Linking up with Steph and Jana to talk about books today! I only have three to link up today. I had three books come in from the library at once, had to send two of them back because I knew I couldn’t get to them. It took me awhile to get through Crawdad. I looked at my Goodreads progress for the year, and I am thirteen books behind. I better get serious, right???
One Day in December by Josie Silver
I have been on the wait list for this one since last December. Totally worth it! I absolutely loved this one and thought it was so cute. I felt like the story had a lot of realistic aspects to it, the course of the relationships, the what ifs, missed opportunities, emotions, everything. My only complaint is that Oscar seemed a little underdeveloped compared to the rest of the characters in the book.
Bottom Line: Read it! It was a well written book.
Columbine by Dave Cullen
Columbine happened when I was in high school. It was the biggest event that I can remember following up to that time, besides OJ Simpson. The fear became real when there was a bomb threat and hit list going around my school shortly after. I just remember thinking, how can people my own age do this??? It was really interesting, heartbreaking, painful, etc. to hear the story unfold from this author. He goes through all the myths and things that were accepted as fact, and how the media handled this in a new age of cell phones and such. How different law enforcement agencies handled everything. It was hard to read at times due to the nature, but that should be a given.
Bottom Line: Definitely worth the read.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
This one started out just slow for me, but then I finally got into it. This is one of those books that is really hyped up, and I get all the hype now. It was a beautifully written book, and I felt the way the author combined the time lines together was perfect. I felt sad and lonely reading it, it is heartbreaking. But there was also beauty and kindness in the book. I liked all the poetry, the vivid descriptions, etc. And then the end!!!!
Bottom Line: Read it! Hang in there through the first half, it gets better!
Currently Reading
Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane
26 Comments
Where The Crawdads Sing is probably my top read for the last year. Almost a year later and I still think back to how much I loved this book and the characters and the narration. I’m a sucker for a solid Southern-told story and Owens hit all my 5 star triggers.
I loved all of these books, including Ask Again, Yes, which was my favorite book I’ve read all year. I hope you love it!
Glad you loved Where the Crawdads Sing, definitely a slow build, but so good!
I’ll have to give Where the Crawdads Sing another shot – it really does seem like everyone liked it. I have been on the wait list for Ask Again, Yes for a really long time – I am excited for that when it finally comes off hold!
I need to read where the crawdads sing, i feel like I’m the last person to get to it! I loved one day in December, it was such a good light read.
Felt exactly the same about Crawdads! AAY is everywhere this month, adding it to the TBR!
I requested Ask Again Yes after someone else posted about it today.
I think I’m going to see Delia Owens speak in November.
I’m reading Crawdads right now. It pulled me in right away so I hope that keeps up!
I agree, Crawdads was so sad and slow at times, but so good- probably my favorite book I’ve read this year. I haven’t finished a book since June– I miss reading!
Everyone keeps raving about Crawdad’s and I keep putting off it reading it. I’m just not sure if it’s the right time for me. Sad and lonely doesn’t appeal to me, although I don’t doubt that it’s an amazing read. I’ll never forget the horror of Columbine or the horror that all these years later – it’s even more common. I definitely want to read it. Everyone seems to be reading Ask Again Yes, so on to the TBR it goes!
Oh I definitely would read columbine.
I keep putting off crawdads. sighs
Literally all these books are on my to read list. So glad you liked them all!
You’re so right about Oscar – its why I knew he wasn’t going to last 😉 #spoileralert
I really enjoyed Ask Again, Yes and hope you do too. Columbine is something I really want to read. Thanks for the recommendations. Tanya – The Other Side of the Road
ask again, yes is on my list! crawdads definitely got better in the second half, and i liked the ending, but overall wasn’t too impressed with it. i am glad you liked one day in december!
Everyone loves Crawdads but it was just good for me. Not amazing. Actually same for One Day in December!
I have Crawdads on the shelf and I’m meh about reading it. Everyone says it’s great but IDK. It doesn’t call to me, you know? And slow starts aren’t good for me.
I loved Crawdads and Ask Again, Yes. I’m going to check out One Day in December.
I’ve owned Columbine since it came out, which is crazy. I really do hope to read it soon, even though I know it’s going to be heartbreaking. I’m glad you had a nice reading month.
-Lauren
Oh I really liked Crawdads too and feel the same was as you did about it. I need to prioritize Ask Again, Yes. Are you listening to it? Just curious because I might try it that way!! One Day in December wasn’t too bad but it fell a bit flat for me overall. Cute ending though, of course.
I have wanted to read Columbine and One Day in December. I started the Crawdads book and I wasn’t into it. I will try it again.
Where the crawdad sing started off very slow for me as well but at the end I loved it! One day in December was pretty cute… I think I’ll be too scared to read Columbine
It’s so stressful when all of my library books come in at once!
I’m also reading Ask again; it appeared on the “skip the line” thing on my library app and i snapped it up fast otherwise i’d still be #948576684967 in line! so far so good!
December and Crawdads are on my tbr list. (And I always second guess “crawdads” because we say “crawfish” in my neck of the woods.)
Columbine was an excellent read. I had the same thought as you about how someone could do that- except instead of thinking of them as my age I thought about them as CHILDREN while I read it. (I have little memory of it when it happened.) So much hatred and violence in their brains. Absolutely awful.
I have a copy of One Day in December, so I’m very glad to hear that you liked it so much! Crawdads is on my list and I will get to it eventually… I hope. Here from SUYB! XO – Alexandra
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