read in 2015
19 books.
read
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Flavia de Luce, #1)
by: Alan Bradley
"Such a fun read! One I can't wait to share with my children. The narrator is a strong, smart, scientific girl that I want my daughters to emulate! The story is engaging and funny and heartwarming."
- katelynn
03/10/2015
- katelynn
03/10/2015
read
The Miniaturist (The Miniaturist, #1)
by: Jessie Burton
"I wish I could give this book more stars. This was everything that historical fiction should be: it gives you a glimpse into another time and another culture without sacrificing characters or story. The plot was so intriguing and the heroine was just superb. I chose to read this book because the cover made me curious, knowing nothing about it. What a pleasant surprise! I'll look for more from this author."
- katelynn
11/12/2015
- katelynn
11/12/2015
read
The Martian
by: Andy Weir
read
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
by: Neil Gaiman
"It was very well-written and I loved the narration by a child. It was really neat to be introduced to new fantastical experiences from his perspective - he just never questioned anything that was happening. Made me remember my own imaginative childhood! But I only give four stars because the whole fantasy concept was a little weak - it just didn't intrigue me that much. I loved the characters - their weaknesses and strengths were well fleshed out and relatable."
- katelynn
04/04/2015
- katelynn
04/04/2015
read
The Sunday Philosophy Club (Isabel Dalhousie, #1)
by: Alexander McCall Smith
"Slow to start, but it got better. "
- katelynn
05/08/2015
- katelynn
05/08/2015
read
The Invention of Wings
by: Sue Monk Kidd
"Wow. This book has challenged me deeply. I have so much to chew on about purpose and priority. Shoot. Both inspiring and convicting."
- katelynn
12/21/2015
- katelynn
12/21/2015
read
Me Before You (Me Before You, #1)
by: Jojo Moyes
"Wow, so many emotions. This is a story and a perspective that I will chew on for a while. Even though I called the ending from the very beginning, it was still completely engrossing. Very well written and careful handling of a difficult topic."
- katelynn
07/02/2015
- katelynn
07/02/2015
read
Water for Elephants
by: Sara Gruen
"It hooked me from the start. I loved the setting - I'm always excited to read historical fiction during times or in places I don't know much about. This was a fascinating peek into circus life in 1930 - I loved reading about the animals. The plot was gripping and the characters were great. Would have given 5 stars except for a few smutty scenes that were a bit too graphic for me. But the smut was not pervasive and it was easily skipped over so I would still recommend it!"
- katelynn
05/22/2015
- katelynn
05/22/2015
read
The First Phone Call from Heaven
by: Mitch Albom
"It was well-written and definitely had a great ending. Overall the feeling was a little too Chicken-soup-for-the-soul for my taste. "
- katelynn
06/02/2015
- katelynn
06/02/2015
read
Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption
by: Stephen King
"This was my first Stephen King novel – wow! I think I'll be reading a lot more of his. It was just so well written. I enjoyed it even though I knew the over arching plot from the movie."
- katelynn
06/13/2015
- katelynn
06/13/2015
read
The Lake House
by: Kate Morton
"This book was perfect until the very end. There was one detail that I would have left out - it was too kitschy. But I still give it 5 stars for the reading experience and for having such a well-crafted story. So many interesting twists and secrets - I was guessing until the end. One facet that I didn't appreciate that's also been in some of her other books is the way she manipulates your emotions to be absolutely fine with infidelity. It's not something that's beautiful and tragic - it's never good in any way.
Overall, fantastic book that I'm sure I'll read again and recommend to all!"
- katelynn
11/06/2015
Overall, fantastic book that I'm sure I'll read again and recommend to all!"
- katelynn
11/06/2015
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read
The Little Nugget
by: P.G. Wodehouse
"PG Wodehouse continues to be one of my favorite audio book experiences. I've listened and re-listened to his books, each time enjoying them more. The best way to describe them is just "delightful!""
- katelynn
08/27/2015
- katelynn
08/27/2015
read
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War
by: Max Brooks
read
Defending Jacob
by: William Landay
"Wow what an emotional ending - I feel like I'll be reeling for a while. What a well-written book - but definitely hard to read. It's unsettling and disturbing- especially as a parent. Not sure I'd re-read it, but it's definitely worth the first read. I'll be thinking about this book for a long time."
- katelynn
01/24/2015
- katelynn
01/24/2015
read
Little Bee
by: Chris Cleave
"I found this story convicting - the horrors we're difficult to read and will stay with me. I think what is convicting is my desire to forget about it. I have three stars not because it was hard to read but because the characters were so in-relatable to me. (The characters I was supposed to relate to anyway) they were just not good."
- katelynn
02/18/2015
- katelynn
02/18/2015
read
Hadassah: One Night with the King
by: Tommy Tenney
"This is my second time through this one and although I didn't enjoy it as much as the first time, it was still great! It's a beautiful portrait of how to approach marriage and general trials of life. It also really makes you think about the story of Esther and all that she went through and how faithful God is! "
- katelynn
10/08/2015
- katelynn
10/08/2015
read
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
by: Gabrielle Zevin
"Overall a light, sweet story. Pluses: enjoyed the story of unexpected fatherhood and all the book-lover talk. Minus: it was hard to like/sympathize with the main character - didn't really like him even after his life turned around. The other characters were great though."
- katelynn
01/29/2015
- katelynn
01/29/2015
read
Dark Places
by: Gillian Flynn
"I could not wait for this book to end. It made me feel so icky. It's filled with sad, pathetic people in sad, pathetic places. I think the best word to describe the story and characters is UGLY. I give 3 stars instead of lower because it is well-written, like Gone Girl, with interesting characters."
- katelynn
11/07/2015
- katelynn
11/07/2015
read
A Thousand Splendid Suns
by: Khaled Hosseini
"A beautiful, tragic, yet hopeful story. I love books that broaden my perspective and inform me about history while carrying me along with a great story and great characters."
- katelynn
10/13/2015
- katelynn
10/13/2015