Tuesday, March 12, 2019

March Reads: Zombies, Cheshire Cats and Murders

Whew. Another month has come and gone and it's time to link up and share my recent reads. It's another long list so I won't give full recaps for all of them - just ones that I think you should know about! 

Feed // Mira Grant 
Rating: 4/5 
Genre: Dystopian/Zombie/Mystery
Challenge: Popsugar - a book you think should be turned into a movie OR a book with the same name as another book (the other option being Feed by MT Anderson) 

7094569
I can't even remember why I went after this book because it is NOT my type at all. I don't care for zombies one bit but I was really into this book. I think because it was less focused on zombie attacks and more focused on how the world recovered and changed from zombies becoming mainstream and how the rich and politicians have profited from the "rising". 

The book follows a group of bloggers who are following the campaign of a Senator running for president. You get a lot of backstory on the uprising in 2014, the security measures on how they continue to prevent large outbreaks, the science that caused the outbreak and then how politics has changed. There is a mystery thrown in for good measure. There are two more books in the trilogy that I can't wait to read!

Rating: 4/5 
Genre: Mystery
Challenge: Popsugar - a book that takes place in a single day

35967101

Depending on the version of the book you have, it is also called the Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. It's confusing but it meant to make it easier to distinguish between The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. 

This book is SO TWISTY and takes a lot of focus when reading. If you follow along on social media, you've probably seen that I go through books every few days if I don't have other stuff going on but this one took almost 2 weeks. Granted, we had friends and family in town which slowed me down considerably, but also it takes concentration. 

Aiden Bishop wakes up with no memories. It also turns out, he's not in his own body at all. Everday day for 8 days, he wakes up in a different body and is tasked with solving Evelyn Hardcastle's murder (which just so happens to look like a suicide). He has helpers along the way as well as someone trying to murder him. Needless to say this is a confusing roller coaster that was so fun to read! 

Rating: 4/5
Genre: Young Adult
Challenge: Erin's - a book that was turned into a movie

15749186

Rating: 3/5
Genre: Chick lit 
Challenge: Popsugar - A book with an item of clothing or accessory on the cover

30821598

Sophie Kinsella is always good for a fluffy read and this was no exception! There was a little romance, but mostly a book about friendship and life not always being the "ideal" of what you picture. 

Rating: 3/5
Genre: 
Challenge: Popsugar - a book told from multiple POVs

36344555

This book had SO much potential. I think the topic is great but the execution wasn't completely there. Nina's son is your typical "rich, white kid" who has no consequences for his actions who Snapchats a lower class, student in a compromising position while drunk. This topic is so relevant in this social media era, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. And everything was wrapped up in an epilogue too nicely in my opinion. 

Rating: 4/5
Genre: Thriller
Challenge: Erin's - a book starting with the letter N

35522836

I read this in a day. It truly had my heart pounding and I even talked out loud to the book a couple times which made Christian laugh at me. There is some violence that I didn't love reading, but overall, a great thriller with some crazy twists. 

Rating: 2/5
Genre: Children's Lit 
Challenge: Erin's - a book originally published over 100 years ago 

24213

Maybe I've just seen all the  movies too many times but I just did not enjoy this. I listened to it so maybe that was why? Or maybe if I had read it as a kid? Not my cup of tea. 
Rating: 4/5
Genre: Dystopian/Zombie/Mystery
Challenge: Popsugar - A book featuring an extinct or imaginary creature

8429687

So, yeah. I listened to all of these as quickly as I could. I thought this one was just as good as the first one while still being a pretty different type of story. I know that sounds weird and vague but I literally can't talk about this one or the final one without seriously spoiling the end to Feed and I just don't want to do that! 

Rating: 4/5
Genre: Dystopian/Zombie/Mystery
Challenge:

11806716
Again, can't say too much but I was listening to this one every second I had waiting for one big thing to happen and it was totally worth it! Another good one to finish out the trilogy. 

Currently Reading: 


On The Come Up // Angie Thomas (physical book)
The Luckiest Girl Alive // Jessica Knoll (audio-book)
Rich People Problems // Kevin Kwan (e-book)

Currently Checked Out from the Library: 
Hitler Youth // Susan Campbell Bartolli
The Au Pair// Emma Rous
An Anonymous Girl // Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

March's Book Club: 
Where the Crawdad's Sing // Delia Owens

As always, linking up with Jana and Steph!

10 comments:

Stephanie said...

Evelyn Hardcastle keeps popping up on people's lists and everyone likes it. I really need to check it out soon.

Days of a Wife said...

I loved My Not So Perfect Life on audiobook! Also, I've really been wanting to read Seven Deaths!

Shooting Stars Mag said...

I've wanted to read Feed for YEARS now, so I'm glad you are enjoying that series so much. I really need to get on it.

-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net

Kristen @ See You In A Porridge said...

i really like the cover for feed - i'll have to check it out. i'm not a huge fan of zombies but your review definitely makes me want to read it. i am very confused about the two different titles for evelyn hardcastle. perhaps he should have just changed it completely to like 8 deaths lol. i really liked it! my not so perfect life is my favourite kinsella. so good! and ugh. i was not a fan of all we ever wanted. like you said, so much potential.

Megan said...

Looks like you had an awesome reading month! I normally don't read zombie books either but I strangely really liked World War Z. Seems like I might have check Feed out - I love books I can race through and this seems like it fits the bill.

I recently read Crawdads for my book club and we all loved it! If you want to check out my review (with a book club recipe), you can check it out at https://www.hungry-bookworm.com/2018/12/01/where-the-crawdads-sing-shrimp-and-grits/

Glad I stopped by your blog today! Thanks for the recos :)
- Megan @ The Hungry Bookworm

Brittany Always said...

When I had a baby I had this urge to buy "classic" kids stories, but Alice fell so flat for me too! It was a huge disappointment.

SMD @ lifeaccordingtosteph said...

I might have to check out the zombie series.

Jana @ Jana Says said...

Emily Giffin is a hard pass for me but my sister really likes her, so I'll have to pass this one along to her.

Kristin said...

I'm reading Evelyn Hardcastle right now. I don't know that I have the headspace for it but I want to read something literary and different.
I'm interested to see where it goes.

Audrey Louise said...

Great job with all the books! I wondered why I kept seeing two different titles for Hardcastle! I'm glad you shared that tidbit! I don't think I could read the zombie books but I know what you mean about reading it and getting into it despite it not being your thing :) Also, I hate that you did love Alice but I fell in love when I was a child so I think that makes a HUGE difference :)