I've recently read a ton of graphic novels and memoirs - some I loved and others not so much but were still a thrill to read. Guts by Raina Telgemeier I am always on the lookout for Raina Telgemeier's comics, so when I found Guts available at my library's Overdrive catalog last year, I had to request it right away. Her comics are always delightful, designed for the middle-grade audience, and written very well. Guts is a continuation of her Smile nonfiction graphic memoir series (see Smile and Sisters ) and recounts a period in her childhood when she experienced IBS for the first time. When Raina wakes up one night with an upset tummy, she just assumes it's a stomach bug as her mom is also showing the same symptoms. But when it doesn't go away soon but is instead influenced by the daily highs and lows of being a middle grader - good friends, not so good ones, and then the bullies, she realizes there's something else going on. If you have not read the previous
Every month, I bookmark some of the strongest book recommendations that I come across. Most are books I hear about for the first time, others are books I've previously not been interested in, but this particular blogger has managed to convince me otherwise. Then, I choose one title from the list to read that month.
My Top Five Finds
1. Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser is not a new-to-me title. When I first heard of it years ago, I was staying in India, where there are plenty of fast food chains, but I rarely ever went to one (there were always other better options pulling me). Fast forward many years, and I'm now staying in the US. Although I still don't haunt fast food places, and am very careful about what I order if I do end up at one (no chips or drinks for me please!), I know that I've been visiting these chains with far less abandon than before. So there - my motivation for being pulled into Marie's review of this book was because 1) her review is awesome, 2) it's time I read this one and 3) I want to scare myself away from these unhealthy places.2. Having just finished a book by a Japanese author, I'm in mood for more. So when I came across JoV's review of The Devotion of Suspect X, I quickly checked for it at my library. Unfortunately, it's not there, so I'll just have to find some other way to get it. This Keigo Higashino book sounds to be quite a thriller where you already know the whodunnit. I can't say I'm pulled in my the comparison of this author to Stieg Larsson (see cover below), but I'm intrigued enough to want to try it.
3. The Iguana Tree by Michel Stone has an interesting story about illegal immigration. I had seen a few reviews around recently, but Kathy's review was the first I read about this book. Being quite a sensitive topic, I'm very intrigued by books on illegal immigration.4. I'm not sure what I missed, but last month should probably be called John Green's month. Every blog I visited had a post on one of his books up, especially The Fault in our Stars. I know many who are still reading this one, but I may just wait for you all to forget about it, before I pick it up. Amidst that deluge, I came across Jill's review of An Abundance of Katherines, and I quite liked the premise of the book. I especially like this cover of the book.
5. Helen has been reading Chris Crutcher for quite awhile now and each time she raves about his books, I promise myself to read one of them. Unfortunately, I've never got to any yet. Last month she reviewed Deadline and that's another Crutcher I'm thinking of reading. I'm not much into sports, which is a predominant theme in his books, but I like the sound of the emotional and human side of his stories.
My choice
I'm actually not sure about which one I want to read, so it might be a matter of which one is most accessible to me right now. I do want to read Fast Food Nation, but I tend to take a long time reading through certain nonfiction books. I'm already very curious about John Green and Chris Crutcher, and then there's Suspect X, which is what I'm leaning towards the most, right now, but that's the least accessible one, of course! Iguana Tree's topic happens to be very intriguing. So maybe I'll sleep on this a bit or pick one based on mood.
Which one would you go for?
Comments
I guess now I really should think about putting an end to this habit.... it is going to be very difficult...