Remember how last month I said that my reading was at a glacial pace? Well, it still is. Having cheer competitions every weekend interferes with reading and during the week, I don’t know what’s wrong with me. That’s a lie. I do know. It’s called Netflix. I keep finding shows I binge watch instead of read books. I’m totally fine with it and although I know my Goodreads goal is arbitrary bullshit, I find myself getting sad and frustrated that I’m behind (technically I’m “on track” but really, I’m behind).
I genuinely don’t know why I put so much pressure on myself to read more because it accomplishes nothing. I guess when you get used to one thing and it dwindles, it feels unnatural.
That said, I finished 6 books this month. Not great but it could be worse.
The Breakdown by B.A. Paris. I get why people are in love with this book. I do. But for me it was meh. I think because I figured out the twist early on, it wasn’t a surprise when she revealed it. Getting there was frustrating and I mostly kept reading to see if I was right. She does write well and the plot is twisty although there were a couple of plot points that felt unnecessary and out of place. Not a bad book but not my favorite. Solid mass market thriller.
You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero. I picked up this book mainly out of curiosity from all the rave reviews. I completely understand why so many have bought into it (no pun intended). She’s empowering and funny and relatable and makes this seem like something accessible that everyone and anyone can do. But manifesting and NLP don’t do it for me as an exclusive method for achieving goals and, as such, a lot of the content was hard for me to buy into. The end of chapter exercises seem helpful to get you focused and organized.
13 Minutes by Sarah Pinborough. A solid crime story that didn’t read like the description. I’m not disappointed into the disparity because had it actually been that, the book would have sucked. I don’t even know what made me read this in the first place. It was full of twists and turns, some predictable and some not, and was told through narrative, interviews, and diary entries so that was fun to read. It’s a YA book and had all the hallmarks of that but nothing to the point of distraction. It took time to find its groove but worth getting there in the end.
Force of Nature by Jane Harper. While I like Aaron Falk as a character, and can’t wait to read more books about him (if there are more), this book was underwhelming especially as a follow up to The Dry. It felt like she tried to cram too much into this story, some of which needed to be removed or lessened in detail, and it felt disjointed at times. It became stronger towards the end, like the plot and storytelling finally found its rhythm. Like The Breakdown, it’s a solid mass market mystery.
Educated by Tara Westover. I have no idea what to say about this book. I’m struggling with reviewing it, honestly. I’m fascinated, disgusted, horrified, incredulous, skeptical, enraged…all the feels. She is an incredibly intelligent woman who grew up under awful circumstances that were not entirely awful at times. Part of the story feels like it’s missing but since it’s written as a memoir, that’s to be expected since memory isn’t perfect. At it’s core, this is a story about family, survival, faith, mental illness, control, and education beyond books. It’s about what you can accomplish despite your circumstances AND because of them. This book has been compared to The Glass Castle, which is fair, but it’s also entirely its own things.
House Arrest by K.A. Holt. A middle grade book that punches you in your adult gut. I’m not generally a fan of free verse poetry but it works here. This is a quick, powerful, thoughtful book that sends a hell of a message about morality and right v wrong. The ending is hard and sad and couldn’t have been any other way. It’s definitely a MG book despite being labeled YA and it is written as such. So if that bothers you, pass on it. But my daughter is reading it now and she is enjoying it if that helps.
Currently reading: Providence by Caroline Kepnes. On deck: Crimes in Southern in Indiana and some NetGalley book I’ll choose at random.
TL;DR: All the books are just fine. Educated is probably the best one I read all month and House Arrest is a close second.
Now it’s your turn! Link up and show us your books! Don’t forget to visit my cohost Steph and some of the other awesome book nerds joining us.
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[…] next month. Such torture! As always, I’m joining the Show Us Your Books Link-Up hosted by Jana and Steph. Be sure to check it out and see what everyone is reading. After all, you don’t […]
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[…] And that was all for February. As mentioned above, I started Anna Karenina but I’m stillll not finished. We’ll see if I get to include it in my March review. Sorry this post is so long – I tried to keep my individual descriptions/reviews brief but I didn’t succeed as I would have liked! I’m linking up with Jana and Steph, of course. If you still need more book talk, check out the link up. […]
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[…] Show Us Your Books by Jana Says & Life According to Steph. Similar to Quick Lit, these posts are often a summary of recent reads. Link up on the second Tuesday of each month. […]
I DNFed The Breakdown. For whatever reason, the main character was like nails on a chalkboard to me and really can’t explain why. I still haven’t read The Dry yet but it’s on my TBR. Bummed, though, that the follow-up didn’t quite live up to the previous book. I picked up Educated from netgalley last month. Hopefully, I’ll enjoy it when I get to it too. And I also go through spells where I don’t read much and feel weird about not reading, even though I don’t feel like reading. 😀
Tanya @ A Mindful Migration recently posted…February Bookshelf: The All Right Month
House Arrest is already on my to-read list!
