January 15, 2015

Mini Reviews of Recent Reads 01/15/2015



There are a few books that I read at the tail-end of 2014 that I just have to talk about, albeit briefly.


I finally got around to reading Saga. WHAT THE WHAT? I'd heard rumblings about it in the bookish community but didn't realize how happily I would devour it once I got going. I can't wait to get my hands on the next volume (and the next, and the next).


Listen, mysteries aren't my jam. Usually. North of Boston made me rethink my bias. The main character is the sort of strong, independent, flawed, and bad-ass lady that I love to read about. (By the way, that list of characteristics could be summed up with one word: realistic.) The mystery was truly mysterious and the dangerous situations made my adrenaline flow.


Can I be honest with you? I read both of these slim volumes at the end of the year because I wanted to hit my reading goal. Imagine my joy when they both exceeded my expectations! A Distant Father (112 pages) and The Room (128 pages) both pack a lot of power into their very few pages. They are very different books but they are both poignant, lovely, and have a main character that you'll root for and feel for in equal measure.

Have you read any of these?
Posted by at

32 comments:

  1. Ti1/15/15, 11:50 AM

    Those last two are so short! And they are novels? So glad they surprised you, in a good way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer Hartling1/15/15, 4:17 PM

      I really shouldn't have called them novels at all! Novellas perhaps :D

      Delete
  2. Irene McKenna1/15/15, 2:44 PM

    Uh oh, you've given me more fodder for my tbr list, which is already way out of control! :-) Great post! I love mini-reviews.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer Hartling1/15/15, 4:18 PM

      Muahahahaha! One of my favorite things to do ;) Thanks so much!

      Delete
  3. Andi1/15/15, 2:51 PM

    I love Saga. I really need to get off my arse and read the latest issues or trade.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer Hartling1/15/15, 4:18 PM

      I've put the next one on my wish list for Amanda's Valentine swap! Fingers crossed, lol.

      Delete
  4. Kay1/15/15, 3:19 PM

    I've been meaning to read NORTH OF BOSTON. Think that is a new cover. Thanks for putting it back on my radar!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer Hartling1/15/15, 4:19 PM

      I hope you're able to get to it soon and that you really like it, Kay. I thought it was so well done.

      Delete
  5. Shannon @ River City Reading1/15/15, 6:23 PM

    I'm glad to see you liked The Room! I have a copy of it waiting for me, but I hadn't heard much about it and didn't know what might be a good time to squeeze it in.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer Hartling1/15/15, 6:27 PM

      I really did. It's a very neat/strange tale. It'd be perfect for a readathon read :D

      Delete
  6. Belle Wong1/15/15, 7:05 PM

    I just picked up the first volume of Saga from the library the other day. Really looking forward to it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer Hartling1/16/15, 8:13 AM

      I had it sitting around the house forever before I finally got to it. Don't wait another minute, you'll love it :D

      Delete
  7. Natalie~Coffee and a Book Chick1/15/15, 8:15 PM

    Ahh, North of Boston sounds like a treat!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer Hartling1/16/15, 8:13 AM

      It really is. It's smart and twisty and I really enjoyed it!

      Delete
  8. Samantha Oakley1/15/15, 8:23 PM

    I really need to pick-up Saga. I've heard nothing but wonderful things about it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer Hartling1/16/15, 8:14 AM

      You reallyreallyreally do! I can almost guarantee that you'll dig it :D

      Delete
  9. Words for Worms1/15/15, 9:03 PM

    I keep hearing ALL THE THINGS about Saga. Now that I think I'm over my fear of comics, I may finally try it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer Hartling1/16/15, 8:15 AM

      I wish I could remember the moment I finally decided to try graphic novels. I wish I could thank the person that led me to them!

      Delete
  10. Becca Lostinbooks1/16/15, 12:54 AM

    Okay, it's official. I need to read Saga. I can't ignore it anymore. Too many ppl are saying read it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer Hartling1/16/15, 8:16 AM

      You really do need to read it, Becca! It's official!

      Delete
  11. Sarah's Book Shelves1/16/15, 7:24 AM

    I had North of Boston on my TBR list for most of last year and never got around to it! Hopefully I can make some time this year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer Hartling1/16/15, 8:16 AM

      It isn't something I'd regularly pick up and I'm so glad that I did :D

      Delete
  12. Leah @ Books Speak Volumes1/16/15, 1:17 PM

    I've only read the first issue of Saga, and I need to read MOAR.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer Hartling1/16/15, 5:27 PM

      Me too! That's exactly where I'm at. I NEEEED the rest. NOW.

      Delete
  13. Melissa @ Confessions of an Avid Reader1/17/15, 11:09 AM

    I'm so glad you enjoyed North of Boston, especially since I bought it without reading one review about it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer Hartling1/17/15, 11:12 AM

      That was brave of you, lol. It reminds me of my pre-blogging days when I'd go by blurb alone. Now I spend too much time researching! I hope you like it as much as I did.

      Delete
  14. Michelle S1/17/15, 11:41 AM

    This is the second review of The Room I've seen today, and I regret passing on it so much now. I am going to have to get a copy of this one. I love books that mock modern-day office environments.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer Hartling1/17/15, 11:48 AM

      Even as a non-office worker I adored it. It was funny and moving :D

      Delete
  15. Tif Sweeney1/17/15, 9:01 PM

    Ah Saga! Love them, and I still have the last two volumes to read. I've been waiting for a good chunk of time to savor them both in one sitting!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer Hartling1/18/15, 8:27 AM

      I wish I could remember where I got the first volume from. I know I won it but I can't remember from WHERE. I'd thank that person a million times :D

      I don't blame you for waiting, that's a great idea.

      Delete
  16. Lisa1/19/15, 8:32 PM

    Hehe - I do the same thing at the end of the year, look for the shortest books on my shelves!

    ReplyDelete




Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)