enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

Septemberbookreport

It hasn't been that long since my last book report, but I have been tearing through the pages lately (figuratively, since Ellerie's got a handle on the literal) and so I wanted to share a few current reads. I get asked a lot when I read and the answer is before bed. Paul has to get up really early so we are generally in bed between 9-9:30. He's out like a light and since I've stopped feeding the monkey mind by scrolling instagram and pinterest, I get a good half hour to an hour of books.

These are a few of the recent ones worth noting :

The One and Only by Emily Griffin | I read a lot of negative reviews of this over the summer, but decided to give it a try because I really like the author and most of the people who didn't like it said there was too much college football (I love college football). It wasn't the best, but it was entertaining, easy-to-read chick lit (if you love college football).

Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg | I don't think this is a book that you really love or really hate (mostly because it's written with more fact than emotion – and I mean that in a good way). But I did think it was an interesting read because I am very interested in work and what others have to say about it. There are parts in this book that could truly connect with anyone regardless of gender, age or life path, but if I was going to pick an ideal reader it would be a young(er) woman who wants a corporate job and is considering having a family down the line. I wish I had read this at 22. It wouldn't have changed my path, but parts were inspiring and what I needed to hear then and still need to know now.

Left Neglected by Lisa Genova | I loved Still Alice and was excited to read this by the same author. I liked it but I definitely wasn't hooked. It's not going to stick with me the way Still Alice did and I think that's because while the syndrome is a real medical condition, it's not as prolific and relevant (in my life) as Alzheimer's. I struggled a lot with the main character too. She's the classic "completely frazzled working mother" and I think that cliche image hit a little close to home right after reading Lean In. As I told Paul, this book would never work if the main character was a man (and that annoyed me).

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell | I devoured this in less than 24 hours. It's a quick read that is still layered and witty. It's YA, but I think the themes and language kept it from feeling too young. I loved the back and forth between the characters and found myself smiling and laughing out loud at the subtle, smart humor. Excited to check out Rowell's other books.

In other news, I had to throw in the towel on Code Name Verity, it just didn't have the spark that I need to see in the first half. I am also almost done with Gone Girl (I will be when this post goes live at 5am) and to say I am hooked would be an understatement.

#bookswin.

Other posts you might enjoy: 

 

Posted in

55 responses to “september book report.”

  1. Amanda Avatar

    I liked Gone Girl but didn’t love the ending. I’ve read all of Gillian Flynn’s books and my favourite was Dark Places. Highly recommend.

    Like

  2. Allie Avatar

    I liked Eleanor and Park overall, but it was my least favorite of Rowell’s books. My favorites of hers are Attachments or Fangirl. Landline was good too!
    I’m such a fan of Emily Griffin. I loved that The One and Only incorporated sports into a “female” romance. Again, not my favorite of hers, but I enjoyed it a lot. I’m assuming you’ve read Something Borrowed? One of my favorites.

    Like

  3. Rachel Avatar
    Rachel

    I didn’t love Gone Girl. I’m not sure what it was? I guess I just really didn’t like the characters, but I am SO looking forward to the movie! I’ll be picking up The One and Only before the end of the month. It was nice to read what you thought about it. I really like Emily Giffin for that “easy-to-read chick lit.” I put Eleanor and Park on my list after seeing it everywhere and your review. I’m excited for that one!
    Love your book report posts! 🙂

    Like

  4. Elaine Avatar

    I just finished Eleanor and Park last night! LOVED IT

    Like

  5. Jen Avatar
    Jen

    I couldn’t get Eleanor and Park after I saw your Instagram post so I got Attachments and it was great! Quick read as well.

    Like

  6. Katie Avatar

    I LOVE your book report posts! Have you read The Thirteenth Tale? Sort of Night Circus-ish, I loved it.

    Like

  7. Hanna Avatar

    Hi, Elise! I think this might be the first time I comment, but I truly enJOY all you posts and love your podcast. As someone who sadly hates reading. Somehow, although being relatively smart with several degrees under my belt, reading has never been my thing. But, your book reports have really gotten me in the mood to find some good books to read. Any suggestions? I’d love something that’s educational, I’m not sure I’m ready for fiction yet :).

    Like

  8. Brianna Avatar
    Brianna

    I took Lean In off my list long ago – I’m just not that kind of corporate person. I have The One and Only on my shelf and I’m supposed to review it, but I read chapter one back in June or July and then set it aside. I haven’t picked it up since.
    I’m currently reading After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It’s okay – good summer fluff, but there’s no real substance to the book.

