winter book report.

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith / I didn't figure out any major plot points until they were revealed, which is a win for this book, since I'm usually able to guess. (I'm a really hard person to surprise.) I liked the book—the first in a series—enough that I'm excited to read the next two. I do wish we had learned more about the main characters, but maybe that will come later? (P.S. You know Robert Galbraith is J.K. Rowling, right?)

Wild by Cheryl Strayed / Now this was a story! I listened to it on audiobook (downloaded through my NB library, yay!) and although it had a slow beginning, I was hooked. I'd listen for a couple hours at a time. I don't think I've heard anything but positive reviews of this memoir, and for good reason. I think part of why I loved it so much is because I'm the same age now as Cheryl was when she hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, and I kept trying to imagine myself doing what she did. Inspiring is an understatement.  

The Hypnotist's Love Story by Liane Moriarty / This was a fun, lighthearted read after the other two (although it does involve a stalker). I read it fairly quickly, and I'd recommend it if you're looking for a sweet, quirky story.

Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff / I heard nothing but rave reviews for this novel, and while I did like it, I didn't love it. I think it just felt really long to me, although I liked the characters and the writing was excellent. For example, the description of how the main male character smelled: "Clean as camphor at his neck and belly, like electrified pennies at the armpit, like chlorine at the groin." It's worth reading for the writing alone.

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman / Meh. It was okay. I liked it enough to keep reading, but mostly because I wanted to know what would happen to everyone in the end. I mean, it's a big deal, keeping someone else's baby and passing it off on your own (not a spoiler; it says so in the description), but the story just felt kind of flat to me.

I'm currently listening to Shonda Rhimes' Year of Yes and reading Anita Diamant's The Boston Girl.

What have you read and loved lately?