What Books I Read in 2014

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I make no claim to be the most dedicated book reader–I think last year I read about every other of my book club books.  In the midst of that, somehow I managed to read six additional books.  As an added bonus, three of the six are set to be made into movies and one is a Netflix series.

I also claim to be no English major, but here are my thoughts and a super short synopsis on the books I read : )

What Books I Read in 2014

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The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty

I love books that have multiple stories going on that weave in and out and eventually all tie together.  This book hit the nail on the head.  Long story short:

Cecilia Fitzpatrick has everything going for her.  Then she finds a letter written by her husband that is meant to be read after his death.  It contains a secret that could change everything…

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am planning to pick her other book Big Little Lies when it is my turn to host book club.

Serena by Ron Rash

My friend Katy and I listened to this book via audio disc on our way to Florida.  We picked it since it was one of those “must reads before the movie comes out.”

Serena and her husband are newlyweds that are building a timber empire in the late 1920s.  Though being a female, Serena shows her skill in the art of timber and gains the respect of many.  You quickly find out that the couple will do almost anything to build their empire…

We thought this had a little bit of a slow start and interesting ending.  Serena is scheduled to be released in the U.S. on March 27, 2015 with Jennifer Lawrence playing Serena and Bradley Cooper playing her husband : )  Even though this movie was filmed around the same time as Silver Linings Playbook, it is just now about to be released.

This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Trooper

I choose to read this book on a many friends’ advice and also because it was coming out as a movie with a lot of actors and actresses that I liked.

When Judd’s father dies, his family sit shiva for seven days and seven nights in his childhood home.  Judd already has his own drama already going in the midst of staying with his dysfunctional family, and it reminds us all that no family is perfect.

I really enjoyed reading this book and am excited to finally see the movie since I missed it in the theater!

Fall of Giants by Ken Follett

Brandon and I listened to this via audio disc on our drive up to Pennsylvania.  If you’ve read any of Ken Follett’s books, you’ll know to expect a lengthy, historic fiction.  This is the first book in the Century Trilogy series.

“Ken Follett’s magnificent new historical epic begins, as five
interrelated families move through the momentous dramas of the First
World War, the Russian Revolution, and the struggle for women’s
suffrage”    —Amazon  (I couldn’t have worded it any better myself)

I thoroughly enjoyed Pillars of the Earth and World Without End by Ken Follett, so it was no surprise to me that I really liked this book.  It is another one of those multiple story, weaving, tying together books that I love.

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

Even though I didn’t like the ending to Gone Girl, I really enjoyed the way it was written.  I flew threw Dark Places while on trains in Japan.

Libby Day was just a child when she witnessed her mom and sister murdered by her brother Ben and even testified as so.  Later in life, the “Kill Club,” a society obsessed with famous crimes contacts Libby wanted more details from that night in her childhood to hopefully answer some philosophies that the club has.

Gillian Flynn did it again with Dark Places.  I cannot wait to read another book of hers, Sharp Objects.

Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman

When I heard that Netflix was coming out with a series based on a book called Orange is the New Black, I knew I had to read it before the series came out.

Out of college, Piper Kerman ends up with the wrong crowd traveling all over the world.  Flash forward, and Piper has her life together–a career, loving boyfriend, and supportive family. Then her past catches up with her, and Piper is sentenced to 15 months in the women’s federal correction system.

While I thought this book was good, it was not one of those that I could not put down.  It had some funny parts but also some parts that were slow.  I am all caught up with the Netflix series, and Netflix has definitely taken some liberties with the book.

What have you been reading lately?

For some more inspiration, check out what I read in 2015!

Thanks for stopping by!
Jess

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