Jana Says

Happy day after world book lovers day! We didn’t plan it, but sometimes it’s nice when things work out that way.

My reading was a bit slower this month compared to last month. That’s something I used to get upset over but I’ve stopped doing that. Reading is supposed to be fun, not a pressure-filled activity, and if I only read 5 books in a month, why should I think that’s not enough? It is enough. One book would be enough.

I’m starting to sound like Dayenu (my fellow Jews know what I mean) so I’m going to stop now and move on to my recap:

Morningside Heights by Joshua Henkin. If you are triggered by books about Alzheimer’s, don’t read this one because it’s basically the focus of the story and everything that happens, happens in the context of it. However, despite the heavy nature of the book, it’s quirky at times but also emotional and sad and heartbreaking. It’s a family drama that also feels like it’s just about one person, and if you’d prefer to read something light and fun, pass on this. It is not that.

Buses Are a Comin’: Memoir of a Freedom Rider by Charles Person. This book is exactly what the title says. The memoir from a man who was on the very first freedom ride. It is excellent, it is a must-read, and I cannot recommend it enough. The writing isn’t perfect, but it is worth it.

Hide In Place by Emilya Naymark. A perfectly fine, acceptable thriller. It feels like it could have been a little more developed in places, and it would make a good TV show given the nature of the varying plot points, but as far as a book goes, it was a decent way to pass the time.

Hell of a Book by Jason Mott. I don’t know a good way to describe this book. At its core, it’s about being Black in America. On its surface, it’s about publishing and money and sex and relationships and family and it’s all set during an author’s book tour (and concurrent emotional breakdown) with the news of a shooting constantly playing in the background. I liked it a lot, but it was weird at times.

Hell in the Heartland: Murder, Meth, and the Case of Two Missing Girls by Jax Miller. I saw this book at Barnes and Noble and remembered listening to a podcast episode about the case so I got the book from the library. It’s a fascinating case and the author definitely got way too absorbed in it (think Michelle McNamara) and she definitely overwriters at times BUT. I’m glad I read it. There are so many facets to what happened and while there are answers, there are so many more questions. That said, if you pick this up and find you can’t handle her writing (I almost DNF but kept going because the case is so interesting), let me know and I’ll recommend some podcast episodes instead.

TL; DR: Buses Are a Comin’ is my must-read for the month. If you like true crime, you’ll like Hell in the Heartland and the others are dependent entirely upon your taste and mood.

Currently reading: The Unseen World by Liz Moore.

Now it’s your turn! Link up and show us your books! Don’t forget to visit the on-vacation Steph and some other bloggers on the list for some excellent recommendations. And mark September 14 for the next one (it’s 5 weeks instead of 4).

This post is coming to you straight out of my 11-day vacation, which was great, but it made me completely forget how to function as an actual person with responsibilities and a job. For real, I spent 30 minutes trying to log into our system at work, couldn’t, and thought I’d been fired. Turns out, it was the wrong URL. So that’s fun.

I do, however, recommend taking 11 days off if you ever have the change (fought back the urge to quote Alanis in that sentence). It gives you the chance to relax, nap, watch TV, visit places if you’re into that, and also, read books. I had set an ambitious goal of 11 books in 11 days, but I only got to 8.5. Still respectable, and I’m fine with that.

Given the fact that I read so many books and I have to leave soon to take my daughter to cheer practice (because time management is one of those things I have forgotten how to do), here are my abbreviated reviews:

Abundance by Jakob Guanzon. A solid, well-written read, and a look into addiction, poverty, homelessness, reintegrating into society after prison, and a host of other topics that do not make for a light story. But still very good.

Yearbook by Seth Rogen. I love him, I’ve loved him since Freaks and Geeks, and this book is super funny. If you’re not a fan of his humor or movies, or if references to drugs and sex bother you, it’s probably not the right choice. Side note, he makes a lot of references to being Jewish, to which I relate, and I think that definitely made this book funnier to me.

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby. Excellent, excellent, excellent. I loved Blacktop Wasteland, this book was equally as good. It’s violent and deals with some (read: a lot) homophobia (it’s actually central to the plot) so it’s not easy, but OMG. If you want a copy of the book, let me know and I’ll send you mine because I also have it from NetGalley.

Death in Mud Lick by Eric Eyre. A novel version of his reporting on pill mills in West Virginia, how they destroyed towns and lives, and how they were left unchecked despite regulatory agencies knowing what was happening. He’s a great reporter, the book was fascinating.

The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz. I loved this book, but the first 50 or so pages are a slog so if you want to read it, be aware of that. I don’t want to say too much because it’ll give too much away. Just know that it’s interesting, different, and the ending is great. (Admin note: Everything from this book to the end of the post was part of my vacation challenge)

The Cold Millions by Jess Walter. Meh. It was fine. Historical fiction, which usually isn’t my jam, but it was a decent read. Not worth the months I had to wait to get it, though.

Slow Burner by Laura Lippman, Buried by Jeffrey Deaver, and Let Her Be by Lisa Unger. I’m lumping these together because they’re all part of the Hush collection on Amazon. It’s a good series, much better than Forward, it’s kind of rooted in #MeToo, but the stories are dark and twisted, and I’ll probably read all the rest. Maybe even Ruth Ware’s.

