Review: The English Experience

The English Experience by Julie Schumacher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The English Experience is the third book in the Jason Fitger series by Julie Schumacher.  You don't have to read the other books to start with this one.  You may want to go back and read them though if you haven't.  

The English Experience was practically written for me.  I studied abroad in London when I was in college.  This story felt very, very, very close to my own experience.  I was laughing the whole way through.  It was also extremely nostalgic.  This is definitely my favorite book in the series.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading what the students wrote about their different excursions.  Coming up with so many different writing styles must have been a real challenge.  The artwork of the twins though was incredible.  Thanks for including the illustrations!

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Review: Girl Logic: The Genius and the Absurdity

Girl Logic: The Genius and the Absurdity by Iliza Shlesinger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Girl Logic: The Genius and the Absurdity by Iliza Shlesinger is a great read when you need a laugh.  I don't know if straight men will find it nearly as funny although they may recognize mentioned behaviors.  As a fan of Iliza's comedy, I could hear her voice throughout.  And even though I am Gen X, I can still very much relate to the issues she raises.  I have appreciated that she uses her platform to  raise other women up.  She acknowledges that wasn't always the case in her early career, but it is certainly the case now.  If you are in need of a laugh, give this book or one of her comedy specials a try.  

Bonus points for Blanche.  She was very special.  

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Review: Chronicles of a Liquid Society

Chronicles of a Liquid Society by Umberto Eco
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: You Think It, I'll Say It

You Think It, I'll Say It by Curtis Sittenfeld
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: The Blanks

The Blanks by Grady Hendrix
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Buried Deep and Other Stories

Buried Deep and Other Stories by Naomi Novik
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Ankle Snatcher

Ankle Snatcher by Grady Hendrix
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: In Bloom

In Bloom by Paul Tremblay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: The Shakespeare Requirement

The Shakespeare Requirement by Julie Schumacher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Disrupted: My Misadventure in the Start-Up Bubble

Disrupted: My Misadventure in the Start-Up Bubble by Dan Lyons
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Lock Every Door

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager really hit the spot for me.  The Bartholomew is a gargoyle-clad, doorman building on the Upper West Side of New York City.  I could picture exactly where it would be based on the descriptions from the windows and the proximity to Central Park.  It is rumored to be haunted.  The tenants keep to themselves.  I probably would have answered the ad to apartment sit there too.  Pay me to live in a swanky building?  Yes, please!  So there are a few strict rules.  It is totally worth it, or maybe it isn't.  I loved piecing together the clues of what is really going on.  

Bonus points for having a character named Jeannette, spelled correctly.

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Review: That Night in the Library

That Night in the Library by Eva Jurczyk
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was intrigued by the title, That Night in the Library.  The book by Eva Jurczyk is about exactly that.  A group of students lock themselves in the basement of a library the night before graduation.  They are planning to carry out a ritual based on Greek mythology that will leave them without fear.  Seems like a good way to start off a new post-graduation life.  The library itself is also quite cool with its rare tomes and obligatory creepy basement.  They've thought it all through.  What could go wrong?  More than you could imagine.  It is probably better to just keep the fear.

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Review: Dark Places

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn was a very different take on the survivor story.  What if the sole survivor of a terrible tragedy isn't really a good person?  It made it challenging to get into the story at first, but there was enough mystery and good writing to keep me going.  The story alternates among timeframes and character perspectives to slowly reveal what happened the night of a family slaughter.   Even though I had a hunch, there were still some surprises at the end.


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