This post got delayed a day for a post about K. But I’m here now and ready to link up with Steph and Jana. And some housekeeping details: Nothing is getting posted tomorrow so this post can truly shine for the next few days 😉 LOL
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
★★★★★/5; Sci-fi Thriller 
I am terrified of dinosaurs and I’ve never seen the JP movies. For some reason, even though I don’t like to watch certain things, I can read about them. I was nervous that this book would still give me nightmares, though. It didn’t. In fact, I loved this book. I can’t wait to pick up The Lost World. I loved the twisty science and the interesting characters and the whole concept of bringing dinosaurs back and the absolute chaos something that like creates. Lex annoyed the sh*t out of me and Alan was charming and Hammond was insane and Dr. Sattler was a bad ass. Ian Malcolm was great, too. Honestly, I just really loved the science-based thriller aspect of this book. I was never bored and reading it made me feel so smart. Hahaha.
Read it? Yes.
When I told people I was reading this book so many replied with, “Why? Just watch the movie.” I could’ve smacked them. Lol
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
★★★★/5; Children Fiction 
This story was sweet & sad & inspiring. (I wouldn’t consider it an animal story like Applegate’s Ivan because Crenshaw is an imaginary cat.) Crenshaw’s human is named Jackson and sometimes Jackson’s family- which consists of his mom, his dad, his dog Aretha, and his little sister Robin- has to move out of their apartment or sell their things or live in their car. Like Ivan, this is a great book for kids and adults. It gives a face and family to the proverbial “hard times” that many people fall on. And it also gives perspective, honesty, and a silver lining to those same struggles.
Read it? Yes.
The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick
★★★★/5; Historical Mystery, Romance 
It took me a minute to get into this book but once I did I was hooked. This historical murder semi-thiller was unique in that you were made aware of one killer’s identity, but left guessing and grasping at clues for the other killer’s true name. Some folks on GR thought this story had too much going on, but I think it’d have been boring without all the subplots. I like Irene and her cautious outlook. She grew on me as the story progressed, as did the friends she made along the way. This book isn’t a crazy thriller and there IS a small amount of steamy romance. Overall, it’s a fairly tame historical, romantic mystery. (**Not as tame as Amory Ames- for those of you that went off that suggestion for a clean historical mystery.**)
Read it? If my review sounds like something you’d like, yes.
Erin’s 10.0 Book Challenge
| 5 points | Freebie: The Lost World by Michael Crichton*
| 10 points | A book that was made into a movie: Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
| 10 points | Set in Europe: The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
| 15 points | A Newberry Award winner: The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
| 20 points | A friend or family member’s favorite: Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell
| 20 points | Published over 100 years ago: A Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde**
| 25 points | Six words in the title: The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick
| 30 points | A cardinal direction in the title: Winter at West Sands Guest House by Maggie Conway*
| 30 points | Published in a different language: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
| 35 points | Begins with the letter “N”: Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
I’m at 165 out of 200 points.
*Changed from Archenemies by Marissa Meyer
**Changed from The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
What did you read this month?
Life as Louise 
I Stoll haven’t read The One and Inky Ivan but now I want to read Crenshaw.
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They’re stand alone books so you can pick them up in either order 🙂 Both were good and impactful in their own ways!
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I’ve just seen the state of my comment. Aaaah! I’m surprised you even understood what I meant 😂😂 This is why I hate writing anything on my phone.
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Hahaha! No worries! I got it!
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The Girl Who Knew Too Much sounds RIGHT up my alley. YES, adding it to the list!
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I guess it’s the first in a series! It looks like they might be standalone novels, but I’ll be curious to see if there are cross over characters. I will definitely be picking up the second one!
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You know, I’ve never actually thought to READ Jurassic Park. What have I been thinking?! I really want to now.
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I have NO idea how it compares to the film… lol. I really, really loved the book, though! I’m on The Lost World now!
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Scott is obsessed with Michael Crichton’s books. I just can’t with them.
