What I'm Reading, What I've Read

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I really enjoyed this book. The story isn’t really different from the movie, but reading it is a whole different experience. While the major plot points are all the same, and all the things you loved from the movie will be there, the book has that depth to it that all movie adaptations lack by virtue of the medium. Movies aren’t the best vehicle for subtlety, which the book has in spades. It’s one of the times where the little details make a lot of difference. I doubt the validity of some of the more “progressive” views espoused by the characters, but that may just be me. In conclusion - conmpellingly written (there were times I had to stop) - worth a read.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams

I read these way too fast to review them individually. But they were amazing. Every line was quotable, every page was hilarious. I couldn’t help but read it in a British accent. Perfect light reading.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

In this book, I was struck by the construction of the heroine as a character. In my journal I positively gushed about it, but again, I don’t want to spoil anything. I just want to say that the main character is one of the most thoughtfully invented people I’ve ever met. Beautiful.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

My stomach was in knots the whole time. It was incredibly suspenseful. I have become way too emotionally invested in the characters for my own good. I couldn’t breathe for half the book. Couldn’t sleep afterward. (My notes say “I want a Peeta.”)

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Great book. Read it in one day. Cried at least 4 times. I like the simple writing style. I always like things simple, but it’s especially good here because it fits the main character/narrator so well. (I don’t know why I’m taking in riddles, as I’m apparently the last person on the planet to have read this book.)

Parker Pyne Investigates by Agatha Christie

I love these stories. I think the premise is delightful - someone who plans mysteries instead of solving them. But in a helpful way, not a Moriarty way. Very sweet stories.

My Booky Wook: A Memoir of Sex, Drugs, and Stand-Up by Russell Brand

I’m not usually into memoirs, but I thought Russell might be funny enough to make his bearable. Beyond funny, it was poignant and surprisingly touching in unexpected moments. Being a Southern girl, hearing a guy respect his mom and nan like that just melted my heart. I couldn’t say how raunchy it was, because I’ve never had a good reference scale for what’s socially acceptable, but I don’t think it’s any worse than anything he says in his shows. In conclusion, I loved it. A+ book.

The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie

In Agatha Christie’s Autobiography she said she never liked this book. I do. It’s not one of my favorites, but it’s toward the top of the list. I was entertained and did not guess the ending.

A Pocket Full of Rye by Agatha Christie

This is another one of those amazing books where you never figure out who the murderer was even though you knew it the whole time. I wanted it to be anybody but ——- so badly! Really good book.