Recent Reads (Mini Reviews)

Hi everyone! I know it's been awhile since I've posted something here so I thought I'd jump back in and get the ball rolling with a number of mini reviews of books I've read recently ...

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book had so much promise but it never lived up to it for me. I loved the book until about 2/3 of the way in when much of what I felt was set up in the early parts of the book fell apart and began to make no sense. The ending was completely hurried and felt rushed. It's such a shame because it had such potential at the start!


In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I seem to be the only one who didn't absolutely love this one. I really think it's a well written novel that gave me insight into a time & place in history that I wasn't as aware of as I should be. There were parts that were so beautifully written that they took my breath away. But, there were also parts that I felt dragged and made me almost want to put it down. As a result, I have to give it 3 stars. Definitely worth reading although it didn't wow me as much as I would have hoped!


Ladies' Night by Mary Kay Andrews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Really enjoyed this one! Very light and fun read. Nothing highbrow about this one but it definitely delivers for what it is ... a light, fun read. Nice break from heavier novels!




The One and Only by Emily Giffin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had a lot of fun with this one which kind of surprised me given it centers around sports (football, specifically) and I'm not into sports. But, it was such a fun little read - very light and breezy as Giffin novels tend to be. I understand some of the critiques of this novel completely but if I take it for what it is - a light, romantic story - then I really enjoyed it! I wasn't expecting great literature - just a great read and it delivered on that!


  
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm not telling you anything about this book and please don't read anything about it ... just read it. It was really good but it could have been great for me if I'd gone in without any knowledge whatsoever about this book. It's really good ... just read it! (By the way, this is a young adult book but is definitely a book that adults can and will enjoy).



The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book completely surprised me ... a book that centers on botany which is something that I have little to no interest in. And yet it captivated me from the first page! Such a great story! Highly recommend this one!