enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

july book report.

July 20, 2015

I was all over the map this month:

History of Love by Danielle Krauss / this was not the best book I have ever read, but I enjoyed it for sure. I am still a little confused by the ending; I think I wanted more. More closure? More detail? More? But I sort of think the point was to fade out like that. I smiled a lot while reading this one. The characters had a lot of character.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins / like everyone, I heard so much hype about this one. It was the "thriller I wouldn't be able to put down!" except, I put it down a lot. Why? I don't know. The main character bugged me so much. Actually everything bugged me so much. I'm in the minority but this one fell flat for me, possibly because my expectations were too high.

The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez / I enjoyed this one. It had been recommended to me a lot and it finally came up in my queue. Not my favorite book, but an engaging and interesting story. Quick read, too.

All Joy and No Fun by Jennifer Senior / non-fiction?! How rare. This was another one I had heard good things about and I liked it. It was nice to read some of the real science behind while toddlers are crazy and it was really nice to hear some new stories (outside of "this is the hardest but best job I've ever had!") about moms and families. In many ways, I felt like this book helped me feel more relaxed as a parent. I wouldn't say it's a must read because I don't think parenting books are ever a "must" but it's a good one.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn / Creeeeeeepy. So creepy. I think this is Gillian Flynn's first book and I was expecting a Gone Girl vibe and got something much more gross and intense. But THIS was a book I couldn't put down. It was just one "WTF?" moment after another and I liked that.

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes / this was a quick chick-lit read…so entertaining and slightly unbelievable. If you're a Jojo Moyes fan, I think you'd enjoy too, but I personally liked Me Before You more.

plus: Essentialism got a full review here & Design Mom here.

I've sort of stalled out…waiting for so much at the library and need to restock! Share what you're reading below! I always love to hear.

Posted in book report

51 responses to “july book report.”

Leah Noble

July 20, 2015

Have you read “Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer” by Novella Carpenter? I’m reading it now and I think you would love it.

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Toni From

July 20, 2015

That is/ was my description of Sharp Objects to a friend. Serious WTF book. Glad you liked it too.

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Rachel D

July 20, 2015

Have you ever read any Curtis Sittenfeld? I enjoyed both Prep and American Wife.

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Sarah Alves

July 20, 2015

The Martian by Andy Weir. It’s really different from other books I have read – very scientific and technical. I really like the main character though and am excited to see the movie adaptation this fall. Sometimes it’s nice to read things wildly outside of the norm!
-Sarah Alves

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Anna

July 20, 2015

I enjoyed but didn’t LOVE Girl on the Train. I think the comparison to Gone Girl is what over-hyped it for me – I felt like it just didn’t have as much going on as Gone Girl did. But it was a great one to zip through while delayed in an airport a few weeks ago.
I’m currently reading Last Days of California and loving it. It feels like such an accurate portrayal of the relationship between sisters – could be a fun one if you want a glimpse of what your daughters’ relationship could look like in 15 years. 🙂

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Lindsay

July 20, 2015

I just finished The Girl You Left Behind and really liked it. I enjoyed the early 1900s sections more than the modern ones. I then started reading Honeymoon in Paris, and it is a prequel novella to The Girl You Left Behind, which I wasn’t aware of. I’m on a total Moyes/Lianne Moriarty binge. I really enjoyed Silver Bay and One Plus One by Moyes, and Three Wishes was a good entertaining read from Moriarty.

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Paula

July 20, 2015

Don’t you hate it when everything you have on hold at the library is taking forever to arrive? It always seems like I will go a week with nothing really and then all of a sudden five books on my list come in that I must read right away!
What I have read the past month that was worth it:
Go Set A Watchman – Harper Lee (went in with no expectations and enjoyed it)
The Enchanted – Rene Denfeld (takes place in a prison and was an eerily creepy yet satisfying read)
In the Unlikely Event – Judy Blume
Ruby – Cynthia Bond (a book you cannot unread that will haunt you for weeks after!)

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Karina K

July 20, 2015

I did not look Girl on the Train and gave up on it.
I loved the Girl left behind! I just finished another by the author, the ship of brides and enjoyed that one. Trying to get into One Plus One.

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Sue C

July 20, 2015

I completely agree about Girl on the Train. I had to push myself to finish. I’m always glad that people are reading (the teacher in me) but there are so many better books in the psychological thriller category.

