Currently Reading...Everything?

Do you ever have those times when you start reading many books all at once and then get distracted by other books and then have a bunch of partially started books?

I hope that makes sense to other readers, too, and not just me. Because honestly sometimes it makes me feel a little scattered. But, hey, there's just so many books that I want to read that I want to read them all--all at the same time.



I've been reading the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them screenplay by J.K. Rowling, which is fabulous! But since I know what happens already, I keep setting it down as other books come by. Hoping to finish this one soon, but I'm guessing it'll drag on in to the summer.

Also, one of my coworkers lent me Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett. It's also very good, but I'm only reading it on breaks at work, so it also is taking quite a long time to get through. I'm hoping my coworker is okay with the long-term lease! Having listened to Terry Pratchett's The Color of Magic on audio book, I must say, his humor comes through much much better in the paper book.

I'm getting the feeling that I would've enjoyed The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing by M.T. Anderson better as a paper book than audio book. I'm finding it hard to get drawn in by this one.

The performance was given mostly four star reviews, so I think maybe it's just me not doing a great job of listening to this story.

You can listen to a sample here. Let me know what you think!

Review: "Life After" by Katie Ganshert

In the Christian fiction romance novel Life After, a bombing of a Chicago train ends the life of 22 people, but inexplicably leaves one alive. Autumn Manning still struggles with the questions of why a year later. Her obsessive need for the people who died to be remembered leads her to revisit their graves, track newspaper articles, and search for photos of their lives. In the unlikely new friend, the young daughter of one of the victims, Autumn finds new purpose: creating a video memorial. In befriending the daughter, Autumn comes to know Paul, her father, and a complicated romance forms between the survivor and the widower.

Life After is a story of finding a way to move on past tragedy with faith as a guiding principle. Author Katie Ganshert does a nice job of weaving God into the heart of the story, but keeping it very natural and unforced.

As a former Chicago resident, I enjoyed hearing about the places that I was familiar with; of course, the premise of the book with the bombing also made it a little difficult at first because I took the train every day to work. It's a scary premise, but it was addressed respectfully in a way that explained the bomber's mental illness and it focuses not on tragedy, but on the hope of the future and healing through God.

The plot was captivating and the characters were well-rounded and a pleasure to get to know through the book. I appreciated the fast pace and various threads of plot that all moved together seamlessly.

I received a free copy of this book, but was not required to post a positive review.

How is it already March?!

I just realized I've been totally neglecting my pages...

I've had by "Read in 2014," "Read in 2015," and "Read in 2016," up, but here it is three months in to 2017 and I hadn't compiled a list of the books I've read thus far in 2017!

Needless to say, that has been remedied. Introducing, "Read in 2017"!

Check it out now for links to my reviews and a comprehensive list of what I've been up to reading-wise!

What have you been reading in 2017?

Stephanie Perkins Audio Books

Last month I listened to Anna and the French Kiss. I enjoyed it so much that I sought out more audio books by Stephanie Perkins.

 There were a few options, but I decided to follow it up with Isla and the Happily Ever After because it featured a character I'd already met in Anna in the French Kiss. Both of these books made great, easy to listen to audio books and I highly recommend!

I'm going to have to get Lola and the Boy Next Door soon now...

To Review: "Life After" by Katie Ganshert

I'm excited and a little nervous to being reading Life After by Katie Ganshert. I lived in Chicago for a while, so I am interested in reading about familiar locations. However, given that the premise of the book is a Chicago train being bombed, I think it will be a very difficult read. It's a Christian book, though, so I know at least it'll be God-centered and have a message of hope and peace.

Review: "In the Shadow of Denali" by Tracie Peterson & Kimberley Woodhouse

In the Shadow of Denali is a pretty straightforward christian love story. The main story line involves a young woman, Cassidy, who is suddenly attracting two men at the hotel where she works. However, the main love interest, Allan, has come to Alaska to learn more about his father's death, which could have been the cause of some mystery and suspense, but is not presented that way. Cassidy's father ends up being a christian mentor to both Allan, and the smitten-with-Cassidy young kitchen hand, Thomas.

The relationship between Cassidy and her father is quite endearing. He shares a lot of wisdom with her and it is obvious throughout the book that she has taken his lessons to heart.

There's also an interesting story to the head cook with whom Cassidy works, Mrs. Johnson. She seems more genuine than the other characters and willingly shares her struggles with Cassidy. The parts where Cassidy and Mrs. Johnson talk about God and faith are more engaging than other moments where the interactions between characters seem forced.

As a work of historical fiction, the book performs admirably. I learned a lot about Denali from reading it. It includes some interesting passages where the President visits the mountain. There's a few pages at the end of the book that explain all of the historical context and what necessitated fictionalization. It was an interesting insight both into the available information (gaps included) and the writer's process.

However, overall the book fell flat for me with repetitive monologues from characters pining over one another, assuming that feelings were unrequited. If you're looking for a quick read that ties up all story lines in a nice little bow, has a tiny bit of suspense, and characters who fall in love with the idea of one another, you may enjoy this book more than I did. There were many places this book could have been more mysterious but chose to give everything away and spell things out for the reader. It ends in a tired way, leaving nothing for the reader to think or wonder about.

I received a free copy of this book, but was not required to write a positive review.