For more information on any of these books, press their name and you'll be redirected to their goodreads page.
Practical Magic by Alice HoffmanThis book is written in a pretty unique way. It's like an epic fairytale in the Hans Christian Anderson or Grimm Brothers style except it's a longer story.
VS.
The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
This novel is all about how one generation living in a dictatorship affects all future generations. My favorite part was the historical footnotes spread throughout where I learned about Trujillo the dictator in the Dominican Republic from 1930-1961. I never realized the horrors that country faced, we never learned about it in school though this guy was arguably as horrible as Hitler. The only difference? He didn't leave a paper trail behind him - just a scarred country terrified into silence.
VS.I Am Not A Serial Killer by Dan Wells
The First book in the John Cleaver series
The Main Character John's struggle with his own natural inclinations. Having a MC whose worst enemy is himself makes for truly interesting psychological elements. I was questioning my own inclinations right along with John.
The Winner This Week
Without a doubt, I pick I Am Not A Serial Killer by Dan Wells. The writing in this novel was clean, it painted vivid pictures in my mind (which wasn't always a great thing - some of it's gross!), and was just plain amazing. I found the MC relatable (which, unfortunately, makes me worry about the state of my mind since he is a sociopath). The details about famous serial killers was super interesting. I enjoyed the plot. Honestly, I don't really have anything negative to say. I highly recommend this book to everyone who enjoys the crime shows out there (CSI, Criminal Minds, Castle, etc).
What have you read recently? What are you reading right now?
I just finished Roadkill by Rob Thurman. It was her best yet. And then I jumped into reading Alien Tango by Gini Koch. So far, so fun. =o)
ReplyDeleteTwo on the go...
ReplyDeleteHotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford (loving it so far) and The Likeness by Tana French (just started so no real opinion yet but I loved Into the Woods).
I may have to read I Am Not a Serial Killer now! Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteI love Book Wars! They make me oh so happy!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm reading Sarah's Key right now w/book club, and it's funny b/c you mentioned that DR story. I was just thinking about how there are many horrors that happen very close to us that aren't reported or we don't study.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mel! Good stuff~ <3
Dude, you had me sold when you told me I should read it as a Criminal Minds watcher.
ReplyDelete*jots down note to add it to Nook wishlist*
Ha, well sometimes I relate to a Vampire! ;-) Love a book that is cleanly written though. I'm reading several books but main one is Rice Mother.
ReplyDeleteHappy revising!
I'm so bad--I'm rereading a few old books for fun. Villette, by Bronte, Thorn Birds, and the last Harry Potter. I'm all over the place.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I loved your book war posts...this one by Wells sounds awesome.
Yay! I guessed correctly! I thought you picked that one also, alt least from the premise it sounded really thrilling and twisted.
ReplyDeleteThe winner of this book wars has peeked my interest and I have added it to my next book order. Might be bumped up too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this feature, it was amazing. :) Only reading I'm doing now is for my adventure.
I may be totally on the wrong track here, but your description of I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER kinda reminds me of DEXTER...
ReplyDeleteOnce again, jealous of how much reading you get done!
I read Oscar Wao and thought it would be better than it was (the jacket description got me).
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out IANASK (I like reading about sociopaths too for some reason!)
As soon as I read all the titles, I knew your favourite would be I am not a serial Killer. How'd I know? Well you are a serial killer, hehehehhehe! just kidding.
ReplyDeleteI have not read for a while and its sad. I need to keep reading the snow white book.
Im watching a show called fabulous cakes right now. its really good. Not as good as Ace of Cakes, but the cakes are pretty close.
I've been doing some genre reading . . . Junie B. Jones, Judy Moody, fun stuff.
ReplyDeleteThe Serial Killer one sounds freaky and fascinating at the same time. :)
Wow, they all sound pretty darn good! The first and third sound the best IMO!
ReplyDeleteOh I totally get it--exactly why I love DEXTER (serial killers FTW--JUST KIDDING)!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the idea of your book wars. Just stumbled across your blog and am so glad:) New follower!
ReplyDeleteI am reading you right now, my dear. And I'm not sure how you had time for books with all the studying! No wonder you aren't sleeping!!!
ReplyDeleteWriting has taken over my life the past couple of weeks but that book is WAY high on my list and I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteI Am Not A Serial Killer is on my wishlist. I was considering downloading it on my Kindle but it was almost as expensive as getting the paperback, so I'll await.
ReplyDeleteI'm going through a sci-fi spell at the moment, having reading The Forever Man by Joe Hadleman, Inverted World by Christopher Priest, and Rendezvous With Rama by Arthur C. Clarke. I would recommend the first and last, but not Inverted World. It was a clever idea but the changing use of POV (first and third-person) and the non-ending ruined it for me.
OMG! I'm about to read Practical Magic...right after The Sky is Everywhere! How serendipitous! (I have a fun modern witch WIP idea in mind...)
ReplyDeleteCool, an author who can make their readers relate to a sociopath. What a gift!
ReplyDeleteSounds like I'll have to read I Am Not a Serial Killer! Thanks for recommending it!
ReplyDeleteI love these book wars!
ReplyDeleteI'm reading 'First Lady' right now, by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, courtesy of the lovely Jen Daiker!
Those sound awesome- definitely not the kind of books I'd pick up, but the first one just sounds cool with the footnotes and all.
ReplyDeleteI love reading posts like these that discuss books that fall outside my usual range. Right now I'm reading Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. It's definitely outside my usual range, but I love it!
ReplyDeleteI've heard about I Am Not Serial Killer and was definitely intrigued. Guess that's another TBR book. It reminds me of Dexter, which I watch but I haven't read the books on which the show is based.
ReplyDeleteI just finished The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan and really enjoyed it. Loved the concept and execution. Am starting Delirium by Lauren Oliver.