september book update

I definitely had a range of reading this past month, even with only 3 books.

 

Dream New Dreams: Reimagining my Life After Loss by Jai Pausch

I had read The Last Lecture, a memoir by Randy Pausch, over a year ago . Randy decides to tell his story after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, something for his kids. It quickly became a bestseller, but was very sad. I do recommend reading it.

 

A few years later, his wife Jai, decided to write from her perspective of caring for her husband during his cancer treatment. It was nice to get her point of view of their life together. Her focus was to tell people about the difficulties of caring for a loved one in such extreme circumstances. And it was tough.

 

It was a quick read, and if you are looking for seeing Jai’s side of things it was good to read.

 

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Go out and read this book now. Yes, it’s that good. And crazy. On Amy and Nick’s 5-year anniversary, Amy goes missing. It seems as if something has gone wrong. You get both perspectives as you read Amy’s diary leading up to her disappearance and the hell that Nick endures as he’s faced with the possibility of being charged with his wife’s murder.

 

As the story unfolds, there are many twists and turns, as you delve into each character’s psyches. I’m telling everyone to read this. Oh and it looks like there will be a movie—which I’m planning on seeing once it comes out. 

 

IQ84 by Haruki Murakami

This took me most of September to get through. It wasn’t tough, just long (I guess it was published in 3 volumes). Years ago, I had read What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by the same author. It was a memoir about how the author got into running. For obvious reasons, it was given to me to read. When I saw that 1Q84 was on the bestseller list last year, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but put it on my list.

 

The story alternates between Aomame and Tengo as they find themselves in this alternate world of Little People, cults, Air Crysalises, and other crazy things in Tokyo. Each of them journey this world, trying to figure it out.

 

I liked the book, although it wasn’t my favorite. I do want others to read it so I can discuss it with someone. I did think the book was too long. Also, I have too many questions that are now going unanswered.  

 

Next up is The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht, which is also the next book club book.
 

30/30 books in 2012.