I have been enjoying some other life stuff instead of blogging, but I started writing my book post early because priorities, you know. Apparently, what I’ve been enjoying besides blogging is reading lots and lots of books.
Here is what I read last month in no order other than when I read them.
Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit – 3 stars
This is a collection of essays focusing on feminism and I really wanted to like it more than I did – it was actually kind of depressing. The stats mentioned in one of the early articles really hit me hard. It carries a punch, and it’s not lighthearted at all like I thought it would be going into it. The essays are also written in a very essay-like format – not colloquial writing.
I don’t NOT recommend it but if you want to get into some information about women’s rights around the world, it’s a hard but good read. I still think about some of the things I read in it.
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch – 5 billion stars
5 billion stars is definitely an exaggeration but I loved this book that much. Blake Crouch is becoming one of my favorite authors. Science + thriller was basically crack to me – I couldn’t put it down. I had read some reviews that mentioned the science bits were hard to get through but I found the whole thing fascinating. I did have trouble with that in The Martian, but it wasn’t a problem here. I also love the endings of his books.
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty – 5 stars
I kept putting off reading this book, because I thought The Husband’s Secret was just okay. I am so glad I finally read it because it was a completely different read for me. Also, I’ve said before, but Erin sent me this in an awesome package all the way from Australia, and I hope I can pass it on to another reader sometime.
I started off the book thinking that I didn’t care about the drama surrounding a kindergarten class, but somewhere along the way, I got immersed in the characters’ lives, and they were each fascinating. I think the characters were way more likable and intriguing here than in The Husband’s Secret, and I will give her other books a chance. I haven’t seen the TV show but I couldn’t help but imagine some of the characters as their counterparts on the show.
Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson – 3.5 stars
I enjoyed parts of this book, and other parts I felt were repetitive. Also, there were many chapters told from a creepy perspective, similar to You, so if you’re into that you may like it. I wasn’t a huge fan of You for similar reasons – I find it creepy but not more interesting to read from the stalker/lurker’s viewpoint.
You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero – 3 stars
There were lots of good ideas in this book, and others that had me thinking, “Whaaaaaaaatt.” There was too much universal energy talk for me, but it did have some good points.
Perfect Little Town by Blake Crouch – 3.5 stars
I read this in about a day. It’s a quick read and is very reminiscent of the Pines trilogy. If you like horror novellas, you would probably like this one.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson – 3.5 stars
Clearly, I am not meant to be reading a lot of self help guru style books, because I have not been incredibly amazed by any, yet. BUT this was more straightforward and had zero fluffy energy stuff. My number one read for self-help-but-not-really-self-help has been Year of Yes – still my favorite so I hold it way above all others, even though it’s not even self help. It’s more biography, but I still compare all others to it.
I enjoyed the personal story parts of this, and felt like skipping through the relationship advice since I didn’t really relate to the problems he had. I’m not convinced on reading any more self help since it’s not my favorite genre, but he did have a ton of great points.
I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh – 3 stars
The first half of this book was slow-paced, and then it picked up. I felt a bit frustrated with the characters, although I know all of this could happen in real life. I think I had different expectations going into it, and I ended up being distracted by my frustration with the characters, so it was hard for me to get into the twists. I sometimes wanted to intervene and tell a character to get their butt in gear and do something else, but obviously I can’t control the story and things like this do happen in real life (minus the twists) so I feel a bit conflicted.
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers – 4 stars
There were many elements in this story that reminded me of Firefly and Doctor Who, and it was kind of a combination of both but also created its own identity – there was nothing repetitive about it. It was not fast paced at all but the worlds were so intricate and the characters so loving that it was a fascinating read.
Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton – 4 stars
Funny comics about history. A few I didn’t get because I don’t know history well, lots made me laugh out loud. I highly recommend if you like making fun of history.
I’m linking up with Steph & Jana today for Show Us Your Books. Have you read any of these? If you’re going to read any this month, I recommend Dark Matter and Big Little Lies.
Jeans and a Tiara 
Erin sent me Dark Matter & I got it last week so I'm excited to get into it this coming month!! I really really enjoyed Big Little Lies when I read it a couple of years ago…I'd also recommend What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty if you haven't read that one yet. Just finished Behind Closed Doors and it was good!
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Dark Matter is one of my favorite books, ever! Make sure you read the Wayward Pines trilogy, too! (I haven't read it yet, but the show is amazing, so I'm getting there). Another favorite? Behind Closed Doors – it is spine-chilling and made me sick to my stomach at points. Such an amazing read.
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Ooh, interesting. I felt the same way about You Are a Badass – liked some of the concepts but not so much the mystical, universe will drop things into your lap kind of stuff. I'm very curious about The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck and Men Explain Things to Me (DE has a newish feminist book club and this was their read last month but I couldn't make it to the meeting). I might still have to read it just to find out.
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I absolutely loved BLL and I suggest you read What Alice Forgot. That's my other favorite from her. I have Dark Matter on my TBR so I'm glad to hear you speak so highly of it!
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Yesss, Dark Matter was so good! I'm definitely not a science person, but that aspect of the book didn't bother me at all either. I haven't read any of his other books, but definitely want to at some point.
