Between Shades of Gray {Book Review}

I’m back with another book review for a book from TBB’s Virtual Book Club.

instagrambookclub

Book review for March’s Book Club

For March there were 4 choices and I chose this one.

When I first saw this title, I instantly thought it was related to THAT Shades of Gray book and I immediately dismissed it. But then I read the GoodReads description for each book and looked in Overdrive to see what was available. Partly because I don’t like psychological thrillers and partly because it was immediately available from the library, this is what I ended up reading. (I listened to it on audio which still counts as reading, right?)

I gave the book a 3.5 rating on GoodReads. Although the book was good, it reminded me a lot of The Endless Steppe. Very similar stories. I liked this one but I liked the writing of the other book better. This is such a hard topic and definitely not one I can read frequently. I certainly can’t say I enjoyed the book, but I did appreciate the story and the characters’ daily struggle. As you can imagine, there was much to be sad about, but I was amazed at how the mother remained positive in the face of hardship and extended grace and love in the worst of circumstances.

You can join us for April! Here’s the form you need to fill out. You don’t have to be a blogger to join the virtual book club. You just need to be a reader. Once you join you will be added to our Slack account where you can participate in the conversations.

The April choices are already out. I have placed a hold on two titles but I’m pretty far down the list so I doubt they’ll come in in time for me to participate in the conversations.

The Widower’s Wife is described as “tense and enthralling page-turner” so that one is out.

In The Silent Girls the protagonist faces “the darkest abominations of the human soul” so that one is out too.  This is probably thriller bordering on horror. I just don’t do that kind of genre.

So my choices are between Small Great Things and The Nightingale and truthfully both sound good to me. I’m #7 out of 4 copies for the Nightingale and #23 on 7 copies for Small Great Things. I’ve heard of Jodi Picoult but I’ve never read any of her works.

A Man Called Ove finally came in from the library! It was in February’s reads but it got such good reviews from those girls that I’m going to read it even if I can’t discuss it with the group.

Other books I’ve been reading lately:

Out to Canaan by Jan Karon – I’m continuing on my binge read though the Mitford series. This is book #4.  I just started #5, A New Song.

For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn – My husband and I attended a marriage retreat and the leaders recommended these books. I read this one and Michael read For Men Only and then we discussed them. Highly recommend!

The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood – I heard about this one several times on What Should I Read Next and I found it on audio. 4 stars.

Connecting With Your Husband by Gary Smalley – We really like some of his other books so when I came across this little book at the library I grabbed it. Short, quick read but good advice! 4 stars.

What have you been reading lately? Any good books I need to add to my TBR list?

 

About Sheila @ Making the Most of Every Day

I'm a wife, mom, and a homeschool teacher. I'm always behind on housework and paper pile sorting. I'm fond of this crazy life but not of melted cheese. I want to follow hard after God, making each day really count. I like to run, read, cook (and eat!). Thanks for joining along on my journey!

15 thoughts on “Between Shades of Gray {Book Review}”

  1. I’ve got my eye on Small Great Things too! Waiting for the library same as you! I’ve read a few of hers, and have liked them…quick and intense relational reads 🙂

    I started Ove, but I couldn’t get into it. A few people have told me to try again….we shall see!

  2. I finished One in a Million Boy Yesterday and was blown away. I thought the audio production was just stellar. I was shocked by all of the layers of emotion and growth in this story. Much more complex than I expected. About The Nightingale, I’m one of the few who did NOT like it. Knowing our trend, that means you’ll probably love it! LOL!

  5. I am with you on the two picks for next month- tho. Small great things is only for 2 weeks, so I hope it’s a fast read- Nightingale…I may have to borrow a copy from a friend, since the holds list is just silly! Your book picks read look really interesting- I like the marriage-work ones, and the Smalley book too-

    1. I’m not a very fast reader. I like to savor the words and turns of phrases. Some books are better than others when it comes to that but I still take my time. I’ve read a few marriage books in my time. Those were good ones! Thanks for stopping by!

  6. Glad to see your suggested relationship books. Love things like that. I hope you will read A Man Called Ove and then watch the movie. So good. Are you going to read Salt to the Sea by Sepetys? I started it last night. I think you will like The Nightingale a lot. And it will be coming out as a movie this year. So many good books to read.

    1. I’ve started Ove; didn’t know there was a movie. Never saw Lion. Will have to watch it on DVD. I don’t think I’ll have time for Salt with the April books. Still waiting for one to come in the library. I’m also reading a book for a class at my church and listening to another Mitford book. Is Salt also related to WW2? Unlike you, I cannot read a lot of those types of books back to back. They make me too sad.

      1. I get started on WWII books and don’t know when to quit (for awhile) for my own good. I need to find something funny to mix in now and then.

  7. Haha I also initially thought it was related to the 50 shades of gray book! But after reading your review, it definitely sounds like an interesting read. I haven’t read The Endless Steppe so maybe it’ll be different for me – although it sounds like one of those books that’s still just an emotionally hard read.

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