December Reads - a Post for Catching Up!

Whoa! Am I ever behind in entering my current books here!  Good thing I have a back up (good ol' fashioned paper and pen!)  December has been a whirlwind with an unexpected trip added to the general chaos of holiday preparation.  I'm looking forward to a bit of quiet time post-Christmas for some quality reading.  To bring us up to date (in no particular order):

**** 4 stars
The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison
I actually read this back in October but neglected to enter it here (or on the backup paper/pen!)  This was a fun, quirky and quick read.  It's been compared to Gone Girl; this seems to be handy (and lazy) marketing shorthand for any new thriller.  I personally did not really see the relationship, other than 1) it's a pretty darn good read and 2) it's about a marriage.  Sadly, we won't see anything else from this author as she passed away after this, her first book. :(

0 stars
The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian
Tried listening to an audio version of this; couldn't get into it.  It might be a better read as the narrative shifts voices and time frames (I think).  Sometimes that is hard to follow in an audio book.

** 2 stars
Cemetery Girl by David J. Bell
This was just okay; also an audio book.  Not sure if that is why if felt far too long.  The premise was quite interesting but I'm not sure the execution of the story fulfilled the promise.  It felt very talky and there were many things which really defied reality.  I'm not at all sure a situation like this would have unfolded as it was depicted here.

0 stars
Happily Ever After by Harriet Evans
Book club read for January (we double-booked and skipped a December meeting).  Really lost interest in this one; just went on and on and I lost track of the characters.  I never really connected with anyone in the book and found I never wanted to pick it up.  Gave up about 1/3 into it.  Far too long and dull for a fluffy read.

*** 3 stars
Impossible by Nancy Werlin
This was pretty good and a fun read. Thought I could pass it on to my young teen daughter but some of the elements are a bit too mature.  It would be better for an older teen.  Not very inclined to keep going in the series but I enjoyed it for the most part.

***** 5 stars
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
I'm sorry it took me so long to read this; I guess I hesitated because it's a book about war.  It's really not; it's really a story of a remarkable man in remarkable situations.  Just an amazing read and I loved it.  I've been recommending it to all kinds of people; readers and non-readers alike.

*** 3 stars
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
I had to sort of slog through this but it was pretty good.  Was more serious in theme than I would have thought and it made attempts to relate the vampire issue with other issues of the day.  I think, for the most part, the history was quite good.

** 2 stars
Matched by Ally Condie
My daughter loves this series.  I thought it was just okay; some interesting elements but didn't engage me quite as much as it does her.  Not sure I'll read on.

0 stars
The People in the Trees  by Hanya Yanagihara
Couldn't get into this one; it's getting some mixed reviews.  Some people think it is brilliant; others think no so much.  Usually I like to make my own opinion but I found it kind of dry and boring at the start.

***** 5 stars
The Homecoming of Samuel Lake by Jenny Wingfield
Loved this excellent book club choice.  I felt there were loving surprises along the way in terms of the characterization of the people in the book.  Often these Southern, rural, whatever you'd like to call them, books feature a crackpot father, a religious zealot, etc.  It was nice to see genuine affection and love between the parents and a flawed but faithful man.  It was a gripping read, too.  I was captivated as I watched how the elements of the story wove together.  Really loved this book and am looking forward to the book club conversation about it.

*** 3 stars
These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf
Good domestic mystery; perfect for a plane ride. Not terribly taxing; very readable.  Sometimes that is exactly what you need.  I would probably read other books by this author.  I would compare her to Jodi Picolt, which is not always a compliment in my mind. Picolt often over-reaches for a twist or to be edgy and surprising.  But I think there's a similarity with the handling of family issues, etc.