First SUYB of the year! Hooray! But this is a bittersweet day for me because today would have been Dobie’s 12th birthday. He was the best dog ever and my heart still hearts from losing him. I don’t know that I’ll ever not be sad but today is extra hard. So if I take a little bit longer than usual to visit all of your bookish posts, please bear with me.
Okay. So. Reading stuff. I finished 6 books since the last linkup (school vacations are murder on my reading time) and am trying harder than usual to catch up on all my NetGalley books since most of them are WAY past their pub date. I’ve also been trying to read more on my Kindle and books I have at home but the library is always so enticing. DAMMIT, LIBRARY. I CAN’T QUIT YOU.
As always, don’t forget to visit Steph and some of the other bloggers joining us. My reviews are copied from Litsy (despite my laundry list of 2018 goals, using that app to its fullest capacity is not one of them but if you want to follow me there, you can. My username is Jana. I know. I’m very creative) and if you want, we can even be friends on Goodreads so you can stalk my books all month long and find out what I’ve finished before our next one on February 13.
My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent This book waffles between mediocre and terrible. I strongly dislike his writing, the plot was a jumbled time hopping mess, all of the characters, even the ones you’re supposed to like, are awful, and it went nowhere half the time. Also the ending sucked and moved on VERY QUICKLY from a horrible event. However, the other half was a strong story about child abuse (graphic, disturbing, terrible child abuse so if you decide to read this book, BE WARNED that it will turn your stomach), Stockholm Syndrome and trauma, and, for lack of a better word, redemption. I don’t understand all the praise for this book because there are way better out there.
Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward If you’re looking for a weird, sad, gorgeously written story about death and addiction and family, this is a solid choice. The sci-fi elements and alternating POVs didn’t bother me (even though I am tired of books with them) because it told a complete story without feeling gimmicky. Some parts felt rushed or unnecessary or left me wanting more but this is one of those books where I’ll take what I can get. I loved how she dealt with racism without it feeling like a cause she was preaching about but rather the real, complex issue it is. Unlike the previous book I discussed, this one is worthy of all the praise including the National Book Award that it won
Marlena by Julie Buntin Sorry, Steph, but I loved this one. The writing was superb, the plot is sad and depressing, and I spent the whole book wanting to make the girls feel better. It’s about friendship and adolescence and addiction and poverty and lonliness and pain both during life and in the wake of death. There were some plot points that felt superfluous and I’m a little tired of the poor divorced single mom cliche portrayed in the book but mostly it was exactly what it needed to be. ARC from NetGalley I read way too late
Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin This one started out superstrong for me (the Jewish mother stuff was hysterical) and tapered off as it went on. Another one with alternating POVs but with this one, they told a linear story rather than differing points of view of the same one, so that was nice. It’s a mother/daughter/starting over story that felt both complete and incomplete at the same time. There were parts that left me wanting more and parts that left me wanting less and the advancing in time was way too rapid but overall, this is a good vacation-type read or a good palette cleanser if you read a lot of heavy books. Do not go into this expecting fine literature. ARC from NetGalley also read way too late.
Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens I love that when I read her books, I know exactly what I’m going to get. Like a TJR of thrillers. They’re reliable, interesting, fun, predictable but also kind of twisty with some family and relationship drama thrown in for good measure. AND DOGS! This one was no different and while it’s not my favorite of hers, it was still an enjoyable read. Good for a cold snowy day or vacation/beach read.
Radio Free Vermont: A Fable of Resistance by Bill McKibben As advertised, this is a fable about resistance and breaking free from big government and big corporations and standing up for what you believe in and the power of the people to change things. It’s weird, funny, and makes really good points within the absurd and it’s worth pointing out that this book really only works in our current political climate (the skewering of Rex Tillerson is funny). You definitely have to have a certain political leaning to enjoy this book (I do) and it’s short, so you can finish it in an afternoon.
Currently burning through The Life We Bury with We Were Eight Years in Power on deck.
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Dobie was a special dog and I am sorry that you are understandably hurting today. I don’t know if the pain ever goes away; I’m not sure if it should. But let’s talk books! I’d seen My Absolute Darling but didn’t think it would be for me. I’m not sure if I could handle the abuse scenes. Sometimes I can take graphic scenes okay but it’s always much harder when it involves kids. Sing, Unburied, Sing is already on my TBR. I hope you’re enjoying The Life We Bury. I loved it, especially Joe and Jeremy.
Tanya @ A Mindful Migration recently posted…December Bookshelf: The NetGalley Month
I’ve been looking forward to this link-up since I started blogging again! I really missed it last year.
