enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

april book report.

Bookreport

I want to say there was one more book read in the last few weeks, but it can't have been great as it's slipped my mind…

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes / I read this after Me Before You and it was cute but not quite as good. Still, an easy, sweet read with great character detail. Add it to your summer list. Or just read Me Before You.

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell / this has been on my library queue forever and it finally made it to me. You might remember I did a pretty intense Rainbow sprint a few months ago. I like this one. The premise was fun and it was told in a creative way multiple points of few, but some shared first-person and some shared via email correspondence. It was interesting for me to finish and then see that this was first novel. I always think you can tell "first novels" because so often the jokes and descriptions are worded in a certain way that you just know the author has been "storing them up" and waiting for that first book to use them.

The Dinner by Herman Koch / I started this last week and IG was like "oh boy…." At the time I didn't really get it and now I'm like "ahhhhhhhh." What a bizarre book. What crazy characters. The whole "dinner" theme was interesting. The details were rich. I can't say I was ever bored, but I can say I ended feeling pretty… ick.

I'm currently reading The Signature of All Things, which I like but I'm having trouble getting through. I'm 900 something in line at the library for The Girl on a Train so I might cave and buy it. What about you?!

ps. so many more book reports.

Other posts you might enjoy: 

 

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59 responses to “april book report.”

  1. April Avatar
    April

    The Girl on the Train was really good. This might sound odd…instead of buying it, would you like me to send my copy for you to read? I don’t anticipate re-reading this one anytime soon…I’d love to pass it on. We’re in the process of moving, once I unpack my books (within the next week)…I’ll send it your way. The only thing that might be annoying…I tend to circle words and underline sentences as I read…if you find that incredibly annoying ;o)…and would rather borrow from the library or buy the book, I completely understand! Let me know…my feelings will not be hurt if you don’t want my copy. If you do…email me your address and I’ll send it your way.
    Have a great day!

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  2. Kelliann Avatar
    Kelliann

    I am in the minority but I thought girl on a train was just ‘meh’

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  3. Steph Avatar
    Steph

    I just finished The Girl You Left Behind by JoJo Moyes and really enjoyed it. Haven’t read any of her others yet so I don’t know how it compares:)

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  4. Steve Avatar
    Steve

    Right there with ya, Kelliann.

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  5. Jenny Rose Avatar
    Jenny Rose

    Cannot comment on Girl on the Train but usually I am left disappointed with books that have too much hype. One book that I loved and think you might enjoy is Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed. She is the author of the wildly popular Wild (which was made into a movie). Wild is her memoir. Tiny Beautiful Things is a compilation of her advice columns. I read both and really, really loved Tiny Beautiful Things.

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  6. Jennie Avatar
    Jennie

    Just finished “Girls in White Dresses.” Thought it was great and I want all of those girls to be my real life best friends! 🙂 Read “Serena” and wasn’t sure why it was made into a movie, and I pretty much hated everyone in it. Also read “The Good Girl” and guessed what had happened about halfway through, so that was meh. The Rachael O’Brien series by Paisley Ray is pretty fun…college girls in the 80s who find all kinds of trouble. “The Bronze Horseman” trilogy is pretty meaty and oh so long, but awesome. I’m #13 for “The Girl on a Train” and I’m so worried it will disappoint!

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  7. Marina H Avatar
    Marina H

    Hi Elise,
    A friend of mine at work told me about an app called Overdrive. It’s a little strange to navigate, but you input your library memberships and then you can check out ebooks for your device. May help with your Girl On The Train issue. Not a physical book, but still from your library at least! 🙂

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  8. Jacqueline R Avatar
    Jacqueline R

    I just started Girl on the Train last night. The story has pulled me in, but I am curious to see how it will play out. Other recent reads that I have enjoyed: Tiny Beautiful Things, The Thirteenth Tale, The Sea of Tranquility, Station Eleven, and Love Walked In.

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  9. Danielle Avatar
    Danielle

    The Signature of All Things will pick up soon enough. Just hang in there!
    I read Me Before You last month and I’ve been curious about her others. Thanks for the update.

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  10. Libbi M. Avatar
    Libbi M.

    Before you buy Girl On A Train, check to see if you have a recycled book store or a consignment book store in your area. A little bit cheaper. If not, Costco has the best book prices.

