50 books for 2011 part 4

Parts 1 and 2 and 3 here and here and here.

I'm such a slacker. I'm never going to get through 50 books if I don't seriously get on this. AND TV starts again next month and I'm literally counting down the moments until my shows and I are reunited. Which will further impede my ability to read. Except for I'll make it work. Here's what I read this month:

Finished:

16. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.

Verdict: Was this written by a 3-year-old? I feel like it was. Does that tell you how I feel about it? No? Ok, well I'm confused as to why it has 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon? And I'm also confused as to why these people are saying it's such an amazing book. Because I disagree. I gave it one hundred chances, but I had to finish it because I'm not a quitter. It's some sort of fantasy thriller (and omg amazon is selling a "collectible" for $60. i will give you this crumpled up piece of trash I just found between my couch cushions for free, and that's a better deal.) and maybe that's the problem. maybe i don't like books like that. but maybe Mr. Ransom Riggs shouldn't procrastinate till the night before his deadline and write it all in one night. And he tries so hard to be funny. And it is just pathetic. He really did a good job in the first 5% because that free preview really reeled me in.  I feel gypped. This is #2 the worst book I've read this entire year. But at least it was free.

17. The Girl in the Fall-Away Dress by Michelle Richmond.
Verdict: In. Love. I love Michelle Richmond. And I love short stories. Match made in heaven. (Fave short stories ever: No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July. So, so, so wonderful. Read it.)

Currently reading:
18. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathon Safran Foer.
Verdict: I have no idea where I found this book, but it was on my kindle and it was right after Miss Peregrine's and I needed to get that junk out of my brain so I clicked the next book and this was it. Now that I see the cover I recognize it from somewhere. But I don't know where. Anyway. I love stories like this. I don't know what "this" is but I cry and laugh and highlight and Evan has to forcefully remove the book from my hands. So good.