Time for another edition of Reshelved in which I share what books I’ve put down lately and which ones I sadly had to take back to the library unread! Check out past Reshelved posts here!
Put Down
Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin: In this case I don’t know if it was me not liking it or the fact I was audio-booking it. I thought it was okay when I was listening to it and that the premise was interesting but then my ipod died (the only thing I use this Ipod for is audiobooks) and I didn’t care enough to ever charge it and finish the story. It obviously wasn’t doing much for me on audio so I decided to officially put it down. I might try it again in print sometime but I wasn’t fully sold on it via audio.
Poisoned Apples by Christine Heppermann: I read a couple of the poems in it and it was short enough that I probably could have finished it real quick but I just wasn’t feeling it at all. I like poetry and I liked the idea of this but it just never felt urgent enough for me to keep going. There were one or two poems I really liked but I think this just wasn’t for me.
Friendship by Emily Gould: I got 50 pages into this one and I just had no craps to give. It was taking a really long for me to find something…ANYTHING to care about or be interested in. Other than the fact it was a story about friendship. I was sooooo excited about this one but I just really wasn’t feeling it. I think I’ll be fine not ever reading it. SAD BECAUSE I SO THOUGHT I WOULD LOVE IT.
Went Back To The Library Unread
(not because I didn’t WANT to read them but I stink at reading things when I’m supposed to)
It’s Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han: I’ve been really wanting to finish series I’ve started and I picked this up at the end of the summer because it feels like the perfect summer books! Definitely plan to pick this one back up!
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion: I really was craving some good non-fiction because I used to read much more of it and I decided to grab this one! But then I had some review books and such that I wanted to get to and before I knew it I burned through my renewals so back to the library it went.
In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan: In the past couple years I’ve started to really care about what I eat and I’ve heard good things about this book! I read a few pages and was really interested by it but just didn’t find time to fit it in.
Did you feel differently about any of the books I put down? Or similarly? Which books should I make a priority to grab again from the library??
Ginger @ GReads! says
PICK THAT JENNY HAN BOOK BACK UP, LADY! (Did I just sound like your mother telling you to pick up your dirty shoes? lol I think I channeled my own there…) Seriously though, I hope you do get back to it soon. And it’s not just a “summer” book… As the series continues, the story spills out into other seasons of their lives.
Jamie says
I KNOWWWW. I’m so embarrassed. I plan to! I’m trying to finish series that I’ve started in November and December since I’m lighter on the review copies those months so hopefully soon!! And good to know! i just assumed they all took place at the beach!
Jessica (MsBooklover89) says
*cough* Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe *cough* I remember a post where you said you had to take that one back unread. It’s soooo beautiful and one of the best books I read this year!! I haven’t heard of the DNF books, and I read the summer trilogy and think it’s just okay but lots of people love it and you should finish the trilogy when you are in the mood to 🙂 I’ve taken so many books back to the library recently unread – sometimes I just take out too many books and become overwhelmed and then have to ban myself and now I only want to have no more than 3 out at a time, but would rather it just be one. I say 3 because I have one out now, and 2 I requested at the library LOL.
Jamie says
*hangs head in shame* YOU HAVE A GOOD MEMORY LADY! I should stop getting new books from the library out and work on the ones I highlighted in these posts I think!!
I’ve been trying to limit it to 3 too but then ALWAYS one that I was in the queue for comes in like a DAY after I got others ones out. haha
Jessica (MsBooklover89) says
LOL. I remember because I love that book so much & want everyone to read it 😀 There’s sooooooo many books out there – it’s really hard when you just want to READ ALL THE BOOKS. So it’s understandable!! You are not alone! 🙂 I always end up bingeing at the library but I’m going to work on that especially since I moved all my TBR books to one shelf and really want to work on those! 🙂
Also while I’m here, I wanted to tell you that I read Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend and really enjoyed it! Like you, Morgan Matson is one of my faves and I was worried about this one. But it was cute and it’s still her writing it, so there’s some of the same characteristics. It was lighter though and not quite a 5 star (like all of MM’s) but I’m really glad I read it and looking forward to the rest of the trilogy! I definitely think you should give it a try and I think you’ll like it!! I also plan on reading the Top 8 trilogy just so I will have read all of her books!
