Monday 21 September 2015

Literary Ladies - Challenge Over

Ladies (and gentleman) I woke up this morning a little groggy and bemoaning my early morning but suddenly, I dare say, things started falling into place. I remembered my dad is still visiting with me, I was starting the squat 30 day challenge (and have subsequently added in the ab challenge) and that I actually completed the literary ladies Summer reading challenge.


I first mentioned it here and I updated you in July and then August. I actually completed it about two days after my last check in but I read a few more books so I decided to change up my reviews and share the most appropriate and/or the books I liked most. I'm so excited about this so let's get into it!

1. A YA book - To All The Boys I've Ever Loved by Jenny Han 


I initially said I would be reading Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell but I didn't have a chance to get a copy and I didn't like the narrator's voice for Audible. 



To All the Boys I've Loved Before (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, #1)To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm not sure if I'm being a bit generous with the rating of 4 stars but the truth is, I really enjoyed this story, Laura Jean grew on me as well as her sweet family. I'm not exactly taken with the perfection of Margeux but I found the rest of the characters endearing in their own ways. Kitty is definitely the show stealer with her sweet mischievous yet helpful ways... Can't wait to read the next installment

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2. Non- US Author - What Alice Forgot by Alice Moriarty

Initial choice By Any Means by Kurt Ellis same reason as above, I couldn't get a physical copy but there was no audible book option for this one... Oops!




What Alice ForgotWhat Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I think this book was/is slightly overrated but at the same time the things I loved about it I really loved. It got me thinking where would I be in 10 years time and how easily things change. I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about this book but I didn't hate it...

The one thing I will say is the first half of the book dragged and I don't understand the huge relationship Alice has with a certain friend it's actually a bit weird

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3. A Book Recommended by a friend or blogger - Where We Belong by Emily Giffin

Recommended by Kate and I loved it.


Where We BelongWhere We Belong by Emily Giffin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I LOVED this book! It was a little slow in the beginning but once we got a quarter of the way in I just wanted to spend all my time reading (which I couldn't) but Kirby is a lovely lead character as well as Marian. To follow the natural progression of their relationship was touching. My only criticism would be that I wish there was an epilogue or something because I just want to know how the characters developed and where they ended up.

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4. A book from my TBR list  for more than a year-  Revenge Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger

I was supposed to read I am Malala by Christina Lamb and Malala Yousafzai, I don't have a reason why I swapped this one out but I will read it one day, soon!


Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns (The Devil Wears Prada, #2)Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns by Lauren Weisberger
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was disappointing, I was so excited when I realized I hadn't read the follow up to The Devil Wears Prada but I'm also glad I didn't until now. If I wasn't listening to this book I probably would have stopped or read at an extremely slow pace. I'm not sure why Lauren Weisberger choose to write this book because pretty much anyone who enjoyed the first book (or the movie) wouldn't have really appreciated the complete change in style of this novel. Sad because the revenge of Miranda Priestly had the potential to be best chick lit ever.. Instead it's just ... Blah

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5. A kickass Female Lead  - Seamless by R.L Griffin


Seamless (By a Thread, #3)Seamless by R.L. Griffin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a brilliant way for this series to end. The evolution of the characters was seamless. Although I thought this last installment would be a predictable end but it was anything but. I am so sad that this series is done because Stella, George, Patrick and Millie have become part of my everyday life at times they almost drove me to drink right along with them but for the most part they were just good people. Love Love Love!

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6. A book that will be/ is a movie or show - Paper Towns by John Green

I did in fact, read Diary of Wimpy Kid and included in my previous reviews but I really didn't enjoy it so I am blocking it out from my memory! haha


I recently watched the movie but I'll save that review for another day..


Paper TownsPaper Towns by John Green
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I didn't love this book, to be honest I'm not sure I really liked it either... It's strange because I don't want to be the odd one out not absolutely loving Quentin and Margo and all the extras but I just felt like I've met these characters before in so many other books and movies and I just don't think there was anything particularly special about this story. I of course will watch the movie but this may be one of those rare gems where the movie will exceed the book's expectation... I'm sorry John Green but this just didn't do anything for me.

