What I've Been Reading - October 2016

Welcome to What I've Been Reading, where I share my (quick and personal) thoughts on what I've been reading this past month. For specifics (plot summary, etc.) about each book, click on the provided links.

A Great Reckoning (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #12) by Louise Penny (4 stars)

A Great Reckoning is the most recent installment in Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series, (a wonderfully and thoughtfully written literary murder mystery series, that is so much more about the characters and their human hearts and minds, than it is about the murders,) being just released on August 30. Having preordered it, it was delivered to my front door on August 30, yet I found myself not picking it up right away. I wasn't ready to be done with the series! (That is, until the next installment is released!) Finally, this month, I couldn't hold out any longer. It didn't disappoint and I found myself in tears by the end of this book. I have fallen in love with Armand Gamache and the many quirky characters in this series and hope (can't wait!) to return to Three Pines very, very soon. P.S. Read the Afterword! (*Brief language)

Everyone Brave Is Forgiven by Chris Cleave (4 stars)

Everyone Brave Is Forgiven is the well-written, fictional story of three unforgettable characters and their experiences during World War II. From The London Blitz to The Siege of Malta, it was a difficult read at times. It was gritty and heartbreaking and I found myself putting it down for small periods of time. Its content was weighing too heavily on my heart. I am grateful I pushed through to the end though. I learned so much and believe this story will stay with me for a while. P.S. Again, read the Afterword!(*Brief language)

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty (3 stars)

The Husband's Secret is my third Liane Moriarty novel. It fell short of my first, What Alice Forgot, but was better than my second, Truly Madly Guilty. The story is, exactly as titled, all about a husband's secret and its consequences. It is an easy read, and quite entertaining, (Moriarty honestly captures human nature in all its good and bad aspects,) but I had difficulty relating to, or even liking, the characters. (*Brief language)

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett (3 stars)

Commonwealth is my second Ann Patchett novel, Bel Canto being my first. Honestly, after Bel Canto, I didn't think I would pick up another novel by Patchett. However, I recently joined an on-line book club (the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club) and Commonwealth was its first pick! It was an interesting read, being very much a departure from my usual reads. Whether that's a good thing or not, I haven't decided. It follows the lives of two families over five decades. Early on, the families fall apart. The rest of the novel explores how they put themselves back together. (Or don't!) I wouldn't say I liked it, yet I didn't dislike it. Overall, I didn't enjoy the story itself, nor the characters. I did enjoy the novel's structure and how it made me think. I'm still thinking about it! It should make for an interesting book club discussion. (*Brief language)

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty (3 stars)

Another easy and entertaining read by Liane Moriarty, however, the subject matter of Big Little Lies is more difficult to swallow than that found in her other books. (*Brief language)