    Like

  9. Erika @ BlessedNotLucky.com Avatar

    Love your book report posts! We have similar reading tastes so I’m always interested in your thoughts. I was going to try The One and Only but will skip it now since the only sport I love is MLB. I recently read Attachments, then Eleanor & Park, and just finished Fangirl. (My Attachments review is on my blog but I need to post the other 2 still). I loved all 3; she’s now a favorite author of mine. But Fangirl has a LOT of excerpts of a Harry Potter type story, which isn’t my thing so it’s my least favorite of the 3. I know Lean In has been controversial but you’ve made me want to check it out. Gone Girl is one of my fave books ever and, you’re right, very hard to put down. The ending is often criticized but I didn’t see any other way it could’ve ended and stayed true to the characters.

    Like

  10. Stacy Avatar
    Stacy

    I always enjoy your book reports!

    Like

  11. amber Avatar
    amber

    I love your book reports. It always gives me a few to add to my list. I loved all the Rainbow Rowell books. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand was one of my favourite recent reads.

    Like

  12. Carrie Bentley Avatar
    Carrie Bentley

    YAY! Perfect timing!
    My birthday was this last weekend and I scored big! My MIL gave me a bookstore gift card and my husband gave me a Kindle Paperwhite. My girl scout troop gave me a totebag that says “I like big books and I cannot Lie” 🙂 I am a reader for sure!
    I was just looking over my Goodreads list (do you use that app?) and trying to figure out what is next up!
    Thanks for the suggestions!

    Like

  13. elise blaha cripe Avatar

    I’ve read dark places. Very good. I heard the ending was bad so the whole time I was trying to think “what would be a bad ending?” when I finally got there I thought, “hmmm, not so bad.” 😉

    Like

  14. elise blaha cripe Avatar

    yep, I’ve read them all. 🙂

    Like

  15. elise blaha cripe Avatar

    have not! thanks for the suggestion!

    Like

  16. elise blaha cripe Avatar

    hmm, educational… depends…what do you want to learn about? I loved born to run, but I love to run. I love food books, michael pollan and barbara kingsolver, but I love food…

    Like

  17. elise blaha cripe Avatar

    totally agree. it had to end like that.

    Like

  18. elise blaha cripe Avatar

    I don’t! I should though.

    Like

  19. Corey Avatar

    I hated what happened as I would hate if it happened in real life BUT I appreciate that she went the way she did with the book. I think people just don’t like the outcome, and they forget to appreciate it as part of a piece of a story. Flynn was wonderful at manipulating the reader (or at least me) through the first half and then really brought the crazy home in the second.
    I think it’s like when I hate a character. I don’t hate them because they are written poorly, I hate them because they are written well and I wouldn’t like to be around that person in real life.

    Like

  20. elise blaha cripe Avatar

    yep. I think it would be worse to the STORY if it was tied up in a neat & happy bow.
    And agreed. I was manipulated and totally along for the ride. That’s exactly how good fiction should be. TAKE ME FOR A RIDE. 😉

    Like

  21. Amy Avatar

    I have also read the One and Only because I love Emily Griffin. I am not a huge college football fan; but it wasn’t a bad book. She has definitely written better, but this one wasn’t terrible.
    A great book that I would recommend is This is Where I Leave You” by Jonathan Tropper. Its all about family, and a great read. And it was made into a movie!

    Like

  22. Lauren Avatar

    The Thirteenth Tale was excellent. It gets another vote from me!

    Like

  23. tara pakosta Avatar

    My 14 year old said ELeanor & Park was her favorite book she has ever read and is begging for a copy to keep and re-read. I guess I should read it. (oops, bad mom)!!!
    I felt the same way about Left Neglected except I could relate somewhat as my husband has a brain tumor which leaves some brain issues for me to deal with, so I get that totally part of it.
    Have you read Fourth of July Creek? that’s next on my list, heard it was great!
    tara

    Like

  24. Katrina Avatar

    I read Left Neglected what seems like a loooong time ago – and really liked it. Well, maybe “liked” is the wrong word. Parts of it very much resonated b/c they reminded me of my own recovery after a car accident (my brain forgot how to talk to my legs). Currently reading Where’d You Go Bernadette? and loving it so far – I’ll have to go back to your previous posts & see if it made your list.

    Like

  25. tara pakosta Avatar

    here is a few from my LOVED list:
    The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Frye
    The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom
    The Art of Hearing Heartbeats and A well-tempered Heart
    Orphan Train
    Me Before You
    The Silver Star
    Out of the Easy
    Keeping the House by Ellen Baker
    The Deepest Secret by Carla Buckley
    All the Light we Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
    The Storied Life of AJ Fikry
    The House Girl by Tara Conkin
    A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolick
    those are just a few of my very faves!
    Enjoy! (not that you asked lol)
    tara

    Like

  26. Rachel Pierce Avatar

    I love that you read Eleanor and Park! I think Fangirl is my favorite of hers, but I’m a bit of a fangirl myself so it was pretty fitting. Will definitely be adding a few of these to my Want to Read shelf.
    Also, are you on Good Reads?

