It’s been five weeks since we last met…
And I read a fuck ton of books. Now, there are some of you who regularly read like 15, 20 books each month and for you, my 13 seems like a paltry sum. But to me, that’s WAY above average and I don’ t know how y’all consistently do it. I’m very overwhelmed at the thought of writing this post, especially since I quit on Litsy and I am hella lazy about writing reviews on Goodreads.
May the odds be ever in our favor.
Oh, and before I forget, there’s a big SUYB announcement to make. Big. Huge! This weekend, Steph and I are hosting our very first Show Us Your Books readathon! The rules are simple:
- Read when you want and as much as you want
- Start any time on Friday you feel like it
- End any time on Sunday you feel like it
- Tag us in pictures on either IG or Twitter because we have prizes
So, essentially, it’s a regular weekend but we’re all reading together. And you might win shit for doing so. Yay!
Okay, with that out of the way, let’s get to my book reviews (for sake of argument, we’ll call them that). Don’t forget to visit Steph and some of the other bloggers joining us this month. Next one is March 12, for those of you who like to plan in advance.
What I read since the last time we met, in no particular order.
Alice Isn’t Dead by Joseph Fink. I was a huge fan of the podcast, and since I’m looking forward to the TV adaptation, I figured I’d give the book a whirl, too. WHY NOT. As it turns out, the book was just okay. Not a waste of time, and if you didn’t listen to the podcast, you’re fine reading it because it’s essentially a different story with the same characters and some plot similarities (like the whole Alice isn’t dead thing). Read the book. Listen to the podcast. Do one. The other isn’t necessary.
Take Me With You by Catherine Ryan Hyde. I adored this book. You know how sometimes you read a book and you know it’s just good but there’s not one defining characteristic that makes it so? Like, all of it is just GOOD and you’re so glad you picked it up and read it? That’s this book.
On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. This book broke my heart in a hundred different ways. It was confusing a bit to start but it evened out and OMG. So worth sorting out. I love how she writes teenagers as complete characters rather than caricatures, and she tells a captivating stories. The mystery element of this one added to it, too.
The Good Father by Noah Hawley. This is proceed with caution kind of book, especially if you are triggered (no pun intended. Seriously) by anything related to mass shootings or murderers. Because this book is the story of a father, a not-so-great one, to prove that his son is innocent of killing a presidential candidate. Of the Hawley books I’ve read, this is his best work by far. It’s a fascinating look in the mind of the parent and the shooter.
Other People’s Houses by Abbi Waxman. Meh. A Very Fine Book. Nothing special, nothing memorable. I did like how she brought some characters from her other books into this one. I find it fun when authors do that. The stalkery element of one of the characters concerned me a bit and I feel like it was glanced over. But this is a fine portrait of what goes on behind people’s closed doors. I guess.
Lightning Men by Thomas Mullen. The follow-up to Darktown, one of my favorites of 2017 (2016?). This book wasn’t quite as good as that one, but it came damn close. It addresses murder, crime, racism, integration, the KKK, and how they’re all intertwined in 1950s Atlanta. Honestly, the scope of this book is so big, it’s hard to review it fairly but it was fucking terrific.
Spy of the First Person by Sam Shepard. Blah. Boring AF and if it hadn’t been 80ish pages, I would have quit. It’s also Sam Shepard’s last book, he wrote it as he was dying, and it’s self-reflective. I feel like that makes me horrible for not liking it but it is what it is. However, I didn’t know what a prolific writer he was, though, and I’m seriously considering reading more of his work. I mean, this is Spud from Steel Magnolias. DOLLY’S HUSBAND IN THE MOVIE. I owe him at least one more pass on a book.
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata. This is a short, weird little book that makes some very significant points about societal pressure on women to marry, have kids, “real” careers, and what happens when you don’t fit the mold of that. It’s dark and a bit messed up, particularly one of the male characters, and it’s translated from Japanese. That last part is mostly irrelevant but just in case you like to know those things when deciding to read a book.
Of Mess and Moxie by Jen Hatmaker. When I picked this book, I did so because of the name. I was only peripherally aware of Jen Hatmaker, and was not aware that she is essentially a Christian celebrity. Second, the fact that I “read” this as an audiobook without a doubt affected my experience with it. Not in a good way. Audiobooks are not for me, and this confirmed it. So there’s that. And while I was able to mostly tune out the religion stuff, and I related to a lot of the parenting and body image stuff, I found that a good portion of the book focused on her profound popularity and amazing group of friends without whom she simply could not survive NOT. FOR. ME. It made me, who does not have that, feel like shit. If this is supposed to empower women, maybe tone the popularity contest down a tad. We’re not all that fortunate.
Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen McManus. If you liked One of Us is Lying, you’ll probably like this. It’s not quite as…fluffy, if a murder book can be fluffy. Maybe I mean less YA-ish. Even though it’s YA. It’s much darker and violent, and the end left me wanting to take a shower because EW. I don’t want to describe why but if you read it, you’ll understand.
