Currently Coveting {July}

Summer is in full swing, and I have a long list of books for you today! I think summer is the perfect time to stack your "to be read" pile with both light beach reads and more suspenseful ones. A few summers ago, one of my favorite beach reads turned out to be Gone Girl, despite the fact that it is decidedly dark in nature. This month I've picked out of a few perfect thrillers, a few of my (favorite) historical fiction reads, and a new pick for younger readers. I'm looking forward to reading all of these soon!

Here's a peek at what I'm currently coveting:

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz // I stumbled upon this book in the Eric Carle gift shop and fell in love with the cover design. It's the story of a fierce friendship between two young boys and has incredible ratings on Goodreads. It's recommended for ages 12 and up, so if you have a middle school-aged reader at home this might be a good one to read together!

The Misbegotten by Katherine Webb // You know by now that I love historical fiction. This one includes mystery, romance, and lots of deep, dark secrets. 

Orient: A Novel by Christopher Bollen // Published relatively recently, this novel features a mystery on a small Long Island town. What drew me in was the promise of culture clash between locals and visitors and that small-town proclivity for harboring big secrets.

What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman // I love those dual-perspective stories that blend contemporary and historical lives and this one looks particularly captivating. 

The Ice Twins by S.K. Tremayne // Last but certainly not least, this thriller is high on my list but already making me nervous to read it. I really haven't explored whether or not I can handle true thrillers (I'm that person that wants to watch a scary movie but then regrets it afterwards and stays up half the night with wide eyes and the covers pulled up to my nose), so I'm going to give this one a try.  Click on the title link to read the description, which has to do with a family moving to an isolated spot after a tragic accident -- perfect elements for the horror that follows. 

What's on your reading list for this month?

Happy Reading!

-Madeleine-

Books That...

As a follow up to my Top Ten post, I started thinking about books outside of that list that still hold a special place on my shelf. I put together some superlative-esque books that were particularly noteworthy to me this year.

...Made Me Laugh

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling

I was not a fan of Kaling's character in The Office (I know she was supposed to be annoying, but I just could not take it). After learning that she was one of the writers for the show, however, I found myself seeking out her work. The Mindy Project is one of my favorite television shows now, it makes me laugh out loud every single week. This book (in a similar style to Tina Fey's Bossypants) is just another example of her hilarious talents, and is perfect for 20- and 30-something readers who want a light read that reassures us we're not the only ones who feel like life is a daily struggle to be graceful.

...Made Me Cry

Little Bee by Chris Cleave

I just cannot handle refugees tales without a box of tissues and without seriously considering volunteering for the peace corps. This book was real.

...Made Me Question Everything

Inferno by Dan Brown

I'm not going to give it away, but I feel like the world needs to sit down and discuss this book. I don't have many friends who've read it, but I feel like this is one of the very rare times that I've sided with a "villain" in a story (the result of a Disney upbringing), and I want to know that other people have the same conflicted feelings. I really felt that something about the evil in this book was, in fact, extremely wise. I know that Dan Brown can be a bit of a controversial topic in literature circles, but I've always been a fan and will remain so.

...Pulled Me Out of My Comfort Zone

The Terror by Dan Simmons

I picked this up at a Friends of the Library book sale for a dollar. It took me forever to read, but when I finished I felt like I was in an altered state of consciousness for days. I hadn't known anything about the expeditions to find the Northwest Passage, but after reading I was fascinated by the way these men took such great risks for the chance to be the discoverer of this mysterious arctic passage, and actually bought a related book, Resolute, that would interest any adventure/history buff. The fantasy element in The Terror was an added bonus, although while reading it felt like it was barely fantasy, more like a legend that is almost too crazy not to believe. 

...Made Me Gasp At Every Turn

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

This.book.was.crazy. It taught me the meaning of evil (and manipulation). Writing about it gives me the creeps. But I also have a strange urge to re-read it. Bottom line: It messes with your head. I can't imagine what kind of mental state Gillian Flynn must have been in while writing it. 

