Hey, book nerds! Welcome to 2019 and another year of Show Us Your Books! Steph and I are excited to spend more months with y’all, talking books and blowing up our Goodreads lists. However, I did want to let you know that this month, my book talk is short and it’ll take me a few days to read all of your posts. For those who don’t know, my dad had a stroke a couple of days after Christmas and I’ve been going back and forth between Delaware and Long Island since then.
Actually, as I write this, I don’t even know where I’ll be on SUYB day.
I apologize for not being able to be a good hostess this month but I know Steph is taking good care of you guys and I know you’re all taking care of each other.
For 2019, I set two reading goals: read 80 books (tracking through Goodreads) and cleaning up my NetGalley queue. I’m also on a library break (I did this once before) save for the books I had on hold prior to the start of the year, and I have at least 10 books on my shelf I plan to read.
So that’s that.
As for what I read since the last regular SUYB, all of the books were fine. Nothing knocked my socks off but nothing was a waste of time either. Except for that one Christmas book that I knew I was going to hate but read anyway because I wanted to do something different and the cover was just so pretty.
Okay, so here’s my 7 books since the last time we met:
The Punch by Noah Hawley. Um, so, weird book. Darkly funny. Started off stronger than it finished but the ending was not at all what I expected so there’s that. I like Noah Hawley. Will read more of his books. Mostly just the one I haven’t read yet.
The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman. A good portrait of grief with a tinge of breezy romance. The stuff about plants at the start of each chapter was amusing.
Always Watching by Chevy Stevens. Chevy Stevens never lets me down, even though her books are kind of formulaic but I find comfort in that formula. I know what I’m getting when I read her books.
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green. An absolutely unremarkable book that I will absolutely read the follow-up to, if there is one. John > Hank.
Season of Wonder by RaeAnne Thayne. If a Hallmark Christmas movie were a book. Not for me.
Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts. Outstanding premise. Very outstanding, in fact. I understand why people love her books, even if this is the first one I’ve read. However, it reminded me of a Kevin Costner movie. So so good and then it just drags on for so. damn. long. that you get tired of it and it winds up losing some appeal. Also, the ending was incredibly lackluster given all the build up to it.
The Line that Held Us by David Joy. I waffle between loving and hating this book. Spectacularly written, mediocre plot. If the lengthy description of a decomposing body isn’t for you, maybe don’t read this one.
TL; DR: Everything was fine. Nothing was amazing. Read them, don’t read them. Your life will remain the same regardless of which way you choose.
Currently reading Alice Isn’t Dead by Joseph Fink. Yup. Another podcast-to-book book.
Next SUYB is February 12 (five weeks!).
Okay, book peeps. Let me know what you read last month! Then visit Steph and some of the others so you can start your new year off with some new reads!
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I’m so sorry to hear about your dad! I like what you said about Chevy Stevens- so true!
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. I hope he recovers soon. Hugs.
Oh I’m so sorry about your dad! All the best to your family!
On the book notes, I’ve read one book by Noah Hawley and one by Chevy Steven. I enjoyed both so thanks for the reminder to give them another go!
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad<3 Praying for a good recovery and also for you/your family as you support him.
AART was similar for me. Some parts I really liked and others were "Eh." But Hank has said there will be a follow-up, so I'll definitely read it just to see where the story goes. Roberts is a good writer, but some stories of hers I just like better than others (kind of like Rainbow Rowell…not that their styles are similar, just that their books are all a little different from each other).
So sorry about your dad, keeping your Fam in my thoughts. I did rid some great books this month.
xo
https://pinksole.com
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad– keeping you guys in my prayers.
Before the Fall was just so-so for me, but The Punch sounds totally different, and I’m kind of intrigued from your review & reading the synopsis.
An Absolutely remarkable thing is m YA bookclubs book this month and I wasn’t sure if I was going to read it but now definitely not sure!
Sending some strength and energy vibes your way. Hoping for a speedy and full recovery for your dad. He’s the luckiest to have a daughter like you.
I’m glad there are 5 weeks between today and SUYB. I had a measly two this time and it’d be nice to beef up next month’s post 🙂
Audrey recently posted…What I Read…
I’m so sorry to hear about your father, and I’m thinking about you and your family. I think that’s a great idea to do a no library books challenge to try and get through your Netgalley list and the books that you’ve bought. I really should try and do that too because my Netgalley list is so horribly long! I’ve always heard such great things about Chevy Stevens, and I need to give her books a try!
I’m sorry about your dad – I hope he’s regaining strength and mobility. I know how difficult it is for the family members, so I hope you’re taking care of yourself as well.
i hope you’re dad is doing better Jana. i really hope for the best for his recovery.
hmm i might check out that one you compared to a hallmark movie. haha. i have never read a nora roberts book – well, that’s a lie, i’ve read her JD Robb books and love them, but not her books she publishes under her name. i don’t really have a desire to, but maybe that will change one day.
i’ve never read a chevy stevens book, i did own one but gave it to a friend to borrow and she’s lost it. rage. but hopefully i’ll get to one one day, start with her most popular one?
ugh i wrote you’re instead of your dad. i am super embarrassed, don’t judge me.
but really, i hope for the best for him. my mum is 2 years out from her stroke so i have been in a similar position.
kristen recently posted…Books Lately
I’ll give Always Watching a try!
