I’ve been reading a lot, though not much m/m or even romance *le gasp* but lately I devour anything I can find (thank god I have a good library).
A sampling of the latest:

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

4 of 5 stars

I liked this biography a lot and found it very well written.  However, there seems to be massive amounts of information and details left out, especially surrounding his family. I would have liked a little more about his kids and wife and their role in his life (which comes across as largely absent). At the same time he was clearly a fascinating man with a very pointed and interesting outlook.

 

 

Soldier Dogs by Maria Goodavage

4 of 5 stars

Though I’ve become somewhat of a dog person (or single dog person), this book is addictive. It’s easy to read and sensitive without being too graphic. Yes dogs die but the focus is on the incredible training and work these animals accomplish and how everyone associated with the program are huge dog lovers. Very interesting and worthwhile read.

 

 

The Passage (The Passage #1) by Justin Cronin

4 of 5 stars

I’d read the book but with the sequel coming out in a few months I thought I’d listen to the unabridged audio version, which is 29 cds long. It took me about 2 months to finish but honestly I quite enjoyed the narrator and listening to the book. I was sorry it ended and am looking forward to the second book this fall.

 

 

Most Talkative: Stories from the Front Lines of Pop Culture by Andy Cohen

2.5 of 5 stars

This was more of a dishy, entertaining read than anything. I watch Bravo and have always found their late night host and Senor VP Cohen to be weird. His autobiography doesn’t include anything that he hasn’t said before but his narrative style is funny and self deprecating. I think the point of the book is to establish he has/had a serious news career before creating trashy TV so there’s that. Overall an easy and humorous read (his coming out is lengthy and agnsty but his story about breaking his taint is very funny).

 

 

Skinnydipping: A Novel by Bethenny Frankel

2.5 of 5 stars

Another weird but fascinating Bravo creature. This is actually the author’s life story in a fictionalized setting. The details aren’t even veiled and mirror the author’s life almost exactly but told in a breezy, gossipy way. It’s a decent enough beach read (think that whole genre of 20 somethings just out of college girls that try to make it in the big city by working scut jobs on the way to fame, fortune, and a gorgeous husband). Inoffensive but also forgettable.

 

 

The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian

DNF

This is a novel my mom recommended and raved about. She said it was one of the best books she’d ever read and loved it so incredibly much. I usually have the same taste as her so I was surprised that I couldn’t get through this. I hated it. Hate with the entirety of my being. I read about a third to a half of the way through and realized the fatal flaw of the story: the bad guys were going to win. I skipped to the end to see if my fears were correct and the bad guys win in a BIG way. I can’t handle that and have no interest in reading that. I really question the author’s choices about a lot of things.

 

 

I’ve read a lot more than these, perhaps another post’s worth, as I’ve been heavily into biographies and autobiographies of late. If you could or would only read one of the above books, I’d recommend The Passage for those that haven’t read it. The second one is out soon and I’ve NO doubt it will be made into a movie, probably several.

Has anyone else read Night Strangers? I’d love to hear someone else’s take on it.