What I'm Reading

If there is a theme for my reading list on this trip it would probably be titled "books that everyone has read and talked about, so I can guarantee they are good."  Otherwise know as literary FOMO (fear of missing out.)  I'm sure quite a few of you have already burned through most of these, but for those of you who are as late to the game as I usually am, here is what I'm reading on this trip and my thoughts on each.  Don't worry, there are no spoilers allowed!

Big Little Lies- Liane Moriarty

I have to say up front that I'm a big fan of Liane Moriarty's work.  My sister-in-law and I have  debated more than once how I could have liked The Husband's Secret and what I can I say?  I just can't help myself.  This new genre of "chick lit" combined with a traditional murder mystery ropes me in every time, and this story set in a wealthy primary school had me hooked from the first page.  While somewhat predictable, I enjoyed most of the characters and found this to be a perfect and light beach read. 

Sharp Objects- Gillian Flynn

I am probably one of the biggest Gone Girl fan there is, and I also really enjoyed Dark Places so I was really excited to start this book on our trip.  I'm not going to say I didn't like it, as I found myself not being able to put it down, but as soon as I finished it I pretty much wanted to take a shower, and read something that involved kittens, babies, and rainbows.  Set in a small town which is reeling from the murder of two of it's young residents, this book defines dark, and I think it might have been just a little to much for me.  For the next few days I found myself waking up at night, reliving some of the most gruesome parts.  I'm pretty sure that's not a good thing.  If you like a good thriller, and aren't too squeamish, you will definitely enjoy this book.  The jury's still out for me on this one. 

The Girl on The Train- Paula Hawkins

 I don't think I've ever read a book faster than I read The Girl on the Train.  I knew little about the plot, other than people saying it's the new Gone Girl, and from beginning to end I was hooked.  The twists and turns of this novel, coupled with the sometimes cringe worthy behavior of the main characters had me ripping through the pages and I found myself feeling devastated when I finished the last page, wishing that there was more.  This is what I would deem a must read!

Before I Go To Sleep- S.J. Watson

 I'm about 3/4 though this mystery right now, and I am really enjoying it.  It's about a woman with long term amnesia who wakes up every day not only forgetting what happened the day before, but also the 20 years prior.  She found a note that she wrote to herself, telling her not to trust her husband, and the story pretty much develops from there.  Definitely a page turner, I can't put this one down and can't wait to see how it will end!

Wild- Cheryl Strayed

 I have the same feelings about Wild that I do about Eat, Pray, Love.  I loved the first half, and found myself a little bored an disinterested during the second.  I think in general I have a hard time relating to these women who need to go to extremes to "find themselves" and it doesn't help that the movie (which I enjoyed) was shown during our flight down and I may have watched the ending before finishing the book.  Blasphemy I know!  I will say this book made me want to push myself physically a little more, and the first chapters brought me to tears... repeatedly.  Overall I would probably recommended it, but it doesn't top my list. 

Still Alice- Lisa Genova

Woah.  That's about all I can say about this book.  Devastating and beautiful, while reading this this book I seriously felt like my heart was being ripped out the entire way though.  By now most of you know the premise, Alice at only 50 years old was diagnosed with early and aggressive Alzheimer's Disease.  The novel then follows her mental deterioration and is written from her perspective.  It's heavy, sad, and completely eye opening for the reader.  I can think of few things that would be worse than receiving this diagnosis and I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone and everyone. 

The last book on my list is one that has been on there for almost two years, The Goldfinch.  I know EVERYONE loves this book, but for some reason I just can't get into it.  I have nothing left on my Kindle so I will definitely be giving it another shot and I'm hoping that it's just the length that is turning me off and not the subject matter.  I want so badly to check this one off my list, so I'm sure that alone will get me though to the end!

I'd love to know what you all are reading.  What else am I missing?  I know some of these are pretty old so please tell me what I'm going to be dying to read next... even if it will take me a year or two to finally pick it up ;)