I meant to post this last week, but totally forgot! So here’s the reading I did in the last three months of 2014, and tomorrow I’m going to talk more about my reading plans for this year.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart – I loved the friendship between the four main characters and they were each so well-drawn. The setting was a character in itself. I was really into the mystery aspect and the way hints were dropped along the way was well done. I didn’t try to guess the end so when the truth came out I had to reorient and then the book became even better to me. Hard not to immediately re-read. (4 stars)

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell – Quick, fun, witty, feel-good. (4 stars)

Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka – I could have read more books this quarter if I hadn’t tackled this one. I had to read it slowly and take notes. If you have a spirited child, the typical parenting advice just doesn’t cut it. I needed serious help, and this was it. I now understand so much more of why my daughter acts the way she does. My attitude is better (although not perfect). I have more patience (but I still lose it). And I have a ton of strategies to try. Some of them have worked immediately. Some will take longer to have effect. Some I am still processing, but I am so grateful to have a plan. (5 stars)

The Ground Beneath Her Feet by Salmon Rushdie – I started this for book club, but only made it 100 pages in before it was due back at the library and I chose not to renew it. The writing was excellent and I usually love generational sagas, but this was just SO dense. Hardly any dialogue with a lot of obscure references that I’m sure are symbolic and smart but I just don’t have the mental capacity for this type of book right now, and that’s okay.

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson – I think I might have a mental block against giving “lighter” books 5 stars but I am breaking through that with this book. I adored the characters and how the humor wasn’t at their expense. Reading this gave me a happy, warm feeling – like I was curled up next to a cozy fire. (5 stars)

Yes Please by Amy Poehler – I highly recommend the audio version of this book, as you feel like you are just hanging out with Amy and she’s telling you funny and sweet stories. There are also some off the cuff parts and extra voices that add a lot to the performance. Parts of this I laughed out loud to, and parts I just nodded along with knowingly. Mostly it was just really entertaining and interesting to listen to. (4 stars)

Crow Lake by Mary Lawson – Begins with a tragedy, but somehow doesn’t feel tragic. I loved getting to know these characters and the ending was hopeful. (4 stars)