The Gilmore Guide to Books

Connecting Books and Readers One Review at a Time

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Reviews
    • Reviews by Author
    • Reviews by Title
    • Reviews by Genre
  • More Books
  • Policies
    • Review Policy
    • Privacy Policy

March Library Checkout

April 4, 2016

Three months into a new year may be too soon to call a trend, but accuracy has never been a strong suit for me so I’m going to say it: My library reading has significantly outperformed my upcoming-release reading. My March library reading seems to seal the deal. I’m not sure why this is, but an early analysis makes it clear that either 2016 is going to be a slow year for GREAT fiction or I make bad choices when requesting books from publishers. Either way, I’m spending more time at the library and less time paying attention to what is new.

 Read

march library

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown
Published by Viking
Publication date: June 4th 2013
Genres: Non-fiction, History
five-stars

The Boys in the Boat has been read and reviewed by minds much greater than mine so the only point I can make is: even if you care nothing about sports, nothing about the Olympics, you should read this book. I put it off despite some of the readers I trust most giving it five stars. More importantly, my mother implored me to read it and I ignored her, saying I had no interest in non-fiction and crew. Seriously?  BORING.

Needless to say I was proved wrong. Smacked down proven wrong. There are any number of points in this book where I had to lift my head from the page and remind myself to breathe. Author Daniel James Brown is now on my list of writers I look forward to reading, because it is not just the story of these boys it is how he tells it. READ. IT…NOW

The boys sat without talking, breathing heavily, exhaling plumes of white breath. Even now that they had stopped rowing, their breathing was synchronized, and for a brief, fragile moment it seemed to Joe as if all of them were all part of a single thing, something alive with breath and spirit of its own. 

 

Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore
Published by Crown
Publication date: May 13th 2014
three-stars

Bittersweet falls into that genre I lovingly refer to as “wealthy families behaving badly”. It’s one of my favorite go-to genres because barring horrifically bad writing or egregious plot lapses I’m a pretty easy customer. My needs are basic: amuse me with people who have more money than I will ever have and give me their dishy antics. You can even reuse plot lines, I’m not fussy. Miranda Beverly-Whittemore jumps this bar and then some in Bittersweet with a pudgy scholarship student rooming at college with a lissome, blonde heiress who won’t even speak to her. Until that is, said heiress, Genevra Winslow, takes an interest in Mabel Dagmar and invites her to spend the summer with her and her family at their family compound in Vermont. Does Evie have an ulterior motive? Of course, but so does Mabel and as the summer progresses and Mabel becomes a part of the family the inevitable secrets and drama ensue. Well done.

 

Everybody Rise by Stephanie Clifford
Published by St. Martin's Press
Publication date: August 18th 2015
three-stars

Tip the “wealthy families behaving badly” genre on its head and you have the “social climber who will stop at nothing to become a member of wealthy society” caste. This is almost as enjoyable because there will inevitably be a certain amount of schadenfreude by the time the novel ends. Everybody Rises is a modern take on The House of Mirth and Vanity Fair. Evelyn is a young woman so desperate to be part of the elite of NYC that she takes a job at social media website designed to keep the have-nots away from the haves. Her job allows her to mix and mingle with the trust fund babies despite the fact that she cannot afford to do so. Will she overstep her bounds or will this Beck Sharpe learn the ropes and ascend to the position she so fervently desires?  Nothing new in this tale but well written and enjoyable.

 

The Best of Enemies by Jen Lancaster
Published by NAL
Publication date: May 3rd 2016
Genres: Chick Lit
two-stars

I first discovered Jen Lancaster through her memoir Bitter is the New Black—the story of her time spent unemployed and looking for a job. I was in the same position so the fact that she could make me laugh out loud while waiting to take the ‘skills’ test you have to take to qualify for unemployment says a lot. Lancaster has now plumbed the depths of her personal life so much so that there is nothing left and she’s turned to fiction. In her latest novel The Best of Enemies it’s clear that the same hyper-kinetic energy that is Jennifer makes its way into her fiction as well. The plot? One woman with two best friends who despise each other and are polar opposites in temperament, but have to come together to help her when her husband fakes his own death.