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kate

July 20, 2015

I just finished Away by Amy Bloom and I adored the writing style. She’s traveling across the country and as she leaves each person you get this overview of where their lives went and what brought them joy and grief through the years. I loved that. The end seemed abrupt but you weren’t really left wondering. I recommend it.

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yours truly, melissa

July 20, 2015

Last month I read The Age of Desire – fiction based on Edith Wharton’s true life affair and relationships. It was a historical novel and I enjoyed it more than I expected. Worth checking out for sure.

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kelly libby

July 20, 2015

I’m enjoying your book reviews as i’m TRYING to read more….actually, i’m trying to just actually read a BOOK! I’m a big news online and blog reader; but it’s just not the same. I’m not sure when this transition happened as I loved books.
I wandered the best Goodwill around (Somerville, MASS) and found a great new-condition David Sedaris, “Let’s explore Diabetes with Owls”. What an odd title!!! He’s just hysterical and a light read when i’m in the back of uber in stand-still morning commuter Boston traffic or at the park when the baby I nanny is napping.

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kerstin

July 20, 2015

Really enjoying “Astonish me” by Maggie Shipstead!

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Jody

July 20, 2015

Have you read Eight Hundred Grapes? It’s set in Northern Cali and I thought of you while reading it. Read it in one day. I’ve got Judy Blume’s book to start.

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Liz

July 20, 2015

I’ll second “Astonish Me” by Maggie Shipstead. It’s about ballet dancers, which I normally wouldn’t think I’d care about, but this book made me want to go to the ballet! I read her first book, “Seating Arrangements,” and wasn’t a huge fan, but I loved “Astonish Me,” She makes her characters come to life really well.
I also just read “Girl you Left Behind,” and agree it wasn’t as good as “Me Before You.”
Here’s a few others I’ve read somewhat recently and recommend:
“A Visit from the Good Squad” by Jennifer Egan
“One Day” by David Nichols
“It’s What I Do: A Photographer’s Life of Love and War” by Lynsey Addario”
“Into the Minds of Babes: How Screen Time Affects Children From Birth to Age Five” by Lisa Guernsey

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Sarah M

July 20, 2015

I just finished Joan Didion’s “The Year of Magical Thinking” about the first year after her husband passed away (and her only child was in the hospital for months) and it was sad, beautiful, and very real.
Now I’m starting “The Silver Star” by Jeannette Walls and then Missoula–Jon Krakauer’s new one!
Sarah M

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Leigh

July 20, 2015

Totally with you regarding Girl On The Train!! Predictable, annoying and it didn’t live up to the hype at all.

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Polly Cat

July 20, 2015

Gosh you must be a fast reader!! I wish I could get through books as fast haha! I’m currently reading Stephen Fry’s latest book… I’ve enjoyed it but I’d ready to start a new book now. When I was little I’d read lots of books at a time and never finish any of them… so I must resist to do that! x
Polly Cat Contemplates

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Chrissie

July 20, 2015

Loving your monthly book reports! Have you read Life After Life by Kate Atkinson? I’m finishing up a re-read of it now before starting the companion novel, A God in Ruins, which came out a couple months ago. This book is amazing and masterfully written; if you haven’t read it, I can’t recommend it enough. And for something fun, I’d suggest The Royal We, which is by the Fug Girls (Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan). It’s sort of based on Kate and Will but is its own charming story – it’s just delightful.

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Amy

July 20, 2015

I’m with you about The Girl on the Train. I mean, the ending was interesting, but not worth the first 250 pages. I also felt very uncomfortable reading through all the alcoholism parts.
I’ve been listening to a lot of books this summer. Rob Lowe reading “Stories I Only Tell My Friends” is funny and highly entertaining and that voice…swoon. Yes, Please with Amy Poehler’s jokes added in on top of the original superb writing is fantastic.
Hope you come across more “I loved this book!” books and fewer “Meh” books.

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EMILY

July 20, 2015

I second “Stories I Only Tell My Friends” – I read it and loved it! Such a fun and entertaining read!

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Vanessa

July 20, 2015

Girl on the Train was one I put down a lot too! Just read Water’s Edge: A Novel by Sara Gruen (Water For Elephants author) and it was fantastic – great setting, characters, etc. Royal We is getting a lot of hype so I picked that up and am reading it right now…not usually a fan of chick-lit but it’s smart, interesting and fun so far!

