YES! It's time for one of my most favorite blog posts of the month. I'm linking up with Steph and Jana to share with y'all what I've been reading lately.
June was vacation month so typically that means I read a lot but it was also moving month so that drastically cut down on my free time. I also re-read 2 books...because I'm weird like that.
Nineteen Minutes - Jodi Picoult
Okay, here's the skinny. I'm growing tired of Jodi's books. Everything has a pretty predictable plot...sure there are different characters and circumstances but the writing style is the same. Event happens, back story, current story, back story, current story, trial play-by-play, surprise verdict or twist ending. Now, some people love her predictability but I've grown tired of it. This book was good, but overall very long (almost 600 pages!) and too heavy/serious for a beach read. I regret reading it over vacay and wish I'd have started something lighter. 3 out of 5 salted caramels.
How Sweet the Sound - Deborah Heal
This is the 3rd book in the Rewinding Time series that I've followed. Basically it's marketed as a "Christian fiction" but I would hesitate to call it that. It's got scripture and prayer references but it's not about Christianity. The basis is about a college professor who has a software program that allows her to rewind time and visit historical places and actually see the historical events that happened there. I love the juxtaposition of historical and the present...which is my main reason for continuing this series. I am obsessed with history. If you're not a history buff or not into vaguely religious novels, pass on this one. 4 out of 5 salted caramels.
Lavender Morning - Jude Deveraux (re-read)
Jude Deveraux is one of my fave authors. She writes about love and romance in quirky and fun (and often historical) locations like small towns or Regency England. This is book one of the Edilean Series that I really enjoyed. It sets the tone for the whole series in which each book is the story of a citizen in the small town of Edilean, Virginia. It's a great light read with some mild romance and a bit of a mystery as well. 5 out of 5 salted caramels.
Can You Keep a Secret - Sophie Kinsella (re-read)
This is a favorite of mine. I love the vulnerability of the main character but also her tenacity at times. The book has a lot of funny moments and the main character sometimes is a little ditzy but that's typical Sophie Kinsella. Unlike a lot of her books, this one isn't predictable and surprises you with some of the plot changes. This is one I like enough to own an re-read again and again. 4 out of 5 salted caramels.
I've read Lavender Mornings and most of the books in that series. I love how they move from historical to present day fiction but follow the same family. I don't think I've read past The Scent of Jasmine, I should pick the series back up!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see this review on Jodi Picoult. I've only read The Other Sister and after skimming her other books, they all seemed to be the same formula, which brings me all the sads (mostly because Nick Sparks made me bitter.. so very very bitter).
ReplyDeleteI picked up Nineteen Minutes at a book sale for super cheap because I've never read a Picoult book before. Hopefully I enjoy it. lol
ReplyDeleteI used to read Jude Devereaux when I was younger. I almost forgot about her. How can that happen?
ReplyDeleteWhen I like the story of the Piccoult book, I like it. When I don't, I don't. There are a few of hers that I've absolutely hated but many I've loved too. I really liked Nineteen Minutes.
I like Picoult but I felt that same way when I binge read quite a few of her books at time. You definitely can see her formula. That being said, I will pretty much read anything she puts out because she consistently has decent books.
ReplyDeleteNineteen Minutes is definitely one of my favorite Jodi Picoult books and I've read them all. There are some that are definitely lacking, one that's outright terrible, but this one is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI’m not a huge Jodi Picoult fan—I know lots of people love her, but I find her books long. I read 19 minutes a few years ago, don’t remember much about the book except I thought the final couple pages were really good—beautifully written. I just finished The Husband’s Secret and really liked it. The Headmaster’s Wife was my favorite read while I was on vacation this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI really do love your rating system! I think I read all of those Sophie Kinsella books and Can You Keep A Secret was definitely one of my favorites. Lavender Morning sounds like something up my alley. Will check it out for sure!
ReplyDeleteI liked some of Kinsella's early books, but haven't read her stuff in a while. May have to give that one a try, thanks!
ReplyDeleteCan You Keep a Secret sounds interesting and love your rating system because anything salted caramel I'm on board with.
ReplyDeleteLavender Morning sounds right up my alley!
ReplyDeleteWow, I didn't realize Nineteen Minutes was so long! I've never ready a Jodi Picoult book and thought about starting there, but I don't know now. Haha!
ReplyDeleteI've never read Jodi Picoult. I've just looked at the comments here and others are saying the same. I have Nineteen Minutes checked out from the library, and it's sitting on the floor waiting to be read. I'm going to give it an honest go since I've never read her before.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading a Jodi Picoult book right now and you're right, I feel the same way. Very predictable. It reminds me of Nicholas Sparks books- they both have a formula that they stick to! I think I need to read a Sophie Kinsella book again-I read her Shopaholic series years ago and loved it!
ReplyDeleteAdding Can You Keep a Secret and How Sweet the Sound, love the premise of that last one because being able to time travel and experience times in history would be...I'm speechless I can't even form a word for how ah-mazing that would be. Great recs!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Picoult books, they can get a little old with the formula.
ReplyDeleteIn general I'm a fan of Sophie Kinsella. There have been a couple books I didn't care for, but I did like Can You Keep a Secret. I love Nineteen Minutes, but I totally understand getting sick of a writer's formula.
ReplyDeleteOhh you're kind of making me want to reread Sophie Kinsella's books too!
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