SarahClare says
I have some sort of pychological issue when it comes to library books. I borrow too many… but I’d rather run up charges than return them unread. Seriously, I have issues…
The poetry one looks cool. And the nice thing is you can dip in and out of it when the mood takes you.
Jamie says
I DO IT TOOOO. And my library fees are always out of control but once they hit a certain point I’m like OKAY THEY NEED TO GO BACK I AM BROKE. A lot of people have loved Poisoned Apples..I just think it didn’t quite capture me the way I need poetry to.
Jess @ Gone with the Words says
I don’t know how you’ve been able to go day to day without finishing that Jenny Han trilogy! Oh, my heart! That series!
I’ve been trying to get better at putting down books I’m not feeling. I need to be better at this. But I think I know my tastes better now that I hardly ever pick up books I know I won’t be into, which is why I have hardly any that are DNFs. In fact, I just decided to make a DNF shelve this week on GR! It only has like 5 books.
Jamie says
I KNOW. This is what happens with me and series, man! I SUCK. Even ones I love so much.
I’m trying to get better toooo! This was like the past couple months haha. I’m so bad at it but like you MOST of the books I pick up I’m CERTAIN I will like. My DNF on Goodreads is pitiful lol. I have a post that is scheduled for Wednesday about this issue!!
Leandra Wallace says
I’ m bad about reading library books on time too. I have the last Mortal Instruments book and that thing is a monster! No way I’ll finish it in time.
Jamie says
It’s so hard to!! And sometimes I try to make it a game like OKAY SELF…here’s the countdown until it’s late…GET IT READ. But nope. I suck. And yeah, I’ve seen that book…HUGE!! Good luck!!
Kaitlyn @ Bookish Comforts says
Very disappointed to hear you put down Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin and Poisoned Apples by Christine Heppermann. While it’s been a long time since I’ve read it, Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin was one of my favourite books by far as a teen, and I really like some of her other stuff too. I haven’t read Poisoned Apples but have been looking forward to it so much as I thought it sounded amazing. Sad to hear it didn’t check that box for you.
Jamie says
I do think I may try to pick up Elsewhere again. I think it was a matter of the audio not working for me and sometimes I was in more music moods on my commute so several days would pass so it felt disconnected for me. I think I’m just very specific about what I personally like in poetry and Poisoned Apples wasn’t it. I think it’s bold and I’m happy young girls will have something like it but just wasn’t for me though LOTS of people loved it! Will be curious what you think if you give it a chance!
Jenna @ Rather Be Reading YA says
Elsewhere was a very strange book. I finished the audiobook but I hated it the entire time. I’m not even sure why I didn’t DNF it.
Jamie says
YES that was how I was feeling so I wasn’t sad when my ipod died haha. I might just try it again in print and see how that goes. If I still feel the same..I’ll DNF quickly and know it just wasn’t for me!
Krista says
I loved Elsewhere. It is one of my favorites. You should definitely give it a try in print.
Jamie says
I think I’m going to! So many people I trust have loved it so it may have just been the audiobook for me! Thanks for weighing in!!
Emmah says
Definitely get “It’s Not Summer Without You”, again when you can!! 🙂
Jamie says
Definitely planning on it! I am lighter on review copies in November and December so I’m going to try to finish a couple trilogies!
Alex @ Booksy Daisy says
I LOVE the Jenny Han summer books! Definitely pick those up again–I’d recommend waiting until next summer though. They really are the perfect summer reads. 🙂
By the way, I just have to say I love this feature. I’m glad I’m not the only one who has issues finishing books, even the ones I really DO want to read. I’d guess that about 85% of the books I get from the library go back unfinished. *hangs head in shame*
Jamie says
I think I am going to do that! Though maybe in the dead of winter I’ll be craving a summer book!!
Library books are so hard. It’s like suddenly a due date makes me feel too much pressure or something to read the books I get out. I also have a syndrome, since I was a kid, wherein I get out WAYYY too many books out than I could possibly read haha. And thank you! Glad you like it!
