March 08, 2016

The Books I've Been Reading {7}

February was a bit of a slow month reading wise. I did read most of a fourth book at the end of the month, but didn't technically finish it until March 1, so I'm leaving it out of this post. 

Garth Stein's book, A Sudden Light, took me a lot longer to read than I expected. Not for any particular reason that I can think of...it's an average length at 432 pages and it's not a complicated book, but it took me over a week to get through. Isn't it funny how some books just take you longer to read than others? 

Anyway...here's a quick look at the books I read last month!
Book lists for Adults


A SUDDEN LIGHT by Garth Stein: I didn't even know he had other books out since The Art of Racing in the Rain?! I was at the library one day and this was sitting on the feature shelves when you walk in, so I snatched it up. This book was completely not what I was expecting, but I think that's because I kept waiting for something similar to Racing in the Rain even though that's just silly because that book has already been written.

In A Sudden Light, our main character, Trevor, is reflecting back on the summer of his 14th year. He's travelled with his father to Seattle, where he spends the summer living at the infamous Riddell House and learns all about his ancestor's and their timber fortune. His father's mission is to sell off all the land to pay off debts, but Trevor soon finds himself succumbing to the spirits, ghosts and secrets that are hidden amongst Riddell House and it's grand estate. I wasn't expecting a supernatural element to this book, but if you can accept it, it works. The writing is beautiful and Stein does such an amazing job at describing the setting of this book that I couldn't help but feel transported while reading it.

If ghosts, spirits, dreams and big old houses with hidden stairwells and passages are your thing, then you'll probably enjoy this book!

THE CHOICE by Nicolas Sparks: This book has been sitting on my shelf for years now. I haven't read a Sparks book in just as long, but with the film adaptation coming out last month, I figured I might as well read it or donate it. There's not much to say about this book - it's typical Nicolas Sparks - a love story, a tragic event, and a resolution. I still haven't seen the movie, but I'm betting it's better than the book!

INTO THE ABYSS: How a Deadly Plane Crash Changed the Lives of a Pilot, a Politician, a Criminal and a Cop by Carol Shaben: I read this one for my upcoming bookclub later this month, but as it turns out, I won't even be able to attend the meeting. This was another flop for me. The blurb on the front cover really entices you, but the plane crash is such a small part of the story. And the events following the plane crash aren't that exciting. Plus, this plane crash happened almost 32 years ago (I was only a year old at the time!), so I feel like it's a story that should have been told, you guess it, years ago, especially since so much of the book focuses on small commuter plane safety, which I don't even know is relevant anymore. Is safety still an issue on the same scale now as it was 30 years ago? A bit of Canadian history that was at times interesting, but a far cry from an "Adventure-Travel" book. I would only recommend this to my grandparents.


Here's hoping March is better reading month!


What books have you read lately? 

Best book you read last month?

Did you read The Art of Racing in the Rain? It's one of my all-time favourites! I still think about Enzo from time to time.


Linking up with Jana and Steph for SHOW US YOUR BOOKS




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