It's All Relative: Adventures Up and Down the World’s Family Tree by A.J. Jacobs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

AJ Jacobs is always good for an entertaining read, and this latest book is no exception. If you've listened to AJ's podcast Twice Removed you'll already have an idea of what you will get in this book. (And if you haven't listened be sure to check it out. It was a short lived podcast, but kind of fun.) AJ is on a quest to show that everyone is all part of one big family.

There is a light narrative through the book in which AJ is organizing a (hopefully) record breaking family reunion. It seems like a disaster at every turn, but it's interesting to see his big plans unfold. Most of the rest of the book are a variety of genealogical stories. Who are AJ's ancestors? How does one go about researching a family tree? How exactly are we all related?

There are lots of laugh out loud moments in this book. AJ isn't afraid to share his embarrassing moments, struggles, and feuds (great and small). Lots of research has gone into this book, and it's appreciated by this reader. There are several current hot-button social issues hit upon in this book. I'm open to hearing those discussions (in moderation) but it wasn't what I was looking for in a light read about genealogy.

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Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was hysterical! Do yourself a favor and get a copy of the audio book of Furiously Happy.

The subtitle tells readers exactly what this book is - a funny book about horrible things. In this memoir Jenny Lawson holds nothing back about her daily struggles with a myriad of mental health problems. I laughed out loud and would enjoy reading anything else Jenny writes.

There are some scenes in this book that are heartbreaking to read through. Some readers may be sensitive to this story but most will find something to love about it.

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Dear Fahrenheit 451: A Librarian's Love Letters and Break-Up Notes to the Books in Her Life by Annie Spence
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Annie Spence is my new favorite librarian. She’s funny, helpful, and can hold my attention with stories about working in the library. This is the perfect book for bookworms.

For half of the book Annie provides letters written to books. They are witty and gratifying to read. Each letter is fairly brief so readers don’t have to get stuck on books they’ve never heard of or don’t want to read about. There are a lot of recommendations packed into her endearing letters. The second half of the book is more bookish goodies for readers. Recommendations for getting your spouse to read, excuses to give friends and family when you just want to stay home and read, and a variety of other type of recommendations fill the rest of the book. True crime? Got it. Romance? Yep. Biographies? It’s all in here. Must read for readers.

Thank you to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book.

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One Last Thing Before I Go by Jonathan Tropper
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Leading man, Silver, is kind of a loser. He's lost his wife, his daughter doesn't talk to him, he was a one hit wonder once upon a time, and has very little to look forward to in his life. His daughter comes back into his life to let him know she's pregnant (and also on her way to start college). Then when Silver learns that he needs a life saving to fix his faulty heart he decides to skip the operation.

What happens during this terminal part of Silver's life fills the pages of this book. There is a lot of humor, and a cast of characters that are a lot of fun to read about in a dysfunctional sort of way. This book is also crude. It's mean for mature readers (but not if you're easily offended).

I had hoped for a little more from this book (though I don't know why my expectations were so high). The humor was great, the story's concept was fine, but these aren't characters or a story that I will remember much of a few months from now. Also, if you want a nice, happily ever after ending, steer clear of this book.

What is your favorite humor writer? Comment below!

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Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a short, sweet book about a grown woman returning home and reconnecting with her dad. Ruth is 30, still recuperating from her fiance dumping her, and her dad, Howard, is beginning to lose his memory. During Christmas her mother asks her to stay, just for the year. Ruth leaves her job and moves back to her family home to spend the year with her father and mother.

This story is told in snippets. I've read some other books that take this approach (Dept. of Speculation, for example) and they're typically pretentious. You won't find that here. Rachel Khong's story is very honest but still filled with humor and wit. There is some sadness, but this felt more like a celebration of Ruth and her father rather than a mourning of the man that once was.

I was not overly wowed by this book. It was pleasurable, and I'd look for other novels by Khong. It just didn't knock my socks off. Recommended for anyone who has a loved one experiencing dementia. This may be a reminder that even though it's scary and sad watching your loved one lose their memory and identity, there is still humor and love to be found.

Could you move back home for a year to care for an ailing parent? Comment below!

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The Best of Adam Sharp by Graeme Simsion
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Graeme Simsion wrote The Rosie Project and The Rosie Effect. I loved both of these book and was looking for more of the same. Unfortunately this book was a miss for me. Three stars is a bit much, but there were some parts that I liked and I do enjoy Simsion's writing, so I'm rounding up.

In this new book Adam meets Angelina while he's traveling the for work. He winds up spending a lustful six weeks with her and manages to fall madly in love. As he must continue his work abroad they separate and twenty years pass. Adam has spent a long time in a loving partnership with Claire when suddenly Angelina contacts Adam. The past comes rushing back to him and the books is about what happens.

Adam and Angelina's relationship seems to be nothing more than passion, alcohol, and hormones. I didn't really enjoy either of these two characters nor did I see the deep love they had for each other. True, they are flawed and fairly believable characters. However, I had trouble caring about their story. The second half of this book is disturbing at best. It was tough to read and enjoy.

One element of this story that stood out was the great music throughout the story. There's even a complete playlist on Spotify that readers can enjoy while they're following this story. The music choices were pretty great and has a little something for everyone.

I hope to find another installment of Rosie's story soon, but I won't be revisiting Adam and Angelina's tale again.

What's the best love story you've read recently? Comment below!

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My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chick lit is not always my first choice, but I always (nearly always) get such enjoyment out of Sophie Kinsella's books. This was a really fun book to read.

Each of her characters are goofy, big-hearted, and easy to root for. In this book Katie Brenner has left the country and moved to London. She's got a glamorous life and works in branding. Well - she wants a glamorous life anyway. What she's got is a really long commute, a tiny apartment, and a tight budget. Still, she has a positive attitude as things at work begin to go a little off course.

Kinsella's writing had me laughing out loud. Katie finds herself in more than one Lucy and Ethel type of moment. This is a great book if you're looking for something light and fun. A perfect book to take to the beach this summer!

What's your favorite Sophie Kinsella book? Comment below!

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The Impossible Fortress by Jason Rekulak
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for providing this copy to me. The following is my honest review.

Good book for gamers, young adult fans, readers nostalgic for the 80s, or readers looking for an easy read that's hard to put down. There are quite a few laughs along the way.

I could be critical of a few things in the book, but the story sucked me in and let me forget any minor complaint that may have come up. There were a couple of twists that I wasn't expecting. The characters are memorable, and I would like to read about them in a sequel.

I wanted to pass this book on to my young teenager, since the main characters are close to his age (and I'm fairly sure he'd love it). I hesitate because of some of the language, discussions of sex, and certain actions of the characters. It's not awful for the right young reader, but parents should be aware of what's in here before giving it to an impressionable kid.

What did you think? Would you let your teen read this book? Add your comments below!

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