This is the month with all the hype books. And the ones that I’ve waited 84 years for the library to fork over <insert Titanic gif I’m way too lazy to look for> but I’m glad I waited so long. They were totally worth it.
I’ve also realized why I don’t make a damn dent in my TBR. I have this habit where, when I see a book I want to read and I don’t want to forget it or have it swallowed by my TBR, I add it to my library holds immediately. So the books that have been waiting, and the NetGalley ones, take a back seat. This is a terrible, no good habit and I don’t know how to break it.
I mean, I want to make my TBR smaller but it’s pretty much not going to happen. Now. Or ever, probably.
It’s a rock and hard place, folks. But at least it’s filled with books. So it could be worse.
For now, though, let’s review all the books I did read last month and revel in the fact that some DID get checked off the TBR (I apologize for no dog/book pictures this month):
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. I talked about this on IG (if you’re not following me you totally should, especially if you like books, dogs, snarky things, and don’t mind the abundance of pictures of all of those. And also my child), but this book lived up to ALL the hype. It was some weird courtroom drama/love story/tale of survival which sounds like it doesn’t all work together but it did, and the writing is excellent.
Becoming by Michelle Obama. I love her, I want her back in the White House, I want her speaking to all the people all the time, and her memoir is so simply written and inspiring and an absolute testament to what the right support system can do even in a stressful environment (this goes for her childhood AND her time in the White House). Also, she’s an A+ mom.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. Despite the fact that I’m the last person I know to read this book, I somehow missed that it is DARK. Very dark. Like, maybe some people might be triggered by it dark because of the discussion of abuse and trauma and suicide. And Eleanor, while not likeable, reminds me of if Don Tillman (from the Rosie Project) and Moira Rose (from Schitt’s Creek), had a baby. She’s difficult but not intentionally difficult But the story is wonderful and engaging and I was not sad I had to wait so long to read it.
Juliet’s School of Possibilities by Laura Vanderkam. I have long been an LV evangelist because I love her ideas about time management. This short little parable-type book puts all of what she’s been discussing into a very easy to digest story but I still struggle with how much her advice reeks of privilege. Maybe I’m not her intended audience anymore. I don’t know.
Lake Success by Gary Shteyngart. I don’t even know what to do with this book about two complete and utter assholes. It was good enough that I didn’t want to stop reading, and the guy clearly is not a trump fan which is okay by me, but it gets hard to read about a gigantic asshole. An asshole so big you’d leave the room if you were in it with him. I did like the scenarios he was put in, and the premise is pretty cool, but overall? Meh.
Brother by David Chariandy. If you liked THUG and Dear Martin, you will most definitely enjoy this one. It’s a little different but similar in themes and it’s also not YA. Like the others, it’s difficult to read because of the subject matter but that also means it needs to be read. It’s a short book but packs a hell of a punch.
Good Kids, Bad City: A Story of Race and Wrongful Conviction in America by Kyle Swenson. So, I know I’ve sworn off true crime but this is about three men who were convicted – wrongly – of murder (and how they served the longest sentences ever on a wrongful conviction), how the convictions were overturned, and the climate and circumstances in Cleveland that allowed it to happen. It’s a study of racism and prejudice in one city but it could literally be anywhere. It’s impactful and some damn fine reporting.
TL; DR: All the books are good, some are excellent, none are bad, but Juliet and Lake Success are by no means must-reads so maybe go ahead and skip those.
Currently reading Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah.
Now it’s your turn! Link up and show us your books! Don’t forget to visit Steph and some of the other bloggers joining us, and mark your calendars for May 14 for the next one.
