What I'm Reading Wednesday

Defending Jacob by William Landry
Goodreads.com Summary: Andy Barber has been an assistant district attorney in his suburban Massachusetts county for more than twenty years. He is respected in his community, tenacious in the courtroom, and happy at home with his wife, Laurie, and son, Jacob. But when a shocking crime shatters their New England town, Andy is blindsided by what happens next: His fourteen-year-old son is charged with the murder of a fellow student.

Every parental instinct Andy has rallies to protect his boy. Jacob insists that he is innocent, and Andy believes him. Andy must. He’s his father. But as damning facts and shocking revelations surface, as a marriage threatens to crumble and the trial intensifies, as the crisis reveals how little a father knows about his son, Andy will face a trial of his own—between loyalty and justice, between truth and allegation, between a past he’s tried to bury and a future he cannot conceive.

My thoughts:  I LOVED this book.  I don't normally pick up crime or courtroom novels, but this was a "popular download" on my libary's ebook page, so I decided to check it out.  SO GOOD!  I devoured this book, totally captivated by the story and the witty narrator.  The ending was a shocker too--totally a page turner!
4/5 stars

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Goodreads.com Summary:
"Bono met his wife in high school," Park says.
"So did Jerry Lee Lewis," Eleanor answers.
"I’m not kidding," he says.
"You should be," she says, "we’re sixteen."
"What about Romeo and Juliet?"
"Shallow, confused, then dead."
''I love you," Park says.
"Wherefore art thou," Eleanor answers.
"I’m not kidding," he says.
"You should be."

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

My thoughts: This book was the sweetest.  I loved Eleanor and Park, even if Elenor was a little brash and tough to like in the beginning.  Their relationship was real and sweet and captivating.  I also loved how it was set in the 80s--so many random time period references that made the book fun.  Eleanor's home life is totally rotten, and I just felt for her the whole book.  A great read, especially if you're a fan of John Green (Looking for Alaska, The Fault in Our Stars, etc.) and other high school misfit novels.
4/5 stars

Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Goodreads.com Summary: In a world where people born with an extreme skill—called a Grace—are feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of the skill even shedespises: the Grace of killing. She lives under the command of her uncle Randa, King of the Middluns, and is expected to execute his dirty work, punishing and torturing anyone who displeases him.

When she first meets Prince Po, who is Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change.  She never expects to become Po's friend.  She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace—or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away...a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

My thoughts:  Initially I thought this book sounded way too fantasy for me, but a friend swore it was awesome, so I gave it a shot.  I'm not gonna lie, I wouldn't have made it through the first chapters if I hadn't had my friend's recommendation--I was so confused by the world building at first.  Seriously, I couldn't keep the seven kingdoms and their rulers straight!  It got way less confusing, thank goodness, and I got completely sucked in.  I loved the characters--Katsa and Po are both badasses and totally worthy of each other.  I was definitely cheering on their relationship, and the plot took unexpected, exciting turns throughout.  Even if you're not a fantasy lover, give this one a shot!
4/5 stars

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling
Goodreads.com Summary: Mindy Kaling has lived many lives: the obedient child of immigrant professionals, a timid chubster afraid of her own bike, a Ben Affleck–impersonating Off-Broadway performer and playwright, and, finally, a comedy writer and actress prone to starting fights with her friends and coworkers with the sentence “Can I just say one last thing about this, and then I swear I’ll shut up about it?” 
 
Perhaps you want to know what Mindy thinks makes a great best friend (someone who will fill your prescription in the middle of the night), or what makes a great guy (one who is aware of all elderly people in any room at any time and acts accordingly), or what is the perfect amount of fame (so famous you can never get convicted of murder in a court of law), or how to maintain a trim figure (you will not find that information in these pages). If so, you’ve come to the right book, mostly!

My thoughts: As an Office fan and a Kelly fan, I knew I had to read this book.  It. was. hilarious.  I was laughing out loud through the whole book!  Kaling just has this incredibly real, tell it like it is style with just the perfect amount of self-deprecation.  (Too much self-deprecation and I am totally turned off.)  She is incredibly frank about her childhood and the challenging start to her career, including all of the dumb things she said and did along the way.  I also loved how there are little pictures interspersed throughout.  Definitely a perfect summer read or for anytime you need a laugh!
4/5 stars

 What have you been reading lately?