldn't have picked this for myself, but i was pleasantly surprised. it moved quickly, i loved the way each chapter was told by one of the two main characters. many twists, turns and jaw dropping surprises. definitely kept my attention. i can't say much else because book club hasn't met yet!
a fellow book lover had given me this to read. another book i would never have picked out for myself. however, i did love it. i have read a couple of other steinbeck greats and was surprised at how short this masterpiece is. my only real complaint about this book is that there were characters that made an appearance for a couple of pages and that was it. i wanted to know what happened to them.
initially i fell in love with this book, although it could have used some editing, there were sections that just dragged on. this was a weekend without kids read and i was over the moon to be curled up on my couch following edgar on his adventures. that is until the end. i'm not even kidding this book has the worst ending of anything i have ever (and i've read a lot of books) read. after investing 566 pages of my time edgar he gets killed off. i was quite angry at the ending. oops, guess i just gave the ending away. oh well it isn't worth your time anyway.
a friend of mine had given me this book saying "my sister said this was great." anthony is crudely raunchy but funny as all get out. this reads like you are sitting with anthony at the local pub sharing a pint. although i love food and feel i am fair cook i would never want to be a chef and this book sealed the deal. i am far too lazy to be a professional chef.
six books for january. not bad. let's see if i keep this pace up i will devour 72 books this year. i have heard many times throughout my life you will make time for the things that are important to you. apparently reading is one of those things.
read on.
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