The month of June was a little bit slower for reading than may (likely because of the crazy school stuff I was doing on most of my week nights to finish off the year with a bang!), but nonetheless, I got a few in.
Dead Celeb – Lindsay Maracotta
Andrea left this book here when she was visiting. A real steal at 3 dollars. I picked it up, since I haven’t read a good murder mystery in a long while. Somewhat trashy, but surprisingly enjoyable. This is probably due to the fact that it is an easy read and a guilty pleasure. (and completely not a genre I typically read). But nonetheless, Thanks Ange for leaving it here! It is about Lucy Freers – a wife of a rich movie producer who likes to solve crime. In this particular book, she is trying to figure out who “poisoned” Jeremy Lord – a famous movie director/womanizer. The suspense is killing me. (ha ha)
Durable Goods – Elizabeth Berg.
This book took me an afternoon to read. It didn’t tug at my heartstrings as much as some of her other novels have – i imagine because the protagonist was a preteen – who had a childhood that I cannot relate to. Nonetheless, I enjoy anything written by Elizabeth Berg. There is always a life lesson, usually involving love – although I found Durable Goods a bit predictable. I’ve also just realized that it is the first book in a series of three about the narrator Katie.
Generation A – Douglas Coupland
As mentioned in my May Reads post, I am a general fan of Mr Coupland, and like to read all of his stuff. After a disappointing Gum Thief, I picked up Generation A. I did enjoy this sci-fi -esque book, but like much Coupland – something was still missing. The premise: It is the year 2032 and bees are extinct (sadly, quite realistic). Five people around the world are stung by a bee. They become instant celebrities and are whisked off for scientific study (they refer to themselves as the Wonka Kids a few times). Zack – a farmer from Iowa who likes to farm (and webcam) naked; Harj – an Abercrombie & Fitch customer service rep in Sri Lanka; Samantha – a New Zealander who likes to connect to people online with “earth sandwiches”; Diana – a christian Canadian with terrible Tourette’s and Julien – a Parisian who just got kicked off the World of Warcraft after 114 days of consecutive play. These people are not only connected by their bee sting, but also because their lives have no “purpose” and they communicate with other people primarily with technology. They also have no interest in trying the new “designer” drug. (one that forces people to live in the present instead of the future). Witty and entertaining – but definitely not for everyone.
Getting the Girl – Markus Zusak
Because I loved The Book Thief so much, I wanted to read another book by Markus Zusak. This time around, it was about a young boy named Cameron who is “finding himself” in life – normally being overshadowed by his two older brothers, he explores a first love and begins writing in a journal. Another “coming of age” novel – written by the perspective of a boy. A very quick – but enjoyable read.
Juliet Naked – Nick Hornby
This book is about Annie and Duncan – a couple whose relationship isn’t quite working. Duncan has an unhealthy obsession with a washed up American musician – Tucker Crowe, and Annie is bored (and jealous). Through an online discussion board, Annie meets Tucker and they begin a secret friendship. I enjoyed this book – in it’s strange way. This book had an equal dose of humour and heartbreak – in which I liked. Quirky Hornby (not his best – nothing can hold a flame to High Fidelity – but still better than others!).
I also attempted to read SLAM by Nick Hornby, but quickly abandoned it. I had no interest in the memoir of an adolescent boy who “spoke” to Tony Hawk when he was feeling blue. Sorry Nick.
Time to go to the Library for some more!