    Like

  27. Jennifer Henson Avatar

    Me, either! I read the whole thing, and I can’t put my finger on it, but I just didn’t love it. I felt like I was the only person in the world who didn’t love it! 🙂

    Like

  28. Jennifer Henson Avatar

    LOVED it, too! 🙂 Good suggestion!

    Like

  29. Jennifer Henson Avatar

    Love Goodreads! I really like that I can scan barcodes in a bookstore and then get them from the library, or at least buy them later, as I can’t purchase all the books I love at once. 🙂 Great to refer back to them!

    Like

  30. kris Avatar
    kris

    I always enjoy your book reports and everyones comments/suggestions. I also really liked Gone Girl …until the ending.
    Everyone –really appreciate the LOVED list some provide!

    Like

  31. Ruth Avatar

    I’ve just started Gone Girl and trying not to peek at the ending!

    Like

  32. Rachel Avatar
    Rachel

    Nope! I’m right there with you. I actually had to push myself through it at some points.

    Like

  33. Molly Avatar
    Molly

    Rainbow Rowell is AMAZING! You should definitely read her other novels and afterwards you will be desiring for Rainbow to be writing your dialogues for your actual life. Also totally agree with Code Name Verity…but we are in the minority as most people ADORE it.

    Like

  34. Casey Avatar

    So excited to hear how you felt about Gone Girl! I read it in one night because I was so engrossed in the story. Didn’t sleep a wink that night. I love this segment by the way, definitely checking out Eleanor & Park (amazing illustrations on the front btw) and Lean In (I’ve heard great reviews all around).

    Like

  35. Krista Avatar
    Krista

    Have you read Wonder by R.J. Palacio? It’s YA but truly excellent. I read it myself and recommend it to everyone I meet- kids included. I read it as a book club pick in my class of grade 5’s and they literally lived for English for about 6 weeks. They begged to read it all the time. It’s so good and a great, relevant read for kids in grade 3-8.

    Like

  36. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    Thanks for the heads up on Rainbow Rowell. I now have a couple of books of hers in my library queue.
    I just started The Cuckoo’s Calling and am struggling a bit with it (about 60 pages in) – does it turn a corner soon? 🙂

    Like

  37. elise blaha cripe Avatar

    I read it in 36 hours…couldn’t put it down! I really liked it and felt like the ending made sense for the book.

    Like

  38. elise blaha cripe Avatar

    yeah, I struggled through the beginning. I think it does get good, but it’s not as good (in my opinion as silkworm, the second book) feel free to stop if you’re not feeling it. 😉

    Like

  39. paula Avatar

    I like sport & humour in my romance – Jill Shalvis’ Pacific Heat duo, Deidre Martin’s Blades series and Rachel Gibson’s Chinnooks series. All a wee bit old now but still good.

    Like

  40. Maria Avatar

    Off topic, but this was the first time I’ve read the phrase “feeding the monkey mind.” It (shamefully) describes my week-night evening pinterest/instagram/feedly dance, a habit I’m working to break. Useful to have a line to describe this act!

    Like

  41. Tess S. Avatar
    Tess S.

    I adore Rainbow Rowell books and I’m glad you enjoyed it. There is an Eleanor inspired playlist made by Ms. Rowell on Spotify if you’re interested.

    Like

  42. Melissa Marie Avatar

    I loved Still Alice, thanks for the suggestion! 🙂 I haven’t read her other book, but I loved the way she wrote Still Alice. Do you know they are making movie out of the Still Alice? So excited to see it! 🙂

    Like

  43. Sara Avatar
    Sara

    One of my favorite types of posts. I like to read but like being told what to read even more! I’m looking forward to reading again. Baby #2 just turned 6 weeks old and the newborn fog is lifting. Hoping to make a trip to the library soon to pick up some of your suggestions.

    Like

  44. Christen Avatar
    Christen

    I just finished a The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Frye and loved it!

    Like

  45. Christen Avatar
    Christen

    I loved Eleanor and Park! I couldn’t finish The One and Only…I also loved Gone Girl. I look forward to your book posts.

    Like

  46. Amanda Avatar

    Yes! I can usually predict the endings of books and I love that I didn’t have it all figured out with this one.

    Like

  47. tara pakosta Avatar

    it was so touching, wasn’t it?!

    Like

  48. elise blaha cripe Avatar

    thanks for this list!! so fun.

    Like

  49. elise blaha cripe Avatar

    🙂 when I used to take yoga classes the teacher would always tell us to “calm our monkey minds.” doing the evening scroll is the opposite, huh?

    Like

Leave a reply to Katie Cancel reply