books

What I’m Reading This Week – Chapter Three

This week I’m reading the beautifully magical The Ocean at the End of the Lane // Neil Gaiman. This is actually the first Gaiman book I’ve read since I’m typically not into the whole fantasy-sci-fi thing…but this I’m really enjoying. We’re definitely getting into some strange magical situations, but it’s done delicately enough to feel real…and special. As per usual, I’ll let you know my final say next week.

Last week: Burial Rites // Hannah Kent (3 out of 5 stars)

As I was saying from the last post, Hannah Kent’s first novel follows the story of the real-life character Agnes who was accused of murder in the early 1800s in Iceland. Interesting story that is well crafted. Not the greatest book in the world but definitely worth the read, especially if you’re into historical fiction.

Read anything good lately?

On the List – February Edition

Do you ever get that worried feeling that you’re going to die before you read all the books you want to read? No? That’s weird. Call me crazy, but I’m way too obsessive about reading. I just want to read everything (!!) all the time (!!). Like right now? I’d rather be reading. Slap it on my car like one of those boring bumper stickers. I’m always on the hunt, looking for my next fix. I get worried that my new favorite book is going to pass me by. I apparently have the book-nerd version of FOMO*. Its totally ridiculous, but totally what makes me…well, me. So, it’s not surprising that I could never possibly catch-up to my to-read list since I’m always finding new things to add…but I try. I really, really try.

So, here’s a compilation of the past month’s most exciting additions to my every-growing to-read shelf.

1. The Hundred-Year House // Rebecca Makkai – You had me at eccentric family.

2. North of Boston // Elisabeth Elo – Boring cover but they mention Dennis Lehane (one of my all-time favorite authors in the whole world).

3. My Life in Middlemarch // Rececca Mead – Never read Middlemarch (nor do I have any desire to), but this intrigued me.

4. The Dark Road to Mercy // Wiley Cash – A Land More Kind Than Home was great, fingers crossed for the good ol’ sophomore attempt.

5. The Best of McSweeney’s Internet Tendency – Because the cool kids are doing it.

6. The Book of Heaven // Patricia Storace – Love the cover.

7. Martian // Andy Weir – ‘Cause sometimes you just need a good thriller.

8. Thirty Girls // Susan Minot – Young teenage girl in war-torn Uganda, made to witness insufferable tragedies? Sure, why not be depressed for a week?

9. Orfeo // Richard Powers – Hoping it will make me look and/or sound smart.

10. Take This Man // Brando Skyhorse – ‘Cause I pretty much want to read anything written by someone named Brando Skyhorse.

What are you looking forward to reading next?

*For those who may not work in or around super-smart marketing professionals such as myself (not), FOMO is just a really irritating way to describe the affliction of “fear of missing out”…which pretty much every millennial suffers from.

What I’m Reading This Week – Chapter Two

This week finds me in Iceland in 1829. Totally not something I would normally pick up, Burial Rites // Hannah Kent follows the final few weeks of a woman accused of murder. Inspired by a true story, Kent retells the story of Agnes, a murderess charged for killing her former master. Honestly, I think I was a little duped into picking the book up because I liked the cover (and I totally judge a book by its cover) and didn’t realize it was historical fiction…which I typically despise. But, I think Kent has done a fine job in recreating the lives of Icelandic villagers from the early 1800’s. I’ll let you know the final verdict next week.

Last week: Innocence // Dean Koontz (3 out of 5 stars)

If you remember from last week’s post, I was reading Koontz’s latest novel. Although not my favorite, I still enjoyed it and true to form, dove right in and sped right through. He never fails to deliver a page turner. For me, the plot seemed a little weak but the protagonist was unique enough to leave a lasting impression. Worth the read.

Read anything good lately?

Our Wedding Book!!!

We made a wedding! And then we made a book! As any true book lover would do, no?

First off, we loved our wedding. As my dad would say, it was a true fairy tale. It was exactly what we hoped it would be: all our most-favorite people gathered together to celebrate our love and future lives together. Really, what more could you ask for?

We got married in one of our favorite vacation spots–Palm Springs. To us, it is a magical place. I swear there’s something in the air. And the light?!? The light is to die for. There’s this amazing soft glow in the desert, giving it this lovely dream-like quality. So, naturally, we were dying to see the photos (by the most awesome wedding photographer ever, Yuna Leonard). We couldn’t have asked for anything more. Seriously, they’re near perfection. But…I could go on for days, so let’s get on to the pictures…and THE BOOK!

The perfect thank you gift for our parents…a special limited edition of three.

My all-time favorite book quote. From one of my all-time fave books, The Fault in Our Stars // John Green. Featured as part of our “dedication” page (more on this book later).

And the back cover (awwww).

Below: a few of my favorite pages.

We used Blurb to create the book, and it is the best thing ever. Super easy to use, and relatively affordable. Now I want to make picture books of everything. Well, mostly just of Kilbey.

If you want to scroll through the entire book, you can click the link below…but it’s no substitute for turning real pages (pssst, it’ll probably take a while to load).

ChrisMarcyGetMarried

And a bonus! You can check out our amazing wedding video. Shot and edited by the incredible Spencer Woolcott.

Thanks for looking.

What I’m Reading This Week – Chapter One

Hmmmm, so, what am I reading right now?

