It is time once again for the Show Us Your Books link-up with Steph and Jana. I didn’t get in as much reading this month as I would have liked, but that’s life. Luckily, I enjoyed most of what I did end up reading. I’ve ordered the books in order from least to most favorite. I’m looking forward to reading what everyone else has read this month and adding to my TBR list!
3 Stars:
Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari – This is a non-fiction book in which comedian, Ansari takes a look at modern romance and how dating today is different from the past. I found it interesting and it made me appreciate that I’m not dating in today’s modern age!
3.5 Stars:
Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy – This YA book is about Willowdean Dickson, who’s mother gave her the nickname Dumplin’, when she was little. Willow knows she’s overweight and owns it, even with a mother who runs the local beauty pageant. But when Bo, a coworker at the local fast food joint where she works, shows interest in her, she begins to doubt herself. While I enjoyed the body positivity message of the book, I didn’t connect with any of the characters and found Willow to be a bit hypocritical of others.
4 Stars:
Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea – This is a middle grade chapter book that I had heard good things about. It’s about a 5th grade class that is transformed by Mr. Terupt, an inspirational teacher, who impacts all of his students. The story is told through the perspectives of seven different students, in alternating chapters. The book was due back to the library before my daughter had a chance to read it, but it’s one that I think that she’d like. There’s a second and recently released third book in this series that I would like to read.
The Red Thread by Ann Hood – Maya runs an adoption agency helping families adopt baby girls from China. This book tells the story of six couples trying to adopt children and the women in China who are giving up their daughters. This book has been on my bookshelf for awhile and I’m glad that I finally decided to read it. I really enjoyed this book. Being adopted from South Korea, this book gave me more insight into both sides of the adoption process.
Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling – I read Kaling’s Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? and wasn’t impressed. I feel like I need to reread that book because I enjoyed this one so much! As I read it, I could imagine Kaling’s voice reading it to me. It was a humorous and fun read.
5 Stars:
?
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult – Picoult is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read almost all of her books. This book has been sitting on my bookshelf for ages and I finally decided to read it. The story is really thought-provoking and deals with the Holocaust, friendship and forgiveness. Sage, a 24-year old baker, befriends Josef Weber, an elderly gentleman who visits the bakery where she works. He eventually asks a favor of her, which she is not sure she can help him with, after she discovers information about his past.
What have you been reading?
I am looking forward to reading Mindy’s newest book soon – it was actually recommended to me on audiobook because she narrates it herself! Would you believe I haven’t read any of Jodi Picoult’s books yet? I feel like I will have to try one sometime because they are definitely popular!!!
I’m sure the audiobook of Mindy’s book is great with her reading it! I’m just starting to get back into audiobooks for my commute. Ooh, you have to read Jodi Picoult! Love all her stuff!
Maybe I should’ve had Mindy’s book on audiobook. Everyone seems to enjoy the second one more than the first and I was the opposite. Or maybe I’m just weird. Modern Romance is on my list for this month and I actually got the audiobook version of that one so hopefully I’ll enjoy it!
I noticed too that a lot of people read Mindy’s newest book and enjoyed it more than the first! You’re not weird…..we all have different reading preferences! While I didn’t love Modern Romance, I found the info interesting.
The Storyteller is one of my favorite Picoult books. So, so good.
I’m sad you didn’t like Dumplin’ more. I actually enjoyed Willow’s hypocrisy and attitude because it made her seem real and like an actual person rather than simply a character. And I loved the message of the book, too.
Modern Romance also made me so glad I don’t have to date and never had to date in the iPhone/internet age.
I don’t know why I waited so long to read The Storyteller! Yes, it was so good! I still have one or two more on my shelf of hers that I haven’t read yet. I was expecting to love Dumplin’ and maybe I went in with too high of expectations. The part I enjoyed the most was the pageant!
oh i loved the storyteller! so good. i am currently reading dumplin, only super early stages though. we’ll see.
I’m curious to hear what you think of Dumplin’. Hopefully, you’ll have your review in next month’s link-up!
Modern Romance also made me thankful I’m not dating currently; what a crazy world.
I know, between Tinder, analyzing texts, etc…..too much!
I thought that Picoult book was hard but I’m glad I read it. It was excellent.
Dumplin’ is on my to read list!
Yes, I find most books about the Holocaust to be hard to read. And with the other issues brought up in this book, I wouldn’t have wanted to be in Sage’s position. Curious to see what you think about Dumplin’ when you get to reading it!
I’m not familiar with most of these. I’m glad for the exposure to diverse books, though. The Dumpling book might actually help me out as I am participating in a reading challenge and there is a category in which the book has to deal with food to some degree. I’ll keep that one in mind if I can’t find anything else that strikes my fancy. Have a great evening!
Just a heads up that Dumplin’ doesn’t deal with food, it refers to a nickname of a character in the book….so it might not fit the category for your reading challenge. I loved former NYT food critic Ruth Reichl’s memoir Garlic and Sapphires about being a food critic. If you want something fiction, you can check out this list from goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/140.Food_Related_Fiction
I’ve only read one Picoult book (Nineteen Minutes), and I thought it was fantastic. So, I asked Picoult fans for a few faves … because, let’s be honest, I’m not going to read her entire back catalogue. Many mentioned The Storyteller, so that one is already on my to read list.
Nineteen Minutes was really good too! Each of her books deals with different issues, but have a similar style with the alternating points of view. I’ve read most of her books, since I find them so good!
Dumplin is on my TBR list, hopefully I can get to it soon. Picoult is a tough one for me I either really like it or struggle with it.
I think with the Picoult books it depends if you like the subject matter the book is dealing with. She researches her books well and I find that I learn a lot, even though I may not be super interested in the subject- like Lone Wolf (which I ended up loving).
Dumplin is on my TBR list, hopefully i can get to it soon. Picoult is a tough one for me I either love it or hate it.
I’m excited to read the Mindy Kaling book. Plus, The Red Thread looks good. I might have to add that one to my list.
Yes, they were both good!
I love Jodi Picoult too – I didnt know about this book – I’ll have to check it out.
I almost picked up Dumplin’ a few times. I’ll wait for it to go on sale
The Storyteller is a couple of years old. It was sitting on my bookshelf for a long time before I got to reading it! I’m curious to see what you think of Dumplin’ when you read it!
I’m just now reading Kaling’s first book now, and I’m liking it even though I’m only halfway through. I’ve been thinking about reading Modern Romance, I think I will have to add it to the list 🙂
I heard Aziz’ book was good on audio. I’m going to try that. I’m loving his new Netflix show, Master of None. And glad you liked Mindy’s second book because I really really liked her first one.
I’ve heard the same about Aziz’s book. I just watched the first episode of Master of None and will be watching more!