Jessica says
I loved Elsewhere! I think I liked Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac better. However in general, I tend to enjoy Gabrielle Zevin books.
Pick up the Jenny Han book back, haha. I really like Joan Didion’s style of writing, but for some reason, I can never really finish her books (other priorities, oops) and I always return them back to the library unfinished. One day I’ll finish one. One day.
Jamie says
I definitely want to check out her other books and maybe try Elsewhere in print rather than audio. I’ve heard good things about some of her other books!
Shannon Tis says
Ah, good to know about Elsewhere. I’ve gone to check the audiobook out several times on Overdrive, but each time I hesitate and don’t do it. I don’t really like listening to fiction books, so I’ll definitely skip it now. Also, if you’re even a little interested in Michael Pollan, then I’m sure you’ve read his quote “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” from In Defense of Food. That pretty much sums up the book. It’s a good quick read, but he should have just written those seven words and called it a day.
Jamie says
Yeah I would skip it on audiobook!
Hmmm maybe I WON’T be picking that one back up then. Good to know. That’s pretty much how my husband and I eat anyways sooo it will probably be a rehash of what I know! Thanks for letting me know that!!
Sarah @ Sarah's Book Shelves says
I loved the Pollan book and it really did change the way I ate. But, you can get the message without reading the whole thing….his motto is “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”. It’s all about staying away from processed foods, shopping on the outskirts of your grocery store, eating fresh, etc. You get the picture 🙂
Jamie says
Ah that’s how my husband and I eat anyways sooo maybe I’ll skip that one or just skim through it! Maybe it would have been better back when I first changed how I ate and wasn’t sure! Thanks for the input!!
La Coccinelle says
I hated Elsewhere. Between the cardboard characters, the plot holes, the ridiculous dialogue, and the completely inappropriate romance, it was just… ugh. I read it long before I started my book blog, but it was still a one-star book for me. There are other novels about the afterlife that are much better.
I’m disappointed to hear about Poisoned Apples. I still might try it, though.
Jamie says
Hmm I was feeling some of these things you said. Well if I never pick it up again maybe I’ll be okay haha. Which books do you recommend? And I say give Poisoned Apples a chance! I think I’m just really picky about the poetry I read but I think objectively this one is good!
La Coccinelle says
Books about the afterlife and/or communicating ghosts? Well… I guess I’d recommend The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, Absent by Katie Williams, I Heart You, You Haunt Me and Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder, Heaven Looks A Lot Like the Mall by Wendy Mass, and Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver. Those are just the ones I’ve read and enjoyed (I’m sure there are other good ones out there, too).
Joy @ The Bookshelf Intruder says
I may be the only person who didn’t like Jenny Han’s Summer trilogy. I felt really disappointed. I found the character too whiny and I hated the ending of the trilogy. But I still want to read her other books.
I saw Friendship once and I really like the cover. After this though, I might not pick it up at all.
Jamie says
You definitely aren’t the first person who has said that! I liked book one (though I did find Belly to be very whiny!) Very curious about the ending!! And I LOOOOOVED To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. LIke way more than this book! Definitely give that one a try!
Joy @ The Bookshelf Intruder says
Really? I have a copy of To All The Boys. Putting it on my TBR now. Thank you so much for the recommendation, Jamie. 🙂
Kelli says
Tried to read Friendship as well! Finally had to put it down this evening. Made it to page 32 before I just couldn’t take anymore! Glad to see I’m not the only one! 🙂
Jamie says
AHH THIS MAKES ME FEEL SO MUCH BETTER ABOUT IT!!!
Kristilyn (Reading In Winter) says
In Defense of Food is a super quick read! I have it on my shelf and like to look through it sometimes, though the whole thing is so much common sense, it’s nice to have that reminder of what I SHOULD be eating. And yay for Jenny Han! The Summer series is one of my favourites … I hope you can take it out again soon!
Xandra ★ says
Elsewhere is one of my favourite books! I started to listen to the audio after rereading it several times, and I couldn’t get past chapter 1 that way. Better on paper!
Alexa S. says
All I will say is this: Please read It’s Not Summer Without You! I totally LOVED this series, and this book, and I’m sure Ginger will agree about you having to read it and finish it all 😉