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  11. Anna Avatar
    Anna

    I just finished Me Before You – I liked it but don’t think I shed a single tear… felt a bit heartless about that one. 🙂 I’m currently reading This is How You Lose Her and think I’m in love with Junot Diaz.

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  12. Sarah M Avatar
    Sarah M

    I just finished Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Riechl last night (it’s an older book 2005, I think). It’s her memoir of being the NYTimes Restaurant critic, and I really enjoyed it. { http://www.amazon.ca/Garlic-Sapphires-Secret-Critic-Disguise/dp/0143036610 }
    Once I finished that one I went right ahead and started The Signature of All Things, too, though I only got about 10 pages in. I don’t read fiction often
    and huge books sort of daunt me because I feel like I’ll be reading it too long and I won’t want to finish it.
    Sarah M

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  13. Ana F Avatar
    Ana F

    I read Dept. Of Speculation last month and I still think about that book.

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  14. Tami Avatar
    Tami

    I wasn’t a fan of girl on a train

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  15. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    She wrote a full on fiction book called Delicious, about a food magazine, and it is delightful as well. Good stuff.

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  16. Jackie Avatar
    Jackie

    I really enjoyed the girl on the train in that I just want to get lost in a book for a bit kind of way. It’s a little creepy (strange dreams for a couple nights) but it’s a fun read.
    I’m totally starting in on a Rainbow tear … I was almost late to work because I just wanted to finish landline. When I realized I still had to finish 1/3 of the book I forced myself to get going, ha.
    Thanks for sharing your latest reads!

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  17. Michele H. Avatar
    Michele H.

    Thanks for the book report. I’m #485 for Girl on the Train and just might buy it too. By the time I get it’ll be December.

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  18. Katie Avatar
    Katie

    I finished Me Before You last night and loved it. And I felt the same way about The Dinner. I still think about it sometimes and get that ick feeling. I just started The Illusionists but am having a hard time really getting into it.

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  19. Brianna Avatar
    Brianna

    I’ve started a half dozen books in the last month or so and haven’t finished a single one except the one I had to read for my literature class (and I hated it).

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  20. Katie Avatar
    Katie

    I posted my book report today too – how funny. I think I remember that you’ve read The Rosie Project. I really enjoyed that, and The Rosie Effect is on my list. I also enjoyed Nothing Like Looking. Flight Behavior was engrossing, especially if you’re a Kingsolver fan.

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  21. Kate Avatar
    Kate

    I’ll happily second Station Eleven. So very, very good.

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  22. Jennifer Azlant Avatar
    Jennifer Azlant

    definitely second Tiny Beautiful Things, Dept of Speculation, but run, don’t walk to get started on the Elena Ferrante series! (the first is My Brilliant Friend). also highly recommend Everything I Never Told You by Celese Ng and You Are One Of Them by Elliott Holt!
    Enjoy! Thanks for all that you do!

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  23. Kelsey Avatar
    Kelsey

    I finished Me Before You days before I saw you post on IG that you were starting it and OMG so good! I’ve been worried about wasting time/money on another Jojo Moyes book and from the sounds of it, I think I’ll stay at Me Before You.
    Recent reads that I LOVED: A History of Loneliness and The Boston Girl, bother reviewed here: http://www.lifeoutloud.kelseymcevoy.com/2015/03/read-these-books-march-2015/
    All book reports: http://www.lifeoutloud.kelseymcevoy.com/tag/books/

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  24. Kelsey Avatar
    Kelsey

    I picked up Flight Behavior the other day at B&N but didn’t end up buying it. Wasn’t sure I was sold on the political-y-ish storyline. But good, yeah?

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  25. Les G. Avatar
    Les G.

    im 552 for the girl on the train.
    is it share able on NooK!? cause if it is, im so game for that!

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  26. Laura Hager Avatar
    Laura Hager

    I’ve been curious about some of these! Thanks for sharing what you thought!
    Laura
    http://laurahager.blogspot.com

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  27. christi in ma Avatar
    christi in ma

    Overdrive is great for checking out audiobooks from the library too.
    I use it a lot!

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  28. EMILY Avatar
    EMILY

    Agree that The Signature of All Things will just take off — the payoff is great!

