Happy panniversary, guys. What a fucking year. Really looking forward to…I don’t even know anymore. I’m trying not to look forward to anything because I’m so tired of being disappointed when it’s inevitably canceled. You know, like concerts, vacations, seeing family, my sanity. Stuff like that.
But at least there’s still books. I have books to look forward to. Like You Love Me, which NetGalley forked over yesterday and I can’t wait to read because I’m obsessed with Joe Goldberg. And the new Andy Weir book which NetGalley ALSO gave me. I don’t know why they trust me so much now. But I like it.
Maybe it’s a reward for reading two last month. Who knows. I’m not questioning anything. I’m just going to sit back and read because quite frankly, there’s not a whole hell of a lot else to do (and let’s be honest, even if there was, that’s what I’d do anyway).
Last month was a good reading month, save for one book which was so terrible I didn’t make it past page 50 and even that was a struggle. Unfortunately, almost all of them were written by white women so the diversity was pretty lacking and that’s a failing on my part so I’ll need to work on that.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid. NetGalley book #1. I love her, and I swear, each book she writes gets better than the previous one. This is far and away my most favorite one she’s written. It’s just SO GOOD. If you’re looking for something deep or moving or that’s going to change your life, this is not that book. But if you want a fantastic story told in a pretty creative way, this is that book.
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. I know there are some complaints that it’s a little slow, but I didn’t find it slow. I found it massively depressing and heartbreaking, and not because of when it takes place (the Depression). It’s just sad for like the whole book, and the end was not what I wanted it to be at all. I wanted something better for Elsa. She deserved it.
The Survivors by Jane Harper. Not the strongest showing from her, but still a good book. Solid plot, interesting characters, good writing. Oh, and The Dry is a movie now so if you liked that one, be on the lookout in May-ish for the U.S. release.
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano. I adore her YA books (seriously, read Holding Smoke and The Suffering Tree) so I was super excited for her first adult novel (that sounds weird. It was not “adult” like porn. It was just for grown-ups, I guess). It was a fun, light, easy read (I finished it in a day) and while I wouldn’t call it a thriller, it was a mystery. And definitely an interesting, twisty one. This is a perfect vacation book, if we ever get those or if you want to pretend you’re on one and need a book to read.
Deacon King Kong by James McBride. This book is weird and wonderful and definitely niche/genre-bending since it’s a mystery AND general fiction with a side of social commentary and historical fiction (it takes place in the 60s) and it’s probably not for everyone but I loved it.
Dark Roads by Chevy Stevens. NetGalley #2. There’s a reason she and Paul Cleave are my favorite thriller writers (he has a new book coming out this year, too!). Her books never disappoint, although this one was a little stranger than her others in the way it was written (there were two characters who were prominent in one part and then just disappeared in the rest), and it was a similar formula to her others but I did like that you knew who one of the villains was up front. This is also sadly based on true events.
Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline. Some books are not meant for a sequel, and this one proves exactly why. It was garbage and that’s where it belongs. Do not waste your time on one page of this book (I wasted my time on 50 of them so you don’t have to).
TL; DR: Every book I read this month was excellent and worth the spot on your TBR except for Ready Player Two which is good only for kindling and toilet paper (unless you get it on your Kindle, in which case, delete it and save the space).
Currently reading: The Removed by Brandon Hobson
Now it’s your turn! Link up and show us your books! Don’t forget to visit my co-host Steph who is also celebrating her birthday month this month and some of the other bloggers joining us. And mark down April 13 for the next one.
I feel like I’m forgetting something. Oh well. Happy reading!
I DNFed Ready Player Two this month as well. I think your not meant for a sequel comment was spot on.
Jill+K recently posted…Show Us Your Books March 2021
I saw the movie Ready Player One and then knew I couldn’t read the book. I don’t do reverse order.
I liked the slow beginning of The Four Winds. It was so much more interesting than the second half. I also wanted better for Elsa. It was predictably sad. She was the strong one in that book.
I was so sad reading Four Winds, and you are right…I wanted something more for Elsa. The book was still beautiful though. I have Malibu Rising and I REALLY want to get to it, but the library keeps sending me stuff that I have been on the wait list forever for. It is a real problem, isn’t it?? Finlay Donovan is on my TBR, glad to see another good review.
Nadine recently posted…Books – March 2021
I’ve read a couple of Kristin Hannah’s books over the years but battled to get through Fly Away and haven’t read more of her books since. I need to change that – I hear that the last few of her books have been amazing.
