When I searched through my Goodreads list I noticed I didn’t read nearly as much as I thought I had this month. Then I remembered how full of other projects there were in October. It does end up being just over a book a week so I can’t really complain. I feel like with the Winter coming my book choices will get a little more heavy in subject matter though a few lighter romances will always sneak in. I read everyday even if it is only for 5 pages. Normally I try to read in the morning before work and just before bed. If you aren’t already feel free to follow me on Goodreads to see what else I am reading. Clicking on the book covers will take you to the Goodreads page for that book.
The Widow Smalls
I was really torn with this book as it was a group of short stories and after the second story I wanted to end reading this book. The stories ended with no clear understanding to the point of why the story was even told. It painted farm life as hard, which I can imagine is true but it also painted the male characters to be loud and abusive. Again while I imagine it to be true in some cases it came across as very biased. What saved this book a little was The Good War which carried through for multiple chapters but it again ended abruptly with no definitive ending.
The final story is the Widow Smalls, the patriarch in the story is mean and aggressive though he has died, his temper has effected Leah his widow. She takes on a farm hand that others in her small bigoted town can’t handle. She finds herself looking forward to the next day so she can help on the farm even though her brothers-in-law are trying to buy her out and make life difficult for her. This story was the title story and would have been best as a stand alone story and helped push it into enjoyable for me overall.
White Lies
The main character of this book Natalie is an accountant in a struggling shoe company. She meets a man in the elevator and the attraction is instant. She soon learns he is a consultant hired to help the struggling business. Natalie gets overheard about how outdated and dreary the designs have been and while it is used to try to get her in trouble, it actually helps her get a position in the team to come up with new ideas.
While Natalie decides to use the want ads to find her perfect man, she realizes she may have already found him. The secondary characters add to the story without distracting from the main story life.
Just a Little Crush
Brinley and Ryder shared a kiss in high school during a game of spin the bottle which ended up with Brinley in the pool and Ryder making fun of her. Later in college they meet at a party where another guy is trying to make his move on Brinley and Ryder tries to intervene. Ryder warns her off but also can’t stay away.
What I really liked about this book was Ryder, he has some of the good guy charm even if he has a rocky past. He is really protective of Brinley and tries to do the right thing. Brinley has a rocky past as well, her mother is an alcoholic and Brinley is always having to deal with her vicious attacks on her verbally. Both Brinley and Ryder are relatable. Brinley’s best friend Mason and roommate Fallon add even more character, and left me hoping for a series.
Champagne and Lemon Drops
Beth finds herself torn between two men. While her fiance breaks up with her to “find himself” she finds herself lost and confused. After 8 long months of trying to give him time and mixed emotions she decides it’s time to move on. Enter Nash the sophisticated and well travelled new doctor from the city. He shows interest and shows her what she has been missing.
Her fiance seems to want to do something new but at the same token doesn’t want Beth to try anyone new. My only criticism was how Nash was handled or mishandled throughout the story.
Attachments
Lincoln finds a job working in IT at a newspaper before realizing it was the third shift and encompassed reading peoples emails for policy violations. When he comes upon the exchanges of two employees Jennifer and Beth he can’t help but laugh and delete it without sending them a warning. Through these exchanges Lincoln begins to fall for Beth.
Things I liked about this book: Jennifer and Beth were funny and you felt like you could be friends with them. Lincoln was adorably shy and sweet. Trying to figure out his life. His relationship with Doris an older co-worker, who he shared his lunch with was really sweet.
Things I didn’t necessary like: the sister and mother were really unsupportive for no reason other than wanting to hold onto their idea of him. The weird level of both of them “stalking” each other. That the end was a little rushed, and some really cheesy cliche lines.
Overall the writing was good and between Lincoln, Beth, Jennifer and Doris the characters were very like able. Totally worth the read!
What are you reading?
Will you be adding any of these to your reading list?
White lies and champagne and lemon drops is right up my alley!! Putting them on my list!! Thanks girl 🙂
That are both very cute light reads. Hope you like them.
I think I might check out The Attachments.
Your first book, I totally get it…I don’t really like reading short stories collections. I have a mental block against them I think.
Thanks for linking up!
I think if they had a clear beginning, middle and end I wouldn’t have minded as much but they just seemed like filler and undone. I think the Attachments was really cute and worth a read. Not overly thought provoking but enjoyable.
