Sunday, November 5, 2017

A Reading Round-Up!


I've been so busy with life that I have completely neglected sharing some of the books that I've been reading, have read this past year, and my thoughts on them. To be honest, I've mostly been listening to books that past few months but that's another post for another time. I wish I had time to devote a full blog post for each book below but alas - time. I have yet to perfect the art of making time slow down/quicken up so that I might get all the things done that I want to. So, I'll just call this a reading round-up.

FYI - these aren't in any specific order of preference.


Sad Girls by Lang Leav


 Publishing: May 30th, 2017. Andrews McMeel Publishing
 Page Count: Paperback, 362 pages.
 Find the Author: website
 “Your first love isn’t the first person you give your heart to  —it’s the first one who breaks it.” Sad Girls is the much   anticipated debut novel from international best-selling   author Lang Leav. A beautifully written and emotionally   charged coming of age story, where young love, dark   secrets, and tragedy collide. School is almost out for   Audrey, but the panic attacks are just beginning. Because   Audrey told a lie and now her classmate, Ana, is dead. Just as her world begins to spin out of control, Audrey meets the  enigmatic Rad—the boy who could turn it all around. But will their ill-timed romance drive her closer to the edge?" - Nabbed from Goodreads


Lang Leav is one of my favorite poets and this is her debut novel. It's a book that inspired me into the mood for Lana Del Rey. Emotional wanderlust mixes with melancholy and equals into a coming of age story that borders on the surreal. It has a many dark aspects - drug abuse, sexual abuse, self-harm, anxiety, depression. It's name really tells it all - Sad Girls. Sad. Leav's ability to write an emotional impact doesn't go away with the challenge of novel writing. It's a sad novel. I wouldn't go as far as to say it's a devastating novel. It's just a sad one. Read it with a hot cup of lemon honey tea - I did. 


The Copenhagen Affair - Amulya Malladi

Publishing: May 30th, 2017. Andrews McMeel Publishing
Page Count: Paperback, 362 pages.
Find the Author: website 
"Sanya was always the perfect wife, but after a breakdown at her office, it’s her husband Harry’s turn to step up. His proposal? A temporary move to Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital city. He needs to be there to close a business deal and figures the change of scenery will do her good. Within Copenhagen’s glamorous high society, one man stands out—not only because of his intriguing scar but because he sees Sanya in a way Harry hasn’t for years. As allegations of white-collar crime arise, she learns of Harry’s infidelity, and having an affair with Anders seems ever more tempting. Surrounded by old money, smoked fish on dark breads, and way too many bicycles, Sanya slowly moves from breakdown to breakthrough, but where will she end up—and with whom?" - Nabbed from Goodreads Blurb


This is a novel with two natures - two different tones weaving within and out of each other. One is a story of depression and the journey of recovery. It's not an overnight, snap your fingers, "a trip to a new city cures all" action that gets you out of depression. It's a journey of self discovery, new habits, new perspectives, and break through(s). The second is a romantic comedy. It's a funny, chick-lit story that lifts up the shadows of the book and gives you a well-rounded story. It is also a love letter to Copenhagen. Be warned you'll be looking up vacays in Copenhagen through out and after reading. 

Dorothy Must Die (Dorothy Must Die #1) - Danielle Paige

Publishing: April 1st, 2014
Page Count: Hardcover 452 pgs
Find the Author: website
"I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be some kind of hero. But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado - taking you with it - you have no choice but to go along, you know?
Sure, I've read the books. I've seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little bluebirds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can't be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There's still a yellow brick road - but even that's crumbling." - Nabbed from Goodreads

I had been waiting to read this book for a while when I was able to find it on my libraries digital library. I wasn't sure if it would be worth a purchase to read since it was a series and a author I hadn't heard before. It would definitely be worth a purchase. It's a interesting, unique flip-the-script take on OZ. Paige isn't afraid of cliffhangers or killing your darlings - so be warned. Despite the heavy emotions and do-or-die energy of the series there's a lot of humor and odd and pop-sugary elements that lift up the plot. I should probably do a whole post about the series instead of just a blurb at the end of a round up. It deserves that much for sure. However time is not my friend. I can definitely see the series popping up again.

And those are some of the books that have filled the corners of my time these past couple of months. I hope your autumn has been filled with good reads and good-busy times too.

Until next time,

Jess