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Morgan

July 20, 2015

Reading the comments above, The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion is definitely a GREAT book – one of my all-time recommendations.
I also recently read and loved The Unimaginable by: Dina Silver, about a girl who goes to Thailand to teach english and ends up on crew sailing around the world. I’ve read jojoy moynes and glitter and glue and if you like those, I think you’ll like this one too.

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Eileen

July 20, 2015

Same here with Girl on the Train. I don’t even think I knew about its comparison to Gone Girl but it certainly doesn’t measure up. I found it “okay”, but not much more than that.
I finished All The Light We Cannot See and very much enjoyed that.
Amy — good advice about listening to Rob Lowe’s book. I recently listened to an NPR Podcast (PCHH) where they were discussing autobiographies and how much more it brings to hear (rather than read) in their own voice. They said it specifically about Aziz Ansari’s new book and mentioned Tina Fey’s book (Bossypants), one that got me thru a LONG solo drive.

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Cheryl

July 20, 2015

I second “Life After Life” – the title is so apt, I felt like I’d lived a hundred lifetimes, or possible ones, within the lovely span of one book. And it really makes you question what-if – it’s like an early century Sliding Doors, with several possible lives laid out for you to gobble up.
I’m having a glorious book-month, every one I’ve read so far, I’ve loved. “Dept of Speculation” by Jenny Offill – so unlike anything I’ve read before, the structure is sort of broken, but it just works, and the writing is distant and beautiful. “The Brides of Rollrock Island” by Margo Lanagan – I just want to go back and back to it. The writing is utterly gorgeous, and the selkie myth is explored beautifully. Also reread one of my favourites, “The End of Mr Y” by Scarlet Thomas, which is just magical from start to finish – it’s a novel about consciousness, and theoretical physics, and love, and it just blows my mind every time I read it. And lastly – I’m currently reading “The Enchanted” by Rene Denfield – am not very far in, but so far I’m loving it – very eerie and strange.
Happy reading, everyone – I love coming here each month, Elise, not only to see what you’ve been reading, but also to read the comments. I’ve had some brilliant recommendations! xxx

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Amy

July 20, 2015

I just finished Kate Morton’s The Secret Keeper and Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale. I enjoyed both of them. The Nightingale is one that I think will stay with me for a long time.

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Sarah Rose

July 20, 2015

I highly recommend “Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi. I could not put it down and found it very different from everything else I have been reading lately.

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Kelly

July 20, 2015

I agree with your Girl on a Train opinions. I just finished it today and meh…
What ever happened to The Signature of all Things? Too painful to finish? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invested in 700+ pages of it, but couldn’t finish, when I arrived at book club the consensus was don’t waste your time!

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Molly

July 20, 2015

Just finished Dark Places by Gillian Flynn…it was just as messed up as Gone Girl. I don’t think I can read anymore of her as her characters are always a little too crazy for me…no one ever to like. Have you read The Invention of Wings by Sue Kidd Monk

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Annette

July 20, 2015

The Vacationers by Emma Straub (out in paperback last month). Really enjoyed the story and the writing. 800 Grapes by Laura Dave was also very good/

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Veronika

July 20, 2015

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. This series is sooo good. Think you would really enjoy it!
(All his other books too)

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Corrie

July 20, 2015

Just finished The Storied Life of AJ Fikry and The Rosie Project. I liked them because I always seems to pick up a book about a female character and the main one in both of these was a dude, for a change. Aside from that little bit, both great, interesting, quick reads that were not part of my usual queue at the library. Also, they were both such interesting, annoying (but in an I really like you way), creative characters. Love your book reports, thanks for sharing!

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andrea b

July 20, 2015

I’ll third Astonish Me — I’m old enough to remember Baryshnikov’s defection and I think some of the book is inspired by that.
Also — I read Euphoria by Lily King months ago and still think about it. So good.
Lynsey Addario’s It’s What I Do was truly remarkable – I would have fallen apart a dozen times over living her life. I admire her greatly and it was a great read.

