This post is coming to you live on my way to see Phil Collins (yes, you read that right) so I apologize for the typos, brevity, and assorted other mistakes like wonky fonts and stuff
HOLY SHIT. How has it been four years since Steph and I started this? Time flies when you’re reading books, I guess. But before I get to the paltry amount of books I read last month, I want to say how honored and overjoyed I (we) are that you guys join us every month. There is no better reader community than all of you.
Thank you for four years. Thank you for book talk. Thank you for you.
*wipes tears*
Okay. Books. I read 5 of them last month which, for me, is shameful. But life happens and I had to adjust. And I’ve received no more nastygrams from Goodreads so I must still be on track to reach my arbitrary goals. So that’s cool.
Here’s what I read and as a heads up, I didn’t love anything so none of these should be added to any lists with any sort of urgency and I’ll add the Goodreads links at some point.
How to Walk Away by Katherine Center. This book is a mess. It went in 40 different directions, only finishing about 1/2 the plot lines (um…she had a suicide calendar and that was briefly discussed. Why did we not come back to THAT particular thing? Seems like maybe we should have), and every single character was a gigantic asshole. I can read unlikeable characters but OMG, all of these people sucked. Plus, it was 100% predictable. Or maybe these kinds of books just aren’t for me. Discovered this one through SUYB.
Gun Love by Jennifer Clement. This book was great on so many different levels but at the same time, it felt rushed and incomplete. I wanted her to explore more of the situations she described, particularly the foster care part because she just sort of rolled over that as a means to an end when it could have been much more. I liked the way she approached gun violence and gun culture and family and homelessness but it felt…lacking. Learned about this book from either IG or SUYB. Can’t remember.
French Exit by Patrick DeWitt. He wrote The Sisters Brothers, one of my all-time favorites but his one before this and this were underwhelming. This one is weird, quirky, and so amazingly written but I don’t think I’m smart enough to understand what he was trying to do. I mean, I get the basic plot and satire (sort of) but it left me feeling like I missed the joke. He makes light of some serious topics which I guess is also making a point that I don’t get. As far as recommending the book, it’s short and fast so yes but if you don’t like oddball, weird books, then pass. Found out about this one because I obsess over his books.
Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage. I don’t know what the fuck this book was. Horror? Bad seed-type stuff? Mental illness commentary? Mother-daughter drama? Something else? All of it? I can’t figure it out. I hated the chapters about the mom but the daughter kept me intrigued enough to not hurl the book against a wall. And the dad stuff was almost gross and made me want to shower. I feel about this one like I did Bird Box. I get why people love it but not me. Was not worth waiting 4 months for. At all. Can’t remember how I heard about it.
Make Your Bed: Little Things Can Change Your Life by William H. McRaven. Commencement speech-turned book. Like the Last Lecture but not nearly as powerful or moving. However, if you’re stuck and need a kick in the ass, or you’re training future leaders who are younger than like 15, this is a good primer. Didn’t help me but I read it in 45 minutes and was not a complete waste of time. The guy was a Navy SEAL. He had some good stories. Read this because my daughter had to.
TL;DR: Meh. Nothing great this month.
Currently reading: Burden by Courtney Hargrave with Cherry by Nico Walker on deck
And now. A giveaway. For you! As a thank you for four great years, Steph and I have some gifts to hand out, including some Amazon gift cards and bookish mugs. So make sure you enter! And also…link up and show us your books!* (Giveaway is after the link up)
*you don’t have to link up with a post or even have a blog to enter. It’s open to everyone!
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[…] usual, I’m participating in the Show Us Your Books Link-Up hosted by Jana and Steph. It’s also the fourth anniversary of SUYB which is completely awesome. […]
I feel you on the hastily thrown together post and also on the lack of reading. The lack of reading thing has kind of been the norm for me this year (unfortunately), but September was insanely slow. Two books. TWO. I don’t think I’ve only read two books in a month since I hit my original 50 books in a year goal several years ago. But, as you said, life happens.