The Therapist by B.A. Paris. Another meh. I feel like all of her books are the same. Like, literally the same book just with different character names and settings. They’re getting quite boring. Got this one from NetGalley.

Playing Nice by J.P. Delaney. Third NetGalley book of the month, but this one is OLD. However, it was exponentially better than The Therapist, and while it’s certainly flawed, she wrote a truly contemptible character, a solid plot, and a satisfying ending.

That Summer by Jennifer Weiner. Wasn’t 100% sure what I was expecting with this one, but it wasn’t what I got. In a good way, though. This was probably one of my favorite books of the month and it’s definitely one of her best. I’m not surprised she delved into the #MeToo space, given how vocal she is, but what turned out was a great story.

TL; DR: I read a lot of books last month. That Summer, Razorblade Tears, and the Hush collection were my favorites. Yearbook and The Plot are also on the top of the list. B.A. Paris is boring. Think I’m stopping reading her books.

Currently reading: Hard Cash Valley by Brian Panowich

Now it’s your turn. Link up and show us your books! Non-bloggers, leave your recent reads in the comments. And don’t forget to visit my cohost Steph and some of the other bloggers and mark your calendars for August 10 for the next one.

Happy birthday month to me! My actual birthday was a few days ago, but I haven’t done all of my personal traditions (which involve coffee, nail polish, and books. Although technically I have done them, just not in my normal way) so I’ll keep celebrating until those are all complete. Anyway. If you also have a June birthday, happy birthday to you as well!

And if you happen to also buy books as your birthday tradition, or if you’re curious about what I read last month, you’re in the right place. Because that’s what we do on the second Tuesday of the month. We talk books. I mean, we don’t talk much else here anymore despite my best intentions, but books > most things so that’s all that matters.

When we last met, I was reading Fucked at Birth: Recalibrating the American Dream by Dale Maharidge. I liked it but did not love it. It was a look at poverty within the context of BLM, COVID, and some other things over the last year. He was trying to channel some other journalists who also traveled the country and reported in somewhat real-time, but it kind of just wound up bothering me that he was traveling during COVID. In any case, it is an interesting look at poverty and community-level activism. If you want to read it, I’ll send you my copy.

Here’s what else I read:

The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives by Dashka Slater. I listened to this on audio with my daughter on a few trips to Long Island and it tells the story of what happened when one teenager set a non-binary teenager on fire on a bus because they were wearing a skirt and he didn’t like it. It’s a close look at both of the kids and their families, hate crimes, especially against the LGBTQIA+ population, the juvenile justice system, consequences to actions, and also serves as a primer for all things LGBTQIA+. It’s intense, and it’s probably a much easier read than listen.

Nothing Can Hurt You by Nicola Maye Goldberg. A few years ago, I read Violent Ends and it was one story told from 20ish perspectives. It was outstanding. This book also does that, and I believe it’s based on a true story/crime, but it is not outstanding. It’s good, and I’m not sorry I read it, but I just didn’t love it like I had hoped I would. And some of the versions, particularly the one from the POV of the victim, needed more. I appreciate what she did, but it could have been more impactful and better in another style of storytelling.

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann. Others may disagree, but this should be in true crime canon like In Cold Blood or Devil in the White City (which I did NOT like but I get why it’s highly-regarded). It’s up on my list of top true crime books (probably top 5). It was fascinating, well-written and researched, and I learned so much about so many things. I had forgotten it was on my list until I saw that Leonardo DiCaprio (and Jesse Plemmons!) is in the movie adaptation and I am so glad I read it.

American Rust by Philipp Meyer. I loved the plot, the characters, the fuzzy morality, the idea of family – basically the whole book. The writing, though, got on my nerves at times. I can’t put my finger on why it bugged me, because it was really only his writing for one character (it sort of reminded me of Owen Meany which was a big fat DNF. That’s probably why), but I was able to get through it since I loved everything else. This is also being adapted and I hope it doesn’t suck.

Seven Perfect Things by Catherine Ryan Hyde. I’m normally a big fan of her books, but this one was just meh. She tried to tackle a VERY heavy topic – domestic violence – and it didn’t work like her other books do, even with her normal formula. It kind of seemed like she did very cursory research and the rest was created based on what she THINKS it would be, not so much how it is. I’m not sure I’m explaining that well. Anyway, puppies are a central part of the book and who doesn’t love when dogs are involved?

TL; DR: Killers of the Flower Moon and American Rust were my favorites. You might like the rest based on your preferences. I thought they were just OK. But nothing actually sucked, and there were no DNFs.

Currently reading: Abundance by Jakob Guanzon.

Now it’s your turn! Link up and show us your books or if you don’t have a blog, tell me what you’re reading in the comments. Don’t forget to visit my co-host Steph and some of the other bloggers for more recommendations. And also don’t forget to mark down July 13th for the next one. There’s no minimum required so don’t worry about how few books you feel you read. Reading isn’t a competitive sport.