I wanted to go straight with the 8 minute memoir project- do all prompts in a row. But I realized I couldn't do them fast enough and that there are other things I want to write and talk about on this blog. We've had a lot of changes around here lately and those are exciting things to write about. (Pregnancy!) (School starting!) (June's talking!) So I'll still do the 8 minute memoir project, but it may be broken up a little with other random posts in the way.
Today's post is BLOG BOOK CLUB post! It's the end of the month which means it is high time we talked about the book we all read this month. (We all read it, right guys...)
August's book was The Martian by Andy Weir.
I have to admit when this book was voted by blog readers as one of our selections for the year I was super bummed. It didn't seem my style at all. I had heard two things about the book already: 1) there are a ton of f words and 2) it is very sciency and technical which makes it hard to read.
So.... I wasn't really looking forward to it. On Christmas day, Greg and I with some members of my family went to see the movie and I loved it. So, I warmed up a bit to the idea of reading the book, but was still afraid I would hate it.
The first 50 pages were a rough go, to be honest. I probably read the first 50 pages in 3 weeks and then the last 300 pages in a week. Once the book got rolling it really got rolling and I was pretty invested. Overall I'd give the book FOUR OUT OF FIVE STARS on goodreads. I really liked it! It was more enjoyable than I thought! I thought the f words were manageable (I also tend to not notice cussing a lot when I'm reading so I might not be the best judge on this) and the science stuff didn't weigh down the book like I expected. This coming from a total science idiot.
I especially loved Mark Watney, the main character. (Played by Matt Damon in the movie). He is smart, funny, and a total problem solver. (At our IRL book club this week we talked about how at times we were a little annoyed that he remained so optimistic and never seemed to panic in the face of problem after problem after problem BUT whatever, he's a fictional character. We can get over it.) I thought Watney was really the strength of the book- at times the technical stuff could get a little tough, and the other characters weren't especially likeable or intriguing, but good old Mark Watney made up for it all. There were times I laughed out loud at the things Mark was saying to himself.
At the end of the day, it's a great survivor story and a testament to the strength of the human will to survive. I am really glad that book club pushed me to read it because I know I never would have picked it up otherwise. If you have been hesitant to try it, I would really encourage you to at least commit to the first 100 pages- it really is a great read- you just have to have a bit of tenacity :) If you're 100 pages in and you totally hate it then you have my permission to quit, but I really do think that there are a lot of people who would really love this book but haven't given it a shot.
Did you read the book? See the movie? Your thoughts!!!
Next month's book is So You've Been Publicly Shamed and I am so excited! This is one book I've been looking forward to reading for a year. I already read the first chapter months ago and had to force myself to stop and wait until September.
Today's post is BLOG BOOK CLUB post! It's the end of the month which means it is high time we talked about the book we all read this month. (We all read it, right guys...)
August's book was The Martian by Andy Weir.
I have to admit when this book was voted by blog readers as one of our selections for the year I was super bummed. It didn't seem my style at all. I had heard two things about the book already: 1) there are a ton of f words and 2) it is very sciency and technical which makes it hard to read.
So.... I wasn't really looking forward to it. On Christmas day, Greg and I with some members of my family went to see the movie and I loved it. So, I warmed up a bit to the idea of reading the book, but was still afraid I would hate it.
The first 50 pages were a rough go, to be honest. I probably read the first 50 pages in 3 weeks and then the last 300 pages in a week. Once the book got rolling it really got rolling and I was pretty invested. Overall I'd give the book FOUR OUT OF FIVE STARS on goodreads. I really liked it! It was more enjoyable than I thought! I thought the f words were manageable (I also tend to not notice cussing a lot when I'm reading so I might not be the best judge on this) and the science stuff didn't weigh down the book like I expected. This coming from a total science idiot.
I especially loved Mark Watney, the main character. (Played by Matt Damon in the movie). He is smart, funny, and a total problem solver. (At our IRL book club this week we talked about how at times we were a little annoyed that he remained so optimistic and never seemed to panic in the face of problem after problem after problem BUT whatever, he's a fictional character. We can get over it.) I thought Watney was really the strength of the book- at times the technical stuff could get a little tough, and the other characters weren't especially likeable or intriguing, but good old Mark Watney made up for it all. There were times I laughed out loud at the things Mark was saying to himself.
At the end of the day, it's a great survivor story and a testament to the strength of the human will to survive. I am really glad that book club pushed me to read it because I know I never would have picked it up otherwise. If you have been hesitant to try it, I would really encourage you to at least commit to the first 100 pages- it really is a great read- you just have to have a bit of tenacity :) If you're 100 pages in and you totally hate it then you have my permission to quit, but I really do think that there are a lot of people who would really love this book but haven't given it a shot.
Did you read the book? See the movie? Your thoughts!!!
Next month's book is So You've Been Publicly Shamed and I am so excited! This is one book I've been looking forward to reading for a year. I already read the first chapter months ago and had to force myself to stop and wait until September.
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