What I Read: September 2014

What-I-Read--September-2014

The-Silkworm

About- A famous author disappears and detective Cormoran Strike is hired to investigate his disappearance.

Why I picked it– It’s the second novel in this series.

Grade B+ I enjoyed this book. I liked The Cuckoo’s Calling and I was looking forward to further character development in this novel. In particular, I wanted to learn more about Robin, Cormoran’s assistant, and I felt that that did happen in this second novel. This mystery involves certain aspects of the publishing industry and since publishing is my day job, I had an extra connection with those bits.

Harry-Potter-and-the-Order-of-the-Phoenix

About- Harry’s 5th year at school and his continuous battle to defeat Lord Voldemort.

Why I picked it– I’m reading the series from start to finish.

Grade B It took a little while for me to get into this one, which hasn’t happened for any of the other books in the series. I thought that the first half or so was a bit slow and Harry is just so whiny for most of this book. However, it definitely picks up and the action in the last chunk of the book did not disappoint. I’m glad I decided to slow down on my pace of reading through the series, but now I’ve only got two books left!

Go-Ask-Alice

About- The “diary” of a teenage girl who becomes a drug addict.

Why I picked it– I was working on a video project for Banned Books Week.

Grade D The main word I’d use to describe this book is bizarre. It claims to be the diary of a young girl, but it later came to light that it was a completely fictionalized account written by a woman named Beatrice Sparks. It appears that it was written to scare kids off drugs, but I can’t imagine that it was very effective. The whole time I was reading it I felt that something was off, and as soon as I finished it, I had to look up some background information. I did not think it was well-written (which I may have been able to excuse if it was actually a diary).

A-Paris-Apartment

About- An apartment full of antique furniture is discovered in Paris and a Sotheby’s auctioneer named April is sent to evaluate their worth.

Why I picked it– The cover definitely had something to do with it. Plus, after Go Ask Alice I really wanted something light and more straightforward.

Grade C+ The narrative in this book is split between April in the present day and a character named Marthe who lived in Paris during the Belle Epoque. Marthe is the woman who owned the apartment and all of the furniture in it and April discovers Marthe’s journals as she’s sorting through the antiques. I enjoyed Marthe’s story, but I didn’t find April to be a very compelling character. I almost wish the entire book had been about Marthe. Overall, I thought this book was ok, but the fact that it’s set in Paris is definitely a plus.

And-Then-There-Were-None

About- Ten people are invited to vacation on an island and then they all start dying one by one…

Why I picked it– This book is on my list of top 10 classics I want to read or reread.

Grade A I read this book back in junior high and it started me on a huge Agatha Christie kick. I wanted to reread it because I couldn’t quite remember the story, but I do remember that I loved it. I thought maybe it would come back to me as I was reading it and that I’d remember who the murderer is, but nope- it felt like a totally new reading experience. This was a quick read and it was fun to try to figure out the mystery. I think I’ll be reading more Agatha Christie next month because mysteries are very Halloween-appropriate.

Tell me: What’s the best book that you’ve read recently?

(as always, click the titles for links!)

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I’m Nnenna and this is my online journal where I write about the books I can’t put down, my personal style, the places I’ve traveled to, the products I love, my favorite spots in NYC, and more!

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10 Comments

  1. Lyddiegal wrote:

    I like that a book about people being murdered is the only good one you read this month ;)

    I also haven’t read Harry Potter since the first time, but he definitely could be such a whiny brat sometimes.
    Chic on the Cheap

    Posted 10.1.14 Reply
    • Nnenna wrote:

      Ha- I guess I was getting in the Halloween spirit a bit early! Harry was definitely whiny in book 5, but I heard he gets better in book 6.

      Posted 10.3.14 Reply
  2. Great books here! The Paris Apartment one sounds like a good one, the cover is def appealing

    Posted 10.1.14 Reply
    • Nnenna wrote:

      The cover was definitely what encouraged me to read The Paris Apartment!

      Posted 10.3.14 Reply
  3. I really love your round-up of books. I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again, it inspires me to read more (and I really have! Though, not as much as you) and it also exposes me to learn more about different books I normally would not gravitate towards. =)

    xo,

    nancy

    http://www.adoretoadorn.com

    Posted 10.1.14 Reply
    • Nnenna wrote:

      Thank you so much Nancy! I’m so happy to hear that it encourages you to read more. As a book lover, that’s just the best thing you could ask for! I’d love to know what books you’ve been reading :)

      Posted 10.3.14 Reply
      • Thanks, Nnenna! I’m currently re-reading “Gone Girl.” I won’t be watching the film this weekend but, I wanted to re-capture some of the details. I’m also going to read The Goldfinch next. I’m also reading a silly book, which is just for fun of course. Revenge Wears Prada. hehe. =)
        xo,
        nancy

        Posted 10.3.14 Reply
        • Nnenna wrote:

          I want to reread Gone Girl before I watch the movie as well, so I won’t be seeing it this weekend either! I’m curious to hear what people think though and I know that everyone talking about it on social media will really make me want to see it. Ahhh, I enjoyed The Goldfinch. I just love the two Donna Tartt books I’ve read so far. Is Revenge Wears Prada connected to Devil Wears Prada? It sounds fun!

          Posted 10.3.14 Reply
  4. Jessica wrote:

    I have never read any of the Harry Potter books. Maybe it should become a fall activity for me.

    Posted 10.1.14 Reply
    • Nnenna wrote:

      As someone who was rather late to the Harry Potter train, I’d say go for it! I think they’re fun reads :)

      Posted 10.3.14 Reply