Hey! Guess what! Another month has gone by and nary a word here except for Show Us Your Books. The more things change, the more they stay the same, I guess. But I do feel like I have a few additional things to say so look for those in the coming weeks.
I can FEEL your excitement.
Anyway, this was a weird reading month. Like, it’s been 5 weeks since our last meeting and I should have read WAY more books than I did but I just didn’t. I blame Netflix and Amazon for releasing shows I’ve been waiting for (Bosch, Sneaky Pete, the OA) and also one very boring, very tedious book that derailed my desire for books. I hate that that happens, too. One book, and a bad one at that, should not have that much influence. But it does. Sigh.
I don’t even know how many I read. 7? 9? Something like that. I’ll be surprised to find that out along with you at the end of this post. It’s like the monster at the end of this book but with less Grover and more violence.
That’s a weird thing to say.
Anyway.
Books.
Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah. Having loved The Great Alone, I wanted to give Kristin Hannah another shot. I found her very Jodi Picoult like, but without as much of the hard-hittingness you find in a Picoult book. I liked that she took a not-so-clean topic and centered a great, fairly well-written story around it but there was something that was missing. Hard to explain what, though. And I probably will give one more book of hers a try. Not The Nightingale. I don’t do WWII books.
Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates. I loved Grist Mill Road so I thought I’d love this one, too. I didn’t hate it. Didn’t love it either. I liked the psychological games and stuff, but it felt a little redundant at times, and the ending felt like a cop out. I wanted…more. But still, not a bad read and not a waste of time.
Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison. This was probably my favorite book of the month. It struck a chord with me for some reason, and I liked the fact that the main character was poor but not a stereotype of being poor. That’s difficult to find in fiction. I don’t even know how to describe it in any real significant detail except it was a great read.
The Alchemist by Paolo Coehlo. My friend Eric recommended this one to me years ago and I finally got around to reading it. I liked it. Didn’t love it. Didn’t find it life changing or anything, but I totally understand why people think it is. Lots of little life lessons in there. But overall? Meh.
Scarcity by Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir. I don’t know that I learned anything new from this one but if you’re interested in how and why people develop a scarcity mindset, particularly as it pertains to poverty, and what it looks like when it’s in play, and if you really, really like descriptions of experiments, then go for it. If not, pass. There’s better books out there in this field.
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent. I think it was Heather who read this book last month and I was all over it because it sounded like a book I would enjoy. You know what? IT WAS. I liked this book a whole damn lot. Even if it was historical fiction (but also not really fiction because it’s based on an actual story which maybe helped a little in my enjoyment of it) and I couldn’t pronounce anyone’s name. It was just a good book. No frills, just good.
Verity by Colleen Hoover. This book needed to come with a trigger warning because there are some very graphic and horrible violent acts towards children described in it. I was not prepared for that. It was gross. I also did not think the graphic descriptions of sex were necessary. I don’t actually care that those scenes are there if they make sense. But they were gratuitous and therefore quite annoying. However, taking those things aside, it was very good psychological thriller with a fine ending.
Supermarket by Bobby Hall. Apparently this guy is a Grammy-nominated rapper named Logic. I have never heard of him and that’s fine. I am also fine with musicians writing books. There are some very fine ones. This is not in that category. This book was like a really bad Fight Club rip-off. It wasn’t even written that well. But I kept going because I needed to see where it went even though I kind of really knew. I don’t suggest you do the same.
The Library Book by Susan Orlean. NO. RUN FROM THIS TEDIOUS MONSTROSITY. This is probably the single most boring book I have ever read. It romanticizes library work, which is fine, but I can’t imagine it’s as glamorous as she paints it to be. Nothing is. Not to mention that she almost never discusses the fire or the criminal which, let’s be honest, is what I came for. Not a detailed agenda of one librarian’s daily schedule or any of the other mundane details she beats you over the head with. If you like that sort of thing, have at it. Otherwise, no. Do not read.
Currently reading Unclaimed Baggage by Jen Doll. It’s a YA book with a squirrel on the cover. So that’s fun.
TL;DR: Definitely read Lawn Boy and Burial Rites. Verity, Magic Hour, and Black Chalk are good, too. Make a personal choice on the rest.
