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12.03.2012

{too many books}

I have a serious, serious problem. Like a I've-read-14-books-in-the-past-2-weeks kind of problem. I think it's partially because I'd like to escape reality for a little while right now, and partially because I've always been book obsessed. I just need the mental break.

Anyway, most of the books I've been reading are self-published eBooks that I've found on Goodreads (obsessed with Goodreads). Some are amazing, most are decent, a few are absolutely terrible. Now, I'm not too discriminating with the books I'm reading right now, since, you know, it takes me all of three hours to finish a book. But I thought I'd share some of the ones I've read recently and get your opinion on them.
Disclaimer: Please don't judge me. I know these aren't all the classic books that I "should" be reading. Some of them are fluff. Some actually are thought-provoking. I just like what I like right now.

The Sea of Tranquility: This is hands down the best book that I've read in the past two weeks, and definitely in my top five for the year. I almost didn't read it because of the title, but then I saw the reviews and thought against it. The title fits, I suppose, and it's not as cheesy as you would think. It's hard to give an honest opinion without revealing the entire plot, but it's amazing. The story is great, and the writing is great. Oh, and that ending! That last line is just perfection. It doesn't have all the cliches that I'm getting tired of in books these days (boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl after seeing her once, boy and girl make hot, passionate love all day and night, boy and girl live happily ever after). It's wonderfully sad and amazing. Don't believe me? Here you go...
Everyone has to say three things about themselves and one of those things has to be a lie.

My name is Nastya Kashnikov.

I was a piano-playing prodigy who doesn't belong anywhere near an Intro to Music class.

I was murdered two and a half years ago.

Discuss.
Please. Read it. And tell me what you think. I'm dying to talk about it with someone else!

Here are a few other books that I've read recently that I didn't dislike:

Easy: This one has a pretty standard story line (boy has a troubled past, boy saves girl), but I actually really loved it. I thought their relationship was realistic and subtly sweet. 

Thoughtless (and Effortless): I keep going back to this one. To be honest, I don't like the main character (read: hate with a passion), but I have the biggest crush on her love interest. That's what keeps me coming back. It has a few steamy scenes, though not anything near as explicit as 50 Shades of Grey (which I have to keep coming back to). 

Slammed (and Point of Retreat): Don't want sex? Here you go. These two books are really wonderfully written, and the story is so touching and tragic. I'm really excited to hear that both books have been picked up to be made into movies!

Beautiful Disaster: Okay, I feel a little conflicted about this one. In all, I really liked it. But I have kind of a problem with the overbearing, violently jealous love interest. It's unhealthy, though I can see it from the outside. It makes me sad to think that there might be people who don't understand that when reading a book like this. 

Bared to You (and Reflected in You): If you liked 50 Shades of Grey, you'll like this one. It has a similar plot (a very, very similar plot), but I like the main character more than I liked Ana. I can appreciate a strong, confident woman, even if she is a little messed up in the head by a traumatic past. I have somewhat of a problem with the trend in stories these days that have the main couple falling in mad, passionate love after seeing each other for only a few moments. It's unrealistic. Though I guess we read books to escape reality?

And then, there were the books that I hated:

Fade Into Me: Okay, at least Bared to You and 50 Shades of Grey had a plot. In those books, there was character development (to an extent) and an engaging story line. This one has none of that. And I get that it's all about the erotica these days, but this is just way. too. much.

Perfect Chemistry: I held off on reading this one for a while, just because of the title. Seriously? Perfect Chemistry? It was terrible. I hated it. A lot. Times a thousand.

Top Five Books of the Year (so far):


Have you read any of these books? I'd love to know what you think! And what would you suggest I read next?

Also, I know that I'm sad for reading so many books right now. I counted in my head, and I am currently waiting for eighteen books and movies to be released. That's ridiculous.

25 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm so glad you loved the Divergent and Delirium series! Those were definitely top on my list this year. Have you read Lauren Oliver's other book, Before I Fall? Definitely recommend that as well, it was another fave this year.

Unknown said...

I'm so glad you posted this! I've been wondering what to read next. I'm going to have to check out Sea of Tranquility since you liked it so much! I've already told you that I LOVED Divergent and Insurgent. I cannot wait for the next one to come out. I also really liked Delirium and Pandemonium. Except it took me forever to get through Pandemonium, whereas I read Delirium super fast. The first half just seemed to move really slow. Did you have the same problem? I've been wondering if I was the only one that felt that way. Also, I don't think you are sad for reading so many books. Reading is amazing and good for your brain and your soul. I keep seeing this quite on Pinterest and I just love it, "A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one." You're just working your way toward living those thousand lives :)

Unknown said...

