My goodness. I have just been a reading machine over the last few months. The above stack doesn't even represent all the books I have read over the last two months, just the ones that I felt were good enough to share and recommend! So, without further ado, here's the list:
A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews: I know I'm a little bit behind on this one by a few years, but it's a goodie. I've read a few books by Toews and, although I find her books take a bit of effort to really dig into, once you're hooked, you're hooked. There's no going back. I think every book of hers has made me cry and then laugh hysterically a page later. That's talent.
Delirium by Lauren Oliver: This dystopian novel is set in a world where society believes that love is a disease, and to be in love is against the law. Although I sometimes found this book to be too lovey-dovey at times {yes, that's the official terminology}, it was a decent read that I would recommend for those who are into the dystopian trend. The second book, Pandemonium, is in my posession but is waiting its turn in the long line of "To Be Read"s.
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway: I'm not even going to try to give my own opinion of this classic since I am no way near worthy enough to act as an authority. But I highly recommend it.
Secrets from the Vinyl Cafe by Stuart McLean: I have long been a McLean fan, especially of the Vinyl Cafe series. He is such a phenomenal storyteller and I love getting lost in the world of familiar characters and the web of relationships and connections that he unravels in each tale. This particular installment explores some of the well-kept stories that had either not had the opportunity to be told earlier or were maybe a little embarrassing to share right at the start.
Divergent by Veronica Rother: Mark my words, this will be the next Hunger Games. There's just no way around it. I ate up the chapters of this book in about a day and a half and hungrily awaited the second installment, Insurgent, which was released at the beginning of May. I don't know if I'll be able to wait much longer for the third book.
Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella: Pretty much what you'd expect from a Kinsella novel. Light, funny, a little romance thrown in, and perfect for the beach.
Matched by Ally Condie: In my impatience of waiting for the third book in the Divergent series, this book was recommended to me. Similar to Delirium I found this novel a little too love-obsessed for my own taste, but then what can I expect from something that came from the Teen Lit section of the book store? It's still a good, light, summer read with a little bit of that "what's going to happen next" quality that makes it difficult to put books down.
When God was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman: If you don't like to cry in public, like me, I recommend you don't read this book in public. The quote on the cover by the Globe and Mail reads, "There are books that tug on the heartstrings, and then there are full-on tractor pulls. When God was a Rabbit fall into the latter category." Rarely do I even read recommendations on the covers of books, and in the few cases that I do, I never find myself wholeheartedly believing them. This book was an exception. Not only did I for some reason make a mental note of it but I completely subscribe to this description. There were many ugly-cries that happened as I worked my way through the story of this brother and sister. Definitely pick it up and treat yourself to a nice good cry. Because it's good to have one once in a while.