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Jamie

July 20, 2015

Deeply enjoying The Creative Habit (yes, finally on board there), and also reading Scott Jurek’s Eat and Run, since I enjoyed Born to Run so much. On the fiction front I just picked up the latest Nora Roberts (Liar) and the next in the Dresden Files series, Proven Guilty. = )

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Sharon

July 20, 2015

I’m enjoying The Unbearable Lightness of Being at the moment – part philosophy and part ‘what can go wrong with love’ story.

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Sharon

July 20, 2015

Seconded – I loved the first one and can’t wait to start book 2!

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Michelle

July 20, 2015

Currently reading:
My Life in France by Julia Child. I usually really dislike memoirs and find them boring but I am enjoying this book a lot! I did not like the book Julie & Julia at all but I loved the movie, so reading this book is like reading the book about the movie that I would have preferred to read. If that makes sense.
And re-reading Red Dragon for the umpteenth time in preparation for the appearance of The Tooth Fairy on HANNIBAL this Thursday!!! Richard Armitage as a psychotic killer! eeeee!!! I’ve seen photos and they DID make him look ugly and scary!
And The Fault in Our Stars. I saw the movie last summer and I always like to read the book after I see the movie. I usually dislike YA books but I am enjoying this one a lot.
I just picked up a cool looking non fiction book: It’s Not About the Shark: How to Solve Unsolvable Problems by David Niven. I have some seriously unsolvable problems right now so I am dying to see how to solve them! lol
I would like to read that Gillian Flynn book. I loved Gone Girl, the book and the movie. I love deep and complex psychological thrillers, and horror, and anything creepy or scary.

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Michelle

July 20, 2015

Me too! I LOVED American Wife!

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Michelle

July 20, 2015

I was looking for the like button here….

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Amy

July 20, 2015

I just read “The Paper Magician” on my plane ride home from England. It is like a fairytale of magicians and was a quick and fun read. It was in a similar category to the Night Circus. I also recently finished “Delancey” which was intriguing, made me really rethink my methods of pizza dough making, and greater appreciate those who own/work at restaurants.

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Nikki

July 20, 2015

I just finished Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend – a book told through the eyes of an imaginary friend. The Snow Child – which takes place in the Alaskan wilderness in the 1920s and Lost and Found – a story about a girl who is left behind by her mother and makes some unexpected friends.
And now working on A Man Called Ove.
Any of the first three I would recommend! All are excellent.
And I just speed read Me Before You.

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mer

July 20, 2015

the last time i was me… the language of flowers… headstrong. xo!

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Milly

July 20, 2015

I am SO GLAD you felt like that about ‘Girl on a Train’! It’s had SO much hype this year in England too & I was utterly disappointed. The characters are underdeveloped; I didn’t care about them at all and I felt it didn’t have a particularly well developed plot.
Your review made me think: ‘phew’ I will keep reading your blog 😉
M x

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Tara

July 21, 2015

I’ve recently been loving Rainbow Rowell’s books! As a writer, I bet you’ll like Fangirl. As a married person, I recommend Landline (some of her books are YA, but not Landline!)

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Jil

July 21, 2015

Have you read Gretchen Rubin’s Better than Before? It’s in your area of expertise–goal setting, habit formation, and making everyday life as sweet as possible. I just finished it last night and really enjoyed it. I especially liked thinking about how much our personality types influence how we form and maintain habits.

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Kathy Ellen Davis

July 21, 2015

Totally agree with you here, Corrie!
Those two were both so great!

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Tracy

July 23, 2015

If the book you review is not good or you didn’t enjoy it why bother adding your affiliate links to it? If I remember correctly, you said that affiliate links are the things you love. Are you reccomending crap book to us in exchange of commision?

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Cate

July 25, 2015

I didn’t like girl on the train, kept putting it down and picking it up, hated the main character, but I picked it up one day and figured out the “twist” and was ok reading it after that. Wasn’t earth shattering,and I wouldn’t add it to my book shelf, but not bad.

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Jen

July 26, 2015

I felt the same was you did about Girl on the Train. I really wanted to love this book, but the main character was not someone I even remotely liked. I struggled to get through it and then wondered why “everyone” loved this book.

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Alicia Northern

July 26, 2015

You posted about Elizabeth Gilbert’s new book. Curious if you’ve read “The Signature of All Things”? I’m really enjoying it. It’s a mixture of history, science, traveling etc. let me know if you’ve read it!

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