I’m on the waiting list for Baby Teeth. I added it because it sounded weird and interesting and creepy, and it sounds like it could deliver on all of those things. Well, maybe … If you kind of wanted to hurl the book at the wall, it might not be THAT great. I guess I’ll just have to see how I feel about it.
On another note, I’m very glad that you guys have been hosting this link-up for so long! I may not always participate, but I love it when I actually do have the time to do so. I’ve gotten so many great recommendations and connected with so many awesome bloggers through Show Us Your Books. Thank you for doing this! 🙂
Congratulations to both you and Steph for 4 great years! This link-up is my favorite and the second Tuesday is my favorite day of the month thanks to you and everyone who participates! I’ve read so many great books and meet some amazing people from the link-up. Thank YOU for all your hard work!
I have Baby Teeth in the my NetGalley queue but I’ve been procrastinating. My goal is to read it this month as my “horror” book for Halloween. Sometimes creepy kids scare me. So does hearing that you wanted to hurl the book too because I suspect I may too.
Tanya @ A Mindful Migration recently posted…September Bookshelf: Stuck at 2 Month
I’m excited to join your link up for the first time. I think I need to read Make Your Bed for a change of pace after the recent books I’ve read.
I felt the same way about How to Walk Away. So many people love it, but it was kind of cheesy to me. Thanks for the fun link up!
I did love The Sisters Brothers a lot – but the genre is a bit of a stretch for my usual tastes, so that makes me think I won’t pick up that one, based on your review…. I just got my library copy of the new Cormoran Strike book and I’m hooked already!
oh now I’m intrigued by the french exit. thanks for the reviews and linkup.
xo
Pinksole
Congrats on FOUR YEARS of this link-up! I don’t know what else I would do on the second Tuesday of every single month! 🙂
I’ve looked for a couple of Katherine Center books at the libraries and haven’t had luck. Maybe I’ll give up. That one sounds pretty disjointed.
Yay for four years! 5 books in one month is a good month for me 😀
Okay your review for How to Walk Away makes me feel way more justified in not really wanting to read it, lol. It’s one of those books that I would never pick, but every time I see someone talk about it I’m like hmmm, maybe I should read it?? Thank you guys for starting and keeping this linkup going! I’ve discovered so many great books (& people)!
Phil Collins?? When I saw your IG post, I was all “oh wow!!” … I bet it was a great concert! Anyway, to the books … I really liked the cover or the synopsis of French Exit (can’t remember which, but it was added to my list a few weeks ago). I don’t think I’ve heard of the other ones. Congrats on the 4-year anniversary!!
Congrats on your years of hosting!!! It’s impressive to have a blog that’s over 4 years old not to mention a linkup! “Make Your Bed” has been on my Audible wishlist for awhile but I haven’t pulled the trigger yet. Sounds like I don’t need to make it a priority anytime soon!
Gina || On the Daily Express
I’m finally starting to try the Make Your Bed each day thing…it is kind of nice. Self-help/commencement type books are either super annoying or just the right kick depending on my mood- currently reading The Happiness Project, lol.
I’m going to add the DeWitt book that you DID like the most. 🙂 Congrats on four years! That’s amazing!
I still can’t believe that y’all have been doing this linkup for 4 years! I always love coming here every month to get book recs! I’m sorry that you had such a meh reading month, and I’m in the same boat as you with getting nastygrams from Goodreads about being behind in my goal for the year! Ugh! It’s not happening this year.
Yay for four years!! So cool and its only getting better. Sorry you had a sucky month for books though, I hate those!
Happy 4 Year Anniversary!!!!
Sorry all your books were a bit of a bust. I did add Gun Love & Make Your Bed to my tbr list, though. I’ve never even thought to look up deWitt’s other books. I loved The Sisters Brothers, though. I might have to venture down that path…
Audrey recently posted…What I Read…
Phil Collins!! i hope he was amazing. happy fourth anniversary! time has definitely flown. i enjoy this link up so much, so i hope you keep doing it forever and ever.
your review of how to walk away made me laugh- i loved that book but 100% never recommend it to you. but still, sorry it sucked for you.
