5.05.2016

Books I Read in April


The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

This book was worth the hype! I haven't gleefully turned pages so quickly since reading Eligible. In fact, it there are many similarities to Eligible and other favorite satirical works like Where'd You Go Bernadette and Big Little Lies. The ensemble cast consists of the dysfunctional Plumb family as they descend into their worst selves when the family inheritance is depleted, thanks to the reckless elder brother Leo. After reading the description, I thought that this story would revolve mainly around Leo, yet the opposite seemed to be the case. I became intimately involved with every individual caught in his orbit (not just his siblings) and all of their personal struggles. The character development and intricate plotting made for a delightfully fun tale. It ends in a very tidy, and slightly far-fetched, manner: not a perfectly happy ending for everyone, but the right one.


Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave

My NetGalley review is here!


Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Knowing that there was some sort of BIG PLOT SURPRISE kind of marred my experience of reading this book. It's basically a modern take on The Boy In the Plastic Bubble, with a twist! I enjoyed the achingly sweet and funny beginning, when Madeline (girl in 'bubble') discovers Olly (boy who moves in next door) and their interactions through the window and emails. As things came to a head, I knew what was going on, but it didn't dissuade my interest in seeing how things would shake out. All in all, I enjoyed the theme of what truly matters in life (to LIVE IT), even if it was a little on the cheesy side and hard to suspend my disbelief most of the time.


The Amulet Series by Kazu Kibuishi

I read the seven volumes currently available and wrote about my experience here


Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

This novel follows the lives of twin sisters (and their loves, their families) after they return from studying abroad at grad school in London to their native Nigeria in the 1960s. As they settle into their separate lives, civil war turns their world upside down. I didn't pick it up as much as I would have liked, since I'm partial to really plot driven stuff and, though unforgettable, the story seemed to meander a bit. Maybe it was the haunting subject material that kept me from furiously turning pages. I need to get some fluff in my life Everyone Brave and this book. Yet, learning about Biafran war in Nigera was fascinating stuff - a vivid and immersive experience. 

3 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing your reviews. I'm really looking forward to reading Cleave's book (I've got it on hold at the library); I've read his novels Gold and Little Bee and they were so good.

    Half of a Yellow Sun was *good*, but her book Purple Hibiscus was *wonderful*, so I'd strongly recommend that one if you haven't read it. It's about a young girl struggling in her strict Catholic household and finding love & freedom at the home of her politically-minded aunt.

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    1. Oooh, that sounds interesting - I'll put Purple Hibiscus on my list! I would also recommend her TED talk on the Danger of A Single Story :)

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  2. I keep hearing about The Nest and need to add it to my TBR list soon, especially if it has any similarities to Where'd You Go Bernadette!

    Found you through Quick Lit linkup. Here are my April reads: http://elle-alice.blogspot.ca/2016/05/april-book-reviews.html

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