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There’s a lot of talking and round-about information in them… but so far the two dino ones have treated me well. Lol. I have another one (I think it’s about pirates) sitting on my shelf to read. He has a plane one out but I will NEVER read about tragedy/chaos on a plane. NOPE. lol
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I wanted to try Crenshaw and her other book. I like listening to MG books. Great job on the challenge! I have a couple more books myself.
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Crenshaw and Ivan can be read in any order- they’re standalone books. They’re super quick reads, too! I loved them both!
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I don’t think its weird that you can read but not watch things. I don’t watch scary movies but thrillers are my favorite books and I HATE zombies yet my current favorite series is a zombie series.
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I used to be able to read anything but I stay away from especially cruel and hateful movies AND books. I’m not a zombie fan, either. Lol. I love reading westerns and historical thrillers, but I can’t do the movie with killing.
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I just love Jurassic park but never thought about reading the book – I think that would be one for me to try.
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I can’t tell you how they compare… but I did love the book!
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I’ve always wanted to read Jurassic Park. I love the movies!! There are a lot of things I can read but not watch. I loved the book Birdbox but there’s no way I’ll ever watch the movie. Same for any thriller type books.
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Yeah, I agree. I read The Sisters Brothers and then they made a film. I knew that I could NOT watch it, even though I loved the book 🙂 When I finally read GoT I know I probably can’t watch the shows. Sigh. Oh well. Lol
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The girl who knew too much sounds interesting!! Im doing the challenge too (round two now).
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Good for you being on round 2!! I’ve never made it that far 🙂 The Girl Who… is part of a series I guess. Mostly standalone stories, but I think some places and people overlap.
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So many unique reads!
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They’re all definitely a little different from one another! Lol
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I liked Jurassic Park the book but did like the movie more (and did see the movie first). I love that Dr. Sattler is both a badass in the book and movie. I loved The Lost World (the book) and disliked the movie – it had lots of changes that I did not like. At all. I can sometimes be a purist when it comes to book to movie adaptations. 😀 The Girl Who Knew Too Much sounds good, adding it to my TBR.
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I wish Dr. Sattler had more air time in the book! I heard the female character in The Lost World is a total bombass babe, too. I’m only about 100 pages into that one yet. I love that there are books I can read in the series since I can’t handle the film! Lol
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Just watch the movie?! NOOOO! People are nuts! Hahaha.
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RIGHT?? I was like, “Do not say that to me!”
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I’ve always wanted to read Jurassic Park! It’s one of my all time favorite movies. So interesting that you are scared of them! I don’t blame you, they are really creepy in the movies.
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You should get the books! I borrowed the first one from the library and read it in a few days. (They’re both 400+ page books, I think.) I loved it so much I bought The Lost World. I plan to buy Jurassic Park because I want to own them both 🙂
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So funny, my brother read Jurassic Park recently! He really liked it. I don’t like dinosaurs, but I do like the movies. I just close my eyes during the really scary parts, and I can’t watch at night. ha! 😉
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I’m on The Lost World now. I just really love the story building in the books!
Man… I’ve always *wanted* to watch it but chickened out. Now my urge to watch it is even stronger. Maybe I can just hide behind a pillow for the crazy stuff. Lol!
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Yay for reading some great books! And sheesh – books are almost always better than the movie. Come on, people!! I have seen the first Jurassic Park, but I’ve never read the book. I’m glad you enjoyed it. And I hope you like The Picture of Dorian Gray if you get to that one for Erin’s challenge; I really love it!
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
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I’m excited to read Dorian Gray! I just really loved JP! I’m on The Lost World now and loving it just as much. It makes me wonder if I’ll ever get the nerve to watch the films. LOL!
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We have such uncannily similar taste in books!!
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I love that!! 😀
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I haven’t read Ivan because I am worried that it will be too sad for me! Glad you loved Jurassic Park. I was obsessed with the movie and my toy dinosaurs as a kid. KC had never seen it until last summer. 🙂 XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
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Ivan definitely has sad moments. I won’t deny that. That said, I think it’s a great lesson for kids and adults about respecting and appreciating animals in their natural habitats- not cages. I want to see JP! I’m just chicken. Haha!
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