Yes, it’s August first and this is a July reading recap but I like to make sure the month is well and truly over before I post something called a “recap”. That’s just me. July was an interesting month. Despite hitting a patch of reading blahs when I couldn’t find anything I wanted to read on my shelves (pretty sure that’s one of the signs of the Apocalypse) I ended up reading seventeen books. A lot of them I reviewed but here is a recap of the ones I didn’t write about: the good, the bad, and the indifferent.
The Yonahlosse Riding Camp for Girls: posh riding camp for wealthy girls with “troubles”. Thea is sent by her family for reasons that don’t become clear until 3/4 of the way through the novel. Somewhat intriguing but Thea is a tough nut to crack.
When the World was Young: a little girl, World War I, a love of ants, and plot aplenty but just did not come together.
Landline by Rainbow Rowell
Published by St. Martin's Press
Publication date: July 8, 2014
Rainbow Rowell is the author of two young adult novels that have earned her fanatical followers. Now she is out with her first adult novel, Landline, the story of a woman whose marriage seems to be falling apart over the span of the week before Christmas. Georgie McCool is a successful television show writer who is informed that her big career break means working through Christmas—even though her husband has already planned a long overdue vacation to visit his family. She opts not to go but moves into her mother’s house while her family is out of town.
I was so anxious to read a Rainbow Rowell book and that may be part of the problem—overhype in my mind. I simply could not get into Landline. The premise of Georgie being able to reconnect with her husband through an old landline phone in her mother’s house was at best confusing and at worst annoying. The fact that she moved into her mother’s house after Neal and the girls left seemed far-fetched. None of the pieces added up and I was unable to muster any emotion for the story. Instead, I felt as if I was reading a novel about a grown-up relationship as imagined by a teenager.
The Antiquarian: Superficially, reminiscent of Carlos Zafon’s trilogy The Cemetery for Forgotten Books in that the writing is dark and gothic but with none of Zafon’s poetic prose.
Me Before You (Me Before You, #1) by Jojo Moyes
Published by Penguin Books
Publication date: July 30, 2013
This story about a vibrant active man in his thirties who becomes a quadriplegic after an accident is a tear jerker but in the best possible way. Author JoJo Moyes gives the reader a story that combines humor with pathos in such perfect proportion that by the time the heavy drama hits you have been reeled in without feeling manipulated. I cried. You’ll cry.
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Published by St. Martin's Press
Publication date: February 26, 2013
This is Rainbow Rowell writing young adult fiction and it works. Two misfits, one shared bus seat, and a story that touches while staying painfully real. No fairy dust and unicorns here. This is age appropriate for teens but has the chops to keep adults reading.
Jennine G. says
August 1, 2014 at 1:38 amI have high both of those Rainbow Rowell books awaiting me! Can’t wait to see what I think in comparison. They sound like very different books from everything I’ve read.
Tanya says
August 1, 2014 at 2:14 amSeventeen books? No wonder you didn’t get them all reviewed! Amazing.
Shannon @ River City Reading says
August 1, 2014 at 4:38 amEven though I’ve seen many great reviews of Landline and enjoyed Eleanor & Park, I’m almost positive I would end up feeling the way you did about it and that’s what’s put me off. I don’t think I’d be able to get her YA voice out of my head.
Andi (@estellasrevenge) says
August 1, 2014 at 7:37 am17 books??!!! That’s amazing! I long for a month like that! lol I’m sorry Landline didn’t do it for ya (I still have it waiting on my shelves). I also have Yonahlossee, and I LOVED Eleanor and Park. It’ll be hard for Rowell to ever meet that bar again.
Catherine says
August 2, 2014 at 10:29 amI have no idea how I hit 17- one was even the chunkster Book of Life. Pretty sure it means I’m avoiding doing everything I should be doing!
Michele says
August 1, 2014 at 10:30 amYou nailed it on Landline v Eleanor & Park. (Landline was horrid for a lot of reasons, but I’m happy you stuck to the reasons her voice didn’t work — I stuck to what I considered the horrible message she was sending to women everywhere, but meh…you nailed it.) And yes…I actually shed a tear or two in Me Before You. But don’t tell anyone for the love of Pete. 😉
April @ The Steadfast Reader says
August 1, 2014 at 8:25 pmI’m glad you made up for my poopy reading month. I enjoyed E & P and Fangirl by Rowell… I’m very interested to see how I’ll feel about Landline – it seems lowkey enough that if I really hate it I can put it down.
Emma @ Words And Peace says
August 1, 2014 at 10:08 pmcan’t wait to see your full list. I hit 11 this time: see my wrap-up here: http://wordsandpeace.com/2014/08/01/2014-july-wrap-up/
Tanya M @ Mom's Small Victories says
August 2, 2014 at 11:56 am17 books is amazing! I loved Me Before You and would like to read Rainbow Rowell’s books, guess I should start with E&P and Fangirl!
Allison @ The Book Wheel says
August 3, 2014 at 11:59 amAwesome month! Although, now I’m hesitant to pick up When the World Was Young.
Catherine says
August 4, 2014 at 12:02 pmI’d say wait, Allison. It just didn’t come together. Unless you’re fascinated by ants- then read it right now.
Casee Marie says
August 7, 2014 at 1:25 pmLandline is actually Rainbow’s second adult novel – her first was her debut, Attachments, but I think that one has sort of been pushed into the shadows by her YA novels, which certainly seem to have been her “breakout” books. (Incidentally, Attachments is the only one I’ve read, and I thought it was great. Sweet and very funny, with some serious undertones.) Meanwhile, I’ve never read a JoJo Moyes book and I keep hearing such good things about Me Before You. Someday I’ll get to it!
Catherine says
August 8, 2014 at 10:53 amCasee- thank you, I didn’t look into that so thought it was her first because of the fuss.