A Bibliophile’s Pile (9): Highs and Lows

A Bibliophile’s Pile (as in TBR pile) is a new feature for 2017. It’s going to be very similar to my Mini Review posts, but instead of theming each post, I’m just going to list what I’ve read in the past week. Easy peasy.

Read

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge (audiobook / library)
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Ugh! Why did I keep going?! Nyx is a wishy-washy, wannabe, who falls in instalove with 3 guys over the course of the book. The world building, based on Greek mythology, is interesting, which probably explains why I listened to the whole thing, even though I kept rolling my eyes at Nyx. The ending felt completely ripped off from Doctor Who (the Pandorica Opens / The Big Bang). No, just NO! The audiobook narrator was *very* good though – I will try other books she narrates.

The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman (physical book / own)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was so fun! A secret library, spy like librarians, an alternate London populated with Fae, werewolves, and vampires, Steampunk tech, and *fabulous* characters!

Challenger: America’s Space Tragedy by Michael D. Cole (physical book / library / with kids)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a difficult book for me to read aloud to my kids. I cried several times while reading. The Challenger explosion is the first major event that I remember, as I was 7-1/2 years old at the time. I had forgotten, or never knew, that the crew cabin didn’t explode. That surprised me.

The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket (audiobook / library / with kids / re-read)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love this series, but I had to deduct a star for 2 reasons: 1) The use of the word “damn” – while it was funny, and my kids are old enough to know not to repeat profanity, plenty of younger children read these books too. Darn would’ve worked fine for the joke. 2) The voice Tim Curry used for Uncle Monty was awful! Sunny saying “Ackroyd” instead of “Roger” cracked me up!

Banana Cream Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke (ebook / library)
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Ugh, this series has gone downhill. I still enjoy the familiar characters, especially Michelle, but the dialogue is SO stilted, Hannah is SO dumb (she can’t use the basic functions on a cell phone, doesn’t know what pale lager is and doesn’t bother to ask anyone or look it up, I could go on), and Ross is annoying (he calls her “Cookie” ALL the time) and shady. This particular mystery was boring, easy to figure out (for me, if not for Hannah), and the final chapter was just weird. I’ll still probably read the next book though, since I’m 20+ books into the series and they’re super quick reads (250 pages, minus all the recipes, is basically a novella).

Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay (audiobook / library / re-read)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Usually, seeming something categorized as “sci-fi and fantasy” is frustrating, because the two are different things. This novel, however, is actually both. It takes place on another planet where humans have landed after leaving a dying Earth. The planet is full of magic. It’s a Beauty and the Beast retelling, with the familiar elements – a beautiful girl, a monstrous boy, roses, hate-to-love romance, and a curse. But it takes those elements and runs away with them, creating a new story. Well done.

Challenges

GOODREADS

59 of 260

AGATHA CHRISTIE READ ALONGS

None

CLASSICS CHALLENGE

None

BACKLIST READER CHALLENGE 2017

The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman

CRUISIN’ THRU THE COZIES 2017

Your choice! (freebie!) – Banana Cream Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke

POPSUGAR READING CHALLENGE 2017

A book that’s been on your TBR list for way too long – The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman

A book by or about a person who has a disability – Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay

A book that’s published in 2017 – Banana Cream Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke

A book based on mythology – Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge