August 2015 Reading Wrap Up

After my reading ‘slump’ in July, I had a pretty good reading month in August.

Here’s what I read:

Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel – I read Wolf Hall in January this year and was just itching to get to part two of the Thomas Cromwell trilogy.  I wanted to space it out so that I read BUTB shortly before book 3 comes out but I couldn’t wait.  I love this series. Though I am in the minority because I prefer Book 1 to Book 2, I thought that they were both great.  I cannot wait until the conclusion comes out (hopefully) in 2016. [4/5]

Satin Island by Tom McCarthy – I read this as an effort to read some of the Booker 2015 long list.  It was an odd book but I didnt hate it.  I thought the ending was weak compared to the rest of the book but over all, a decent addition to the long list. [2.5-3/5]

The Fisherman by Chigozie Obioma – I thoroughly enjoyed this one, though it does have the feeling of ‘debut novel’.  [3-3.5/5]

Home by Marilynne Robinson – I wanted to read Home before getting to Lila and I have to say that I was nervous.  I disliked Gilead – that is, I appreciated that it was well written but I did not enjoy reading it.  I was bored with all the religious sermons.  I was worried that Home would be more sermons but it wasn’t.  Yes, it had some religious themes, but it didnt feel preachy.  I enjoyed this one a lot more than I thought I would. [3.5/5]

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling (audiobook) – not much to say about this one except that it was a joy to listen to.  Mindy is awesome. [3.5-4/5]

Mislaid by Nell Zink – a cleverly written but ultimately annoying book.[2/5]

DNFs (Books I didnt finish):

The Illuminations by Andrew O’Hagan – this was another Booker contender and it bored the crap out of me.  I thought I was going to love this book because of the description but I did not enjoy the writing at all.  It fell flat for me so I DNF’d it at about 50%

Currently Reading:

Lila by Marilynne Robinson – I can’t believe I’m enjoying this book as much as I am.  I thought I would dislike it because of how dull Gilead was but I really like it. (38% complete)

H is For Hawk by Helen Macdonald – I’m not a huge fan of non-fiction so I’m reading this one pretty slowly.  I don’t know anything about falconry but this one received enough hype to pique my interest. (40% complete)

The Virgin’s Spy by Laura Anderson (DRC) – I requested this from Net Galley after my Bring Up the Bodies book hangover.  So far, it’s an okay Tudor period novel but nowhere near Hilary Mantel’s masterpiece.  The writing is serviceable but I’m having issues with the made up history (i.e. Queen Elizabeth was married to King Philip of Spain and had a daughter named Anabel. WTF.) (20% complete)