*would never recommend it.
Congrats on four years! Sorry you didn’t read anything that amazing last month. I hope October is much better for you!! I have heard some crazy things about Baby Teeth, so I’m staying away from that one. haha
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Show Us Your Books: Perfect October Reads!
I hate when I wait for a book for an eternity and think WTF after.
SMD recently posted…Show Us Your Books Fourth Anniversary – October 2018
I’m cracking up at your review of How to Walk Away because it’s one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. Ha! That’s the beauty and fun of books, though! Sorry it sucked for you. Thanks for hosting this linkup! So glad I found you girls when I did – I truly enjoy this community every month.
Happy linkup Anniversary! I love doing this link up every month and am so thankful I found it about a year ago!! I’ve read some great books from suggestions here 🙂 I had How to Walk away on my list but am rethinking it now?! Ahhhh!
Congrats on 4 years. I just love you all started this link up!
Phil Collins – SAY WHAT? That’s a throwback for you!!! … & now, I cant get Easy Lover out of my head for some reason
Thanks for the heads up on Baby Teeth and How to Walk Away. I have both in arcs and may just give them away, lol. Also thanks for hosting this wonderful link up for 4 years. Amazing book love here.
Pam recently posted…What I’ve Been Reading: September 2018
Four years! Time sure flies. Thanks for hosting!
Thank YOU for hosting for 4 years! This is my favorite linkup and I’m so happy you guys have kept it going for so long!
I’m disappointed to hear you didn’t love Baby Teeth. I had high hopes for that one.
I’m not taking part this month, but I wanted to stop by and say congratulations on four years!
I feel like so many books lately have been “meh” or just a complete hot mess. What gives???
Also, so cool that you saw Phil Collins in concert! 🙂
Mackenzie recently posted…As The Page Turns: September Edition
Congrats on the anniversary! I feel like I didn’t read anything noteworthy in September. It was a slow book month. Right now I’m reading an ARC from NetGalley and I love it. I didn’t realize it was from the author of one of my fave books so it’s going good.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! I’m so glad that you’ve kept this link-up going—it’s my favorite day of the month!
I am currently reading Beach Road by James Patterson.
Happy 4th Anniversary! I do so enjoy this linkup and many of my favorite books were first introduced to me here. I love talking nerdy book talk with all of you! 🙂
congrats on 4 years! you had a great reading month, but I’m most jealous of phil collins. SO cool!
Happy 4 year book linkup anniversary! I love reading all the book reviews and getting new book recommendations. I really enjoyed How to Walk Away. It was a bit depressing but I thought gave a good look at having a family member who has a mental illness.
Sorry that last month was only ‘meh’ on the reading front. I’ve been in a bit of a reading rut myself. SUYB always inspires me, and reminds me that there are tons of better books out there. Thanks so much for hosting! I look forward to it every month.
Ugh months with all meh worthy books are the worst! When that happens I feel like I wasted time I could be reading good books!
Four years of books means a continually growing TBR list for me, so thanks for that! I think…hahaha it is basically impossible to read them all I feel. Baby Teeth has been on my TBR for awhile and I am not sure what to think about it, guess I will have to read and find out.
I loved How To Walk Away! LOL. Right now I’m reading Every Fifteen Minutes by Lisa Scottoline. And I’ll be back tomorrow to link up the books I read this past month!
Bummer that you didn’t read any great ones this month. Hopefully October is a better month for reading. I have How to Walk Away on my list and have heard mostly good things, but you just never know. I’ll probably still try it though.
Sorry to hear about How to Walk Away but I can see what you’re saying and each book affects everyone differently. I love her writing 🙂 Bummer that it was a meh reading month!
Yay 4 years!!!
Thanks for hosting another fabulous party! I look forward to visiting on this rainy morning!