Maid by Stephanie Land. If you’ve been around awhile, you know I love some nonfiction, particularly when that nonfiction is about poverty in any capacity, from policy to memoir and everything in between. This one is a memoir of what it was like for a single mom living in poverty, not to mention dealing with an abusive ex, and a desire to move on from both, figuratively and literally. It’s a book that makes you think and really check your own privilege. NetGalley book I read not too much beyond its pub date.
Heartbreaker by Claudia Day. Not a fan of this book at all even though I wanted to be. it seemed like something I would LOVE. But nope. Her writing is good but when the best part is the cover, it’s time to move on. I finished it mostly because it was a NetGalley book and I don’t think I’m in their good graces right now. I’ve been rejected for like 4 books in the last month.
Foe by Iain Reid. I fucking loved I’m Thinking of Ending Things. It fucked with my head and I am so excited for the movie adaptation. I think it set up unrealistic expectations for this book, though. It was good -don’t get me wrong- but nothing like his first book. The ending is cool as hell, so if you get bored reading the whole book, just skip to the end. NO ONE WILL KNOW. Another NetGalley book I finally read.
TL; DR: Of all the books, read Lightning Men, the Good Father, Maid, and On the Jellicoe Road. Take Me with You and Two of Us Can Keep a Secret if you’re feeling feisty. Take or leave the rest.
Currently reading Calm the Fuck Down by Sarah Knight and The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker.
Now it’s your turn! Bloggers, link up and show us your books! Nonbloggers, let me know in the comments what you’ve been reading!
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[…] next month) I’ll want to read again. Here’s hoping. As usual, I’m linking up with Jana and Steph for the great Show Us Your Books link-up. Be sure to visit and see what everyone’s […]
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[…] it for January. Have you read any of these? If so, do you agree with my review? Check out the link up to see what the rest of the SUYB community has been reading recently. You know you want to add more […]
I have to laugh because I thought the read-a-thon was last weekend and I fully intended to participate but didn’t even pick-up a book. So I’m glad I was wrong because I do want to join the reading fun, provided my reading mojo doesn’t completely disappear on me. I still haven’t read One of Us is Lying and Two of Us Can Keep a Secret sounds so good too. Convenience Store Woman was a DNF for me. I was in a very, very bad mood when I read it and I could not take her “boyfriend” or fiance or douchebag as I like to call him. The Good Father intrigues me. I’m not sure if I could read it now but I like the premise – adding it to my TBR.
Tanya @ A Mindful Migration recently posted…January Bookshelf
I’m so excited for the readathon. I’ve never done one before!
I listened to the first series of Alice Isn’t Dead then just stopped for some reason. This has reminded me that I should go back to it.
I definitely plan to read Two Can Keep a Secret. One day. When I’ve read some of the books I own already. Sigh.
I write these posts as I go when the book is fresh or Id never be able to recap them all lol (and I usually average maybe 8/9).
I actually want to read to can keep a secret since the only YA I read and loved last year was one of us is lying. She does a good job with tYA thrillers so Ill give it a go!
I had of Mess and Moxie on my list, and what you said about the popularity contest and not having that group of friends makes me not want to read it either, because I dont have that either. Adding Take Me With You to my list!
I read take me with you last year and loved it!
xo
Pinksole
I’m bummed – I had Maid on my hold list at the library, it came in, and I couldn’t get there in time to pick it up. I’m back on the list, but so are the 4 people ahead of me.
I just basically read at bedtime so I don’t get through as many. Thanks for hosting and have a great week!
Shelley
I’ll get to Two Can Keep a Secret this weekend during your readathon because it’s due back to the library soon!! Looking forward to an engrossing read. So glad you loved Take me With You – I need to try some of her other books sometime.
Take Me With You is an all time favorite! I also read Maid + Two Can Keep a Secret this month! I was a little disappointed by the latter. It wasn’t bad but definitely not as good as One of Us. I hear you on the ending!
Gina || On the Daily Express
YES! so much yes to Take Me With You. SO GOOD.
I haven’t read the Jellicoe book yet but I love that author.
blegh. the moxie gets me with the title but you un-had me at christian celebrity.
interesting about two can keep a secret – i’ll proceed with caution lol.
i can’t wait for your thoughts on the dreamers.
kristen recently posted…Books Lately
I’ve heard so many good things about One Of Us Is Lying, and I still can’t believe that I haven’t picked it up. I’m definitely going to soon because Two Can Keep A Secret sounds like a great book! The Good Father also sounds amazing! I love a good thriller, and the premise sounds like especially interesting!
I don’t know how people read 20+ books a month on a regular basis. LOL I FINALLY read One of Us Is Lying, so I’m curious to read Two Can Keep a Secret. I kind of like that you say it’s darker!
-Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Show Us Your Books: February 2019
I just went to put Two Can Keep a Secret on my to read list and it even looks like the cover of One Of Us is Lying! Other People’s Houses is on my to read list. I enjoyed her other book The Garden of Small Beginnings. I added Jellicoe Road to my to read list too.
So funny to read this, because I added Other People’s Houses to my TBR after seeing Steph’s review =D Love seeing how different personalities react to books.
