Linking up with Steph and Jana to share my books for the month. Between being home with a sick Zoe for a week early in the month, and Thanksgiving at the end….I didn’t get nearly enough reading time in. Honestly, I only finished two books. But they were both good ones! So here we go….
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
I feel like I am the last one to read Beartown. I really enjoyed A Man Called Ove, so I was excited to try this one. It took me awhile to get in to, to be honest. People kept saying its about so much more than hockey, and there is a lot of hockey talk. And I feel like you really have to pay attention because they will make references like “there is a man in a sabb” or “there is a mother at the kitchen table” and you might miss which man or mother they were talking about at first if you aren’t 100% focused. However, the deeper I got into the story, the more I was intrigued and then about 60% in I couldn’t put it down. And I will say it, this book is about so much more than hockey.
Bottom Line: I would recommend the book. It was something different and a really good read. It had all the makings of small town politics and sports, lots of dysfunctional family dynamics and imperfect people.
Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple
This is another that has been on my TBR forever. I feel like it got a lot of hype a few years ago, and usually those are the books that I stay away from for awhile. I completely forgot what it was even supposed to be about until I picked it up. I didn’t really like it at first, but once I was about an hour or two into it….I couldn’t stop. I started getting invested in the characters and needing to know what happened to Bernadette.
Bottom Line: This ended up being an enjoyable read! I felt like it was well written, and once I was settled in to it I was hooked!
Currently Reading
Where We Belong by Emily Giffin
I just started this one, I think I am in Chapter 7 right now and all I can think is….I want to be reading my book! So that is a good sign. What are you reading?
36 Comments
You know how much I loved Beartown, so I’m glad you ended up liking it. Also, added Bernadette to my list, and you’ll have to let me know how that Giffin turns out. She scared me with that one book of hers that I really didn’t like, soooo maybe I should give her another chance if you like this one. 🙂
I’m glad you girls liked Bear Town, but unfortunately for me, I didn’t. It was definitely too much hockey talk for this girl! Just give me Ove! I loved that one!
So glad you read Beartown and enjoyed it- It was one of my favorite books this year! I can definitely relate to what you mean about Bernadette taking a while to get into, and then you’re really curious to see what has happened.
I am making a promise to myself in the new year to try and get more reading in. I really do miss it but now when I pick up a book it’s usually at night after the kids go to bed and I end up nodding off lol. Sierra~Beautifully Candid
I totally get what you mean about Beartown. Between the length and the large amount of characters, it is a beast of a book. BUT SOOOOOO GOOD AND IMPORTANT! Glad it came together for you in the end.
You are not the last one to read Beartown. I will never read it. LOL
I liked Bernadette a lot!
I feel like I hear mixed opinions about Bernadette a lot, but it sounds really good! I think I’ll have to check it out at some point.
-Lauren
Can’t wait to hear how you like that Emily Giffin book! 🙂 I’ve been interested in reading her books for a long time!!
Visiting from the linkup! http://www.ashley-ziegler.com/show-us-books-dec-17/
I know that feeling when I’m in the middle of a good book I can feel it calling to me all the time… “Come read me!” Where We Belong is the one about adoption right? I liked that one.
You are not the last one to read Beartown. I still haven’t read it.
I loved Bernadette!
I’m so glad that you liked Beartown! It was a little confusing with the descriptions, but I feel like Backman tends to write that way sometimes. I’m right there with you with not reading nearly much in November! But at least I’ll be able to linkup up with my favorites for the year!
I wanted to read where’d you go Bernadette so many years ago and never did, thanks for the reminder. I need to see if costco has that Emily giffin book…I read her last one while waiting on tire install and I need a new tire!
I reallly want to read that Emily G. Book, so much so it’s on my Christmas list. Hope you’re having a great week!
Bernadette is one of my favorite books!! I recommend it to anybody who will ask!
I have have not read Beartown yet. It’s on my TBR but I’ve held off on requesting it. It looks like a book I will enjoy but it has so much hype that I’m worried my expectations will be too high.