Sing, Unburied, Sing sounds really interesting. I’m actually not sick of alternating POV (though I feel like a lot of people are), and I love weird, sad, gorgeously written books. I’ll have to check it out.
I haven’t been wowed by Chevy Stevens yet. I’ve read a couple of her books, and they were both so-so. I wouldn’t say I dislike her (and I’ll probably continue to read her books), but I don’t think I like her as much as other people seem to.
I hope Dobie’s birthday isn’t too hard on you this year. Losing a pet is devastating. It does get easier with time, but I still get sad sometimes when I think of my childhood dog. (She died when I was 20. I’m now 33. So, clearly, those feelings never completely leave you.)
Sorry about Dobie. Hang in there.
School vacations and snow days have been killing my reading too.
I know what you mean about Young Jane Young. Strong beginning, but something seemed to be missing from the end. I liked though that it showed the way the affair impacted all of the women involved, but never the men.
Jill K. recently posted…January 2018 Audiobooks
I really like Chevy Stevens too. I need to read that one!
Olya @ The Siberian American recently posted…Six Books I Read in December
Chevy Stevens is one of my favorite authors. Do something fun today to celebrate your doggie!
Laura recently posted…SUYB ~ January 2018
I felt the same about Jane. It started with a lot of promise and then I started caring less instead of caring more.
Extra hugs on this day.
I was requesting Netgalley books last night with abandon, and like, WHY? I just got a lot of books for Christmas and I have a shit ton on my kindle and I’m waiting on two from the library.
SMD recently posted…Show Us Your Books: January 2018
Sing, Unburied, Sing is next up for me – I’ve only seen good reviews so I’m looking forward to it. I haven’t read any of Chevy Stevens’ yet but some of her books are on my TBR. I need to do a better job at actually getting those TBR books and reading them.
First, I’m so sorry for the loss of your dog. Second, I am the opposite! I have more time to read when the kids are on school break because our evenings are more relaxed (no homework, no driving around to a bunch of activities). I read and enjoyed “Still Missing” by Chevy Stevens back in 2012 (thanks Amazon) but haven’t picked up any others by her. Thanks for the reminder about a go-to author!
Gina || On the Daily Express
Sing, Unburied, Sing sounds right up my alley. As does Marlena, and since your book choice have never let me down, adding them both to the list. Sending you good thoughts on this super hard day.
wow, you had a great month! so sorry for your loss and the difficult reminder.
Happiest birthday to Dobie. Lack of physical presence is offset a bit knowing their spirits are with us. I talk to Yog all the time and he always loved a fresh pour, so when I fill their water bowl I tell him to come and get it❣️
Love, Steph’s Momma
I’ve heard of none of these =D Looking forward to hearing what you think about 8 Years in Power!
So sorry about Dobie. Pets are such special family members.
Never Knowing is on my to read list. I’ve read a bunch of Chevy Stevens books and agree you know what you’re going to get when you read her stuff. Young Jane Young has been on my to read list as well.
Nancy @ NY Foodie Family recently posted…December 2017 Reads
oh, hugs for today and just in general for dobie.
are there people who read netgalley books before the published date? i want to be one of those people. i am very much NOT one of those people. oops.
Sing, Unburied, Sing sounds really interesting.
also, did you know there is a second dumplin coming out? called puddin i think. i saw it on goodreads and i am obsessively checking netgalley each day.
can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the life we bury!
i have a bunch of Chevy Stevens books on my list, good to know about her being the TJR of thrillers lol that makes me want to read them more. young jane young is still on my netgalley too… one day.
Aww, thinking of you today. Happy birthday Dobie.
School/work vacation is murder on my reading time too. And at least if there’s something in life that you can’t quit, it could be worse than the library!!!
Interesting to hear your thoughts on some of these books – I know exactly what you’re saying about Young Jane Young and that is mostly how I felt too. I also desperately felt like re-reading Fikry after it because I preferred it so much. Sing Unburied Sing is on my someday list.
Never Knowing and Sing, Unburied Sing both sound like great books! I read my first TJR book last year and loved it so I like the idea of a book that’s similar in style!
Ashley The Wandering Weekenders recently posted…Show Us Your Books- What I Read In December
Sorry to here about your pup 🙁 That can’t be easy.
It’s disappointing to hear that you didn’t like My Absolute Darling. I’ve been waiting for it forever from the library – I’m getting close! But I did have a fear I wouldn’t like it either, which is why I didn’t buy it in the first place. We’ll see… I’m also getting close on the waitlist for Sing Unburied Sing. Glad to hear you liked that one better.
Totally agree with you about YJY – started out strong and then sort of just…was. I didn’t dislike it, and it does make a good palate cleanser!