Now it’s your turn. Link up and share your recent reads. Don’t forget to visit my co-host, Steph, and some of the other bloggers on this list. And make sure to come back on June 11th to join us again.
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[…] I can read, but I shall do my best. Maybe. 😀 I make no promises. As usual, I’m joining Jana and Steph and other book aficionados for Show Us Your Books. Be sure to check out the link-up and […]
I’ve read exactly one Kristin Hannah book. I don’t remember the title. Basically woman falls off horse and goes into coma. Husband discovers she was married before to a famous actor (I think? Could also have been a singer) and in desperation contacts him to see whether hearing his voice will miraculously wake her up. I HATED it!
I very much enjoyed The Nightingale but completely understand why it’s a no-go for you. I’ve heard such great things about The Great Alone but it still sits on my TBR. I also read Verity this month. Honestly, it was so hyped, which makes it hard for me to keep my expectations in check. It was definitely WTF but I somehow expected it to be even more WTF because apparently my WTF bar is high. I also just might be a terrible person!
Tanya @ A Mindful Migration recently posted…April Bookshelf: The Hyped Book Month
I just finished The Great Alone! I was honestly expecting it to be boring and too literary but I was riveted. I’m nervous about giving her others a chance since I assume they won’t live up to this or The Nightingale. Also I DNF The Library Book at like 5% haha. Glad I gave up…
I really loved Jonathan Evison’s The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving and was excited when I saw this new one come out – and then totally forgot about it. Thanks for the reminder and the confirmation that I should pick it up! Also appreciate confirmation of things I should not pick up… I’m seeing Verity everywhere but your description tells me it’s not for me. And I love how you linked everything but the one you hated 😉 Think I’ll skip The Library Book too.
I loved Burial rites too, adding Law Boy to my TBR list.
xo
Pinksole
i love the monster at the end of the book lol. i haven’t read the magic hour, i’ve only read one of her older books and wasn’t a huge fan. like you said, picoult without the hard hittingness of picoult. it’s a bummer about not doing world war 2 books as the nightingale is amazing. but i get it. super in the minority but i hated the alchemist. hate hate hate. yay burial rites!! so good. read it years ago and still think about it. i listened to the audio and still couldn’t have pronounced anyone’s names lol. i agree about verity, as you know. i feel like she was trying to appease her romance fans, which is fine, but if you’re going in a new direction, just go there? the romance fans either won’t read it or they will, but don’t just stick a weird romance in there for the fun of it. adding lawn boy to my list! adding the library book to my nope list lol.
I can’t believe that I haven’t read Verity yet. I love Hoover. I really enjoy Kristen Hannah’s books. I found the Nightingale to be much different than her other stuff. Burial Rites has been written about on a couple of posts this month. It’s on my to read list, so may have to move it up.
I read The Nightingale and I wasn’t as impressed as everyone else. Also, I read enough WWII in 2015/2016 for like four lifetimes. I haven’t touched much since.
Ugh, Verity. I read it over the weekend and it was a twisty story (which I appreciated) but it needed a trigger warning. It was terrible.
Glad to see you enjoyed Burial Rites! I thought it was amazing. I loved the Great Alone and Nightingale so I read “Between Sisters” by Hannah and didn’t enjoy it at ALL. It didn’t even seem like the same author. I recommend avoiding that one!
LOL your description of The Library Book, okay I will stear clear!
I have Verity at home … but I’m also in a reading slump so I’ll get to it eventually. I’ll check out some of the others (and avoid The Library Book – what I need right now is something that gets me excited about reading again, not something that will keep the slump alive)
Thanks for the heads up on Verity. I will scratch that one of my list. I have not read Burial Rites but heard it is a very intense, dark read. I agree with you on the Alchemist…meh.
Pam
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I’ve had The Nightingale for an eternity and still haven’t read it. Hannah’s Winter Garden was heartbreaking and good but the past of it is set in WWII Russia and the present in Alaska I think? I can’t remember. I also liked Firefly Lane years ago. That one has angst but leans a little more towards what I call Kristin Hannah light (beach cover books).