I’m laughing about your Kevin Costner movie reference. Lol! So true, though with her books (the couple I’ve read). So sorry to hear about your dad – sending lots of positive vibes and thoughts to your family.
Oh I’m so sorry. Thinking of you, your dad, and your family. I missed last month’s linkup and had my post all ready for today – then my site got hacked!!!! Hopefully I’ll be back up to join later today 🙁
I hope you read some books that really blow you away this month. I’m so sorry to hear about your dad though!!
-Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Make It a Gift/Book Review: Sleepover at the Museum
Sending you love and light. Praying for recovery for your dad. Hang in there
Iv’e keep your daddy on my prayer list since I saw the news. Still lifting him up & all of you!!!
I hope your father is doing better! He’s lucky to have you. 😀
So … I did not read a book in December. Not one. I had one checked out that I now rudely have to pay a late fee for because I went home without returning it before its due date. Grrrr … I also have another book that I am really excited to read or more like admire its cover. Every time I pick it up to read, I’m like nah, I’ll read this later. Sigh. I was hoping 2019 would end my reading slump but apparently not.
I’m not a huge fan of Nora Roberts’ romances but I love her mystery/romance like the In Death series (the comfort you find in Stevens is what I find in that series) and her stand-alone mysteries. I have not read Shelter in Place because well, you know. Keeping you and your family in thoughts and sending lots of healing energy to your dad!
Tanya @ A Mindful Migration recently posted…2018: See Ya Later, Sucker
Chevy Stevens is one I always mean to read more from….
I’m sorry your life is so uncertain right now. I hope your dad makes speedy progress. It’s a blessing that you can travel back and forth fairly easily, so that’s something, I suppose.
No apology necessary, and I hope your dad is recovering well. Take care of yourself, too.
I used to read a lot of Nora Roberts. Shelter in Place looks really good and timely. Added to my TBR.
Sending good thoughts as always.
LOL read/don’t read, whatever. I hope to have one book a month that I totally recommend and I’m thrown off when that doesn’t happen.
Very sorry to hear about your father. I hope his recovery goes well.
I like the sound of the Chevy Stevens book. I think I’ll add it to my TBR!
I’ve read a few Nora Roberts books. I always enjoy them. There’s a reason she’s been around so long. She knows how to write.
I’m intrigued by the Noah Hawley book. I might need to look into it.
Micah recently posted…Show Us Your Books: December 2018
I was wondering how John’s writing would stack up next to Hank’s. Thanks for saving me from “meh”.
I’m sorry to hear about your Dad. Prayers your way.
I will have to agree that sometimes books that are formulatic are nice. The Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich are like that for me. It is essentially the same book (just a different bad guy) each time, but I love it so much! The Garden of Small Beginnings sounds interesting — I like that it shares bits about plants!
I haven’t read any of these. I have read a Nora Roberts book or two in the last and like and her, thought I hate when a book drags on.
I am sorry to hear about your dad. Sending you all the hugs!
I feel like reading a lot of mediocre books puts me into a reading slump more quickly than when I just read one bad one. I guess because I usually quit the bad ones. But hopefully you find some great ones this month!
So sorry to hear about your dad. Hope he is doing better. I really liked Garden of Small Beginnings. And I agree, Chevy Stevens is always good for a quick, suspenseful read.
Sorry about your dad and hope he is improving. Some of these books you mention here are on my list so I’m glad to read your thoughts on them – and I laughed at your thoughts on the Hank Green book. 🙂
I am so sorry to hear about your dad. Thinking of you! Christmas fiction is NOT for everyone. heheheh December was such a busy month, I didn’t read a lot! 🙂 XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
So sorry to hear about your dad, I hope his recovery is going smoothly! I have that Hank book in my Kindle. I’m surprised that you’re interested to read a follow up since it wasn’t that remarkable, but it does appear that there’s a second one in the works!I’ve only read Still Missing by Chevy Stevens, but have several of her others on my TBR, adding this one as well!
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. Thinking of you & your family!
Chevy Stevens is great. Her books never disappoint!
One of my goals for this year is to keep on top of my Netgalley list too. I was feeling pretty good about it a few months ago, but it has gotten bigger lately.
Good thoughts to your Dad and you! The parent-in-peril gig is a tough one.
I could have sworn that I read a Noah Hawley book but I didn’t. I’m going to put The Punch on the list.
I’m so sorry to hear about your Dad. I hope he’s doing better.
Wow, I haven’t heard of most of these authors or books, so thanks for the introduction!
Thanks so much for hosting!