Pick-a-Shelf discussion

Which book did you pick up this month and do you think it's a Must-Read?

**sheepish laugh**
I just checked back on the other thread and realised that I've just read the book I meant to be reading for this shelf, Shadow and Bone... I rated it 4-4.5 stars as I enjoyed it quite a bit but it didn't quite blow me away to rate a 'must-read'. I will, however, pick up the next book in the series.

Anyway... I will try to get to one of the other 2 on my list ;p

I like the avatar for this month!

Finished Tell the Wolves I'm Home. In my opinion, it's not a must-read. I give it a 3. If I find myself skimming which I did toward the end, I can't rate it above a 3. A bit slow for me.
It's a melancholy story of a young teen's dealing with the Aids-related death of her Uncle during the mid-80's. The entire family is absorbed in their own circumstances and are unaware of the impact on their two teen daughters.

I've finished His Majesty's Dragon, which I thought was very good. I recommended it to my tween daughter because the content was suitable for her age and the fantasy storyline was good. It was maybe a bit childish in nature, but honestly the book was probably written for a more tween/teen crowd so probably appropriate. I like the struggle of understanding the concept of 'duty and loyalty' the dragon goes through.

I also finished The Time Machine. This was a quick read classic that I found myself picturing scenes from the old movie. I'm sure I read this when I was young, but still enjoyed the story. Would have found it very boring as a junior higher though reading it :-)

I finished The Fault in Our Stars. And I must say that I would consider it a must read. I really enjoy the way the author writes and though the book was sad and had some very unpretty moments (because let's face it, cancer is not pretty) that only made me more affected by it. I give 5 stars but don't recommend reading with mascara on.

Christina wrote: "I finished The Fault in Our Stars. And I must say that I would consider it a must read. I really enjoy the way the author writes and though the book was sad and had some very unpret..."

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Christina! It's a v.sad book but yes, you're right, cancer is not pretty but amazed by the courage of these young 'uns!

I have read and gave it 4 stars. It is very well written. I was intrigued from page one. The story surprised me at several points, which was good. I enjoyed reading this book, but yet don't think it is a must read.

I intended to read , but ended up reading it last month. I gave it 3 stars, because it was predictable. I don't think this is a must read either.

For this month's shelf I've read Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. It is a very good and very important book, and I gave it 4 stars. I couldn't give it 5 because I didn't particularly care for the writing style (which is very good, but it annoyed me a bit seen as I'm not a teen anymore), and because it seemed a bit rushed. However, I would in any case say it's a must-read. Because as I said it's a very important book, and I think it's important that young adults read it. It has a lot to teach them.

Finally, I was read , which is a definite must read for fans of the series. Just WOW! Definite 5-stars.

I also read , the final book in the series which was totally unnecessary and totally sucked. I gave it 2-stars.

I read Slaughterhouse-Five. I gave it 3*, partly because of the confusing time-travel portion and partly because I could not get a good sense of what the author wanted to convey in this book. I am glad that I read it as it is a "classic", but it was not the book I was expecting. I might try another of the author's works in the future before giving up on him.

I read and gave it 3 stars.
It was well-written but a bit depressing. It is about someone who is suffering from depression. She thinks about death a lot and ends up in the hospital because of a suicide attempt.
I don't consider this a must read.

Bea wrote: "I read Slaughterhouse-Five. ... I might try another of the author's works in the future before giving up on him. "

Bea, I gather that all of Vonnegut's works are a bit bizarre. I did like SF better than Cat's Cradle, though. I have been considering reading his very first book, Player Piano. It's probably too short to need a buddy read, but we could plan to tackle it in the same month if it appeals to you. I couldn't do it until fall, though.

The Girl on the Train 3 stars

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins ★★★

Rachel commutes between home and London by train daily, and on her route likes to watch a certain house and fantasize about the people who live in it. Sometimes, when drunk, she calls her ex-husband, Tom, who still lives in their old house with his new wife, who he had an affair with while they were still married, and their very young daughter. A lonely, divorced alcoholic, she becomes drawn directly to this couple when Megan, who lives in that house, disappears.

This is a thriller, so you can see things build from the start. I am not much of a thriller fan, but have to say that I liked this one, but didn't love it. The book is told from three points of view, Rachel's, Megan's and Anna's, Anna being Tom's current wife, and this is quite

Nausea - Not the book for me! I understand some of his views and had probably at some points in time question my own existence etc etc etc but seriously, instead of getting too carried away into depression, get a grip, love, and move on! On another note, some of the reflection language is precious and I do wonder whether I’d appreciate this book more in perhaps 20 years from now when I will be somewhat close in situation with the main character... at the moment, I’m too caught up with my youth and my children to stop for long and consider the purpose of my existence. However, due to my faith, I don’t think I’ll ever be in this position as I do believe there is purpose to my existence.

2 stars

The Wasp Factory -3 stars

I listened to audiobook though not quite in the frame of mind for it plus the Irish accent totally confused me! However, very interesting (in a crazy way) and really enjoyed the twist at the end.

I just finished Paper Towns. I gave it 4 stars. I really liked how it examined the facade that most people show to the world and how we fill in the blanks of other people and don't really get to know who they really are, just who we think they are. It was a fun story but it also made me think.

Finished The Graveyard Book tonight.
This was an entertaining and imaginative book. I recommend this to anyone that is looking for something different and life affirming, if in a different way. I gave it 4 stars.

I managed to get through Dracula just in time for the end of the month. I think it's a must read both because it's a great story but also as a foundation of the gothic horror genre. It's also interesting to see just how far our view of vampires has changed recently from the purely evil villain which the Count embodies to the teen heart throb of more recept publications.

Oops. Barely finished reading this in time, and then forgot to post about it. I read Delirium by Lauren Oliver. I really liked it, gave it 4 stars. So many ya dystopias these days seem to be all the same, but this starts with a fascinating premise -- what if love is really a disease that can be cured?

My favourite book this month is a little known one called Crawlspace by Herbert Lieberman which was written in 1971. I gave it 4.5★ which is high for me as I'm quite a critical rater! - while I wouldn't call it a Must read in the sense that it is not what you would call an IMPORTANT book, it was very well written, unique & incredibly suspenseful.

A retired couple move to a small community & soon find a strange man has taken up residence under their house.

Probably not for everyone, although it's creepy, it's no where near as scary as this may sound & is actually a very interesting book incorporating a lot of different themes. I just wanted to plug this one because hardly anyone has heard of it & I was so impressed - I'm really glad I read it! :D