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7. A book written by a comedian or celebrity - Going off Script by Giuliana Rancic

I was't sure if I would read this one or Kris Jenner and all things Kardashian and being the overachiever (I wish I really was) I read both!


Going Off Script: How I Survived a Crazy Childhood, Cancer, and Clooney's 32 On-Screen RejectionsGoing Off Script: How I Survived a Crazy Childhood, Cancer, and Clooney's 32 On-Screen Rejections by Giuliana Rancic
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

To be honest I wasn't sure if reading this would make me hate G, I'm happy to say that isn't the case.
This isn't a book which the celebrity is fluffy and fake about her feelings, G shares personal stories and more insight into her life and her heartaches over lost pregnancies as well as the joy of her husband. I loved her and Bill before reading this but the truth is after this I respect them so much more for sharing their story. Giuliana is beautiful, naughty and an inspiration ...

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8. One Word title -  Grey  by E.L James


Grey (Fifty Shades, #4)Grey by E.L. James
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In some ways EL James achieves her goal by letting the reader understand more of why Christian is the way he is but on the other hand, it's strange because Christian is "50 shades of F*%#ed up" and seeing things from his POV is odd. I found it difficult to remember the story from Ana's POV because I read the first book so long ago but at times it felt like the story didn't link up however I could be wrong about that..

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9. A suspense or thriller - The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

 This book I found by accident and really enjoyed it! I am still reading Big Little Lies but it's taking a while.



The Good GirlThe Good Girl by Mary Kubica
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this story, it had mixed reviews which made me skeptical but I immersed myself in this story and characters and loved it. It's suspenseful, interesting and at times extremely realistic.

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10. A title with the word "Summer" in it - The Boys of Summer by CJ Dugan


The Boys of Summer (Summer, #1)The Boys of Summer by C.J. Duggan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Technically it's a 4.5 stars rating.. I really enjoyed this book, I got it for free from Amazon so I wasn't sure what it would be like but I loved it.

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I just want to take a moment and really appreciate this challenge set by Kay, Kristin and Kari. I loved every second of it and I am super proud of completing it.



LITERARY LADIES


So tell me, what have you been reading recently?

10 comments:

Heather @ The Maritime Reader said...

Congrats on finishing the challenge! Great book choices!! I kind of felt the same way about John Green's novels although I haven't read Paper Towns first. Like many people, I read The Fault in Our Stars first and the others all seem a little bit similar, or something...

Simply Alexandra // My Favorite Things said...

Woohoo! That is a lot of good stuff to wake up and remember! :) I finished as well, which is a feat for me recently. I'm loving reading again! :) I have heard good things about To All The Boys I've Loved Before too, I'll have to add it to my TBR. :) I am going to read paper towns soon, but I'm not sure if I will love it or not! : / XO -Alexandra

Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things

Diva Desle said...

Awesome that you completed the challenge. I still want to read Seamless ;-)

Kay R. said...

Congrats on finishing lady!!! Super excited that you participated and hope you do on the next one as well :D

Kristen @ See You In A Porridge said...

thanks so much for joining us! and yay for finishing!
i actually totally get what you mean about paper towns. i didn't love it. i really disliked looking for alaska, and paper towns was better than that, but not as good as the fault in our stars. i think i'm kind of off john green though. i haven't seen the movie yet, i hope it's better than the book lol

Ericka @ A Quiet Girl's Musings... said...

Congrats on finishing the challenge! I read The Good Girl about 2 weeks ago. It took me awhile to get into it, but once I did, I couldn't wait to put all the pieces together. I thought it was a very solid debut.

Kari @ Oh, For The Love Of Stories said...

Thanks for joining us and congratulations on finishing! To All The Boys... has been sitting on my shelf untouched for months now but I plan to read it as I've been hearing such amazing things about it.

Kay R. said...

Playing catch up - So glad you finished lady!!

Caroline said...

Definitely writing a few of these titles down. I'm reading 'Lunch in Paris' right now because it makes me drool & because I'm missing Europe like crazy!

meghan silva said...

I havent participated in this challenge but thanks for sharing some books I must read. Thanks Nats my fineappple.

Meg | Meghan Silva's Blog
@MeghanSSilva on Instagram