Deacon King Kong is one I really hope to read soon. Your review of the new Taylor Jenkins Reid reminds me that I really need to read more of hers–I read Maybe in Another Life and liked it okay, but absolutely adored Daisy Jones, so I feel like I need to see what else she has to offer.
I was just approved to read Dark Roads on Netgalley and can’t wait. Malibu Rising and the Four Winds are on my to read list.
Nancy @ NY Foodie Family recently posted…February Reads {2021}
Ooh, The Dry is going to be a movie? That sounds great. I agree that The Survivors wasn’t my favorite of hers, but I still finished it in 24 hours and left feeling quite satisfied with my experience, so…
Just got a copy of Finlay Donovan, and you’re making me even more excited about it, as twisty mystery is definitely my preference over “thriller”. Also didn’t know that she has YA books, so that’s another handy piece of information here this month – thanks! 🙂
Anne recently posted…five things Friday: March TBR edition
Sounds like a pretty good reading month overall. 🙂 I’m also feeling worse about the pandemic coming up on a one year anniversary. Imagine where we’d be if there’d been a national response and people had made better choices from day one. Ugh. Also disappointed to hear Ready Player Two sucks. But yay for Netgalley successes! I got Dead Dead Girls from them when I requested it last month. Made me feel kinda cool 😉
Becki recently posted…Show Us Your Books – February 2021
I read The Four Winds and Finlay Donovan this month, so they aren’t in my review posts yet! I loved The Four Winds. I want to read Malibu Rising and Dark Roads – which I do have on Net Galley!
Netgalley sent me the Chevy Stevens unbidden, so I accepted. I haven’t read her in years, pretty sure I declared her a good for you not for me author, but I’m going to give that one a go.
Can’t wait to read the Taylor Jenkins Reid but as you know I need to try and read my Netgalleys in publishing order LOL
We had some reading overlap this time! I’m one of those people that wasn’t into Deacon King Kong, but most of my book club loved it and I really enjoyed the conversation we had about it — even though it wasn’t my fave, the conversation helped me get more out of it. Also hated the ending for Elsa in The Four Winds. It felt slow but it was long and I still read it pretty fast; maybe it was just the nature of the story.
Megan @ The Hungry Bookworm recently posted…Show Us Your Books Reading Recap — What I Read in February
Panniversary! LOL – love it
Yep – I’m nearing the end of the The Four Winds & am just so sad. I dont think its been slow either… but man, its sucked some of my soul
yeah, same here with looking forward to stuff. these days, i look forward to dinner or packages arriving from online shopping. that’s about it lol.
so good to hear about malibu rising! i’m starting it asap.
i’m halfway through the four winds. it is depressing, not just because of the depression.
ok, good to know about ready player two – will remove from my list.
kristen recently posted…Books Lately
Finlay Donovan is Killing It sounds so fun.
Confuzzled Bev recently posted…What I read in February 2021
I loved Finlay Donovan too and am totally here for more books in that series!!! Can’t wait. 100% agree about Elsa in the Four Winds and am still feeling a bit mad about that TBH. Cannot wait to read TJR – what a pretty cover! Will be excited for your thoughts on Andy Weir!!
Also, panniversary. I LOLed.
I am currently waiting on The Four Winds to come in at my local library.
Mackenzie recently posted…As The Page Turns: March Edition
I can’t wait to read Malibu Rising! NetGalley has been pretty generous this month!! Thanks for hosting!
Sarah P recently posted…Show Us Your Books – 3/9/21
I’m not familiar with Elle Cosimano, but I keep seeing Finlay Donovan all over Instagram and am definitely intrigued. It’s the best when you get books you’re super excited about from Netgalley. I’m interested to hear what you think of The Removed, I’m hoping to read it sometime soon, but noticed it doesn’t seem to have great reviews.
Carly recently posted…Reading Roundup 3 | 2021
LOL at Panniversary. I feel justified in my decision to not read The Four Winds yet. My mom is currently reading it and she adores depressing books (!?) so I think she’ll be my final litmus test. If she likes it, it’s a no go. I’m excited about the Taylor Jenkins Reid book!!!
Kimberly recently posted…Show Us Your Books March 2021
I wanted a better ending for Elsa and her family too!
I hope to read Finlay Donovan soon – it just looks fun and I love a good mystery.
I’m glad most of your books last month were worthwhile reads. I’ve definitely been reading a lot this year and I can’t complain.
-Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Show Us Your Books (March 2021): 24 Books Read This Year So FAr
I’ve pre-ordered Malibu Rising – TJR can do no wrong! Adding Finlay Donovan!
Tell us how you really feel about Ready PLayer Two haha Anything by TJR is an absolute must, I love her books!