enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

spring book report.

Spingbookreport

I've been reading a lot lately. Mostly because I have been actively not "reading" my iPad before bed. Scrolling endless pages of Pinterest and Instagram or falling down blogland rabbit holes is the opposite of relaxing and I find that when I shut off the electronics I find it much easier to fall asleep.

It's been awesome and while there have been a few clunkers, these are the books worth noting from the past few months…

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt / this is one of those books that everyone is talking about. I felt like the back description was a total scam compared to what the book was about, so that was confusing. I really enjoyed reading it though I can't put my finger on why? Maybe because it was so detail rich? Maybe because it was just so crazy? Maybe because I felt so many emotions for this crazy main character? Tough call.

The Marriage Plot by Jeffery Eugenides / another super detail rich novel. I enjoyed this one too. The same few years were told through three different characters and I loved reading their perspectives on the same situations. Smart and so well done. I was pretty hooked from the beginning and am interested in checking out Middlesex (from the same author) now too.

Still Alice by Lisa Genova / this is a book about early onset Alzheimer's disease. It's told from the perspective of a 50 year old woman who is at the top of her career when she gets diagnosed. I thought so much of this book was thought-provoking…the way her family and colleagues react…her thoughts on cancer vs. dementia…her rapid decline and what she finds important…oh man. I tore through it and I know it's one that will stick with me forever.

I'm currently reading Nora Ephron's I Remember Nothing and Poser and The Interestings are both on my nightstand.

What are you reading?

Dottedline

This week on ELISE GETS CRAFTY, I'm talking with Hayley Morgan about launching a new business venture. We chat about Make29 and her new family business, Wildly Co. Subscribe on iTunes or stream the episode here.

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94 responses to “spring book report.”

  1. Susan M Avatar
    Susan M

    The Husband’s Secret is excellent!

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  2. Mandy Avatar
    Mandy

    I absolutely love Still Alice. She has a few others that are great too.

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  3. Cady Avatar
    Cady

    Nora Ephron is awesome and I highly recommend listening to her books on tape (she reads them herself). Also I hated Middlesex but maybe you’ll like it. Some other great books to think about… Bootstrapper, Orange is the New Black, Oogy, Glitter & Glue, and I just started but I think I’ll probably tear through The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap. Happy reading 🙂

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  4. Christen Avatar
    Christen

    Middlesex is one of my all time favorites! I’ll have to checkout The Marriage. I really enjoyed Left Neglected by Lisa Genova, too. I’ve recently read Mercy Snow and The Winter People which were both excellent. I’m reading These Are My Words right now (an older book) and enjoying it so much.

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  5. Amy Avatar
    Amy

    I’ve heard so much about that Donna Tartt book but I’m a bit put off because The Secret History was so heavy going and took me forever to get through.
    I’m currently working through pretty much every book on my bookshelves – I told myself I couldn’t buy or borrow any more books until I’ve read everything that I own because the amount of books we have is getting silly. I’ve also been re-reading some favourites like Adrian Mole (is that famous outside of Britain? I’m not sure but it’s a classic here). Right now I’m working my way through The Picture of Dorian Gray and Lolita which are both fairly heavy so I’ll be raiding some of my lighter stash soon!

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  6. Allison Avatar
    Allison

    I LOVED Middlesex and couldn’t get through it fast enough. I also loved Virgin Suicides by the same guy. However… I really didn’t like The Marriage Plot! I’d waited 10 years since Middlesex so maybe my expectations were just too high.
    I just read Boy Kings of Texas by Domingo Martinez (soon to be an HBO series) and Serena by Ron Rash (soon to be the next Jennifer Lawrence/Bradley Cooper movie). Really enjoyed both.

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  7. Denise von Minden Avatar
    Denise von Minden

    I’m on a YA novel kick and just finished Rainbow Rowell’s Attachments. Reading now What Happy Looks Like! Summer reading is the best!!!