Comments
Trackbacks
-
[…] usual, I’m joining The Show Us Your Books link-up hosted by Jana and Steph. Be sure to check it out and see what great (and not-so great) books everyone read last […]
-
[…] is my favorite day because it’s when I share what I read last month. After last week’s Show Us Your Books link-up, I started thinking about some of the things I love and hate about reading, because it is a […]
I always seem to read the “big” books way after everyone else, too. I’m still #87 on the library hold list for Becoming (I wish that was an exaggeration!) Very tempted to add Good Kids, Bad City to my reading list, but I’m already in the middle of two non-fictions where a bunch of people die, so I may be serious-ed out for now.
Eleanor Oliühant was one of my favourite books of 2018! Along with The Seven Imperfect Rules of Elvira Carr. If you liked Eleanor, you should read that one.
I read Becoming last month and loved it so much too. Michelle is one of my heroes and I miss her and Barack so much. She is an A+ Mom and an A+ human being. We need more of her! I also didn’t realize going into Eleanor that it was so dark. I thought it was a “funny” story and it definitely has some humorous moments but also more darkness and depth then I expected, which is why I loved it so much too.
Tanya @ A Mindful Migration recently posted…March Bookshelf: The FLOTUS, Assassin, and Detective Month
you read some great books this month, Eleanor and becoming were my two favorites last year. Ok I’m convinced I need to read delia Owens book now.
xo
Pinksole
Oh man I have that same habit – which means I have a huge stack of books to read at home, but I’m not getting to any of them, because I just had 4 library holds on those can’t resist new books come in at once… But ooh you had a good month with yours – loved Crawdads and Eleanor Oliphant. And I can’t wait to get to Becoming – but I’m still waiting a million more years for the audio version, because I’ve heard that makes it even better!
i have the same habit, i request books immediately so when they come in, i have to read them first. then i need to work on the netgalley books. that’s how i end up never reading books i actually own. i don’t know how to make it stop except one month i did a library ban but holds still came in, so… oh well. i am so glad about Crawdads, I just started it for book club. Yes to Becoming. So good. Yay Eleanor! She reminded me of the guy from the rosie project too. i am very intrigued by the fact that you are currently reading a kristin hannah book. can’t wait for your thoughts on that one!
You did read some great books this month! I also read Becoming and loved it. Where The Crawdad has been recommended to me by both my mom and a coworker. I’m patiently waiting for it to come in from the library. I enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant.
I’ve got to add Good Kids to my TBR right now! I’m a big true crime buff and have been reading up a bit on wrongful convictions. That one sounds heartbreaking and fascinating.
I do the same with adding books to my library hold list immediately. I never think about reducing my TBR list though. The more the merrier. Let me die with books still left to read over nothing to read any day!
Brother looks great.
I’m reading Eleanor Oliphant right now. It’s really hard to put down.
I’ve found that I go through my TBR and my library’s website about once a month (usually after this linkup). I just figure anything else can wait and I’ll read it eventually. I used to have major FOMO when it came to NetGalley and missing out on the next big book, etc. But then I realized how many people don’t read at all and I feel better about my efforts.
Look at you getting some top hits knocked off your list! LOL Don’t worry you are not the last to read Eleanor Oliphant, I still need to read it!
I really liked Eleanor and I love your character combination haha but then again I am obsessed with Moira Rose 🙂
Becoming was such a great memoir! I also loved Eleanor Oliphant. Though I did find her likeable in her own quirky way!
Soooo full disclosure? I’m STILL trying to finish Becoming. I like it enough but it just doesn’t pull me in like other books. I’m not even halfway through and I’ve been reading it says November.
This is one of my favorite link parties. I love reading everyone’s reviews. Thank you so much for hosting. Have a good week.
Yay! It’s so great when you get to read long-awaited books and EVEN better when they live up to the hype. I’m with you on the first 3 – they were all amazing in my opinion as well. I shortened my TBR once… but it doesn’t really matter. You’re right, being stuck in the middle of a pile of books isn’t the worst thing in the world.
Definitely going to give Brother a try!
Crawdads & Becoming finally came through my library last month, and I had the exact same reactions<3 So good and worth waiting for.