I liked Bernadette a lot and I enjoyed Where We Belong.
I didn’t love Beartown but that wasn’t about the book/topic, it was more like I don’t like the writing style.
Eeeek you already know how much I love Beartown…I read it before it was quite as popular as it is now, and I was honestly not expecting much out of it so it blew me away. I like hockey too though so maybe that helped a bit 😉 I really liked Where’d You Go Bernadette a few years ago 🙂
I haven’t read Beartown yet. I do have it on my reading list. I’m still trying to finish Drums of Autumn from the Outlander series. It’s such a long book. I really need to read more on a daily basis tho.
I haven’t read Beartown yet, but I agree that a lot of people have. Glad you ended up enjoying both books!!
I went into reading Bear Town thinking I wasn’t going to like it, but ended up loving it! I wasn’t a huge fan of Bernadette though. I really liked Where We Belong too!
bahaha i love that you said it’s about more than hockey. everyone kept saying that and i was like but all i see is hockey! and then i was like wow. so much more than hockey. so i feel you.
it’s such a good feeling when you really want to read the book instead of doing other life things. like work. haha.
Not last! I haven’t read Beartown yet! 🙂 hehehe I want to though. I read Bernadette last year and it drove me BONKERS. Just not my jam, but I think I’m in the minority on that one! hehe That is a good sign about the one you are reading. I barely read at all in Nov./Dec. so far. Hoping to get a bit of time (if nothing else) over the xmas “break”. 🙂 At least I’ve met my yearly goal, lol! XO – alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
I haven’t read Beartown yet either! I couldn’t get into Bachman’s style with A Man Called Ove, but I’m going to read his novella and if I get through that, I’ll try Beartown. Bernadette has been on my TBR forever too. Hoping to read it for Erin’s challenge! Sounds like a great reading month!
Beartown was extremely difficult for me (in many ways), but soo soo good.
I didn’t love Burnadette as much as everyone else did. Burnadette got on my damn nerves.
I loved Beartown so much. I’m glad it hooked you. 🙂 I also really enjoyed Bernadette. Epistolary novels are always hard for me to get into, but I loved the story so much!
I LOVED A Man Called Ove, but I just couldn’t get into Beartown. I do want to read My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, because I like Backman’s writing. I think that Beartown had too much hockey talk, even though I agree it was about a lot more than hockey.
Lifebynadinelynn.com offers 7 books that can help you live a more fulfilling life. From travel to health and fitness, these books have something for everyone.
Lumbar Laminectomy Adelaide
This website offers a collection of books about life, love, and sex. The books cover a wide variety of topics, including relationships, sexuality, and human behavior.
bespoke home builder melbourne
This blog post is about books 7 in the Lifebynadinelynn series. These books are all about making the most of life, living a happy and fulfilling life, and finding your purpose. Dental Crowns Willoughby
The Lifebynadinelynn.com Books Collection has everything you need to be successful in life! From self- improvement books to mystery and suspense books, this collection has something for everyone.
Top Home Builders Brisbane
Lifebynadinelynn.com provides readers with interesting and informative books about life, love, and relationships. This website also offers readers angry, funny, and inspiring articles about life.
Air Conditioning Repairs Capalaba
The Lifebynadinelynn.com books are a compilation of personal testimonies and advice from people who have gone through the struggles of life. These books are a must-read for anyone looking to improve their life. luxury home builder perth
The Lifebynadinelynn.com Books 7 are filled with delicious and nutritious recipes that will help you lose weight and achieve your health goals. From easy to complex, these recipes are sure to satisfy everyone’s cravings.
10kW Solar System Sydney
The website is dedicated to helping people learn about life, love, and happiness. The site has a variety of books that it sells, including self-help books, business books, and more. Electrician Aveley
The Lifebynadinelynn.com website is packed with helpful information on how to make the most of life. From self-care to living a healthy lifestyle, the website has something for everyone.
building and pest inspection nelson bay
I totally get where you’re coming from! Beartown does take a bit to sink its teeth into, especially with all the hockey-centric talk. Mobile Car Detailing In Bankstown