I think one of my goals for 2019 should be to start writing again. I miss it, and I feel terrible that I only check in here when it’s time for Show Us Your Books. I mean, it could be worse. Like, there’s no SUYB at all and then I never write or talk about books or catch up with all the awesome people who participate. That would be awful. I don’t want to think about that. So I won’t.
What I do want to think about is books. Because that’s why we’re all here today. Books. I read 7 of them since the last SUYB, with 2 put on my “let’s try this again later because it’s too much for me right now” list. Most of the books I read were enjoyable enough. Some I really, really liked but didn’t necessarily give high star ratings to (if you pay attention to that sort of thing) for whatever reason. I genuinely have no idea why I rated some a 3.5 when they should have been higher. Anyway. It’s arbitrary and doesn’t really matter.
Here’s what I actually thought about them. Some of the reviews are copied from Litsy while others are pulled from my memory because I just can’t do another social media right now.
…And then You Die of Dysentery: Lessons in Adulting from the Oregon Trail by Lauren Reeves. If you know me, you know my obsession with the Oregon Trail. I found this very short, very entertaining book that I read in 20 minutes at Barnes and Noble where I parked my ass in a chair and read it from start to finish. Guys, this book is freaking hysterical and I can’t recommend enough that you somehow find a way to read it. It actually would make a great stocking stuffer gift.
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Thank you, NetGalley, for giving me this book because holy fucking shit was it good. I think I liked it better than Evelyn, and if any of her books is made into a movie, it needs to be this one and the fact that SHE WROTE SONGS…WHAT?! She’s amazing. I don’t want to say too much but the narrative of this book is creative and incredibly well-written, and the little twist at the end (well, one of the two. I kind of figured out one) I did not see coming. Also, if you’ve read it, did you completely picture Daisy as a Stevie Nicks-type person? OH! If you have Spotify, you can find the playlist that inspired the book, too.
Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren. This book is everything I hate in a book but yet, I found myself reading it in one day. Despite this book’s many, many flaws, it was exactly what I needed to read at the moment I read it and didn’t not hate it at all. It is light and fun and stupidly annoying and I don’t know that I want to ever read it or anything like it again but here we are, with me actually enjoying a rom-com book. Someone send help.
Heartland by Sarah Smarsh. Another NetGalley book for me but this one was nonfiction, and one I’d been meaning to get around to for a couple of months before I did. Like Hillbilly Elegy, this should be read as a memoir rather than a representation of Appalachia or those who voted for that guy. Unlike Hillbilly Elegy, she is upfront about that and also, the writing is excellent. Her story of escaping poverty and teenage pregnancy is definitely the bootstrap-type story we embrace but it’s so much more than that. It’s her family’s history and its impact on her and her choices. It did leave me with some questions, and the fact that that it’s written as a letter to the baby she never had (she’s consciously never been pregnant) was weird at times, but if you liked Educated, I actually think this was marginally better.
Sadie by Courtney Summers. A disturbing, chilling, violent YA thriller. It’s also terribly sad. It happened to be an excellent book if you like that sort of thing. There’s also a podcast element to it, both as transcripts in the book to help tell the story, and as an actual podcast you can listen to (the transcripts are what the actual podcast is based on). Probably one of my favorite books of the year.
Presidio by Randy Kennedy. Meh. It’s an okay book that underdelivered on plot and overdelivered on writing. I feel like I was kind of mislead about the point of the book, which is fine, but it left me feeling empty and pissed at the end. He’s a great writer, and descriptions are his strength, but developing a plot is not. I wanted more telling instead of showing, and I wanted more of the letters to the police written by the main character than I did some of the other stuff. I do love the cover, though.
Limetown by Cote Smith. If you like the podcast, or plan to listen to the podcast, this book is a must-read. It is outstanding in that context and both explains and sets up so much. I actually plan to listen to the whole thing from the beginning, knowing what I know now. The only thing that kept it from being a 5-star review for me was I couldn’t keep everyone and everything straight. It made me dizzy at times. However, as a stand-alone book, this book makes almost no sense. It’s still a fascinating story and well written but it’s just better with the podcast (which came first. Sort of like what they did with Welcome to Night Vale and Alice Isn’t Dead and Homecoming).
Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver and Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak were the two that I started but had to stop because they are just too much for me right now. I’m not calling them DNF because I will read them at some point.
Currently reading The Punch by Noah Hawley and The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman.
TL; DR: All the books I read this month were excellent, except for Presidio. If you need to prioritize, go with Sadie and Daisy Jones.
A couple of housekeeping things: Don’t forget to visit my co-host, Steph, and some other participating bloggers. Also, we’re having a bonus linkup on December 26 where we discuss our favorite books of the year so make sure to join us then. And finally, now it’s your turn! Link up and show us your books!
Comments
Trackbacks
-
[…] start loving books once again. As usual, I’m joining the Show Us Your Books Link-Up hosted by Jana and Steph. Be sure to visit the link-up and see what everyone is reading and […]
Whaaaat? You read a rom-com? You? Jana Lynch? And you kinda liked it? Wow, that’s high praise. 😀 Oddly, I’ve wanted to read that book but my library doesn’t carry it. I have Daisy but keep putting off reading it because my mood is so dang grumpy and whiny and petulant. I fear it will taint my love, which I don’t want to happen. Sadie sounds like my kind of book, but I can’t do sad right now. Still adding it to my TBR for later. Also adding And then You Die because something silly is what I need right now.
Tanya @ A Mindful Migration recently posted…November Bookshelf: One is a Lonely Number but Still Better than Zero
I have read precisely none of these books!
Sadie sounds good.