Megan recently posted…Show Us Your Books – January 2018
I’m so sorry about your dog ; I can understand how today would be especially difficult and sad.
Great job on getting at least 6 books in! That’s awesome, I think.
-lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Show Us Your Books: Graphic Novel Edition
I’m sorry about Dobie and can imagine how difficult today is for you.
I had similar feelings on Young Jane Young, I thought it started out strong and I was really into it, but as it went on I didn’t like it nearly as much.
Carly recently posted…My Year in Reading | 2017
There is no love quite like what we receive from a dog. I understand this being a hard day.
I’m sorry about your doggie! Sending you positive vibes!
I’m adding Sing Unburied, Sing to my list, thanks for the rec!
thanks for hosting.
I am going to add Sing, Unburied, Sing and Never Knowing to my list. I haven’t anything by Chevy Stevens, but I like what you said about knowing what you are going to get like TJR. I share my love of TJR with you for sure!!!
I am sending you ALLLLLL the hugs today.
Nadine recently posted…Books
I feel like you had a lot of “this were good, but…” books this month.
It breaks my heart when our fur babes pass. Happy Birthday to Dobie. He was one of those luck dogs that found a wonderful human and family to call his own while he was on Earth for a short while. I think he definitely had a hand in leading you to little Lizzie 😉
Audrey recently posted…What I Read…
Chevy Stevens… the TJR of thrillers. That comment alone definitely has me intrigued. I think I may have to check out this author sometime soon.
I’ve never even heard of that Chevy Stevens books – adding it to my list now!
Sending you hugs today. Those first year things are so hard. I hope you do a little celebration of his life today,
Rebecca Jo recently posted…Show Us Your Books
Hugs to you! My Absolute Darling was the November book for my book club. I even bought it, but didn’t end up reading it and I think everyone hated it anyway. I keep waffling over Sing Unburied Sing, but I’ve heard good things. Meanwhile, I have piles of books waiting to be read.
I like how I only talk about three books and we still have one in common!
Was Young Jane Young accurate or a little cartoonish to you in the portrayal of the Jewish mother? By the end I was like “I get it, you’re Jewish” like it was being played for laughs like the comedian on Seinfeld. But also, I’m not Jewish, so what do I know? I liked the young daughter’s POV the best and kept wanting it to go back to her! Glad it wasn’t just me being hard on that book after AJ Fikry.
I always love authors that you know that you can rely on. Will they be perfect? Nah. But being old reliable isn’t a bad thing! Plus dogs always make books better 🙂
Alison – Puppies & Pretties recently posted…Reading Lately: December 2017 Edition
I love Chevy Steven’s books. So I’ll definitely have to add that to my TBR! so glad to be back to linking up with you guys! I took a little blogging hiatus and have really missed sharing the books I’ve read! Glad the link up is going strong though! 🙂
Kathleen recently posted…Your Next Favorite Book: Top 7 Reads of 2017
I thought Young Jane Young was a fun read, but also made me think. And Sing, Unburied Sing is high on my list!
Anne recently posted…reading lately: working girl
Radio Free Vermont is going on my list! I need stuff I can read quickly. January is already too overscheduled here.
Catherine recently posted…Boston Marathon Training – Week 4
So so sorry about your pup. Sending you thoughts and hugs! Never Knowing sounds like a book I’d enjoy – I’ve never read anything from that author!
I was pretty disappointed by Young Jane Young, especially after The Storied Life was SO GOOD! I just didn’t understand the need for so many different perspectives- some of the characters didn’t even contribute to the storyline. It was strange.
I’m so sorry about your sweet pup! So interesting about My Absolute Darling–I found it disturbing but ultimately worth the read, and I liked Turtle (she was pretty much the only character I liked, but I liked her enough to make up for the others). I did enjoy Young Jane Young as well–I agree about it being the perfect thing to read between heavy books. Marlena sounds like one I need to pick up.
I’m so sorry about your dog… 🙁 Back in October we put down our family dog who was 15. It is still so hard… missing him so much!! Sending you a lot of hugs!!!
I don’t have kids yet but I just hope that I can still read as much when they’re around!
I’m so so sorry about your dog. It is so hard to lose pets. They are so special in our lives. 🙁 I’ve been horribly sick… finally back at work post-xmas. catching up on all of the blog reading. Glad you had a decent reading month. I seriously love when people have different opinions on the books. XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
Alexandra recently posted…December Reads // Thank God for Vacation!
So sorry about your pupper. They are so special, aren’t they?
Radio Free Vermont sounds pretty interesting. I love this linkup because I get to add so many new titles to my to-read list!