This was the month of novellas. Seven, to be exact. Six were part of a science fiction collection and one was by Herman Melville so that’s a weird combination but wait until you see the rest of my reads. One of my more eclectic lists and that says a lot.
What’s exciting is that I have it on good authority that all of these books count as their own, bringing my Goodreads total to five higher than it actually says (primarily because I’m too lazy to fix it). So that’s nice.
Forward Collection by Blake Crouch. This series of six disconnected stories that I really wanted to be connected didn’t really do it for me as much as I’d hoped. I don’t generally enjoy science fiction but I do like Andy Weir and Blake Crouch, and the one book by Paul Tremblay I read was good, but this was meh. Uneven. if you like science fiction, maybe you’ll have a different opinion.
Just Mercy by Bryan Stephenson. This book is amazing, everyone should read it, the end.
One of Us is Next by Karen McManus. This is the sequel to One of Us is Lying and it is a true sequel. However, I found it marginally better. I liked the characters and the plot more. It felt less YA than the first, despite the fact that it is still definitely YA. It’s a quick engaging read. Do recommend.
On the Clock by Emily Guendelsberger. I know a lot of people claim that a book is the new Nickel and Dimed, but this one comes quite close. She used similar methodologies, conducted some serious research, and it’s a fascinating look at the conditions of low-wage workers and how workplaces got there (and why they remain that way). It will make you think, it will make you frustrated, and it’ll make you reconsider using two-day shipping from Amazon.
Whisper Network by Chandler Baker. I loved the message and themes behind this book, but I despised the characters to the point that it affected my ability to enjoy the rest of the book at times. They are fucking insufferable. However, if you can get beyond that, it’s a fairly good, timely, and relevant book.
Opioid, Indiana by Brian Allen Carr. This is a weird, sad look at the life of an orphaned teenager (not orphaned because of drugs. That happened because of a car accident and suicide) suspended from school and looking for his opioid-addicted uncle/guardian during one winter week in Indiana. I liked this book, but I wanted…more, I think. It was short and YA so I was able to read it over the course of a couple of days.
Bartleby the Scrivener by Herman Melville. What starts as a rallying cry against his boss (“I would prefer not to”) descended, for me, into a nervous breakdown/severe depression that left me feeling all kinds of ways. I’m having a hard time writing my thoughts and opinions on this novella. It’s complicated.
TL; DR: Just Mercy is phenomenal, One of Us is Next is a fun read, and On the Clock will make you think a lot. Use your own personal taste for the rest.
Currently reading: Broke: Hardship and Resilience in a City of Broken Promises by Jodie Adams Kirshner
Now it’s your turn! Link up and show us your books. Don’t forget to visit my co-host Steph and some other bloggers, and mark your calendars for March 11 for the next one.
I’m jealous that you’ve got to read One of Us Is Next. I’m trying not to buy books this year and it’s unlikely that it will turn up in a tree bookcase in Basel!
Have you ever read Nomadland? That one had me looking at Amazon in a different light too; it’s a story about how many American’s are taking to living in RV’s and trailers and following a migrant worker pattern of working picking up odd jobs here and there to sustain themselves (with a huge focus on retirement age d folks). Apparently Amazon like to hire them during their busy season…
Joanne recently posted…Butternut Squash & Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Ooh I’m so glad to hear One of Us Is Next is a worthy read! I could go for that kind of book right now. I picked up Whisper Network recently too and was surprised how engaged I was despite the unlikeablity of some of those characters. Definitely timely.
Anne recently posted…five things Friday: book love edition
I want to read One of us is next! Don’t you just love it when a sequel is even better than the book before it?
Just Mercy is in my TBR stack! Glad to hear it’s worth it.
I have been on the wait list for about 5 or 6 months now for One of Us Is Lying. Maybe I should go ahead and hop on for the second too lol. It will be next year before they get to me. I really enjoyed the Whisper Network, but I can see what you mean about the characters. They weren’t always likeable for me, but I could relate to the work place aspect of what they were going through. Adding Just mercy to the list since you said so! Peer pressure and all.
LOL sometimes, you just need some short reads to boost your Goodreads challenge. I am already behind for the year and need to do it!
I chose one of us is next for a book challenge im doing so ill finally read that this month, Im really glad its a true sequel and that its better than the first one.
My daughter just finished One Of Us Is Lying and I get it now – she’ll be excited that the sequel is fun!
I enjoyed One of Us Is Next more than OoUiL also, but I did have some trouble keeping all the characters straight. I’ve come to accept this year that I suck at keeping up with characters and plot unless I can read a complete series straight through, haha.
I hope Just Mercy is still waiting for me at the library. It’s been raining and I haven’t gotten there. If not back to request again.
If a short story or novella is stand alone I always count it as a book but have difficulty doing that when it’s in a collection or anthology.
