Oh, December. I thought I would get more books read in December, since I had an entire week off from work between Christmas and New Year's, but I did not. I struggled through several books, trying to finish up my 2016 Reading Challenge, which I was four books short of finishing. Boo. Anyways, here's what I got around to finishing up the year with, including some thoughts.

The Crow by James O'Barr: This was the first graphic novel I've read in a very long time and was sent to me by a wonderful friend to fulfill a prompt from the reading challenge I was completing. I wasn't totally sure what to expect from a graphic novel, but this exceeded my expectations. The novel was written and illustrated by O'Barr and it was really a terrific experience (because read doesn't cover how it was to actually read the book). The story is absolutely heartbreaking, while also being a little gorey. The 1994 film was based off from this graphic novel, and while I haven't yet watched it, I definitely intend to. If you're looking to read a graphic novel, I highly recommend this one.
Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling: see review here.
Wicked by Gregory Maguire: This book was not what I expected under any circumstance. For some reason, I expected to be more for children, but I would definitely say Wicked is a novel intended for adults. There is sexual references, gore, and a definite reference to political justice. I've never actually read the Wizard of Oz, but I've seen the movie. This novel makes me want to go back and read the original. I was so very impressed by this book and I look forward to reading the sequel.
Seriously Funny edited by Barbara Hamby and David Kirby: Boo, poetry. I also read this book for the reading challenge, and if it wasn't for the challenge, I would not have finished it. It's been on my bookshelf since college, when a professor gave it to me, but I never got around to really picking it up. I did not enjoy it. I've determined I don't enjoy poetry. Poetics just ruin it for me, because I need a story. And maybe there was so story there, but truly poetry makes me feel dumb, because I understood maybe 10 of the poems out of around 200 that were in the book. I probably won't read any more books of poetry any time soon.
Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier: I didn't hate this book, but I definitely didn't love it. Although it was written in 1997, it felt old, like something I would have been required to read in high school lit class. The story is mostly told from the different sides of Ada and Inman, who are trying to make their lives work during the Civil War. I think maybe the period made it a little difficult for me, but it was probably more so the way the story was told. I did enjoy the story, but it just took me an entire week to get through the book because I struggled to get into it.



What did you get around to reading in December?