This month has been really slow with regards to reading. Partly because I have been trying to tackle my reading list slower this year.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

Am I the last person on earth to read this book? I really never thought I was a sci-fi fan but this book made me rethink my stand. This is my second Atwood book and I am sure I will be reading more of her books soon.

Handmaids exist in Gilead for a reason and the story follows the life of Offred whose reason for existence is to breed. It is real, scary and futuristic.

The Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan

I have read a couple of Tan’s books and I kind of like her American-Chinese immigrant stories exploring mother-daughter relationships. I expected her newest book to be similar to the 2 I have read it is at some levels. But at many levels it is not. The Valley of Amazement is a haunting story of a Geisha and her family. To me, many parts of it were very similar to the Memoirs of a Geisha. The book is a long read (500+ pages) and tends to drag on at times. I wish it was shorter, crisper and a few characters lesser. It seems to be a trend with family sagas – I tend to find them too long.

Honeymoon with my Brother: A memoir by Franz Wisner

I know there are people who will love this book. I am not one of them. There are parts that are amazing. It just makes me want to travel. But I really was not interested in much of the back story – the author’s work life, his love story and his wedding plans. Really did not find a reason to dwell on that forever.

The author’s wedding is called off at the last minute by his fiancé. He gets upset and depressed. He decides to travel the world with his brother. He discovers home truths and the pleasure traveling brings.

 The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith

I am not a big crime fiction person but I enjoy the genre. The only reason I picked this book is because it was by J.K Rowling. I liked the book. Strike as the detective was a very interesting quirky personality. He was someone who stays with you inspite of all his imperfections. Robin as the temp secretary was very endearing. The pace of the story could have been faster. It just a tad slow which even the wonderful writing cannot rescue.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

It is book with a sad ending and I hate such books. It is worse than books with no endings. The book traces the life of cancer patient Hazel and her encounter with Augustus Waters at a Cancer Kids Support Group. The best part of the book is that most of the writing is not sad. It is real but not heart wrenching. It is true and real.

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5 books is a monthly series featuring some of the books I read and loved recently. For more book updates and to check my current reading list, head to my Goodreads account.