Literary Lust: Recently Read

Well, I didn't reach my 40 books by the end of 2015 goal, but for 2016 I have a goal of reading 50 books. So far, I am on track! I started off with some depressing (but interesting!) stuff, but then switched it up with some humor and adventure/fantasy to cleanse my literary palette along the way. You gotta have some sort of balance. Here's what I've recently read:


Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children series
I read this whole trilogy in less than one month. It was that good. The first two books left on such amazing cliffhangers and I found myself genuinely surprised at the twists that occurred in the books. Ransom Riggs did an amazing job at creating the peculiars' world (or should I say worlds as there were so many different ones within the books)! The series was thrilling and had so many different elements, some that pleasantly surprised me. I liked that I went in thinking one thing and then when I was done with the first book, I came out with a completely different view of it. Also, because it's a YA series, of course there is a romantic aspect to it but I liked that it wasn't mushy and over the top. It was a very realistic and almost subtle romance. It wasn't such a major part of the story, which I liked. I highly recommend this series if you enjoy other adventure/fantasy series like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. It even has a superhero kind of feel to it at times! I am so excited for the first movie to come out this year.

Columbine
Although this is a very depressing topic, this book was exceptionally well done. It was insanely researched and in-depth and incredibly insightful. It not only covers the events of the shooting, but the lives of everyone involved and even the psychology of psychopathy. It was so interesting to read. Dave Cullen spent about ten years working on this book, and it definitely shows. It's truly heartbreaking, and I was tearing up at many parts throughout the book.

Bossypants
I love me some Tina Fey. I think she is one of the funniest writers around. From SNL to Mean Girls to 30 Rock, whatever she writes is pretty much guaranteed gold. This book is no different, and it's even more awesome because everything she is writing about is true. I was legitimately laughing out loud while reading this. It's always fun to read relatable situations and feelings written in such a hilarious and honest way. Yay Tina!

This Is Where It Ends
Yes, this is another school shooting book, though this is a fictitious one. It is a terrifying look inside what can happen during a school shooting. What amazed me is that this whole book takes place in under an hour (which is usually how these tragedies tend to pan out), but there's a lot to it and a lot that goes on between the characters. I couldn't stop reading this once I started, and there were a few times where I had a "holy shit" reaction. It's incredibly sad because you know this unfortunately happens in real life and although the story is fiction, the events are based on reality and that's what makes this book so chilling. I liked the multiple points of view and I also liked the occasional tweets, blog posts, and text messages that were included.

Sleepwalk With Me
If you love Mike Birbiglia's standup, you will love this book. Some of the stories are actually ones that he has told in his acts, but that doesn't make them any less funny. He has always been one of my favorite comedians and I was excited to finally read this book. It will definitely make you laugh out loud.

What are you reading? I always love to hear book suggestions!! :)