Confuzzled Bev recently posted…What I read in February 2018
I had a hard time with 13 Minutes for awhile, mainly because I disliked most of the characters but I loved the ending. I had hoped that it would turn out that way and was happy it did.
13 Minutes sounds like my kind of story!
Olya @ The Siberian American recently posted…Four Books I Read in February
Good to know about Force of Nature because I read the Dry not that long ago and had been planning on reading Force of Nature…. Happy Reading!
I’ve been hearing/seeing about Educated all over the place – definitely going to have to put that on my list. And I enjoyed Force of Nature, perhaps because I just wanted to curl up with a mystery that day – not nearly as good as The Dry though. I think the back and forth in The Dry between present-day and between Falk’s past was much more effective in creating a great character-driven mystery than the back and forth with the women in the woods in this newer one.
But what I REALLY enjoyed… the Netflix reboot of Queer Eye 🙂 Binge watched!
I have a love/hate relationship with my Goodreads goal. It pushes me to read more but sometimes I avoid longer books I know I’ll love because they take more time to read, which is just ridiculous!
Totally agree with your thoughts on The Breakdown although I think I did enjoy it more because I didn’t quite figure out that twist, haha. I liked Force of Nature but like you it wasn’t as good as The Dry for me. The ending was definitely the best part. I’m reading Educated right now and wow it is intense. I’ve never read The Glass Castle but it’s on my list so I might pick that up later this year.
I also know what you mean about it feeling unnatural if you’re reading less…it’s such a big part of my identity now that I sometimes don’t know what to do with myself if I don’t have a good book on the go. I am really feeling a desire to broaden my horizons a bit this year though and maybe watch TV again or get out there and do something else sometimes. You should (and maybe already have!) share some more Netflix recommendations 😉
Heather recently posted…Show us your Books March 2018
I guessed the twist in The Breakdown early on but I liked the way the author got to the end so I really enjoyed it.
Behind Her Eyes was good but I don’t know if I’d seek out another Sarah Pinborough? I didn’t know she had another one.
13 Minutes sounds good and I liked your description of Educated and memoir / memories…truth, so adding those two.
I’m intrigued by Educated, just enough to put a hold on it at the library…
I like the way you review books!
The Dry is on my TBR, but doesn’t sound like I want to add Force of Nature! I also enjoyed You are a Badass at Making Money. Some how I’m not any richer even though I read it a year ago, but then again I didn’t actually DO any of the exercises she suggested! Ha!
I ‘m waiting on Educated from the library. I’m waiting on a lot of things from the library.
I enjoyed The Breakdown. I’m on the fence about reading You’re a Badass About Money. I enjoyed her first book so we’ll see. I added 13 Minutes to my to read list. I feel like authors have really stepped up the YA mystery genre!
Nancy @ NY Foodie Family recently posted…February 2018 Reads
I’ve had The Dry on my list for a while, but still haven’t managed to pick it up. I added 13 Minutes to my list as well. I’m always down for a YA book, and a good mystery at that. I totally agree with you about The Breakdown.
Ashley The Wandering Weekenders recently posted…Show Us Your Books- What I Read In February
Definitely adding Educated and 13 minutes to my TBR. They both sound right up my alley.
laura recently posted…Show Us Your Books: What I Read in February
I’m reading The Glass Castle now, only a few chapters in, so interesting to a comparison. The free verse book sounds interesting…
I’ve only read The Breakdown, but that was kind of a three star read for me. I didn’t find the twist/reveal to be all that shocking either. Kind of like Girl on the Train…for me at least.
-Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Show Us Your Styled Book Reviews!
Look at you figuring out The Breakdown. I wasn’t fully right about the end so it was a surprise to me. I really enjoyed that one – a lot better than Behind closed Doors.
Rebecca Jo recently posted…Show us your Books – March 2017
i know we all go through phases, but when i am going through a netflix phase or a reading phase, i am all or nothing. i have been rewatching/binge watching downton abbey and have not picked up a book since march 2nd. oops. in the last few days i’ve heard so much about Educated, i’ll have to check it out. bummer about the second aaron falk book, i want to read the dry but now i’m not sure. will it just be the two books, or will it continue i wonder?
