Show Us Your Books - The Last of 2016

All in all it was a pretty good year for reading.  I read 44 out of 50 books I set as a goal for myself in the Goodreads 2016 Challenge.  I've never set a goal for number of books to read in a year before, so it was interesting to see how I did compared to the goal I set.  I'd like to think I could have hit the 50 or more if it hadn't been for the move, (oh, or the Cubs winning the World Series, because I seriously feel like I lost at least a month's worth of evenings and good sleep riding that roller coaster, including getting to go to not one, but two unforgettable NLDS games at Wrigley), but who really knows.  I certainly had the difference of 6 books either started and didn't finish, or returned unread to the library for various reasons.  In some ways it bothers my type A tendencies to set the goal and not reach it, but in most ways, the ones that count, I'm happy with the 44.  I read when I felt like it, enjoyed it, and could, and didn't read when wasn't able or I didn't feel like it.  So that's that.  On to the list.




Bird Box by Josh Malerman -- In a word, or three, pretty freaking scary.  I suspected it would be, the premise alone is frightening (a twist on the ubiquitous post-apocalyptic theme - you can't open your eyes outside or you'll go mad, killing anyone near you and then yourself). A woman goes in search of help and safety by traveling down a river in a rowboat, blindfolded, with her two young children.  I finished it in a day and a half and there were definitely times I was looking over my shoulder after thinking I heard something behind me. Kindle daily deal 

                                   

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch -- It's on almost every "best of 2016" list there is, so I'm not sure what I can say about that hasn't already been said.  I tore through it.  I need more writing from Blake Crouch (yes, I tore through the Wayward Pines series a while ago).  My biggest take-away and thought that I keep coming back to is to be grateful for the life you have, you never know who would do anything to be in your shoes and living your life.  Don't take it for granted. Oh, and read this book, because it's incredible.  

Ps... I read they're making it into a movie.  I keep thinking about who should play Jason and keep coming back to Matt Damon.  If you've read it, who do you think should play him?

Kindle daily deal 

The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood -- Man, I feel like I unintentionally saved up so many good books for the end of the year.  These first three I read in the span of a week.  This is definitely one of my favorite books of the year.  I don't think the description does it justice, so I'd recommend just reading it.  
Kindle daily deal 

Disclaimer by Renee Knight -- Good but not great.  I thought the last half to third of the book was really good, but felt like it took too long to get there.  The premise is that a woman is given a book, written anonymously, based on something that happened in her life which she has kept a secret.  The story initially bounces back and forth between her and the writer who wrote ans gave her the book.  All the initial drama, reactions, etc. are based around this thing that happened, but I felt like it took too long to figure out what the thing was.  There's a twist at the end I definitely didn't see coming, and again, I thought the last half to a third is WAY better than the first half.  
Kindle daily deal  (I'd gotten the e-copy from the library, but it expired before I finished it, and when I went back to get it again the library copy didn't exist any more.)



In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware -- I really enjoyed the only other book I've read by Ware, The Woman in Cabin 10, and this one didn't disappoint either.  Mystery/suspense/thriller.  There were some moments I think were supposed to be twists but I saw them coming, they seemed a little obvious, but it didn't tarnish the book for me.  Looking forward to whatever she writes next. 
Library, e-book





\The Bookshop on The Corner - by Jenny Colgan --  Nice fluffy read.  Nothing earth-shattering.  Made me want to move to Scotland.  A story about a woman who loves books and reading, takes a chance on doing something different with her life and career, with a little romance thrown in.  

Library, Hardback