Mid-Summer Reads

It’s time for another round of book reviews! I really wasn’t blown away by any of these mid-summer reads, but they did pass the time just fine.

Mid-Summer Reads
 

COULDN’T PUT THEM DOWN …

Hopeless by Colleen HooverHopeless by Colleen Hoover – 4 stars

Just like all Colleen Hoover books, you’ll feel all the feelings while reading. This story in particular broke me a little bit – it has been a while since a book has made me cry. I did think the story was a little choppy and some really important issues were slightly glossed over. Also, since when are high school kids so experienced in the sex department? Maybe I’m just naive, but I do think some of the characters in Hoover’s books are more sexually advanced than they should be. Just saying. ANYWAYS. There’s a sequel told from Holder’s point of view that I’m hoping will clear some things up since this book was all from Sky’s perspective.

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle ZevinThe Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin – 4 stars (free in Amazon Prime reading)

Real quick – I had no idea that Amazon Prime Reading existed until this month! There’s not a huge selection, but it’s worth checking out. I think it’s hard for any book lover not to enjoy this book! It’s definitely quirky and not the most complete/fulfilling of books, but I enjoyed all the ins-and-outs of each character and how they developed as the story progressed. I’ve always loved small bookshops in little towns, so it was fun to envision what this one was like. I wish there was more narrative about the first wife since she played a major role in the bookshop’s existence.

ENJOYABLE ENOUGH …

Accidentally Hers (Sterling Canyon, #1) by Jamie BeckAccidentally Hers (Sterling Canyon, #1) by Jamie Beck – 3 stars (free in Amazon Prime Reading)

A super cute, cheesy chick-lit read. I liked that this one was set out in Colorado opposed to the typical East Coast or warm/tropical setting. The main female character’s name escapes me, but she was kind of annoying. The main guy was more of a developed character, and I was left wanting to know more about him. This won’t win any literary awards, but for a free read it filled the time just fine.

 

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret AtwoodThe Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood – 4 stars (free in Amazon Prime Reading)

Now that I’ve watched the Hulu series, I’m wondering if I should go back and reread this. I admit that I didn’t fully understand everything that happened until I watched it on the show. Nonetheless, this book kind of disturbed me. Probably because I could see something like this happening in the world we live in today. I don’t know how women could ever be subjected to this type of living and abuse (even though it isn’t presented as abuse). Scary stuff if you ask me. The ending is pretty ambiguous, so I like to think that Offred is going to come back and kick somebody’s ass. Preferably Aunt Lydia.

Bright Side (#1) by Kim HoldenBright Side (#1) by Kim Holden – 4 stars (free in Amazon Prime Reading)

I have kind of a love/hate relationship with this book. You see, I actually really loved it. Kate was dealt so many bad cards in her young life, yet she had the attitude of an optimistic rock star. Seriously, she’s a literary character that everyone should take a lesson or two from. On the flip side, I COULDN’T STAND THE DIALOGUE. I don’t think that just because Kate was from California and could surf warranted her saying “dude” as literally every other word that came out of her mouth. That got real annoying real quick. There’s also some obvious gaps in the story that should’ve been filled in, but I tried not to focus on that much since I enjoyed everything else going on. For free, it’s worth it.

SKIP …

None!

Currently reading: The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

What books have you read so far this summer?

You might also like recent reading hits and misses, what I read in April, and a spring book chat.

Linking up for Show Us Your Books.

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  1. I want to read The Handmaid’s Tale soooo bad now that I’ve seen the first season!

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

    Posted 7.13.17 Reply
  2. AJ Fikry is one of my all time faves, so I’m glad you liked it! I still haven’t read Hopeless but it’s on my list. I read The Handmaid’s Tale last year or the year before and I really didn’t love the ending, but I like very specific, cut and dry endings. But yeah very disturbing. I still haven’t watched the show, I don’t have Hulu (if you don’t pay, you watch ads, right? ugh i hate ads lol).

    Posted 7.13.17 Reply
    • We just signed up for a free trial to watch the show, and there were no ads! Loved AJ Fikry, such a good story.

      Posted 7.17.17 Reply
  3. Love how you broke these down so we know what you really liked!

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

    Posted 7.13.17 Reply
  4. I’ve heard I should watch the Handmaids Tale show- I didn’t realize it was based on a book! I’ve been filling my time with the cheesy chick lit variety- no thinking necessary:) The Storied Life of AJ Fikry sounds like one I’d like though!

    Posted 7.12.17 Reply
    • I need to get to some chick lit soon – I’ve been reading too much “heavy” stuff! The Handmaid’s Tale is definitely an interesting read.

