In pursuing my campaign to keep our minds healthy by reading, I’m going to start a monthly feature in which I recap the best books I read that month. I’m a little late, but in January, I read 8 books. (And yes, three featured protagonists named Alice.) My favorites were…
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Every time I thought I knew what was going on in this book, I realized I was wrong. You think you’re reading about one thing… but you soon realize there’s something completely different (and a lot more twisted!) going on. Multiple times I said out loud to B, “Man, this couple is messed up.”
I can’t say too much about the plot without giving away any of the twists. But the basic premise is: a woman disappears on her fifth wedding anniversary and her husband is the #1 suspect.
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
I chose this book after reading Julie’s review. The premise is this: a woman named Alice wakes up after falling and hitting her head at the gym, thinking it’s 1998 and that she’s pregnant with her first child. In fact, it’s 2008, she has three children, and is going through a nasty divorce and custody battle with her husband. The plot follows Alice as she uncovers what has happened to her relationships with her husband, her mom, her sister, and her friends in the past ten years.
I listened to this book on my iPhone, and it kept me entertained for miles and miles of running.
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
I did double-duty with this book: 1) I prepared for seeing a spoof of it at the American Heartland Theater, and 2) I read it as my classic novel of the month. I’d never read a Sherlock Holmes novel before, but I really enjoyed the humor between him and Dr. Watson, the deductive reasoning, and the characterization. Although I’m not sure I’ll be devouring all of his books, I can see myself reading another Sherlock Holmes in the future.
Alice in Rapture, Sort of and Reluctantly Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
As you follow my reading adventures this year, you’ll find that I read a fair amount of young adult novels. Recently, I’ve been making my way through the Alice series. I am surprised I didn’t read these as a teenager–they are fabulous. Alice reminds me of a slightly more mature Anastasia Krupnik, and a slightly less risque Sarah Dessen character. Her lessons in love, friendship, and family are relatable and personable. They’re quick reads–can definitely be completed in one sitting. I would recommend them to any girl or woman going through (or reminiscing on) those awkward growing-up years. (Oh, and you can also follow The Official Alice Blog to feed your addiction!)
What have you been reading?
I need to read Gone Girl. For some reason, I’ve been taking forever to finish my book, The Happiness Project. I also have a ton of books to read for my job that’s a bit of a hold up. How often and when do you usually get your reading in?
I just requested The Happiness Project from the library, after your suggestion and reading another review of it on a different blog.
I read before bed, some weekend afternoons, and MOSTLY I listen to audiobooks while I run/drive.