Well, I just finished our last book club selection, then I mistakenly sent my library books to the wrong account (stupid Amazon), so I didn’t know what I was going to pick up next–which rarely happens, mind you. I usually know what I’m going to read next at least halfway into the current one…let’s be frank, I was getting nervous. But, alas the good ol’ library was my hero and delivered me Innocence // Dean Koontz. Now, let me first tell you that Koontz used to be my all-time, hands-down favorite author in the whole world.

In sixth grade, Koontz was the first adult book author that I fell in love with (hey, not that kind of adult). I’ve read Watchers three times…more than any other book. It stars a super-smart Golden Retriever for god sakes. How could you not love this book? But sure, I understand if horror slash thriller stuff isn’t your thing. But I swear it’s so much more than that. He really is a terrific storyteller and master prose writer…it’s beautiful in an unexpected way. It had been forever since I last read a Koontz novel (2005 to be exact), but I was instantly reminded why I love reading his stuff so much. You immediately fall into the story because the writing is just so…readable. You don’t even have to think about it, you’re just in it. Like a hot knife through butter (or is it a regular knife through hot butter?)…or like being lulled to sleep by the theme music from Twin Peaks…or, well you get the picture. It’s just good.

I’ll let you know what I think of it when all is said and done.

What are you reading right now?

Book Club: February Edition

Book club is the best thing ever. Not only is it an excuse for me and my girlfriends to get together, but we get to talk about books–my favorite thing! And drink wine (or vodka…my second favorite thing!). Our boyfriends and husbands like to tease us that it’s mostly girl talk and wine drinking and only about 10 minutes of actually talking about the book (which is sometimes true), but I stick up for us. Sometimes the book is really good and there’s lots to talk about. Sometimes we just want to drink wine. Sometimes there’s drama in book club…but that’s another story for another day.

Up next: And Then There Were None // Agatha Christie.

I read this book years and years ago, but am excited to re-read it. “Clue” is still one of my all-time favorite movies and these two are basically the same thing (OK, not really. Clue is based on the board game–which I also love–and we’re talking about the all-mighty Ms. Christie, but you get my point).

Some of my favorite past book club selections:

Still Alice // Lisa Genova – (5 out of 5 stars) – We all LOVED this book. We all cried reading this book. It was so good and left us with so much to talk about.
Helter Skelter // Vincent Bugliosi – (5 out of 5 stars) – Not all the ladies ended up reading this (it is looooong), but I still think it was one of the better book club selections. Murder, celebrities, cult, Manson…so much to discuss.
Fifty Shades of Grey // E.L. James – (2 out of 5 stars) – I hated this book (for a number of reasons…for one, it still amazes me that such an insanely horribly written book could be so popular, it makes me lose hope in humanity, sheesh), but I bring it up here because it actually made for an interesting book club meeting. Straight down the middle, half of us despised it and half really enjoyed it (pervs!), but it got us talking. Which is the whole point, right?
State of Wonder // Ann Patchett – (4 out of 5 stars) – This was a great choice for a group of women. Without giving anything away, this gave us lots to think and talk about when it comes to being a woman and becoming a mother.
Inside Scientology // Janet Reitman – (4 out of 5 stars) – I loved reading this book…and talking about this book. The people, the beliefs, the conspiracies — fascinating!

Apartment Project – Chapter One

It was time. I had to make some room, clear out the clutter (mostly because Chris needed to make room for more records…sigh), but at least it got me motivated to rearrange my book shelf.

Since I’m the library’s biggest fan and avid visitor, I (perhaps surprisingly) don’t really have all that many books. There are a handful of my faves, some fun signed copies from my days at Barnes, and then a collection of advanced readers I keep meaning to read. I’ve always admired other’s vast book collections and even dream of the day when I’ll have the space for my own (complete with rolling ladders, please). But until then…we’ll settle for the pretty rainbow.

Top Five Books – 2013 Edition*

A friend recently asked me what my favorite books from last year were, and although I always think about my all time faves (Hello, Lolita! Fire of my loins), I hadn’t thought of my all-stars from 2013. So I went through my Goodreads shelves and ranked ‘em one by one. I picked my top five because 10 seemed like too much, three wasn’t enough and six would have just been weird.

And the winners are:

#5 If I Stay // Gayle Forman – Yes, it’s a YA novel, but wonderful all the same. I flat out cried at the end. Plus, in true form, they’re in the middle of turning it into a film starring Chloe Grace Moretz. You know, if you’re into that kind of thing.

#4 The Devil’s Star // Jo Nesbo – I just discovered Nesbo earlier this year, and am totally digging him. Set in Norway and starring bad-boy detective Harry Hole, the crime novels are super dark but so, so good. Not all of the books have been translated into English but I highly suggest starting with The Redbreast and working your way up…they just get better.

#3 Sharp Objects // Gillian Flynn – Forget Gone Girl. Seriously, don’t even bother. But you must read Sharp Objects. Probably the most twisted book I’ve ever read. Viscerally visual, it’s just so fantastic. And you thought your family was crazy…

#2 Ghana Must Go // Taiye Selasi – The first-time novelist is simply amazing. And she’s young. And beautiful. I would hate her if I didn’t love her so much. Half set in modern-day Ghana, the novel tells the story of a family torn apart by tragedy and their path to find one another again.

#1 The Goldfinch // Donna Tartt – Maybe it’s because it’s still so fresh in my mind but, to me, this is her best work yet. She truly is a masterful storyteller. A teeny bit daunting because it is a giant, sweeping beast of a novel, but I loved every minute of it. I hope you do, too.