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  8. VanessaMeryl Avatar
    VanessaMeryl

    You’re on Good Reads, yes? I just finished “This is Where I Leave You” by Jonathan Trooper and really loved it, the movie is coming out this fall w an amazing cast so I just had to read it. I also loved “The Good Luck of Right Now” by the author of Silver Linings Playbook, Matthew Quick. Ad I’m currently reading “The Ocean at the End of the Lane” by Neil Something and it’s totally weird and lovely. Another that is still with me is “Me Before You” by Jojo Moyers. Some great stuff out there!

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  9. Kristina Avatar
    Kristina

    I’m into The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom. The Golem and the Jinni is waiting for me next.

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  10. Janet Kemper Avatar
    Janet Kemper

    I always love these book posts! Check out Lisa Genova’s other books…all good. I would also recommend the Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty & Me Before you by Jojo Moyes.
    I just finished Sarah Jio’s new one Goodnight June and started Jeannette Walls’ The Silver Star.

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  11. Jen Avatar
    Jen

    Love this – some Nora might be on deck next for me.
    You should read Middlesex! It is so beautifully written.

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  12. Anna Avatar
    Anna

    We have similar taste in books! I am currently halfway through the Goldfinch, read The Interestings before that, and read The Marriage Plot last year. Loved/loving them all!

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  13. Leah Avatar
    Leah

    Great podcast again this week! Loved the gems that both Hayley and yourself imparted. I really love the conversational style, and listening in. 🙂

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  14. Vicki Avatar
    Vicki

    I’m with Allison on this one, Elise–I loved Middlesex and didn’t really care for The Marriage Plot. I loved Still Alice–I read it a few years ago, and I still think about it. Serena was awesome, so was Me Before You. I just finished Frog Music by Emma Donoghue and I ADORED it.

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  15. Caitlin Harrison Avatar
    Caitlin Harrison

    I am re-reading Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. Can’t recommend this book (and Fangirl) enough!

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  16. susan Avatar
    susan

    I loved The Goldfinch – although it was a strange ride, Middlesex was wonderful and another huge recent favourite of mine was Ann Patchett’s State of Wonder – I am crazy in love with my library – books, magazines, TV series and lots of brand new movies & all Free. Are you on goodreads.com ? love it also, love looking books up & love keeping track of my “read” & “want-to’read” books.

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  17. yours truly, melissa Avatar
    yours truly, melissa

    I’m right in the middle of The Goldfinch and it’s good…weird. A bit dark, yes?
    I’m so glad you have The Interestings on tap! One of my most recent favorites…I thought it was so good.

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  18. Lindsay Avatar
    Lindsay

    I’m reading Love Anthony by Lisa Genova, first book of hers I’ve read. Still Alice is next on my list.

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  19. Kathleen Avatar
    Kathleen

    My favorite of Jeffrey Eugenides is The Virgin Suicides, but I also loved Middlesex.

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  20. Rebekah Avatar
    Rebekah

    I can’t wait for another baby book report too!! 🙂 We loved your last one…my baby is about 1 week younger and we love to follow along with you!!

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  21. Martina Avatar
    Martina

    I had zero expectations going into the Goldfinch and I was surprised by how much I like it and by how dark and gritty it was. It was a good but kinda difficult read at time – not physically (I flew through it) but emotionally because the characters were so harsh.
    I did a little book review today myself, and I’m loving all the recommendations that other commenters have been giving here, I’ll a lot to add to my library list!

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  22. Suzanne Avatar
    Suzanne

    I’m reading The Redeemer by Jo Nesbo, The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown and Philosophers Without Gods by Louise M. Antony. It’s a great list and I’m very excited to read them all weekend.

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  23. katie licht Avatar
    katie licht

    I’m getting lots of great ideas from these comments!
    If you like rich detail and weird characters, I cannot recommend Swamplandia! by Karen Russell enough. Someone else mentioned Ann Patchett’s State of Wonder, which is just as great as all of Patchett’s books.
    My grandma has dementia/alzheimers and I spent a lot of last summer reading about it, just wanting to know more. It’s such a terrible disease. I’ll definitely check out Still Alice.