I love that Blake Crouch wrote you back. That’s one way to get your answer. I do want to read One of Us Is Next!
-Lauren
I still haven’t read One of Us is Lying and that’s on my list, I think I might have to bump it up now that I know there is a second book too. I’m going to add Just Mercy to my ever growing reading list, sounds like it’s a good one!
Just Mercy is on my list!
I loved one of us is next too, more so than the first one.
I’m reading On The Clock now. I just got to the call center part. Yikes.
Jill K recently posted…Show Us Your Books Feb. 2020
oh I’m glad to hear Just Mercy holds up, because I get nervous when I agree to be person 70 on the wait list at the library.
Kasey recently posted…What I Read In January!
The One of Us … books have been on my TBR for a while now – need to get to them! Obviously looking into Just Mercy, too.
Karly
https://www.whatkarlysaid.com
Karly recently posted…What I Read in January 2020 + Reviews
I’m pretty sure I heard Just Mercy was as good as you say!
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Definitely looking into Just Mercy and On the Clock. I enjoyed The Whisper Network, but can see how some of the characters got annoying.
Just Mercy is going to be a movie soon, no? The movie looks amazing! I liked One of Us a lot, but I agree, it doesn’t necessarily “blow the mind”. Whisper Network has been on my TBR for a while.
I’ve not heard of Just Mercy but it’s being added to my list. And I think One of Us is also right up my alley… Thanks for hosting!
On The Clock sounds like an interesting read!
Mackenzie recently posted…As The Page Turns: February Edition
I haven’t even read One of Us is Lying, although I have checked it out twice. 😀 Damn you, reading slump! I’ve heard excellent things about Just Mercy and it’s definitely on my TBR. I really like Blake Crouch, even though I’m also not a huge sci-fi fan, but I think sci-fi, in particular, could be tough in novella form. In fairness, I’m generally not fond of novellas.
Tanya @ A Mindful Migration recently posted…January Bookshelf: YAY! I Read a Book!
I’ve wanted to read Just Mercy for a long time, I don’t know why I still haven’t read that. I never did read One of Us is Lying but it keeps coming up so I think I need to get to that one soon. I read Bartleby in a short story class in college I’m pretty sure, but I don’t remember much about it–no doubt I would feel much differently at my current age.
I wasn’t a huge fan of One Of Us Is Lying, so I think I’m okay not reading the sequel. I am adding On the Clock to my to read list. I’m trying to expand my non-fiction reading and this book looks like an interesting read.
I had Just Mercy come up for me on my holds list a while back and I let it go because I didn’t think I could tolerate a heavy book at the time and now I’m kicking myself because I’m 126 in line.
I always thought Bartleby was supposed to be a fun read – interesting that it’s not! Thanks for taking that bullet for the rest of us!
Kimberly recently posted…Show us your books February 2020
I’ve heard good and bad things about The Whisper Network.
Kristin Darhower recently posted…January Books 2020
I’m a holder-out-er and still haven’t read One of Us is Lying. I want to, but I’m afraid that I’ll be disappointed by all the hype. That said, I’m the person that read Harry Potter a decade after it came out and loved it. I just need to stop holding out because something is popular.
Megan recently posted…Books Books Books! Fall 2019 Edition
Novellas can be a great way to break things up! I’ve had a few long books in a row. I’m sort of craving a magazine article! LOL
Becki recently posted…Show Us Your Books – February 2020
We read Bartleby the Scrivener in 10th grade, and I felt it was really too complex for the amount of discussion time the teacher allowed before she lectured us about what to write in our themes and then had us sit in silence writing in our own words what she just said…sigh! It would have been better to read in a class where multiple interpretations could be considered, because as it is I barely recall what the story is about and have no idea what the “official” interpretation was. I guess I should read it again someday.
Becca @ The Earthling’s Handbook recently posted…Old Books I’ve Been Reading in 2020
Just Mercy is a book everyone should read. Have you seen the movie?
I read Nickel & Dimed years ago in college so On The Clock sounds really interesting. I have not gotten into the One Of Us series yet… I’m kind of waiting until the hype dies down a bit, I think. Then maybe I won’t be disappointed if I don’t like it, haha.
I really want to read Just Mercy. Glad you enjoyed it.
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
Alexandra Consolver recently posted…January 2020 Reads // Taking it Slowly!
You did read such a great variety! I have been meaning to read Just Mercy forever, and am determined to get to it this year! I have One of us is Next from the library right now and am hoping I’ll get to it before it has to be returned. Just added On the Clock to my TBR.
Carly recently posted…Mason’s Vacation Book Haul
hmmm i am intrigued by the forward collection even if it wasn’t your favourite. adding just mercy to my list! one of us is next came in at the library but i didn’t get to it in time, womp womp.