What I read in June

I thought that I wouldn't actually have any books to rate this month.  Then I passed the halfway point in my audiobook and was hooked and couldn't stop listening.  That said, I did start 2 new books and continued reading one that I've been pushing through for months, so next month I should have more than 1 book to discuss.

Rating scale:

1/5 - Hated it, didn't finish.
2/5 - Tolerated it on principle to finish, didn't like it.
3/5 - Eh, didn't love it, didn't hate it.  Had some good parts/kept me interested/finished it on principle.
3.5/5 - I liked parts of it.
4/5 - I liked the whole thing.
4.5/5 - I like it a lot, but not sure I'd read it again.
5/5 - I LURVED it and I'd read it again.

Skimmers, stick with the bold text (TL;DR* parts).
PS. Possible spoilers included in reviews.



Outlander by Diana Gabaldon   4.5/5 (audiobook)I wouldn't necessarily reread this book, but it was very enjoyable and by the end, I couldn't stop.

It took me a while to get into the book (this always feels epicly long when listening to an audiobook).  20th century Claire bored me.  18th century Claire was kinda whiny, but I liked that she maintained her 20th century personality during the 18th century, even though it was kinda questionable since gender roles were quite different between those times.  I was particularly annoyed for the first half of the book when Claire wouldn't stop bringing up her past (future?) life, but at the same time, that was a believable situation.  I was glad when the author finally just deal with that issue and we were able to move on.  I also felt that the end discussion about the changes was well handled.

Due to the book now being a TV show and the subsequent books in the series, I assumed throughout the book whenever peril would happen than neither Jamie nor Claire would die, as they are the focus of the series.  That said, Jamie really survives a lot of gruesome shit.  And LOLZ to the wolf-pelt.  In fact, this book gave me many giggles.  I appreciated the dirty banter and jokes between the characters.





I did get moderately confused at all the different Scotsmen while traveling to Castle Leoch, but that problem was solved when they finally left.  There were also some random characters introduced towards the end that I've mostly forgotten who they were already.

I listened to Outlander on audiobook and the narrator was exquisite. She had different voices for different characters and her Scottish accent? I'd listen again just for that. Also, since the audiobook is almost 33 hours long, you definitely get your monies worth.  About 20 hours in (so with 13 hours to go), I was hooked.  I didn't want to stop listening.  In fact, I started listening at work since I was minimally tasked.  When I got home from work yesterday I had a little over an hour left and I ended up finishing it up while doing laundry and puzzles.  It was worth it.

Now I have to decide to continue with the series or let Jamie and Claire go.  Do I watch the show?  Do I read the next books (after the challenge ends of course)?

PPS.  If it's over 500 pages, it should count for 2 books..  Lookin' at you, Goodreads.

In Progress:

• The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah   */5 (audiobook) 
• A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson   */5 (ebook)
• How to Start a Fire by Lisa Lutz   */5 (ebook)

 

On Deck:

Erin's book challenge started on July 1st, so my next few books are already selected.  Also, the fact that Goodreads now sends out an email when they find books on your bookshelves on sale brings me great joy.  I was able to get my music themed book for $2.99 or something and I was planning on having to pay for it anyways.  Yay for dollas saved!  This doesn't make up for the Goodreads judgement about my books read for the year.

*TL;DR = too long, don't read