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  24. Christen Avatar
    Christen

    I loved Me Before You and The Good Luck of Right Now! I really enjoyed Silver Linings Playbook. I haven’t seen the movie yet – the book is usually better than the movie.

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  25. Jeanie Avatar
    Jeanie

    We Were Liars is a new YA book that I enjoyed reading. The Husband’s Secret was pretty good, too. Thanks for the recommendations. I’m heavily into summer reading right now and looking for more ideas.

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  26. amy t schubert Avatar
    amy t schubert

    Thanks so much for your book update!
    I’m getting The Goldfinch from the library sometime this summer. Can’t wait!
    Middlesex is TOTALLY different from The Marriage Plot. If you liked The Marriage Plot a more similar book would be The Art of Fielding, by Chad Harbach. Middlesex is more like 2 separate books connected by family relationship.

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  27. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    I’ve added Still Alice to my (long) list. I’m halfway through “The Astronaut Wives Club” right now. If you’re into space — or insight into being a wife in the 50s & 60s — it’s a pretty good read.

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  28. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    I just finished The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry whose protagonist is a bookseller; like it a lot. I didn’t like Middlesex. I listened to the audio and about halfway through I decided that I didn’t care at all what happened in the rest of the book. Your mileage may vary. I’ll second Cady’s recommendation of Nora Ephron’s books on audio. Your public library may have Overdrive, where you can download audio books for free.

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  29. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    Hooray for promoting the public library! #librarianhighfive
    Just finished re-reading Rose Madder by Stephen King, one of my favorite books.
    In the middle of I Am Legend (loved the movie – the book is a bit different, thus interesting)
    Also re-reading Forever Amber, also one of my favorite novels EVER.

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  30. Rachel Avatar
    Rachel

    I loved Still Alice. I randomly picked it up at an airport and tore through it on the plane ride. Middlesex is a great read – I’ll have to add The Marriage Plot to my list. I’m in the middle of The Interestings now and am enjoying that. If you haven’t read The Giver – that seems totally up your alley. One of my very favorites!

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  31. Brittany Avatar
    Brittany

    Yes! I love Fangirl. Attachments was also good. (lighter, but a funny quick read)

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  32. clare Avatar
    clare

    I just finished The Orenda by Joseph Boyden. Story of the first priests coming to Canada and the Aboriginal peoples they lived alongside. Told from three different viewpoints it is a stunning novel, rich with detail and one of the best I have ever read.

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  33. Tiffany M. Avatar
    Tiffany M.

    I just finished Life After Life. It was another thought provoking novel that I would totally recommend. Thanks for your recommendations. Loved Still Alice as well.

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  34. Brittany Avatar
    Brittany

    I just finished Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, I know I’m so far behind on that one, but I loved it. Also reading The Good Luck of Right Now.
    I’m picking up Still Alice from the library today! Thanks for posting it. I also want to get my hands on a copy of This is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett.
    Love all these comments!

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  35. Welcome Home Taylor Avatar
    Welcome Home Taylor

    Middlesex is one of my favorite books. Definitely read it! Especially if you liked the whole story-from-anothers-perspective-thing. Middlesex tells a story through three different generations views. So good. And I may have a soft spot for it since it takes place in Detroit/Grosse Point and I can imagine where all the streets and buildings are.
    xoxo
    Taylor

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  36. Carolyn Williams Avatar
    Carolyn Williams

    My book club just read “There Is Where…” and I liked it, but felt like it was written by a horny teenage boy. The way he talked about sex and women was insanely juvenile! Ha! It was a good book, though!

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  37. Carolyn Williams Avatar
    Carolyn Williams

    I’ve read the Adrian Mole books! I found them at my grandmother’s house when I was in middle school and read them. I felt like I was doing something naughty because it was kind of sexy. 🙂 I live in Oregon, and have never seen them anywhere by in grandmother’s (although I think I must have stolen them because they are on my bookcase now), and I don’t think they’re famous here in the States.