Hmm. I didn’t have Verity on my tbr list but it was being considered. Based on your review, I think I’ll avoid it. Sometimes you just CAN’T unread things and my brain doesn’t do well with violence and sexual assault in heavy, unfiltered doses…. Adding Burial Rites, though!!
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Hmmm Scarcity sounds interesting, just because I’ve noticed it a lot in my personal life, but I can see how it could be very dry reading if not done just right.
I keep meaning to pick up one of Kristin Hannah’s older books, I’ve heard Firefly Lane is good but haven’t gotten to it yet. Definitely will not be picking up The Library Book – I trust you on that one. Hilarious because I’ve seen a few people describe it as “absolutely riveting” which seems like a weird description even not reading your thoughts about it. Agree about Verity.
I need to read Magic Hour, I loved The Great Alone! I also love that you didn’t even bother to link the last book it was that boring.
I loved Verity when it first came out, but I totally get what you’re saying about the unnecessary detailed sex scenes. Didn’t really fit in with the rest of the book. I have The Library Book sitting on my bookshelf, so needless to say I won’t rush to get to it anytime soon!
Just sayin’,
Karly @ What Karly Said
Good to know about Verity, though I do want to read it at some point. And I had no idea that Logic wrote a book…bummer it wasn’t good. Some celebrities definitely write better than others. LOL
-Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Show Us Your Books: Nine Book Series + A Memoir in Conversations
I could see why someone wouldn’t like alchemist honestly. I think I read it when I was supposed to but if I wasn’t in the mood for preaching it would be a nope for me too. I Loved Burial Rites. I read it earlier this year on rec form my sister. So happy I did.
Still have to get to verity but Hoover upset me this month so Im on a little Hoover break (im dramatic I know).
Sometimes I get stuck in a WWII pattern, it seems like the market is so over saturated with them, so I can totally understand staying away (I did really enjoy Nightingale though.) I’m definitely adding Burial Rites to my TBR list!
Verity was crazy and so different from her other books!
I have Verity in my TBR because of the author, but hadn’t even read what it was about yet…so now I’m off to do that based on what you said about it.
I agree on The Alchemist. I liked it but it didn’t change my life. Burial Rites and Verity are on my TBR. I love you for your thoughts on The Library Book. After the description of the fire, I quit.
Verity was something else. I really enjoyed it but yes, I didn’t think all of the sex scenes were necessary. Burial Rites sounds like my kind of book!
You have me totally excited about Lawn Boy. Also, I think I just checked out that Library book. Heehee. Maybe I’ll just skip that one 🙂
Definitely adding Verity and Burial Rites. Thanks for the heads up on Verity – I have seen it on everyone’ s lists, but no one has mentioned anything you have about it.
Jana… great reviews. I felt the same way about Verity – way too graphic. I thought it was just me because I am old enough to be your Mother! Thank you so much for putting this link party together. It is my favorite and I spend a good part of my day reading everyone’s reviews. Have a wonderful week.
I started the Library book on audio, and am glad I didn’t bother to finish it. Sounds terrible. Thanks for the info on Verity. Despite so many folks raving about it, I don’t think its a book for me. Thanks for the fun linkup.
I read Night Road by Hannah and really enjoyed it. I personally thought that one was pretty hard hitting, but maybe to me it was because of what happened in the book.
It looks like you had a pretty great reading month though 😀
The Alchemist is one of those books that I feel like I should read, but haven’t gotten around to. Your review makes me feel not so bad about that.
I was hooked by Verity, but I don’t know if I loved it, either. I ready it all in a day because it was full of twists and turns but I also didn’t run out and grab everything by the author afterward.
I feel the same way about The Alchemist! A few years ago, a professor at work tried to make it our campus common read book, and he went on and on about how life-changing it was. I wondered if we had even read the same book! Glad to see I’m not alone!
Amber recently posted…Amber Can Read : May 2019
hehehe squirrel on the cover. That’s amazing. I loved the Alchemist, but did read it in high school. I just liked the atmosphere. It felt very wondrous but simple at the same time. Would love to re-read. OH NO on the Orlean(s)? one. XO – Alexandra
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