THE BOOK REPORT 4
I'm not sure anyone's really interested in what I read, but I love sharing with people what I've been reading lately. Whenever I finish a great book I just want everyone to read it. Reading is such a rewarding experience!
It's already June, but here's the rest of my February reading. I should note that three of these books were presents, and each was spot on. Check out my reviews below to see what I thought of each book. Maybe one will pique your interest.
Scary Close by Donald Miller
Lance and I received this book (along with a Starbucks giftcard. yay!) as a wedding present. Being that Don Miller was once one my "celebrity" crushes (have you read A Thousand Miles in a Million Years???), I was excited beyond excited to read this new book of his. It was pretty funny read it right after Bossypants, though; I'd just finished this hilarious book, to move on to this serious book, in which Don describes his self-destructive habits and inability to be in committed relationship. What a mood killer right? Well this was a great read, nonetheless. Don didn't disappoint. Scary Close struck a chord with me; much like Don I'd have my share of heartbreaks and built up walls and fake personas to protect myself from being hurt again. But alas, it was all sad stories of broken relationships and hurt feelings. Don shares his journey of healing and self-discovery, which eventually led to a healthy relationship, and finally marriage.
I'd recommend this to anyone in a relationship or wanting to be in relationship or anyone who wants to be a more open, loving person. Rock on, Don!
Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
After reading Lizzy & Jane, I absolutely had to read Dear Mr. Knightley. Having been Reay's first book, you can sense the growth between her two books, but Dear Mr. Knightley did not disappoint my schoolgirl love of the young adult love story. Like Lizzy & Jane, references to Austen novels are abundant. I love Sam's nerdiness and she uses her Austen obsession as an emotional shield. This was very interesting to read after reading Scary Close, where Miller goes into depths about his own walls and difficulty connecting. I really enjoyed the wreckless abandon in Sam's letters to Mr. Knightley, her anonymous benefactor; it made me think of all the letters I've written to people in my journal, understanding the freedom of writing to some who doesn't write back.
I'd recommend this to anyone who was aching for Alicia Silverstone to end up with Paul Rudd in Clueless. If you can understand the reference, I'll give you a hug.
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
Lance bought me this book for Valentine's Day. Maybe I'm a little biased about this book because Lance picked it out for me, but I loved it. I devoured this book. I think I read it in a day or two. As you can guess, this book is about A.J. Fikry, a bookstore owner in a small town in New England. When the book starts he's just lost his wife; he's grumpy and his life is falling apart. I like books with such grumpy characters. Lance did a great job picking out this book for me.
I'd recommend this book to anyone sitting by a fire with a cup of hot coco. It's a heartwarming story of man who lived a good life.
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
This is another book Lance bought me for Valentine's Day. I'd been eyeing this book for a while, so I was elated to receive it. The Rosie Project is another book that contains elements that I love. I'm a sucker for nerdiness and a character with Asperger's-Syndrome-like qualities. Don is an eclectic and brilliant professor with daft social problem who embarks on a quest to find a wife when he inadvertently falls for someone he deems "not his type". It's a humorous story with very sweet moments. And, as an added bonus, the author Graeme Simsion has a Phd and previously wrote a technical book about IT stuff. Fascinating, no??
I'd recommend this to anyone who's ever questioned what was the appropriate behavior and/or response in social settings and decided what was socially acceptable was logically unacceptable. :D
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Read my other book reports and check out all the books I've read over the years here.