I loved attachments, but yeah the mother and sister were weird for no reason. the white lies book looks interesting, so does the champagne one!
I just didn’t get them at all. I think they were just dependent on him but it was a weird dynamic. I think both were cute and a good light read.
I loved Attachments!
It was a really cute and quick read.
You had a great reading month! I am on the slower side, but I love my books nonetheless. Hope you’re having a great week!
I think as long as you are reading it doesn’t matter how long it takes. Just enjoy the journey it takes you on.
I think I could get into The Attachments… thanks for the rec!
No problem. I really liked it, and it moved quickly for me.
Yes, a Rainbow Rowell book!!! You love a good love story, I can tell! Who doesn’t right?!
I do love a good love story. Always nice to have a love story work out. Swoon! 😉
You are a reading machine!
I mostly just read a little bit each day and a little more on the weekends.
I haven’t heard of any of these, actually. I usually don’t like short stories… I feel like they have to be really good to draw me in, in such a short time. But I do love Alice Munrow’s short stories. Have you heard of her?
Short stories I think even though they are short have to begin and end well for me to like it. I can’t just be cut off in the middle without resolution for me to like it. I haven’t heard of Alice Munrow but I will check her out. Thank you.
Attachments is on my holds list at the library. It’s the only Rainbow Rowell book I have left to read before I anxiously await her next one. She’s such a wonderful storyteller!
I loved all the characters and their telling of their personalities. Very well written, hoping to read a few more of hers.
i have several books i want to read, one of them is eleanor and park which i’m trying get through but i keep getting distracted by my crocheting 🙁
Haha! I know it is so hard to focus on so many hobbies. I still have your project to finish too but I keep getting distracted by reading. 😉 Hopefully the long Thanksgiving weekend i will finally finish it.
I really liked Attachments. Perhaps because I married an IT guy? lol!
White Lies sounds like a book I would enjoy!
Haha! That might be similarity. It was very cutesy and light.
I would have picked The Window Smalls to read because I love the cover, good to know it’s not worth the time.
I think White Lies sounds like a good book to procrastinate my heavy reading with. 🙂
I totally thought it sounded better than it actually was and the cover would have sold me too. White Lies is perfect for procrastinating. Very light and fun.
I’ve been interested in reading Attachments. I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it overall!
I think I’m adding Attachments to my reading list, too!
It really is a fun cute read.
It was really worth the read. I think you’d like it.
I think we have similar reading interests – all of these look good.
I’m currently reading Sopie Kinsella – Shopaholic to the Stars. I have woken up Chris more than once at night because I’m laughing at it!!
Sounds like it, I love the Shopaholic series. A book that makes you literally laugh out loud is a good sign.
I’m always torn between giving short story compilations a chance or not. I’ve read some really great ones but most are just duds… you don’t get a chance to really connect with the characters.
I think it is just so hard to do it right. You really can’t leave people hanging so there should be some kind of conclusion.
TWO of those are already on my list and that one about Ryder I think his name was sounds good too! I go through phases where all I do in my spare time is read and then others where I just can’t seem to finish a book!
I hope you like them. Ryder was such a strong character I really liked him even though he had his issues. It totally goes in waves. I feel myself transitioning to deeper books, but I also like to knit in the Winter too.
I have been trying to read everyday but with my crazy schedule it’s so hard!! I started Outlander in September and I’m still not done with it. It is a long book! You have inspired me to start reading asap. I do love getting lost in a god book.
It can be hard on really crazy days. Long books are hard, sometime I need to switch up and read something quick otherwise I get bored.
I felt the same way about Attachments! and I just checked blueberries and lemon drops out of the libarary!
It was really cute. I hope you like it, I think I gave it 4 stars.
Yesssss! Thank you for sharing! I’ve been in desperate need of a good read!
Hope you find one you really like. I am always in search of good books especially now that it is getting colder here. Hope you have a great weekend.
These look like great reads. I have a Marilyn (Monroe) and Joe (DiMaggio) book was is a documentary about their love affair – well, relationship but it goes into a lot of details on both of them. Which bores the crap out of me cuz I don’t care about baseball
Thank you. All very light quick reads. I heard they have a great love story but very volatile too. The baseball part I would probably skim over too though.
always looking for new books to add to my list!
Hope you add a few you like.
Attachments was a good book, I have to read White lies! Im going to dload it now!
Hope you like it, I thought it was really light and cute.