I wasn’t blown away by One of Us is Lying because I thought it was very YA so I’m glad to hear her second book isn’t as much. I may read it!
Jen Hatmaker has never been for me. I hate that tribe mentality. Shauna Niequist is the same way. And you know how some people don’t like the word “moist”? I feel that way about “moxie”.
Oh my goodness so many books I haven’t even heard of! Im so excited to add some of these to my TBR!
I think the Netgalley publishers are very fickle. There really is no rhyme or reason that I can follow on approvals/denials. The thing I hate most of all is when they leave you in limbo. Approve or don’t, fuckers.
Loved loved loved Take Me With You. I thought its appeal to me was via its AA angle, but when I was finished it was just everything.
I liked Other People’s Houses a lot, I don’t think I’ve read an Abbi Waxman before. It was just enough and not too much and a good break from my usual. I remain convinced that many books are about timing for me.
I’ve had One of Us is Lying on my TBR for what feels like forever; guess I need to get to it so I can read the second one! Sounds intriguing.
I’ve been wanting to read Two Can Keep a Secret. That EW at the end sounds concerning though. Haha.
I did like Of Mess and Moxie only because it made me laugh, especially the parenting parts. But I 100% agree with you about the whole “tribe mentality”. That part was off-putting for me as well. Not all of us have a mass amount of friends that we are constantly having over for dinner, or we watch their kids and they watch ours and we all go on vacations together and blah, blah, blah… For an introvert like me, that sounds awful 🙂
13 books is amazing! There are so many new to me books in this post. I have Maid from BOTM and am anxious to start it, but I’m so behind on library books so I keep putting it off.
Carly recently posted…Recently Read 2019 I
Alice Isn’t Dead is a podcast? or is the author a podcaster?
I’m loving you all are putting out a readathon!
Take Me with You sounds really good!
LOVE this read-a-thon idea! I think the weather is supposed to be gross here AGAIN, and my kid is so gratifyingly into taking his Magic Tree House books into the “book nook” in front of our fireplace right now, that I’m hopeful I’ll have lots of time to participate!
This is an impressive list from the last month. I thought Convenience Store Woman was pretty weird too, but thought-provoking. Very curious about that Noah Hawley book now – I hadn’t heard of it before.
Wow, I think 13 books is amazing! I can relate to what you’re saying about Of Mess and Moxie. Do women over 30 really have friend groups like that?! Sounds awful hehe.
Adding Alice Isn’t Dead and Take Me With You. Thanks!
Two can keep a secret sounds awesome.
I hadn’t heard of The Good Father but it sounds super interesting! Adding to my TBR. I know a few people who got Maid for BOTM and I’m sort of mad now that I didn’t, but I’m planning to borrow my friend’s soon 🙂 Glad to hear it doesn’t disappoint!
You do read a lot but I think that’s great! I have been reading about a book a week this year!
I just added I’m Thinking of Ending Things on my to-read list last night. I’ve never read anything by that author but it sounds so intriguing! I’ve been living under a rock and had no idea that there was a follow up to Darktown. I definitely need to check that one out!
I TOTALLY relate to what you wrote about Of Mess and Moxie. It wasn’t for me either and I also listened on audio which was a bad, bad choice. I am adding The Good Father to my list now, I haven’t heard of that one. I read The Fall (I think that’s what it’s called) by him and thought it was good.
13 books is pretty good! I’m lucky to make it through 1 book in one month. Haha, I’m getting faster at reading though! I’m already 6 books ahead of schedule for this year’s goal!
Do you and Steph ever read books at the same time to discuss them together? I’m always curious because sometimes I see the same books and I’ve always wondered!
OMG! I AM HERE FOR THIS READATHON — though my weekend is kinda busy. I’ll try anyway, because I need some destresssing time seriously! Ugh, bummer about the Hatmaker book. I was not aware it was religious until a friend gave it to me,.. and then… ugh. It feels like pressure now. We’ll see how it goes eventually! 🙂 Glad you had a good reading month overall! Thanks as always for hosting. I love this linkup and all of the wonderful and different (from one another) ladies in this group. 🙂 XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
I really love that you and Steph are hosting a read-a-thon this weekend!! I’m on a business trip but I’m flying Saturday night so I am allll about the reading! I will definitely participate when I can!
Great job with all the books this month! I read a lot, too, for my standard! I can’t explain why, but I did. Yay!
Audrey recently posted…What I Read…
Being that I live in Atlanta, I think Lightning Men sounds like a must read!
You got in a lot of reads this month! I’m looking forward to reading Two Can Keep a Secret… I should probably request that because I’m sure it will take a while to arrive.
I’m excited to read Two Can Read a Secret soon!
13 books in 5 weeks is fantastic!
Reading 13 book is a great accomplishment! I’m completely here for the go with what you feel readathon. I always want to do the IG readathons, but if I read 24/48 hours on a weekend I’m not sure how my underwear would get washed.
About “Take Me With You” – does the dog live?
Convenience Store Woman sounds super interesting! I have Maid on my bookshelf – picked it as my Book of the Month read in Jan or Feb I think. Can’t wait to read it – I’ve heard nothing but good things!