...I Wish I Liked More

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I was embarassed, in the midst of Gatsby fever this year, that I hadn't already read this. All I can really say is that when it comes to the 1920's, I am a fan of the fashion...and that's about it. I had no empathy for the characters and came away both confused and a little annoyed. Some books I have trouble connecting with, unless I'm in an English course where we can hold discussions and conduct analyses of the book. I think this is one of those books. I'm going to leave it at that, until I get a chance to re-read.

Top Ten of Twenty-Thirteen

This year I pledged sixty-five books for the annual Goodreads challenge. I didn't quite make my goal, as I am still in the middle of my sixty-second book. As a full-time college student, finding the time to read outside of class is certainly a challenge, but putting time aside to read meant that I could unplug, relax, and explore new time periods and new places. I learned so much from these books, and I also found connections to them cropping up in the most unexpected of places. Each of them made it onto my all-time favorites shelf (although I'll admit I am quick to add books to that list), and I found myself chattering excitedly about each of them to different people throughout the year. In my opinion, nothing serves as a better conversation starter than a book in hand. I wish I could give you my own review for each of them, but unfortunately this blog is a recent endeavor and I haven't been strict about reviewing books on Goodreads in the past. (Don't fear though! All future reads will be documented both here and on my Goodreads page.) Until that ball starts rolling, I'll link you back to their Goodreads pages, where plenty of fellow bookworms can give you all the details. Below are my top ten reads for the year (in no particular order)...

The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff

This was a recent read, although it has been on my shelf for years. Being from a small town, I loved the way that Groff took her own hometown and crafted it into a place that plays host to a mysterious past and a little bit of magic. I couldn't help but love the way the monsters came into play. 

The Bookman's Tale by Charlie Lovett

This was one book that I absolutely got lost in after reading. I walked around campus with images of the characters swimming in front of my eyes, and I couldn't shake them for almost a week afterwards. I'm not exactly the type to rave about love stories (and this isn't strictly a love story) but the love in this book was so real to me. Take that, add characters who love books as much as I do (and some Shakespearean conspiracy theories), and I was sold. 

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson

I waited anxiously for this book to be released. The press for this was insane, and I just knew it was going to be a favorite. I waited for over a month before it was my turn to borrow it from the library, and immediately passed it onto my mom. The story is far more complicated than anything I could ever imagine writing. It's almost pointless to try and describe it, as I don't think I could ever write a recommendation that could do it justice. 

With Violets by Elizabeth Robards

I am a big fan of books about art and artists, especially ones that feature long-lost female artists (ones I feel I should already know about). The imagery alone was enough to make me wish I could have attended dinners alongside Mademoiselle Morisot. 

The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey

This is one of those books that I just flew through and was then mad at myself for reading so quickly once it was over. It was the cover that got me, but the setting was amazing and Gemma's adventures were everything that I could hope for: trying, uplifting, and also heartbreaking. It's based off of Jane Eyre, which I've never read but now feel the need to put at the top of my classics list.

The Map of True Places by Brunonia Barry

This one is from a local author and features my hometown. I loved knowing exactly where things took place, and the story itself was enchanting. Definitely a must read for any fans of New England.

Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution by Michelle Moran

I picked this one up because it reminded me of something that a good friend of mine would read. I learned so much about the French Revolution and Madame Tussaud (before she was called by that name). Who knew she was such a strong personality and savvy businesswoman?! It only increased my love for this period in historical fiction. A few of Moran's other books made it onto my Christmas list. I can't wait to dive in!

The Millenium Series by Stieg Larsson

I hate to admit that I don't always finish the books that I start. I read the first two Millenium books years ago, and put down the third halfway through. I was inspired to re-read them this year, and boy am I glad that I finished the series. I'm saddened that we'll never be able to witness another great thriller by Stieg Larsson, but these books inspired me to look into similar Swedish crime authors.

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

It seems I had a thing for historical fiction books this year, since this is the fifth book on this list in that genre. This one makes it onto my favorite book covers list (to be published soon), and there was something about it that just got me. The writing was beyond beautiful, and the setting was close enough to home for me to feel some connection to it. Note to self: keep an eye out for more books on WWII. 

& An Honorable Mention

I also want to mention here the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness. Although I didn't love the first book in the trilogy, the second was much more enthralling (and a little less cheesy). I'm eagerly awaiting the release of The Book of Life, which is set to be published on July 15th this year.