      Posted 7.13.17 Reply
  5. Saving this! I’m needing some summer books especially to take on our honeymoon!

    Zelle | Southern Style

    Posted 7.12.17 Reply
  6. You always have such great book selections! Perfect for summer!
    ~Samantha
    http://goldcoastgirlblog.com

    Posted 7.12.17 Reply
  7. shootingstarsmag wrote:

    Thanks for sharing. I really want to read The Storied Life soon; I was just recently gifted a copy.

    -Lauren
    http://www.shootingstarsmag.net

    Posted 7.12.17 Reply
  8. lauren wrote:

    I have to read handmaid’s tale! ahhh trying to stay away from the show before reading though.

    Posted 7.11.17 Reply
    • I definitely recommend reading the book before the show … although, watching the show might make the book make more sense. Either way, go for it. Lol.

      Posted 7.13.17 Reply
  9. I had mixed feeling about The Handmaid’s Tale. I love AJ Fikry, though. Such a great book.

    Posted 7.11.17 Reply
  10. I have all of Colleen Hoover’s books on my wish list!

    Posted 7.11.17 Reply
  11. The Handmaid’s Tale has haunted me for over 20 years. So much that I can’t bring myself to watch the show.

    Do you do Amazon First? They offer up a few book selections on the first of each month for free.

    Posted 7.11.17 Reply
    • Why did I not know about this? I had no idea, but I’m not surprised since Amazon is magical. Thanks for letting me know!

      Posted 7.13.17 Reply
  12. Katie Elizabeth wrote:

    I’m 15% of the way into The Handmaid’s Tale and already disturbed by it! So strange!

    Posted 7.11.17 Reply
  13. Olya wrote:

    I need to read AJ Fikry ASAP! So many people love it.

    Posted 7.11.17 Reply
  14. I had no idea about the Amazon Free Reading either until somebody in Erin’s Book Challenge Facebook Group told all of us about The Storied Life of AJ Fickry being free on Amazon! Of course I downloaded it, so now I just need to read it! And I totally agree with you about being confused in the Handmaid’s Tale. The way that it was written from somebody’s verbal retelling was a little hard to follow at times, which I think the show did a better job of portraying. My fingers are crossed that we’ll get another season so we can see what happens!

    Posted 7.11.17 Reply
    • I’m with you! The show did a much better job at explaining and making sense of everything. Plus, like you said in another comment I liked getting to know the other characters better. I hope that you enjoy A.J. Fikry – it’s a great story!

      Posted 7.13.17 Reply
  15. The Adored Life wrote:

    I despise when I can’t get into a book and then they never get any better! I wish there was like a warning, don’t invest any more time!
    The Adored Life

    Posted 7.11.17 Reply
  16. AJ Fikry has been on my TBR list forever. I will get to it this year! I have not read The Handmaid’s Tale, but it’s one of my choices for Erin’s Reading Challenge and I’m looking forward to reading it. I suspect that I will rage and rant through it. 😀

    Posted 7.11.17 Reply
  17. I love that Jamie Beck’s books are just cute and simple reads!

    Posted 7.11.17 Reply
  18. I’m not sure if I’ll watch The Handmaid’s Tale anytime soon because we don’t have Hulu, but your review kind of makes me want to watch it before reading the book.

    Posted 7.11.17 Reply
    • I think you can go either way – reading first or after the show – but the show definitely made the book make more sense to me. We just signed up for a free trial of Hulu to watch the show and then cancelled our subscription before we had to pay anything!

      Posted 7.13.17 Reply
  19. Heather wrote:

    Loved AJ Fikry!!!

    Posted 7.11.17 Reply
  20. Debra Stachelski wrote:

    Some books to add to my never ending reading list!

    Posted 7.11.17 Reply
  21. Rebecca wrote:

    I have been reading Taylor Jenkins Reid books lately. I started with One True Loves and then I also read After I Do. I couldn’t put them down! Both books were read in a day or two the most. I think I found a new favorite author!

    Posted 7.11.17 Reply
  22. Ashley wrote:

    I haven’t heard of any of these, but love Colleen Hoover! I never thought to check the free Amazon books. Genius!

    Posted 7.11.17 Reply
  23. Biana Perez wrote:

    I’m going to take advantage of some of the amazon prime free books you read!! I think everyone likes Colleen Hoover because I can’t seem to get any of her books from the library!! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston

    Posted 7.11.17 Reply
    • Yes, girl you so should! There’s not a huge selection, but I’m hoping they’ll add/change things out. Plus, sometimes you just need simple chick-lit reads that you don’t necessarily want to pay for!

      Posted 7.13.17 Reply

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