Well, look at that. Another month has gone by with nary a word from me on this here blog except to write about books. I can’t tell you guys how many times I’ve sat down to write and the words just won’t come. I have so much to say but the words are stuck. It hurts me.
Writing is my coping mechanism and trust when I say I have A LOT to cope with right now. Oh, well. I’ll figure it out at some point. But for now…onto the books!
Oh, wait. Before that. Thanks so much to everyone who joined me and Steph for our very last minute, very disorganized readathon. We had a ton of fun hosting it and might do it again. But more organized. And not quite as last minute. Still with prizes, though. So stay tuned for that.
Moving on.
I read nowhere NEAR the amount I read last month. I blame cheerleading and some very tedious books, one of which wound up being a DNF. Regardless, I still finished my average 7, including 2 NetGalley books. So I’m okay with that. And Goodreads hasn’t sent me any nastygrams yet so +1.
Here’s what I read:
The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker. Weird book that had lots of potential but wound up falling flat in some places. The plot is quite unique, but was super repetitive and circular at some points. However, the writing was excellent, and the whole twist on mass hysteria, human survival, and the apocalypse was fascinating. ARC from NetGalley. Also could not get out of my head that Karen Walker wrote a book.
Roam by C.H. Armstrong. The premise of this book, a high school student hiding her homelessness, is outstanding. But even for YA books, which I try to read objectively because I am definitely not the target audience, it didn’t necessarily deliver. It felt like it oversimplified the issue, and presented homelessness like a fairly easily solved problem given the right luck. It did depict some of the struggles but meh. ARC from NetGalley.
The Lost Man by Jane Harper. I liked this book a whole damn lot. It’s a stand-alone book from her Aaron Falk series (The Dry, Force of Nature), but it still takes place in Australia and if you’ve read The Dry, you’ll understand the one page or so that mentions that book without actually mentioning it. I think her writing is great, I love the way she tells a story and I can’t wait for whatever she does next. However, this book does deal with domestic violence so if that triggers you, maybe don’t read it.
Calm the Fuck Down by Sarah Knight. The latest in her No Fucks Given Guides, and it’s standard Sarah Knight. Snarky, funny, self-deprecating at times, sarcastic, and some good advice sprinkled in. I can’t say I gained any new coping skills for my anxiety by reading it but it was a decent read.
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas. Legit, Angie Thomas can do no wrong with her books. This one is as good as THUG. I can’t say it’s better because they deal with different topics (although very, very related), and I absolutely LOVE Bri. And what I love the most about her books is that they do an excellent job humanizing people who are marginalized and looked down upon. She destroys stereotypes in an effective and compelling manner, and I don’t care what age you are (well, maybe not like 7), you should read this. YA or not.
There There by Tommy Orange. Speaking of excellent books about marginalized populations, there was this one. This was also an outstanding fucking book. Gorgeously written, tying in historical facts with the fictitious plot that honestly has the potential to be real, unfortunately (the culminating incident is what I’m referring to here). I loved all the characters and how their lives all intersected, kind of like the movie Crash but in a book. My only issue was keeping track of all the characters but that’s on me. Not the book.
The Good Neighbor by Maxwell King. Sounds like a horror novel but the subtitle is The Life and Times of Fred Rogers, so pretty much the exact opposite. This book is an in-depth and very thorough look at Mr. Rogers, his life, his influence, and his legacy. However, when I say in-depth, I mean SO IN-DEPTH IT IS EXHAUSTING TO READ. The writer tries to do Mr. Rogers justice but his writing is repetitive and tedious and honestly, guys. Just watch the documentary. Unless you want every minute detail of Mr. Rogers’s life. Then read this.
The DNF was Bowlaway by Elizabeth McCracken. I know it’s getting rave reviews but it was just not for me.
TL; DR: On the Come Up, There There and The Lost Man should grace your TBR. Bowlaway should not go anywhere near it. Everything else is up to you.
Currently reading Brother by David Chariandy (I’m having trouble reconciling this with the fact that it has the same name as a book that gives me literal nightmares) and Good Kids, Bad City by Kyle Swenson.
Now it’s your turn to Show Us Your Books! Bloggers, link up. Nonbloggers, let me know in the comments what you’ve been reading. Don’t forget to visit Steph and some of the other bloggers joining us.
Next SUYB is April 9th, which for some reason is important to me for reasons other than SUYB but are escaping me right now. Weird. Anyway, we hope to see you then, too!
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[…] me too, remembering when I wasn’t scared every day. As usual, I’m joining my friends, Jana and Steph, for the very best link-up, Show Us Your Books. Be sure to visit and see what everyone is […]
I still need to read The Dry, The Hate U Give, The Fuck books (which sounds more porny than intended) and I’m apparently really far behind on my reading. 😀 Even so, I’m adding The Lost Man and On the Come Up to my TBR. And hopefully I’ll be able to participate in your next readathon. Wanted to the last time but wasn’t able to open a book. But getting better … I think. 😀
Tanya @ A Mindful Migration recently posted…February Bookshelf: 3 Books Down
I think I have The Lost Man on my Netgalley, so I want to read it soon. I definitely have The Dreamers, so it’s a bummer to hear it’s a bit repetitive. I’ve heard so many good things about There There!
I was so confused by the film Crash so I’m not sure how I would cope with a similar book. Ha.
I feel so behind I need to catch on all of Angie’s books.
xo
Pinksole
i liked the dreamers but wanted more from it. i just started the lost man and so far i am enjoying it. thank you for the warning, i had no idea and like to know those things before i go into books. i have on the come up from the library, need to get to it soon.
Oh I loved The Lost Man and I cannot recall the subtle mention to The Dry! I will need to think about that again!! I actually think I may have liked it more than The Dry…maybe.