Lancaster is one of those writers who has branded and positioned herself perfectly just by being herself. She is no doubt creative and talented, but when you read her there is no immersion into a character’s life. There is only one voice: hers. Thankfully, it is funny but there does come a point when, like your ADHD friend who talks so fast you only catch one word out of three, you’re going to skim over the pages knowing that there is way more information than you need. Lancaster does ultimately get to the point, making The Best of Enemies a super-fast airplane/poolside/hair coloring appointment read.

 

The Sellout: I reviewed this last week with high praise and so was not too surprised to see that it won The Tournament of Books– book world’s Super Bowl/March Madness/Oscars. It will make you feel awkward, entitled, and mortified, but you’ll still laugh and you won’t regret reading it.

Other read and reviewed library books: Guapa, An Untamed State

 

On Hold

The Story of My Tits: I’ve never read a graphic novel before but this is coming to me highly rated by a person I trust so stay tuned. It’s the memoir of one woman’s life with her breasts and experiences with breast cancer.

Welcome to Braggsville: I’m not sure I’m going to be able to handle another racially charged piece of fiction, but it’s on my list so we’ll see.

Eligible:  How many more modern retelling of Jane Austen stories can I handle? Apparently, at least one because I’m still waiting for her updated take on Pride and Prejudice.

The Taxidermist’s Daughter:  Kate Mosse wrote a series that combined old world folklore with religious fables, mystery and all that stuff that the modern mind wants to reject but can’t quite. I love it and am looking forward to this next novel from her.

Miller’s Valley: I love Anna Quindlen. No other reason beyond that.

 

Returned Unread

Write Away: While every single person who lives to read and write harbors a belief that they have a novel within them, it’s not true. And keeping this book for 2 months and never getting more than halfway through it would be pretty clear evidence that if  I was going to I would have, but I haven’t. Sigh

Money, Master the Game:  Because having been forced into retirement I think I need to be much smarter about  my finances so I get books like this, but then forget to read them because I’m too busy looking at pretty pictures on lifestyle blogs or in magazines (which at least I don’t buy, but check out from the library, right?!)

 

How about you? Any great books you checked out from the library in March? 

 

march library

Library Checkout is the brainchild of Shannon at River City Reading- stop by and see what other voracious readers found at their libraries!

 

five-stars

Related Posts

  • Related Posts
  • 5 Star Books
reading
What I’m Reading This Week (10/19/18)
Midmonth Mini-Reviews
books
8 Books I Loved in 2017
dangerous
High School Trauma and Drama: Mini-Reviews
It’s Monday, September 28th: What Are You Reading?
takedown
5 Star Week: The Takedown
Coming to My Senses: A Story of Perfume, Pleasure, and an Unlikely Bride
becoming
Becoming by Michelle Obama
blowout
Blowout by Rachel Maddow
ten
Ten Best Books of 2019

16 Comments
Filed Under: Book Reviews, Feature, Reading Tagged: library, lists, mini-reviews

Comments

  1. Shannon @ River City Reading says

    April 4, 2016 at 4:46 am

    The library has totally been doing it for me, too. Most of the books I’ve been picking up have been pretty recent releases, but I’ve been letting other people scout them out ahead of time for me and it seems to be helping, at least a little!

    Reply
  2. Sarah's Book Shelves says

    April 4, 2016 at 5:05 am

    How did you do that overlay?! It’s gorgeous! And my aunt loves Quindlen too…I told her she had a new one coming out.

    I couldn’t get through Braggsville…I couldn’t get a handle on the writing style.

    Great round-up of the “wealthy behaving badly” genre (can I call it a genre)?!

    Reply
    • Catherine says

      April 4, 2016 at 9:34 am

      Heck, yeah, Sarah- it can be our genre because we both fall for it everytime! Braggsville was tough- I had mixed feelings about it.