I've read Bared to You and I thought it was good! It was weirdly similar to 50 Shades, but whatever. It was good fluff reading. Slammed is on my mile long list of books to read.

You should check out any of Sarah Jio's books. They've got a bit of a mystery element to them and they each have 2 parallel stories, one in the past and one in the present. I've read all 3 of them and they're really good!

Unknown said...

I need to read Delirium asap! I've heard nothing but great things

Unknown said...

I honestly haven't read any of these books! Guess I need to change that!

Unknown said...

Wow, I don't know how you read so quickly! A quick read for me still takes me several days to a week and that's when I'm on holiday with nothing to do all day! I wish I could read as quickly as you :) I'm in the market for a good book, so this post comes at the perfect time.


xxx
Jenna

Unknown said...

why is it sad that you've read so many books recently? I think it's amazing - everyone wants to opportunity to sit and read! after all, reading is FUNdamental :)

Unknown said...

I'm jealous of all your book reading! I've recently started 2 books that I couldn't get into enough to finish, and have now moved onto a third one. Hopefully this one will be better, because I'm really looking for good books! I've taken notes on these though, and will look for them the next time I'm book-thrifting at Goodwill!! :)

Unknown said...

I just can't read fiction. I like true stories or motivational books. Or business books! I love business books. But, I usually skim through and just read the stuff that interests me :)

Unknown said...

I started reading Divergent and just couldn't get into it! I might give it another try. I read the first 50 Shades book and really hated Christian Grey. I know!!! lol. I'm def going to check out Sea of Tranquility! I've been looking for a good book to get lost in for a while =)

Unknown said...

Geez that's a lot of reading! I love books, I wish I could enjoy them more but I have really bad dyslexia so it makes reading difficult! :/

Unknown said...

Me too! I really (like really, really) loved Divergent, and I'm so excited they're being made into movies. I've heard of Lauren Oliver's other book, but it seems so sad to me! I'll definitely put it on my "to read" list though :)

Unknown said...

Yeah, it took me a while to get into Pandemonium, and I'm really stressed about how it ended...I love Divergent though, so much, and I'm so glad you liked it too! I'm really excited for the third, and for the movies. I think you'll really like the Sea of Tranquility, but it is a little crude, so be warned :)


And I absolutely love that quote! It's so very true! xoxo

Unknown said...

50 Shades definitely started a trend, and I really don't know how I feel about it. It seems like all of these "popular" books have almost the exact same plot, which is weird. I'd really like to see something different, you know!


Definitely, definitely read Slammed when you have a chance. It's a really quick read. I read both in one night!


And I'll check out Sarah Jio's books. Thanks for recommending them!

Unknown said...

It's definitely a great series! Sad, but good, though I did like Divergent more :)

Unknown said...

Yes you do! I need someone to talk to about them :)

Unknown said...

You'll have to let me know if you read any of them! And I get my quick reading from my mom...she always reads about 3-4 books a week!

Unknown said...

Haha I just feel like I've wasted a lot of time? I have other things I should be working on...I just needed the break!

Unknown said...

Definitely let me know if you find any of these! I think most of them are eBooks, so you may not find them in paper though :/

Unknown said...

Oh, I definitely love nonfiction as well, but I just needed an escape from reality for the past few weeks. It worked!

Unknown said...

Really?!?!? I guess it did take me a little while to get into Divergent...I think I read the first three chapters over three weeks, and then finished it in a night. You should give it a chance, especially if you liked the Hunger Games. It has somewhat of a similar feel...


And 50 Shades definitely isn't for everyone! I did have a pretty big crush on Christian Grey, but now that I'm a little removed from the story, I'm not really feeling him anymore.


Let me know what you think of the Sea of Tranquility. It might be a little difficult to get into as well, but definitely give it a chance!

Unknown said...

It is definitely a lot of reading, even for me...and do you ever listen to audiobooks? I think a few of these are available!

Unknown said...

Sea of Tranquility sounds really interesting. I'll have to add it to my to-read list.

Unknown said...

Oh no! That makes me sad! I don't currently have an e-reader, so that wouldn't be good if I can't find any of these in actual books!

Unknown said...

Oh. My. Goodness. Divergent + Insurgent are probably my favorite books of this year! I almost cried when I read that number 3 wasn't coming out until next year. I could not stop reading! I think I'm going to add some of these books you loved to m list for the rest of Christmas break. One of my favorite books is Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood. It's a million times better than the movie, and I just love the characters and their stories. xx