Tuesday, July 12, 2016

What I read in June

I thought that I wouldn't actually have any books to rate this month.  Then I passed the halfway point in my audiobook and was hooked and couldn't stop listening.  That said, I did start 2 new books and continued reading one that I've been pushing through for months, so next month I should have more than 1 book to discuss.


Life According to Steph


Rating scale:

1/5 - Hated it, didn't finish.
2/5 - Tolerated it on principle to finish, didn't like it.
3/5 - Eh, didn't love it, didn't hate it.  Had some good parts/kept me interested/finished it on principle.
3.5/5 - I liked parts of it.
4/5 - I liked the whole thing.
4.5/5 - I like it a lot, but not sure I'd read it again.
5/5 - I LURVED it and I'd read it again.

Skimmers, stick with the bold text (TL;DR* parts).
PS. Possible spoilers included in reviews.



Outlander by Diana Gabaldon   4.5/5 (audiobook)I wouldn't necessarily reread this book, but it was very enjoyable and by the end, I couldn't stop.

It took me a while to get into the book (this always feels epicly long when listening to an audiobook).  20th century Claire bored me.  18th century Claire was kinda whiny, but I liked that she maintained her 20th century personality during the 18th century, even though it was kinda questionable since gender roles were quite different between those times.  I was particularly annoyed for the first half of the book when Claire wouldn't stop bringing up her past (future?) life, but at the same time, that was a believable situation.  I was glad when the author finally just deal with that issue and we were able to move on.  I also felt that the end discussion about the changes was well handled.

Due to the book now being a TV show and the subsequent books in the series, I assumed throughout the book whenever peril would happen than neither Jamie nor Claire would die, as they are the focus of the series.  That said, Jamie really survives a lot of gruesome shit.  And LOLZ to the wolf-pelt.  In fact, this book gave me many giggles.  I appreciated the dirty banter and jokes between the characters.





I did get moderately confused at all the different Scotsmen while traveling to Castle Leoch, but that problem was solved when they finally left.  There were also some random characters introduced towards the end that I've mostly forgotten who they were already.

I listened to Outlander on audiobook and the narrator was exquisite. She had different voices for different characters and her Scottish accent? I'd listen again just for that. Also, since the audiobook is almost 33 hours long, you definitely get your monies worth.  About 20 hours in (so with 13 hours to go), I was hooked.  I didn't want to stop listening.  In fact, I started listening at work since I was minimally tasked.  When I got home from work yesterday I had a little over an hour left and I ended up finishing it up while doing laundry and puzzles.  It was worth it.

Now I have to decide to continue with the series or let Jamie and Claire go.  Do I watch the show?  Do I read the next books (after the challenge ends of course)?

PPS.  If it's over 500 pages, it should count for 2 books..  Lookin' at you, Goodreads.

In Progress:

 

On Deck:

Erin's book challenge started on July 1st, so my next few books are already selected.  Also, the fact that Goodreads now sends out an email when they find books on your bookshelves on sale brings me great joy.  I was able to get my music themed book for $2.99 or something and I was planning on having to pay for it anyways.  Yay for dollas saved!  This doesn't make up for the Goodreads judgement about my books read for the year.

*TL;DR = too long, don't read

16 comments:

  1. I do not like historical fiction so I will most likely pass on this. I don't mind a big book but it has to be in a genre I enjoy.

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  2. I haven't been sucked into the Outlander series but I know a few friends who absolutely love them.

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  3. I read 3 of the Outlander books. I liked them but I haven't felt a really strong inclination to continue them. Maybe someday. They are long books, though. I don't mind that but it does make me pause when I'm somewhat so-so on a book!

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    1. Because they are such an undertaking, I hesitate. I think I'm going to read through my current challenge books and then see if I still miss Jamie and Claire. If so, then I'll pick either the books or the show.

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  4. I personally loved the Outlander series and have read through the 5th book. I really like where Gabaldon took the story and will pick up the 6th book in the future. If you haven't seen the TV series, you should consider watching it. The first season follows the first book very closely and it's very beautiful too! I'm totally with you about counting this book towards multiple books for the Goodreads challenge!

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  5. i am so glad you ended up liking it! i was the same when i read it, it took me a bit to get into, but once i did get hooked i couldn't stop reading. i thought it was very witty and funny and i agree about claire being annoying at times. i was like omg who cares about your old life, this is way better. hahaha. i still haven't read the 2nd one but it starts off super weird and totally threw me for a loop and yeah. i still haven't made it past the 1st chapter or so, but my mother in law said 'just keep reading' when i asked her wtf. i kind of want to listen to it if the narrator is great but i kind of like reading some of the scenes hahaha

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  6. Nightingale has been on my TBR forever, cant wait to hear what you think!

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  7. i have a walk in the woods on hold (taking so damn long!!) and can't wait to start the nighingale.

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  8. I'm also loving the Goodreads Deals emails - I think I got two of my books for Erin's challenge that way.

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  9. I haven't tried the Outlander series yet, but I want to soon! :)

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  10. I like historical fiction, but I couldn't handle Outlander. I liked the first 1/4 of it and then I lost interest.
    I read The Nightingale and just finished How to Start a Fire. What do you think?

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  11. I'm a historical fiction fan but for some reason, I'm avoiding Outlander.
    Oh, but, but, but The Nightingale. I hope you love it.

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  12. Outlander is such an undertaking that I am not sure I am ready for all of them yet...but hopefully eventually! I may have to get the audio book as those are much easier for me to complete currently!

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  13. I read the first 4 outlander books a few years ago and haven't gotten through the rest of the series yet. I really enjoy the books but found them SO long :) They are wonderful though. Hope you love The Nightingale!!

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  14. I own the first Outlander book but haven't gotten into it yet. It is huge and I'm not ready to be sucked into a new series!

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  15. Oh I definitely want to read Outlander one of these days... goodness so many books in the world. Yes it should count as two! haha XO - Alexandra

    Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things

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