Ten Books I Loved More Than I Thought I Would
The Dollmaker – Harriette Simpson Arnow
This American classic is a tough read. Almost all the dialogue is written in a Kentucky dialect, which takes some getting used to. And it is bleak. So bleak and poor and desperate. But I loved the main character Gertie, she’s a hard worker, strong-willed and capable.
Lab Girl – Hope Jahren
I listened to this as an audiobook – very hesitantly. So far I’ve had success with celebrity-narrated audiobooks, mostly comedians like Aziz Ansari and Amy Pohler. But I wasn’t sure about this one, read by its author who’s a scientist. I started listening, just hoping she wouldn’t sound, well, boring. And instead I was startled by the way she poured so much emotion into her narration. All her passion for her work, for the people she loved, was put into the reading. And I was enthralled.
Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew’d – Alan Bradley
It may seem weird to put this 8th book in a series here. But I really didn’t like book 7, As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust, which took Flavia out of England and into a Canadian boarding school. In book 8, Flavia is back at Buckshaw and things just seem more apt, except of course for the fact that her father is in hospital.
Gabi, A Girl in Pieces – Isabel Quintero (my review)
I’ve had mixed success with YA so am always a bit hesitant when picking up a YA book. But this one, this one I just adored. I loved Gabi. What a wonderful feisty character.
H is for Hawk – Helen Macdonald
Another nonfiction read that took me by surprise.
So many people loved Lab Girl! I tried it, but just couldn’t get into it. But, I’m also not a science-y person at all.
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Gabi for me too! I had read such a rave review by one of my blogger friends, but I hated the cover so much it was hardfor me to get past. And then it ended up being one of my favorite books of last year.
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I liked Gabi less than I thought I would. I mean, I liked it, but I thought I was going to *love* it based on reviews I had seen.
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