I didn’t get an ARC of Daisy but of course I can’t wait to read it. Sounds like it is phenomenal. That Oregan Trail book sounds great too – and easy reads are great at this time of year. LOL at your description of Josh & Hazel because I loved that book 😀
Heather recently posted…Show us your books December!
I listened to Limetown so I really want to read the book.
Daisy Jones is my next TJR – cant get enough of her!
i pretty much only check in for link ups now too. i keep meaning to write more, but… i don’t. i don’t want to think about a world without SUYB. that would be a lonely world lol. i think daisy jones would make an *amazing* movie. i love evelyn, more than daisy myself, but daisy would make a better movie? i think. i am absolutely gobsmacked you read josh and hazel, glad you didn’t hate it, don’t pick up any of their other books, trust me.
Spoiler alert: Daisy Jones made my favorites list of the year.
I’ve considered the Barbara Kingsolver but haven’t committed to reading it.
Definitely adding Sadie – especially since you loved it so much. Also Heartland, because non-fiction twins. I’ve heard such good things about that TJR – can’t wait till it comes out so I can read it.
I’ve been feeling the need to write more too. Ive noticed that most of my posts are filler and what im doing but laking any real writing anymore. I definitely want to check out Sadie!!
Ahh, everyone on SUYB has been loving Daisy Jones. I cannot get myself in gear to sign up for NetGalley and I’m afraid if I do, I won’t get the good books! Josh & Hazel was definitely cute and annoying. I didn’t feel like I liked it as much as everyone else!
Daisy is on my TBR! And Evelyn was one of the first books I put on my 2018 favs so I have super high hopes now 🙂
Daisy Jones & The Six was seriously so incredibly good! I literally couldn’t put it down! I was sick and needed to go to bed one night and I purposefully stayed up to finish the book because it was that good! Seriously TJR can do no wrong! Sadie sounds like a really good book, and I generally love YA so I’m adding it to my list too!
I haven’t read any of these yet but I DO really want to read Sadie, Josh and Hazel, and Daisy. They all sound really good.
-Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…On the 11th Day of Christmas, I Showed You Some Books!
I loved Sadie and Josh and Hazel. Glad you enjoyed both in their own way. Sometimes you need a certain type of book.
XO,
Alexandra
Daisy Jones and Josh & Hazel’s are both on my (shorter) TBR list! I’m glad you liked them, too! What a review on that Daisy Jones one!! I feel like I now need to figure out a person to give the Oregon Trail book to (and read it quick before I wrap it up), lol.
Audrey recently posted…What I Read…
I haven’t read any of these but a couple were already in my TBR — I also added Sadie and Heartland. My library had a book sale a few years ago and I bought 2-3 Kingsolver books and have yet to read any of them … but I added Unsheltered to my list as well, because why not?
I got and returned without reading Bridge of Clay for the same reason. Sadie is sitting on my bookshelf but I’ve read similar reviews and I haven’t been in the mood for dark and depressing reads recently. I just requested the Oregon Trail book. It sounds awesome!
I need to read that Oregon Trail book! I really want to read Sadie, but I have to be in the mood for something more violent. Definitely going to read Daisy Jones soon!
I love that you actually read the Oregon Trail book while at Barnes and Noble 🙂
Mackenzie recently posted…If It Makes You Unhappy…Unfollow
Surprise. A comment from me. I still lurk around on SUYB days. Question…I don’t do podcasts. My life just isn’t conducive to it. So, do you think Sadie would appeal to me as much? Because the fucked up nature of it, you know, is my kind of book. But, podcasts…not so much.
I’ve been wanting to read Sadie, and also more Taylor Jenkins Reid. I’ve only read one of hers and I liked it okay, but I feel like she has better ones out there I need to try.
That Oregon Trail one sounds like a hoot – definitely would be a great stocking stuffer. And thank you for the reminder that I need to read some more Taylor Jenkins Reid! The two I’ve read so far were so enjoyable that I definitely need to hunt down the rest of her stuff.
I can’t wait to read Daisy Jones and the Six! Josh and Hazel’s Guide….is on my to read pile. I’ve become a big fan of Christina Lauren. Just added Sadie to my to read list. Sounds like a good read!
I can’t wait until Daisy comes out as I’ve read all positive reviews about it! And Heartland sounds really good too!
Daisy Jones and the Oregon Trail book are going on my list! I too love anything Oregon Trail : ) Thanks for hosting!
I will join you in the 2019 goal of writing more.
I’m intrigued by Sadie, I LOL at the title “….And Then You Die of Dysentery,” and – don’t hate me – I’ve STILL not read a TJR book although I really do want to. Add that to 2019 goals!
I want to read Josh and Hazel, it’s on the list. I loved Daisy Jones so much!!! I heard Reese Witherspoon picked it up for a series like Big Little Lies.
I’ve seen a couple of reviews of Sadie and thought “hmm, sounds interesting”, but you’re the FIRST to mention there’s a PODCAST! I’m sold!! I’m a podcast fanatic, I’m listening to them constantly, so a book-podcast combo is basically my dream. Thank you!!
Ooooh…. that TJR book sounds fantastic! I will be anxiously awaiting its publication.
I’ve had they feeling a few times where I just keep reading and continually ask myself why I’m reading something but just can’t stop. And end up liking it. Oh, and that Oregon Trail book? I need.
Alison Puppies and Pretties recently posted…Custom Clothing with eShakti FX
I’ve seen the book Sadie lurking around for a while and I’ve wanted to pick it up. Maybe I will!!
Also, I know some bloggers include photos in their posts and others don’t. When I see your posts, I actually give the book a chance by reading what it’s about, reviews, etc. before judging it by its cover. Just something interesting.
I really can’t wait to read Daisy Jones! Sounds amazing!
ok this is the second time I’ve seen the daisy jones book, will have to check it out! love that you are having a bonus link up this month 🙂