      Reply
  3. JoAnn @ Lakeside Musing says

    April 4, 2016 at 6:25 am

    The Boys in the Boat was fabulous on audio, too… couldn’t stop listening to that one! I love those ‘wealthy people behaving badly’ stories, too, and thought Bittersweet hit the mark perfectly – very enjoyable read. Everybody Rise also sounds entertaining. You’re in for a treat with Miller’s Valley. I finished it a few days ago and absolutely loved it – a 2016 favorite! I think it’s Quindlen’s best in a long, long time.

    Reply
    • Catherine says

      April 4, 2016 at 9:33 am

      Oh, really?! That is good news! I loved Every Last One- heartbreaking.

      Reply
  4. Kristin says

    April 4, 2016 at 12:07 pm

    I’m having the opposite problem; I can’t find much at the library right now, though I have several requests in and I’m hopeful about them. I did check out an “oldie” recently because it was on the Librarian Recommendation shelf when I needed a book: Willa Cather’s Shadows on the Rock. I find that I really enjoy her prose – very beautiful and spare. The book didn’t have a huge plot, but it was a pleasure to read.

    Reply
  5. Deepika Ramesh says

    April 4, 2016 at 10:19 pm

    ‘The Boys in the Boat’ sounds fantastic. Thank you for this post. 🙂 There are no great libraries in Chennai. So, all of my books are bought. I dream of the day when there would be a good library in the city.

    I look forward to reading your thoughts on ‘Miller’s Valley’.

    Reply
    • Catherine says

      April 5, 2016 at 4:13 pm

      That would be so hard for me! I spent most of my career as a librarian and as a library volunteer after that. They’re one of my favorite places to hang out.

      Reply
  6. Lynn @ Smoke & Mirrors says

    April 5, 2016 at 4:43 am

    Boys in the Boat. A good friend told me I must read this and another friend gave me her copy…and…not yet read. 🙁 Must get to that one! The Taxidermist’s Daughter definitely looks interesting! My library standouts for March were Salt to the Sea–absolutely an EXCELLENT read!–and My Life on the Road–Gloria is my newest hero!

    Reply
    • Catherine says

      April 5, 2016 at 4:12 pm

      Good to know about the Steinem book! I read one of her earlier works but haven’t read anything by or about her in al ong time. Adding to my TBR!

      Reply
  7. Andi (@estellasrevenge) says

    April 5, 2016 at 8:02 am

    Good always trumps new. The Story of My Tits sounds like something I need to read, and Welcome to Braggsville is hanging out on my TBR.

    Reply
  8. Lindsey says

    April 6, 2016 at 7:35 am

    My library pile is always gigantic. I place holds on books and then when I take the kids to the library, it seems like more books jump into my arms.

    I enjoyed Bittersweet too. Did you know the author has a new book coming out next month?

    Reply
    • Catherine says

      April 6, 2016 at 10:07 am

      I heard that- I’m really excited to read it!

      Reply
  9. Marisa @ The Daily Dosage says

    April 8, 2016 at 5:41 am

    OK- I’ll give Boys in the Boat a try…I was one of those “I don’t care about a book about sports or the Olympics or boats so I’ll pass”. Ha! I had to chuckle at your same thoughts.
    I just did a post about Classic Retellings and feel like they are everywhere. But…I am slightly curious about Eligible and might just have to pick that one up.

    Reply
  10. Cassie @ Nose Stuck in a Book says

    April 10, 2016 at 5:54 pm

    I am sure your library appreciates your bad choices in upcoming releases! I am listening to Boys in the Boat now and who knew that a book about boat racing could be so fascinating. FYI – Welcome to Braggsville is pretty great.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Save time and subscribe via email

No time to keep checking for new reviews? Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by email. No spam!

Currently Reading

Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle
by Emily Nagoski
The Dutch House
The Dutch House
by Ann Patchett
Wild Game: My Mother, Her Lover, and Me
Wild Game: My Mother, Her Lover, and Me
by Adrienne Brodeur

goodreads.com

Affiliate Disclosure

I’m an affiliate for Indiebound and Amazon. If you click on a link that takes you to any of these sites and make a purchase I’ll earn a small fee, which goes towards the costs of maintaining this site. Your support is appreciated. Thank you!

Archives

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License.

Theme Design By Studio Mommy · Copyright © 2021

Copyright © 2021 · Beyond Madison Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in