Books read in February 2014. in A suitcase of books.

I seriously doubt I'm going to finish The Accidental Tourist tonight, so I'm going to type up my February list this afternoon, while it's quiet at work. So there.

So, here's the spiel:

*I am stealing this from my friend Moo, amongst others. I always read a bunch of books throughout the year and then by the end of the year, I've forgotten what they were about. Let's see if month-by-month helps!

I rate based on pure enjoyment, and I typically read for enjoyment as well, not education or major literary prowess, so there.

Also, I am trying to keep track of how much I'm spending on books this year. So excuse my geeky math.*

1. *The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches *(Flavia de Luce #6) - Alan Bradley (3.5 stars). I typically love this series, but this wasn't my all-time favorite. It seemed to be setting Flavia up for more adventures in further books and so didn't feature its usual captivating mystery. It had a more serious bent. Flavia is still a plucky heroine, and I do enjoy her. [Read on the iPad mini via Nook app, bought via B&N with gift card; Cost: $0]

2. *The Lost Husband *- Katherine Center (3.5 stars). Another author I just got on kick with and started reading a lot of her books. Seems perfect for a rom-com script - you know exactly what will happen but you want it to anyway. A little cheesy but I read it in less than 2 days. The characters are very likeable - Libby's husband passes away before the story starts and she and her two young children are forced to live with her difficult mother. When Libby's aunt writes and offers Libby a place to stay (on a farm, no less!), she jumps at the chance, even though she doesn't know her aunt very well. Adventures ensue. [Read via book from the library; Cost: $0]

3. Husband and Wife - Leah Stewart (3.5 stars). This book was actually painful for me to read - Sarah finds out her husband, Nathan, has cheated on her (once) and this chronicles her reaction. She has a 7 month old and a 3 year old and some of her descriptions are just excruciating to read. The whole book is truly almost painful to read (so painful, I must reiterate - there is a scene where she runs away with the kids and her 7 month old has a blow out while she's nursing him at a fast food restaurant and she's covered with milk and poop - it's awful and any mother can identify!). I really didn't care for her character or agree with how she dealt with things (okay, her children). It was a very well written book though and strangely compelling! [Ready via Oyster app on iPad mini; Cost: $9.99 monthly Oyster subscription]

4. Feeling Sorry for Celia - Jaclyn Moriarty (4 stars). OK, so in January, I read a bunch of books by this woman's sister (seriously, how do families get all this talent in one place?), so I decided to try Jaclyn's books. This novel is in a different format (all letters, some of which are from imaginary societies or people) but features a very engaging heroine. Elizabeth is in high school, dealing with a flighty best friend who keeps disappearing. The story unfolds via a series of letters between Elizabeth and her mom; a pen pal from another school; Celia (the flighty best friend); imaginary societies, etc. Elizabeth is winsome - no other way to put it and the format grows on you rather quickly. I didn't want it to end, because I'd grown attached to the kid! [Read via book from the library; Cost: $0]

5. *After *- Amy Efaw (1.5 stars). That rating is probably generous, but I'm a softie. I wanted to like this YA novel, but it was just awful to read due to the subject manner (Devon has baby and then puts it in dumpster, but doesn't seem to remember it). She is caught and goes to juvenile detention, where most of the book takes place. Just when you start to feel more for the character and like her and her lawyer, the book ends abruptly with a cop-out ending, which makes you wonder why you wasted your time reading it in the first place. It was really frustrating, and I was just annoyed by the entire thing. [Read via Overdrive library app on iPad mini; Cost: $0]

6. The Mothers - Jennifer Gilmore (4 stars). This book was very well-written and almost hard to read (seems to be a theme this month). Jesse and her husband Ramon have spent years trying to get pregnant and are now turning to adoption. It presents an extremely accurate portrayal about infertility and I bet about the adoption process, too. The main character is almost unlikable, but also real -- like a friend you would find frustrating, but love anyway. I just enjoyed it. It was a good read. [Read via book from the library; Cost: $0]

7. Someday, Someday, Maybe - Lauren Graham (4 stars). Well, you have to take my review with a grain of salt, because I love anything Lauren Graham does. The end of the book told me she also has a MFA. What? Whatever, Lorelai Gilmore/Sarah Braverman. Frankly, I kept imagining those characters writing this as I read it, or seeing Franny, the main character, as one of those characters. The story was a tad predictable in places, but that's (let's be honest) the kind of story I like. Franny was very likable and it was a very fun and engaging tale. [Read via Overdrive library app on iPad mini; Cost: $0]

Overall Cost: $9.99, or $1.43/book. Woot Woot!