Heather recently posted…Short Book Reviews (March Show us Your Books link up!)
On the Come Up is on my to read list. THUG was sooo good and it’s nice to hear that her next book is just as good. There There sounds like an interesting read.
I can’t wait to read The Lost Man! I still have to get to Force of Nature too, though. I got it from my library a few months ago then had to return it before I started reading…oops. Hate when that happens!
Ah, you and Steph both liked The Lost Man! I wasn’t planning to read it since I didn’t love Force of Nature. But now I’m reconsidering after both of your reviews!
Gina || On the Daily Express
That’s funny – when I started reading your synopsis on The Dreamers and I saw the GIF of Karen, I really thought it was written by her “character”, like Castle ‘wrote’ the Nikki Heat series. I added The Lost Man to my list – it’s going to be difficult to get from the library after this link-up, I think. There, There and On the Come Up were both excellent reads.
Same with There, There. Loved it, but wish I had paid more attention in the beginning to keep everyone straight.
Definitely wanting to read The Lost Man!
I have to read the new Angie Thomas. I have it on audio but want to read it physically. Will get to that soon for sure! I just know it will be great
My boyfriend just got me Calm the F down. He meant it as a joke but I was like hey I actually wanted this book!
I really like Sarah Knight, she always makes me laugh. I haven’t read that one yet though, I don’t think I knew it existed!
I loved all of those elements in There There too, and I definitely had to go back and reread a lot, because there were so many details of how people and story lines pieced together. When I initially heard about The Dreamers I didn’t think it was for me, but the more reviews I read the more I’m not totally sure I don’t want to read it.
Carly recently posted…Recently Read 2019 II
Words are hard… I get it. Sometimes its just hard to get them together.
Still hoping your daddy is doing better!!!! Recovering well & strong!!!
There There is on my list! I’ve heard such good things.
I am totally in for the next readathon… if my little people let me, that is. They’re quite demanding!
I’m so excited to read another Angie Thomas book. I have that as one of my next books from the library. Also, I’ve been wanting to read that Mr. Rogers book, but I think I might watch the documentary first and then see how that goes 🙂
Finally down to #23 on the waitlist for On the Come Up – have heard such amazing things about it. And with a description like yours, not sure who couldn’t put There There on their list.
I need to add On The Come Up to my TBR.
Mackenzie recently posted…As The Page Turns: March Edition
Man I am loving On the Come Up and I’m only about halfway through! Angie Thomas is such a gifted storyteller!
You know, I JUST read about Bowlaway yesterday and it did not sound that great. LOL I’m glad you got some good reads in though! I still need to read The Hate U Give – though I own it. I’m glad you enjoyed The Come Up.
-Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Show Us Your Books: Archival Quality to Friendly Fire
STILL FUCKING WAITING FOR THERE THERE from the library. Since November.
Completely agree on The Dry and On the Come Up.
Well this looks like a pretty good month of reading to me! I also loved On the Come Up, and I really enjoyed The Dreamers as well (though I think I liked her first book even better). Cannot wait to get my hands on the new Jane Harper – glad to hear it’s good!
The Lost Man seems to be on everyone’s reading list this month, so I’m definitely adding it to my TBR.
Sorry that you’ve been dealing with a lot lately! Even though it’s gotten more socially acceptable to talk more openly about our struggles, it’s still a hard thing to do (and not always something we choose to do anyway, to protect others close to us). It’s hard to carry a silent burden and still act like everything’s fine, so no worries about not posting!
I’m deciding more and more that it’s a travesty that I haven’t given Angie Thomas a try yet. For the record, I fully intend to, but there’s just so many other books on my holds list already, ha ha!
Also, this is my first time participating in your link-up, and I’m excited to be a part of this bookish community 🙂
I can’t wait to read The Lost Man! I’ve enjoyed her other books.
Oh you have so many I want to read here! On the Come Up is definitely up there, and I’ve had There There on my list for a while and now I want to bump it higher on my list! I’m glad to hear that Jane Harper book is good too!
“Sounds like a horror novel but the subtitle is The Life and Times of Fred Rogers, so pretty much the exact opposite. ” I laughed so hard at this that the dogs were concerned.
There There sounds like the kind of book I need to take notes for.
On the Come Up is on my TBR, loved her other book! Adding Lost Man. I hope you guys do another read a thon to force me to finish another NETGALLEY book!!
On The Come Up sounds good, adding it to my hold list at the library as I’m sure a lot of people are already in line for it!
I love reading these posts (first time I’m taking part) and am amazed how many books everyone reads! I was happy with my 3 🙂
The book by Sarah Knight sounds interesting! As always I need to go update my Goodreads TBR list now.
I think that if I had tried The Dry on paper instead of on audio, I could’ve become a Jane Harper fan. Something about it was off to me.
Hope you’re able to start writing again soon!
there there sounds very good, I struggle with keeping up with multiple characters/viewpoints in books too though 🙂
On The Come Up is high on my tbr list. I’ll have to look into There There, too, since you enjoyed it so much! Mr. Rogers is such a gem. I really want to look into some of the movies, docs, and books about his life.
Audrey recently posted…What I Read…
Girl, I’m so with you on the wanting to write but just not doing it. Ugh. Even my husband keeps telling me I need to keep writing. Anyway, I listened to Get Your Shit Together by Sarah Knight and I’m trying to implement some tips from there because I do need it. I like it on audio to hear her voice but also “self-help” on audio is pretty tough.
Can’t wait to read On The Come Up.
You girls blow me away with the number of reads each month! Thanks for hosting. I love adding new books to my list.
I need to get to On The Come Up! I loved the readathon! I hope that you guys do another one! 🙂 XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things