What I've Been Reading Lately

I can't believe I'm so behind - the days keep getting away from me!  Here's a list of a few of the books I've been reading!

This has been one of my favorite Grisham books so far - which is saying a lot.  The main character is quite the unorthodox defense lawyer - only taking on basically hopeless cases of murderers other lawyers wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole.  He works out of his van with his driver/assistant/PI/bodyguard  and finances an ultimate fighting champ on Friday nights.  Outside of typical Grisham style, the book features several cases, intertwining through the story line, which keeps it interesting.  Loved it!!

American Heiress was a fun read.  Cora Cash is heir to one of the largest American fortunes and her mother is determined to marry her off to an English title.  Quite by accident, Cora literally falls into the arms of a Duke, marrying him and becoming a Duchess.  But with her new Double Duchess mother-in-law, a meddling "friend," money issues, and a husband who isn't who she thought, Cora isn't sure she's cut out for this life.  It was a good book and an easy read, but the characters' attitudes and overall demeanors changed too abruptly for me.  Cora, for instance, comes across as a defiant, spoiled girl, but then becomes self conscious and unsure of herself in an almost pathetic way.  But, like I said, it was a fun, easy read.f

I guess between the move and having a 1 year old, I had no idea there was another Robert Galbraith book out.  I saw it on Amazon (and got 15% off :)) and immediately ordered it.  I finished it last night and it was a page turner!!  There is a modern day Jack the Ripper on the loose - and he's after Cormoran Strike's secretary-turned-partner Robin.  Oh - it's so good I won't spoil ANYTHING but you need to read these books if you haven't already!  There are 2 Cormoran Strike books before this one, and while they aren't a "series," they reference previous books.  Again, I will read anything Rowling writes (but I haven't read her non-fiction).  But it's amazing and a definite page turner that will have you looking over your shoulder everywhere you go!!!!

-khl

#3 The Year of Magical Thinking

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion was book #3 of my 30 before 30 challenge.  It's Joan's narrative of her husband's sudden death and the year that follows.

A year full of her daughter's almost fatal illness, grief, and memories of her husband.  The book was also full of stories of the amazing life Joan and her husband lived together - traveling events, people they met, etc. It was definitely a depressing book to me, but it also made me realize just how short life is, and that we should be grateful for every moment we spend with our loved ones.

I know that was a short post about that book, but I really didn't enjoy it that much.  It was definitely a thought provoking book.  Here's a good review from the New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/09/books/review/the-year-of-magical-thinking-goodbye-to-all-that.html?_r=0