I just started Educated yesterday – I’ve read more memoirs and nonfiction these past few months than I ever have. I know I needed to branch out though. I still want to read Crimes in Southern Indiana, just so I can look at my neighbors and wonder if they’re in the book …
Looks like you had a great reading month to me! I’ve been debating whether or not to read The Breakdown. I may pass…
Laura recently posted…Show Us Your Books ~ March 2019
I just got 13 minutes from the library, I am excited to check it out. I don’t recall who but someone else absolutely loved Educated I may need to put it on my list
I read 3 books in 2 months so 6 in 1 sounds pretty intense to me. I don’t know how you find the time! I’m one chapter into The Glass Castle also so maybe I’ll check out Educated if I end up liking it.
Several of these are on my TBR, so I was so interested to read your thoughts. I do want to read the Badass Money book but I probably should read her first one as well. I’ve heard good things about both. That’s too bad that Force of Nature was a let down after The Dry, which I thought was excellent. I’m even more intrigued by Educated now, that is one I do need to pick up.
Shea recently posted…Work Style: 2 Looks for a Casual Office
The plot of The Breakdown sounds intriguing, sorry it didn’t pan out as an enjoyable read.
Mackenzie recently posted…As The Page Turns: February Edition
You Are a Badass At Making Money… I might have to take a look at that one!
Ashley Ziegler recently posted…Make It Yours
GoodReads tells me I’m on track, too, and it’s making me feel like I’m behind. Ughhhhh!
I still need to read The Dry. It’s sitting on my bookshelf right now.
House Arrest sounds like something I want to pick up soon.
Audrey recently posted…What I Read…
I thought Educated would depress me too much but finally put in on hold at the Libary. I might hit the You are Badass book because I’m a sucker for self-help and it sounds humorous.
Kimberly recently posted…Show us your books: March 2018
I really enjoyed You Are A Badass but I was torn on whether I wanted to do the one about money. I think I’ll keep it on the backburner since I have so many books on my to be read list.
Educated – WOW. All the feelings. I did a post on it here (not sure if you saw it): https://www.hungry-bookworm.com/2018/02/17/educated-peach-cobbler/
Thanks for stopping by my blog today, and as always, for hosting! 🙂
I liked The Dry, but I’ve heard mixed things about the next book. I’m still curious, so I might give it a try 🙂
Akaleistar recently posted…Books lately: What I’ve been reading
I’ve been on the fence about Jen Sincero’s book. What’s an NLP? (“But manifesting and NLP don’t do it for me…”) I feel like I’ve pretty much got my financial life under control, but a few tips couldn’t hurt as long as they’re realistic.
I’m still waiting on Force of Nature to come in at the library. I consider myself warned to not expect it to be as good as The Dry now though. Bummer! While I enjoyed You Are A Badass At Making Money, I totally agree that the manifesting aspect is a bit hard to swallow. Thanks for hosting! I love all these great book suggestions.
6 books is still a solid month! But I hear you, I keep giving my goodreads goal a bit of a side-eye. Not because I’m behind, but I’m just barely keeping pace
Alison – Puppies & Pretties recently posted…All About Skincare
I feel the same about my Goodreads goal (and my monthly reading goals, for that matter). I’ve been spending way too much time binge watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine with my husband and less and less time doing, well, anything else. I’m still reading … Just not as much as I normally do. And you’re right: that feels weird.
I read and liked The Breakdown. I didn’t love it, and I figured out at least some of what was going on early on … But it was a fun read.
I read a different book by Sarah Pinborough (Mayhem) a couple of years ago, and I hated it so much. (Like hated everything about it and gave it a one star rating.) That being said, the synopsis for 13 Minutes sounds interesting. Maybe I should give her another shot?
I still need to read The Dry.
Kristen recently posted…10 Books That Surprised Me (in a Good Way)
I liked Education, but also felt like it wasn’t a complete story. Interesting. I’m adding House Arrest to my list!
I haven’t read any B.A Paris books yet. I do want to read Educated. I have it on reserve from Overdrive but I’m way down on the list.
Pam recently posted…The Books I Read in FEBRUARY 2018
i’m waiting for force of nature – it’s on it’s way as we speak!!
kathy @ more coffee less talky recently posted…Vacation Confessions
I started reading The Breakdown right after reading some similar books and just couldn’t get into it! Now that it’s been a few months, I might give it another try.
I need to read Educated!!!
FF recently posted…Favorite Free App: Debx
I think the breakdown has been on my TBR for ages. I will get to it!!
I have the other “Badass” book on my shelf and want to read it eventually. I enjoy non-fiction.. but now that I’m reading more fiction again… it’s been hard to get back into. XO – Alexandra
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