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.
Yearbook and Playing Nice sound really good (my TBR list grows every 2nd Tuesday of the month by the way).
I haven’t read a book by B A Paris in a few years and I enjoyed the 3 I’d read ages ago (although Bring me back wasn’t my favourite).
I loved Playing Nice. I’m excited to read The Therapist but I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy it. I can’t join this link-party before it closes because I’m on vacation but I will still post about my June books when I get back.
Amy R DeVito recently posted…What’s Up Wednesday: June 2021 Edition
I’ve never read a B.A. Paris book although I’ve seen them everywhere. Very annoying that the plots are recycled!
Confuzzled Bev recently posted…What I read in June 2021
Death in Mud Lick sounds so interesting…and probably infuriating. Your vacation sounds amazing!!Thanks for sharing and have a great month!
Becki recently posted…Show Us Your Books – June 2021
I have 6 months to wait for That Summer at the library. Glad to hear it will be worth it!
I am trying to get through The Therapist right now…and have very meh feelings about it so far and am on the same page in that I don’t know if I will be jumping to request more from her. The Yearbook sounds interesting, I do like Seth Rogen’s movies. Glad to see J P Delaney coming out with something decent again, The Perfect Wife was just awful and I could not get into it.
Nadine recently posted…Books – July 2021
I am also not loving The Therapist and might DNF even though it was an ARC. Life’s too short for meh books for me right now. Yay vacation and vacation reading!!
We are on the same page with B.A. Paris.
I love Seth Rogen.
Like Nadine I hated the last JP Delaney so glad this one is decent!
I’ll trade you a Sunshine Seasoning for the Cosby!
I didn’t even know Seth Rogen wrote a book. Lol. But it sounds funny to the right audience!
Hell yes for an 11 day vacation. I would love that. Not just from work, though. I need it from life. Like, give me an on-call nanny during that time, too, please. LOL
Audrey recently posted…What I Read…
I’ve never read anything by B.A. Paris but I have heard from other book reviewers that they weren’t particularly bowled over by The Therapist either.
I have They Summer sitting on my kindle waiting Muir me. Maybe I’ll read it next. Seth Rogan is so funny and I’m going to look for his book too! Thanks for hosting.
Sarah recently posted…Tuesday Book Release Day
I have been seeing Razorblade Tears all over the internet lately, so now I’m going to have to check it out! Glad to hear you enjoyed your vacation! I definitely have a hard time coming back to reality after a vacation too, I was only gone a long weekend and I keep forgetting how to use words hahaa
8.5 books in 11 days is impressive! As much as I love to read I have to break up my books with some (lots) of physical activity in between readings.
Once I was away from my office for two weeks (part work trip, then part vacation) and I couldn’t remember what floor my office was on when I came back. 🙂 It sounds like you had a great vacation and read some good books too! I give side-eye to romance formulas but many mystery/thriller writers have them too and it grows old and predictable. Seth Rogen is hilarious and I love him on Twitter. I definitely want to read his book and am adding it to my TBR.
Tanya @ A Mindful Migration recently posted…A Few Random Thoughts
I read and enjoyed That Summer this past month too. Playing Nice has been on my to read list. The Therapist is also on my to read list. B.A. Paris has been hit or miss with me but I’ll likely read it. An 11 day vacation sounds wonderful!
Ooh, 8.5 books in 11 days sounds so delightful! I realllly wanted to like Razorblade Tears because I was so interested in the issues he’s exploring and how he’s doing it – but I just could not handle the breaking of fingers (and probably worse – couldn’t get that far). Interested in picking up The Plot because I’m a sucker for books that center on bookstores/authors/publishing, but that’s good to know that the start will take some effort.
Death In Mud Lick sounds right up my alley for grim nonfiction reporting. An 11-day vacation sounds decadent. I have a ton of PTO that I have to burn before September 30 and a big project that was delayed 6 weeks so….I could probably try that.
Kimberly recently posted…Show us your books July 2021
I loved That Summer too.
Dara recently posted…10 Favorite Summer Foods
I considered Razorblade Tears from BOTM but it seemed too violent? Reminded me of the plot of Law Abiding Citizen (best movie ever!) but I didn’t know if I could do it in book form.
My favorite B.A. Paris was The Breakdown and everything else is so-so.
I may try Playing Nice. I thought about that one when I saw it on this link-up last month, but I didn’t like The Girl Before that much.
I have an ARC of The Plot that I won so I’m excited to check it out. Good to know it’s slow moving at first! I am curious about Razorblade Tears; I just feel like I need to be in a better mindset to read it because I know it’s going to be emotional and intense.
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…{Show Us Your Books July 2021}: Fleabag, This Poison Heart, and More