What I've Read Lately
It's been a while since I've recapped my reading list so I thought I'd jump in and share today. Airplane travel makes for the best reading time and I have zoomed through some books lately.
Shogun - James Cavell
Okay, so this is quite the tome and I didn't really zoom through it but none the less... It's fantastic! This was a recommendation from T.J. and I was skeptical at first but trust me on this. It's centered around the complex Japanese culture during the 1600's. The main character is an English sailor who lands in Japan expecting to find barbarians and treasure ripe for the picking. Instead his eyes are opened to a new way of life as he finds himself in the center of a power struggle between Japanese warlords, the Catholic church and European settlers. He falls in love, questions his priorities, and moves deeper into the inner circle of power. Seriously epic!
The Maze Runner trilogy (The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials and The Death Cure)- James Dashner
I saw a trailer for the movie based on the first book in the series and I had to know what it was about! It was a quick read because you are hurridly trying to figure out what's going on in a(nother) post-apocalyptic world. The series feels similar to the Hunger Games and Divergent (dystopian society, younger central characters, semi-predictable) which I'm kind of burnt out on but they were still fun reads and the movie looks pretty good.
The Painted Girls- Cathy Marie Buchanan
This book is a historical fiction surrounding two impoverished sisters in Paris during the 1800's, one of whom becomes the model for numerous paintings by Edgar Degas and his famous sculpture, "Little Dancer of Fourteen Years." It was interesting to imagine what her life might have looked like and why she stood out to the eccentric artist. I also love anything to do with the ballet and all the dramatic behind the scenes so this kept my attention.
The Husband's Secret- Liane Moriarty
You just have to know what that secret is! From the first page you are hooked and as the different story lines are woven together you anxiously try to figure it out. A wife finds a letter from her husband for her to read after his death, but he's still very much alive. Of course her curiosity pushes her to read the letter anyway and the implications of his secret are gargantuan. Being that I am an awful secret keeper I would have done exactly what this wife did and throughout this book I was often wondering "what would I do in this situation?"
On my nightstand and in my nook to read next are, Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas, The Fall of Giants by Ken Follet, and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. And if you're looking for some reading suggestions for your summer holidays you can look back on more of my past lists here.
Okay, so this is quite the tome and I didn't really zoom through it but none the less... It's fantastic! This was a recommendation from T.J. and I was skeptical at first but trust me on this. It's centered around the complex Japanese culture during the 1600's. The main character is an English sailor who lands in Japan expecting to find barbarians and treasure ripe for the picking. Instead his eyes are opened to a new way of life as he finds himself in the center of a power struggle between Japanese warlords, the Catholic church and European settlers. He falls in love, questions his priorities, and moves deeper into the inner circle of power. Seriously epic!
The Maze Runner trilogy (The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials and The Death Cure)- James Dashner
I saw a trailer for the movie based on the first book in the series and I had to know what it was about! It was a quick read because you are hurridly trying to figure out what's going on in a(nother) post-apocalyptic world. The series feels similar to the Hunger Games and Divergent (dystopian society, younger central characters, semi-predictable) which I'm kind of burnt out on but they were still fun reads and the movie looks pretty good.
The Painted Girls- Cathy Marie Buchanan
This book is a historical fiction surrounding two impoverished sisters in Paris during the 1800's, one of whom becomes the model for numerous paintings by Edgar Degas and his famous sculpture, "Little Dancer of Fourteen Years." It was interesting to imagine what her life might have looked like and why she stood out to the eccentric artist. I also love anything to do with the ballet and all the dramatic behind the scenes so this kept my attention.
The Husband's Secret- Liane Moriarty
You just have to know what that secret is! From the first page you are hooked and as the different story lines are woven together you anxiously try to figure it out. A wife finds a letter from her husband for her to read after his death, but he's still very much alive. Of course her curiosity pushes her to read the letter anyway and the implications of his secret are gargantuan. Being that I am an awful secret keeper I would have done exactly what this wife did and throughout this book I was often wondering "what would I do in this situation?"
On my nightstand and in my nook to read next are, Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas, The Fall of Giants by Ken Follet, and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. And if you're looking for some reading suggestions for your summer holidays you can look back on more of my past lists here.
I love the Husband's Secret!
ReplyDeleteI read Shogun years ago, and remember it was quite good. I've been immersed in the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. They are quite long and there are 7, with the 8th out on June 10th. Historical. Scotland. American Revolution. Excellent. It will be a TV series on the Starz Network, starting August 9th. Can't wait! Time travel at its best.
ReplyDeleteThe Fault in Our Stars is so good. And have you read Wonder? Probably one of my favorite books ever. Thanks for sharing what you've been reading. I lead an 'older' ladies book club at church, and I'm always looking for new titles. :)
ReplyDeleteIf I'm not mistaken, Shogun was also a movie a loooong time ago! I have had "The Fall of Giants" on my nightstand for over a year; I should pick it up and start reading it!
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