I just barely achieved my book goal of 36 books in 2015 (thanks to a productive couple of weeks at the end of the year I actually read 38 books for the year). Not a super ambitious goal, I know, but I need balance in my life and last year’s goal seemed to give me a nice balance of reading + time to enjoy other activities. This year I decided to up my goal just slightly to a nice round 40 books for the year. I could read all the time, but I do actually like to do other things as well. You know, like talk to my kids and husband. lol. Some people are fast readers, but I’m not one of those people.
It’s been awhile since my last blog post, so I thought I’d start with something nice and simple…what I’ve been reading since 2016 started!
• • • • •
Girl On a Train (not to be confused with The Girl on the Train) – Girl On a Train was written before The Girl on the Train, but sales picked up when buyers started getting it confused for the one that was getting all the buzz. I was intrigued and it was kindle unlimited (free to borrow) so I figured why not!
It’s a murder/mystery and the story goes like this…Anna Rothman is riding home on a train, there’s another woman on the train that’s acting strangely. Said woman gets off at a stop and jumps in front of the train, committing suicide. But Anna doesn’t believe it’s suicide and the journalist in her pushes her to investigate into this woman’s life which takes her on a rollercoaster of a ride.
It had some story lines/characters that weren’t relevant and the end was just “meh”. To be fair, I read it fairly quick so it kept me interested, but it was just okay.
Rating: 3 Stars
• • • • •
The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant – This book had been on my radar for awhile and after waiting in line for months, it was finally my turn to borrow it digitally from the public library!
It’s set in the early 1900’s and it’s a nice coming of age story about a woman born to an immigrant family in Boston.
Nothing really earth shattering, but it was a good read.
Rating: 3.75 Stars
• • • • •
Henrietta Lacks: The Immortal Woman – This one was the January book club pick with some friends and it’s not one that I would have picked on my own, but I really enjoyed it.
In 1951, an immortal line of cells were discovered that gave scientists the building blocks for many medical breakthroughs, starting with the cure for Polio. Those cells were harvested from a woman name Henrietta Lacks and this is the story of how the infamous HeLa cells came to exist.
It was a little slow in some parts, but overall I found the story fascinating. The science of the cells, but also a glimpse into the life of a black americans in the mid 1900’s.
Rating: 4 Stars
I also read a murder/mystery, Hit the Road Jack by Willow Rose and a YA fiction, One + One = Blue by M.J. Auch. I gave both 4 Stars. Worth reading, but nothing to write home about.
• • • • •
Just finished: Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
Next in queue: My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem, Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter, and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Did you make a reading goal for 2016? What book(s) are you reading or what was your favorite one from last year? I’m always looking for good books to add to my list. I’m on Goodreads if you want to add me. 🙂