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  29. Kristina Avatar
    Kristina

    FINALLY got my hands on The Girl on the Train but I’m still about 900th in line for Still Alice… 😦 (which reminds me, are you excited for the movie?)
    ps. thanks for letting us peek into your Easter celebration this weekend 🙂 xo

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  30. christi in ma Avatar
    christi in ma

    I really liked both Garlic and Sapphires and Delicious! by Ruth Reichl.

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  31. Vicki Avatar
    Vicki

    Me, too, Kelliann! I caved to the hype and bought it in hardcover and it’s really, really not that great.

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  32. christen Avatar
    christen

    I loved Girl on the Train! I recently loved The Golem and the Jinni and The Boys on the Boat. I read Still Alice and loved it too.

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  33. Michal Lynn Avatar
    Michal Lynn

    I sorta feel the same way about One Plus One. I took it out from the library but read a few pages and wasn’t feeling it immediately. Me Before You took me by surprise, and I guess they can’t all be winners. There are so many Jojo Moyes books, but I feel like I won’t be able to get into them. I’ve always wanted to read The Dinner but have been terrified because I’ve heard and assumed some crazy things. Also, I did what you might do: I bought The Girl on the Train instead of waiting for it to free up at the library. I really liked it. I know people call it the new Gone Girl, but it’s not. I suggest to people that they take it as it’s own story (which it is!). It’s just a really great, fast-paced book. I enjoyed it and don’t regret buying it!

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  34. Abbie Avatar
    Abbie

    TOTALLY agree! Don’t buy it Elise! 😀 It is worth reading, i guess, but not buying 🙂

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  35. Lindsay Avatar
    Lindsay

    I’m 68 on the list for Girl on a Train at my library haha 😉 I’m reading Big Little Lies right now by Liane Moriarty. I’m enjoying it so far. Very easy & enjoyable read.

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  36. Mary Avatar
    Mary

    I third Station Eleven! I listened to the audio version and liked it.
    I also used a recent road trip as an opportunity to start listening to your podcast, and I love it! I’ve learned a lot from the few episodes I listed to, and I’m excited to check out more. One idea I had for a person to interview was Gayla Trail of You Grow Girl. She would potentially fit into a small business discussion but would definitely connect to all your garden posts.

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  37. Teri Avatar
    Teri

    I loved The Signature of All Things, but yes it’s a BIG book, definitely not for light reading. It spans a woman’s entire career and grapples with the proof of God’s existence all through botany (moss, specifically). If you keep reading it for that metaphor, it’s pretty beautiful. But, I also love anything Liz Gilbert, so I’m not sure I’m much help.

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  38. Allison Avatar
    Allison

    I agree – don’t buy Girl on the Train. It’s not worth the money. Interesting read but not amazing. Have you read Wild? It’s amazing. Also one of my all time faves is The Brothers K (not karamitzov)…it is very long and slow at times but really really great.

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  39. Jennie Avatar
    Jennie

    Thanks for sharing your book report each month. I always enjoy seeing what’s on your list. Cheers!

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  40. Rachel Avatar
    Rachel

    I agree, The Signature of All Things will pick up! It took me a bit to sink into it, but I trusted Gilbert to tell a good story…she doesn’t disappoint!

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  41. Madelyn Avatar
    Madelyn

    I loved the beginning of The Signature of All Things, but it was dragging at the end. Not my favorite. I just finished The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. It’s short but the writing is superb! I think next on my list is something by Flannery O’Connor. I’ve heard great things about her writing but have never actually read anything she’s written.

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  42. marcela Avatar
    marcela

    yep, same, i bought it and gave it away to a friend and she gave it back when she finished… I’d say read it but don’t buy it or buy it on kindle

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  43. Elise Avatar
    Elise

    I will totally take you up on this!! Email me!! Thank you!

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  44. Elise Avatar
    Elise

    Loved wild! Will have to check this out!

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  45. Elise Avatar
    Elise

    Yes! I have been trying to get overdrive to work. May need to try again. Thank you. 🙂

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  46. Elise Avatar
    Elise

    Glad to hear this!!

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  47. Elise Avatar
    Elise

    Loved Ruth’s memoir!

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  48. Elise Avatar
    Elise

    Yes! Really want to see still Alice! And thanks!! 🙂

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  49. Elise Avatar
    Elise

    Loved wild!

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  50. Elise Avatar
    Elise

    Huge Gilbert fan here too, I’ll keep going!

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