I do the same with my TBR – I’ve added so many books that it would be better to pare that list down or just ditch it and start fresh. Even if there were no more new books … ever … I still wouldn’t get to all the ones on my list. I’m reading Eleanor Oliphant now and am about 1/4 the way through – the cover made me think it was a chick-lit type book so it took me by surprise.
I do the exact same thing and its why I sometimes don’t get to my TBR list because I will get 5 books in from the library that have been on hold for ages all at once!
I did not know Eleanor was a dark book?? I also haven’t read it (clearly) but its on my TBR. Which, like you, is constantly growing. I have 3 library books and 2 ARCs I need to read and then I’m focusing on books I own for a bit! One of which is Becoming and I can’t wait!!
I cannot wait to get to Crawdads – I think I’m currently 200 on my library wait list for that one, so some day. I’m in the middle of Michelle’s book, and love it so far. And you’ve never steered me wrong in the way of non-fiction, so adding Good Kids to my list.
I have gone from being the 434rd person in line for Michelle Obama’s book at my library, to the 392nd. Someday I will read her book 🙂 And yes, I miss both her and Barack soooo much.
Mackenzie recently posted…As The Page Turns: April Edition
I loved Where the Crawdads Sing so much. I want to read it a second time.
I found Eleanor unlikable in the beginning but by the end I thought she was endearing. In a weird way.
I NEED to read Becoming. And I still haven’t read Eleanor Oliphant, but I want to!
-Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Show Us Your Books: Graphic Novels and Serial Killers
I do the same with my TBR and the library because I go to the library website to make sure my library HAS that book and then just end up requesting it on hold. lol. Then it comes in months later and I can’t even remember it…so I am trying to get better about using Goodreads for my TBR.
I am so glad you loved Crawdads, I did too! And Eleanor too – I agree that I didn’t know it was quite so dark and could definitely use a trigger warning. Somewhat relatedly – there is a third Don Tillman book coming out soon which I can’t wait to read!
You did hit up some of the popular ones, didnt you?
I had that Crawdad one in my hand the other day & put it down & kicking myself… I gotta try & add myself to the list to get it again.
I have the same bad habit! I really need to read where the crawdads sing this month!
I also didnt realize how dark Eleanor was till I read it.
Hey, I finished Where the Crawdads Sing this last month, too! SO GOOD! I did knock off a half star because I was slightly underwhelmed by the ending, but the book was incredible. Definitely worth all the hype it’s gotten! I seriously can’t wait to see what the author comes out with next.
Also, I loved Eleanor Oliphant Is Fine. I don’t mind quirky characters, and I thought that even though there was a darker side, there was enough lighthearted humor in it to keep me from getting depressed. Have you ever read Silver Lining Playbook? There’s another quirky character read with a darkish side that’s still got a good dose of humor.
Also, I’m currently reading a Vanderkam book myself (though a different one). I’m going to have to check out several of these other titles on the list, since it seems we have some overlapping tastes, for sure 🙂
I haven’t read Eleanor yet, I’m #576869 on the list at the library. Same with Crawdad. I’m glad to hear you liked those ones!
Oh Eleanor Oliphant, I just loved that book–dark, yet so funny and heartwarming at the same time. And Becoming… I second wanting her back in the White House. It was almost sad to read because I miss the Obamas so much. I really need to read Where the Crawdads Sing too.
I am the same way when it comes with my TBR list. I find so many books through this link that I want to read and the list just keeps growing! I have been going back & forth about reading Eleanor Oliphant someday since it’s not what I normally go for but I may need to check it out! I have also been wanting to read Becoming and it’s actually available at the library for once!
I haven’t read Eleanor yet and I didn’t know it is dark!
I do the same thing with my library hold list. And half the time they’re a series so I request the next one and it’s a damn rabbit hole. But reading is reading 😉 I’m about to go add Becoming to my list now! I don’t know what I’m waiting for!
Audrey recently posted…What I Read…