Ranking 2015 Reading List To Date
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” Stephen King
Over half-way to the book-a-week goal!!! WooHoo!!!!!
These books are going fast. However, since this is vacation week, I don't want to spend the time for writing a thorough review of this week's read.
Instead, I'm going to give you a mid-year ranking and hope that helps you in your book selections for the rest of the year. I debated ranking the books from 1-27, but I had a problem with #1. I didn't know how to break the tie between Boys In The Boat (please tell me you've read this already!) and Amy Poehler's book, Yes, Please.
I couldn't bring myself to putting Boys in the Boat behind anything, but I just howled at Yes, Please (inappropriateness and all). To resolve the dilemma, I'm copping out by giving you four buckets; Highly Recommended, Recommended, Recommended with Reservations, and Not Recommended. The order inside each bucket isn't sorted. (I couldn't solve my internal debates and still have time for the beach!)
It's not a perfect system, but since this is all my opinion anyway, it will have to do. I've only coded the books by (F) Fiction and (NF) Non-fiction. Each title has a link to the original review.
Here we go!
Highly Recommended
Yes, Please (NF) - Amy Poehler at her finest. The Boys In The Boat (NF) - I think this will be on my "best" list for years to come. Creativity, Inc. (NF) - Everything you want to know about Pixar. Memory Wall Stories (F) - This book turned me into a short-story fan All the Light We Cannot See (F) - This should be the next novel you read. Period. Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania (NF) - History which reads like fiction What to do when it's your turn (NF) - Seth Godin inspiration Orbiting the Giant Hairball (NF) - Finally a strategy for creative "types"!!! My Grandma's a Ninja (Children's Story) - LOVE this kids' book!
Recommended
The Rosie Project (F) - I didn't know what to expect with the autistic narration voice, but it's fun! Plainsong (F) - Compelling characters, great writing, solid fiction. The New Rules For Love, Sex, and Dating (NF) - Truth, plain and simple. The Magnificent Adventures of Henry Hudson (NF) - Who knew all of this about Henry Hudson? Fascinating. Engaging. Magnificent. Hannah Coulter (F) - I love this style of writing. Just beautiful. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (NF) - This story is still disturbing. The Nightingale (F) - Solid, but read the review for a slight reservation.
Recommended with Reservations
Divergent Series (F) - Teen Novels - Page-turners for sure. The only reservation is the age group. Cinder (F) - Teen Novel - same as above! The Hungry Mind (F) - Factual, relevant, but tedious all the same. Beautiful Ruins (F) - Uneven, but still kind of fun. Event in Autumn (F) - Start at the beginning of the series, not with this last title. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) (NF) - Don't read near Yes, Please or Bossypants because it doesn't stand up to the inevitable comparison. But I still love Mindy! Food: A Love Story (NF) - Unevenly funny.
Not Recommended
A Visit From The Goon Squad (F) - I've already forgotten the major plot points. The Girl You Left Behind (F) - Pure formula Let Your Life Speak (NF) - The longer I think about this book, the more apathetic I feel. Love, Anthony (F) - I want to like this read. Really, I do...
Hope this helps in your selections! I will update the full list by the end of the year!