The Siberian American: Five Books I Read in July

Monday, August 7, 2017

Five Books I Read in July

My reading has been so sporadic lately. I started off reading a bunch in July, but then we went on our babymoon to Maine, and I only read on the plane. Am I the only person who actually reads less on vacations? We do so much during the day that I’m just too exhausted at night to read. Plus, I decided it was finally time to finish The Lunar Chronicles, which are a bit longer than some of the other books I’ve read lately!


Blink by K.L. Slater
(c/o NetGalley)
Overall, this was a good thriller, but the middle was a bit boring and dragged. Once Part 2 hit (about 70 percent into the book), it got really interesting, and I couldn't put it down. I ended up liking some of the twists and thought it made for a good read!


The Guests on South Battery by Karen White
(c/o NetGalley)
I don't usually read stories about ghosts, but I like Karen White, so I thought I would give it a try. It took me forever to get into this book. It's the fifth in a series, and I wish I hadn't read it out of order. The story did get interesting about halfway through, though, and I got into it. Overall, it was a pretty good read, and I think I might go back and read the other books in the series.


The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
This book is both interesting and disturbing. It's crazy to think something like this could actually happen. If you haven't gotten to this book yet, it's worth a read!


Cress by Marissa Meyer
For a while I was putting this book off until Winter came out. Well, Winter came out almost two years ago, and I was still not picking the series back up because I was too sad for it to end. I'm glad I finally did. This book is SO good. I love all the characters, especially Cinder and Kai, and the story just flows so well. I seriously can't wait to pick up Winter now and finish the series!


Wish You Were Here by Renee Carlino
(c/o NetGalley)
Sometimes I think it's not fair to judge an author by her best work and compare everything else he/she writes to it. Still, that's human nature, and I can't get away from it. Swear on This Life affected me deeply, and it was one of the best books I read in 2016. This one doesn't even get close. In fact, I liked Before We Were Strangers more. I just never truly felt connected with the characters. That said, I still read it in almost one sitting and would recommend it for those who love women's fiction. If you haven't read Swear on This Life yet, I suggest you read this one first because there's just no comparison.


Favorite reads in July: Cress and The Handmaid's Tale

Linking up with Steph & Jana.

I love book suggestions. What have you read lately?
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26 comments:

  1. Have you watched The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu yet? It's so well done, and so disturbing.
    I also struggle to read on vacation...besides the plane, you can read when you're home!

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  2. I think that it depends on the book that I'm reading as to whether or not I'll read during vacation, but I know what you mean, the days are long and sometimes you're just too exhausted to actually read anything. You still got a lot of books read this month though! And I know what you mean about The Lunar Chronicles! I was so sad to see it end, that I didn't want to read Winter for the longest time. It's worth it though, even though it is a little bittersweet when it ends.

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  3. All the talk on The Handmaid's Tale... I need to jump on this & read it.

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  4. I've heard a few things about The Handmaid's Tale, mainly because of the new show on Hulu, but the book sounds so interesting! Definitely adding this to my to-read list!

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  5. I've heard so much talk about The Handmaid's Tale lately! I'm definitely going to have to check that out!

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  6. LOL! I've delayed reading a book because I don't want the series to end too. Winter is great and I also highly recommend Stars Above, the short story anthology. I normally am not a huge fan of short stories but there were some really good ones, especially the one that takes place after Winter. I am reading Handmaid's Tale for Erin's 7.0 Challenge. I fully expect to be disturbed, angry and probably a little bit scared too. :D

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  7. I haven't read Swear On This Life, yet, so I will have to check that one out. I read Cinder a while back and it didn't stick with me, so I never continued it, but I really want to give it another try. I think I'm going to look for a copy at our used bookstore, because the covers are so lovely, I wouldn't mind keeping the book.

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  8. i read less on vacations on my day to day, but i normally read a lot in the airports/planes so it always evens out. aw yay so glad you loved Cress! I hope you like Winter. when you are done with Winter, pick up Stars Above - it's a collection of all the short stories, but there is one that is set after Winter, like an extended epilogue. Trust. Such a bummer about Wish You Were Here - that is definitely why I haven't picked it up. I liked Before We Were Strangers but LOVED Swear on this Life. I can't NOT compare and I don't think it can live up to it!

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  9. I've never read a renee carlino book but I will start with the one that you couldn't put down in 2016!! xo,Biana-BlovedBoston

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  10. I don't read much on vacation either, except while on the plane like you. If it's a U.S. trip, we're go go go seeing all the things, and if we're on a cruise or in the Caribbean I'm in the water or on an excursion.
    Green Fashionista

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  11. I felt the same way about TLC, but it was overall such a great series! Hope you love Winter too.

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  12. Handmaid has haunted me for over 20 years.

    I have that Carlino on my kindle to read. I also think it's unfair to compare everything someone writes to that thing you ready by them that just enveloped you, but it is human nature most of the time!

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  13. I was traveling most of July and can totally relate to not reading a lot! It seems like the perfect time, but yes, doing so much during the day also tires me out! I only read Cinder so far in the Lunar Chronicles and have to finish the series. The Handmaid's Tale and Wish You Were Here have been on my to read list.

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  14. I've heard so much about Carlino, so I think she's going to have to go on my list. I really liked the Handmaid's Tale series on Hulu better than the book!

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  15. The Handmaid's Tale sits with you in an almost uncomfortable, permanent way

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  16. I really love Carlino and I loved all three books you mentioned. I know Wish You Were Here wasn't as good as Swear on this Life...but I still enjoyed it a whole lot. I need to read the Lunar Chronicles. I think I just need to be in the right mood to start them. I was trying to decide if I want to read Handmaid's Tale and you have me thinking I should.

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  17. Is The Handmaid's Tale similar to the show on Netflix? I was wondering if I could watch it or not? I'm not really into shows like that, but it did pique my interest. Thanks for stopping by my blog! Hope you're enjoying your evening with a good book!

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  18. Everyone has been talking about The Handmaid's Tale, I think I need to read and it stat. It's a tv show now, right?

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  19. I want to read Blink! I recently read Big Little Lies and would recommend that if you haven't read it yet!

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  20. I still need to read The Handmaid's Tale. I loved Cress and Scarlet the most, but I am glad that you finished and enjoyed the series. I haven't read any Carlino yet, but would really like to! I don't read on vacations unless it's on the plane either! XO - Alexandra

    Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things

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  21. I'm SO glad you loved Cress. You've finished the series now, right? What'd you think?? I'm currently working my way through The Handmaid's Tale. Oof!

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  22. Hi Olya! Congrats on your pregnancy! I haven't read any Renee Carlino books and I think I will start with Swear On Your Life! Pam :)

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  23. I always have such good intentions of reading on trips, but it usually doesn't end up happening. I was so sad about Wish You Were Here, because like you said it was impossible for me not to compare it to Swear on This Life, which I loved. I'm not sure how I feel about ghost stories, but the southern setting sounds fun so I just added The Guests of South Battery to my list!

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  24. I only got to finish Narnia this month which I started early this year. Haha.
    Great list here.

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  25. The Handmaid's Tale definitely has a lot of disturbing elements to it. I didn't know what to think of it at times. But like you said, worth reading and thinking about!

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