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I just keep hearing more & more about Dark Matter… I need to just pull the trigger & order it 🙂
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I really enjoyed Dark Matter too. Some of the sciency bits did bore me but I just skimmed, which worked just fine! LOL! And I love his endings too but some of the girls in my book club didn't like it so much. I hear so many good things about Big Little Lies but I have not had any success with Liane Moriarty and am going to pass. I Let You Go was one of my favorite books from last year but it is a slow, atmospheric read. It's somewhat unusual for me because I tend to prefer fast-paced books but that one sucked me in. I did not like her follow-up, I See You.
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LOL @ five billion stars. I felt the same. I love Blake Crouch.
The Swanson book is on my to read list.
Unfortunately, many things about the true state of women in the world can't be spun funny. They're gut sinkers on the whole.
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I can't wait to read Big Little Lies!!!
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You had such a good reading month! Dark Matter is SO FREAKING GOOD.
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Definitely adding that history comic books! It seems like everyone loved Dark Matter. I'm glad you had a pretty solid reading month! Your review on GoodReads encouraged me to add The Long Way to a… to my TBR list!
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YES to Dark Matter!!! One of my 2016 favorites!
Looking forward to your thoughts on Behind Closed Doors.
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I'm curious about Big Little Lies – never read anything by the author yet. I DO really want to read Dark Matter though, so I'm glad to hear you loved it.
-Lauren
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You absolutely killed it this month with reading! I'm so glad that you gave Big Little Lies a chance! I know that everybody got hooked on Liane Moriarty with The Husband's Secret, but that's actually one of my least favorite books by her. I've been putting off Dark Matter because I didn't think that I could get past the science stuff, but after you said that it was an issue for you in The Martian and not in Dark Matter it makes me want to give it a try! I think that's the reason why I didn't care for The Martian as much as everybody else. The science literally kept on putting me to sleep…
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Perfect Little Town sounds good!
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Dark Matter was so incredible!
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I loved Dark Matter and Big Little Lies too!!!! I will check out the rest on your list ;
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Wayward Pines is one of my favorite series. I actually wasn't a big fan of the show, but I had read the books first so I was annoyed with everything they changed.
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I REALLY loved Dark Matter too!
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I was not a fan of The Husband's Secret but I really liked Big Little Lies so I'm still undecided on Liane Moriarty overall.
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People keep recommending Dark Matter to me! Clearly I need to actually get on it and read it. Also reading your review of “men explain things to me” it makes me think you'd really like Shrill by Lindy West or Sex Object by Jessica Valenti. They're both really good. Have you read them?
http://littlewhytebook.com/
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I haven't read anything of Liane Moriarty except The Husband's Secret which was just OK for me too – I might give her another chance knowing I'm not the only who felt that way about that book.
I DNF'd You Are a Badass. Usually I like self-help but it didn't work for me.
I Let You Go was a weird book – Like two separate books really! The first half and the second half were SO different.
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hmmmm men explain things to me sounds interesting, not that i want to read it, but that i need to.
yay dark matter! totally agree at 5 billion stars. I loved Big Little Lies way more than The Husband's Secret, so good. I felt the same, I didn't really care but I would put it down and be like well maybe a few more pages, and before you know it I was up till 2am. Lol. you are a badass is on my list but i don't know about universal energy… lol no. bummer about i let you go! i loved it. obviously i'm adding The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet.
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It's so good! I hope you give it a try.
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Big Little Lies surprised me because I didn't expect to like it that much. Dark Matter was really good – definitely check it out.
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It's a fast read and I love little horror stories.
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Dark Matter seems to be getting tons of good reviews – I hope you get a chance to read it. I am adding those to my list! I've never heard of either and they sound exactly like something I'd like to read.
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I enjoyed Dark Matter too. I didn't get overwhelmed with all the science talk either. My son read The Martian, I haven't yet.Dark matter is a book you need to pay attention while reading though. I'm interested in his other books. Do you have any recommendations?
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I need to read Big Little Lies. Her books are hit or miss for me but I am optimistic about this one. Dark Matter sounds really good too.
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I have got to read Dark Matter sooner than later! Everyone who reads it seems to love it! Big Little Lies is the only Moriarty book that I really liked! I enjoyed I Let You Go and You are a Badass.
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My son loved Dark Matter and I'm waiting for him to bring me his copy. 🙂 I think my younger son would enjoy Hark a Vagrant. Going to see if the library has a copy!
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Sounds like a great reading month! Mine was a bit pathetic. haha I have Big Little Lies on my list to read really soon! I am a bit meh about it because I tried really hard to get into The Hypnotist's Love Story, but couldn't. I hope I enjoy it and then enjoy the show. I think I'll have to wait a bit in between. Dark Matter is high on my list! Glad you loved it so much! XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
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I cannot wait to get my hands on Dark Matter!! I really enjoyed the universal energy talk in You Are A Badass, for me personally it just really made sense and made me think “wow!” in a good, positive way. I liked that book so much I might re-read it again this year.
Blogging is fun but I also took a small step back because I was reading more… but it's always fun to come back to blogging to write about books 😆
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Dark Matter was my favorite by far this month.
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Dark Matter is amazing – I hope you get to read it soon. And Hark! was really good as well.
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Dark Matter is really good – I hope you get to read it. The energy talks could definitely hit us all differently, although it wasn't my jam! It was full of positive talk.
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