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  38. Carolyn Williams Avatar
    Carolyn Williams

    “Life After Life” was the best book I read last year. Probably in my top 5 of all time. It is a beautiful, creative book.

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  39. Carolyn Williams Avatar
    Carolyn Williams

    “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” is my all-time favorite book. It’s beautiful.

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  40. Carolyn Williams Avatar
    Carolyn Williams

    Great books in the list of comments! I love it! Right now I’m reading “French Kids Eat Everything” and it’s amazing and makes total sense.
    I’m also listening to “The Name of the Wind” with my husband. I read it a couple years ago and loved LOVED it. I’m not super into fantasy books, but this one was incredible. It’s more character and plot driven, than fantasy. It’s wonderful.

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  41. Melissa Marie Avatar
    Melissa Marie

    I just finished the book Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin. The book is about the story of Anne Lindbergh, how she met Charles Lindbergh, and what her life was like being married to a famous man. It’s a great book!

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  42. Jen Tapler Avatar
    Jen Tapler

    Great suggestions – thanks! Always looking for something new to add to the book list. I’ve gone back and forth thinking about Still Alice, but I’m not sure I could handle it emotionally. My Dad died 2 years ago at 59 yrs old from early-onset Alzheimer’s (started showing symptoms around age 48, diagnosed at 52). He was a brilliant, healthy, very active man with a successful career as a private practice Optometrist and was making plans for an early retirement when the disease struck and devastated my family. I am sure there would be so many things about Still Alice that I personally could relate to, but it might just be too difficult. Any input?

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  43. Stephanie Loudmouth Avatar
    Stephanie Loudmouth

    I just commented, but it disappeared… so I apologize if this shows up twice! Anywho, I’ve been trying to get back into reading myself, and I’ve been updating my blog with a similar monthly report. I’ll have to check these out for my next segment! Also, I love what you said in the beginning – I’ll definitely be quoting you. 🙂

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  44. goshery Avatar
    goshery

    My book club read The Adrian Mole Diaries years ago and I loved it! Not many people I talk to have heard about it so I always encourage them to check it out.

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  45. goshery Avatar
    goshery

    I just finished The Dinner by Herman Koch. I can’t say that I loved the book, but I am still thinking about it four days later, so that must say something. You know those books where you get really attached to the characters and you want to know more about them? Well, this isn’t one of those books! The characters are not people I would want to be around, but the way the story is told is very interesting. I would consider it a page turner – I read it in one, six hour sitting.

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  46. Myriam H Avatar
    Myriam H

    Fun to see what everyone is reading! I recommend “Bread & Wine” by Shauna Niequist. So easy to read, yet so powerful! It will make you want to take a deep breath, have your friends over and cook!

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  47. Meredith Avatar
    Meredith

    I’ll have to add these books to my to-read list! I just recently read Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and got through it so quickly because I couldn’t put it down. It captivated me in a way I didn’t expect at all!

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  48. Karli Jo Avatar
    Karli Jo

    I read the book The Night Circus that you suggested… AMAZING!
    Right now I am reading And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini. He is a wonderful author and his other two books have made my top 10 🙂

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  49. Meliss Avatar
    Meliss

    I thought Middlesex was far better than The Marriage Plot. But I read Middlesex first so I’m not sure if that had anything to do with it. I actually didn’t enjoy The Marriage Plot very much at all but was reading it for a book club. Highly recommend Middlesex though!!

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  50. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    I am the hundred millionth person to read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I was kind of blown away by this book. It is so respectful of youth and not at all dismissive of – or cliche – about young love. The dialogue was laugh out loud funny, so smart. The questions to two main characters pose about life and leaving a mark in this world – and if it’s important and how you should and will (or will not) be remembered really impressed and resonated with me. I ate the book right up, and definitely recommend it if you havent drunk the koolaid (i mean read it) already 🙂 It’s one of those books that you want to hug to your chest you love it so much. I think it’s 4.99 or less for Kindle now.

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