Ch-Ch-Changes

I have officially taken the plunge into BookTube. It’s something I’ve been thinking about since before I started blogging, but for some reason was much more intimidated by than a blog. Right now I just have my welcome video up, but I’ll be uploading a video checking in on my goals for 2015 sometime later this week. I’ll still be blogging, but I’ll also be making videos. I’m really excited to finally get into the BookTube game!

Staying Up All Night

My winter reading slump can officially be considered over, thanks to The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon and The Crossing Places (Ruth Galloway #1) by Elly Griffiths. Both of these books kept me up well past my bedtime.

This book was incredibly creepy and suspenseful. McMahon created an atmosphere where you spend your entire reading experience tensed up, expecting something to jump out of the closet, even though nothing ever does.

The story alternates between three viewpoints: the diary of Sara Harrison Shea living in the late-19th century, Ruthie in the modern day, and Kathleen also in the modern day. Sara grew up hearing about “sleepers” and when her daughter dies, she becomes obsessed with creating one. At first, it is really unclear how these three women are related, but as the book progresses the net slowly closes around them. There are so many twists and turns as the story hurtles toward the end. There were a few twists I saw coming, but the end was really shocking to me. Highly recommend reading, do not recommend reading in bed.

This book is the first in the Ruth Galloway series. Galloway is a professor of paleontology in the UK who the police ask to consult on a missing child’s case. Originally just brought in to identify the bones, she of course becomes ensnared in the mystery. Ruth is a kickass professory who embraces her fat identity and takes no prisoners, while simultaneously not being afraid to cry when the situation gets really f-ing terrifying.

I loved how mythology and anthropology are used in this story. Griffiths really commits to Galloway being a paleontologist by giving her tons of niche knowledge. What I didn’t love was how convenient aspects of the mystery were. There were a lot of connections to Ruth that caused me to struggle with my suspension of disbelief. Overall, though, this book was engrossing and I will definitely be continuing with this series.

Now, continuing with mysteries, I’ve moved onto The Cuckoo’s Calling, J.K. Rowling’s first book under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.

Spring Break Reads and Listens

I got to spend a long weekend in sunny Florida with my mom soaking up sun and heat last week. It was the perfect antidote to this long, arduous winter to just sit in the sun and fry (just kidding, skin cancer is real folks. Except I’m super pale so I did fry. But onward!). And of course, what is a beach day without a few books?

I’m finally getting into this one, after getting it for my birthday several months ago. I read about half of it at the beach. I heard someone describe it as a socialist Pride and Prejudice and I wish I could remember who it was because that description is spot on. So far, there’s been lots of pride, a little prejudice, and explorations of family, class, and the ethics of burgeoning capitalism.

This one may seem like a strange beach read, but bear with me. I really enjoy suspenseful, borderline horror stories but I am a huge scaredy-cat. Add the fact that my apartment makes a lot of weird noises at night and horror just isn’t something I normally read. I find the beach, however, is the perfect place to read these kinds of stories. How could you possibly be terrified when it’s so sunny and peaceful? I didn’t finish this one on the beach either, but I did stay up late finishing it one night (which then required watching some Friends to stop being freaked out) and a review is forthcoming.

I also brought my tablet for reading some great articles, including an old New Yorker piece on the beauty of Parks and Rec and the pitfalls of “you’re welcome.” I also listened to Julie Andrews on Here’s the Thing with Alec Baldwin and a fantastic two-part episode of This American Life called “Cops See Things Differently” (part one, part two).