December. Hanukkah, Christmas, my child’s birthday, and, quite possibly the best part, two Show Us Your Books linkups! This one is our regular, standard one and in just a couple of weeks, we’ll host our annual year-end best of favorites linkup. That one is happening on December 26 so for the first time in (for)ever, we’re having a non-Tuesday SUYB.

And if that’s not enough, we have our annual holiday giveaway this time, too. As a gift from us, we’re selecting one lucky winner to receive both a $25 gift certificate to the bookseller of your choice (can be a big one, a small one, and indie one…whoever you prefer as long as we can buy a gift card online or call and have one mailed to you) and a $25 donation in your name to Read 718, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit dedicated to building strong, confident readers. 

So definitely get on that.

As for what I read since the last linkup, it was probably the best overall month I’ve had all year. So that’s cool. I think I rated every book in the 4-star range but that includes some round-ups. Nope. That’s a lie. I gave one book 2 stars. So maybe don’t trust what I say right now.

The Bookshop of the Broken Hearted by Robert Hillman. This was a NetGalley read. It was, quite honestly, terrible. To start, half of it took place during the Holocaust and if you’ve been around here awhile, you know I don’t like those books in general. I missed that in the description that made me request it, so shame on me for that. However, it was a mess, I didn’t care about most of the characters, and I only finished because of the one I did care about. Fun fact: this was the first of three books set in Australia that I read this month. Not sure how that happened.

Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keene. 100% worth all the rave reviews. It hit me in all the places and was not what I expected – in a good way – and I am so, so glad I read it. You will be, too. I have Lindsay’s copy at my house (thank you, Lindsay) and she has graciously said I can pass it along. If you want it, let me know! 

All This Could Be Yours by Jami Attenberg. I was not a huge fan of All Grown Up but I didn’t dislike it enough to not give another book of hers a try, and since this is her newest, I figured I’d do that. It was about family and secrets and what happens when an awful, terrible person is dying. The ending was brilliant (at least I thought so).

The Place on Dalhousie by Melina Marchetta. Never have I read a book by this author that I have disliked, and the same goes for this one. Some of the plot felt a bit rushed, but overall, it will sit with you for days after you read it. Oh, and if you’ve read Saving Francesca, you will recognize many of the characters. I love it when books call back to other books. Australia book #2.

The Family Next Door by Sally Hepworth. For reasons I can’t explain, I thought this book was a thriller/murder mystery. It was not. It had mystery elements but it was more about domestic life and secrets and facades. Lots of domestic life books this month and while I didn’t like it as much as Ask Again, Yes or All This Could Be Yours, it was still solid. Australia book #3.

The Shadows We Hide by Allen Eskens. A sort of sequel/follow-up to The Life We Bury, this was probably my second favorite book of the month. It follows Joe Talbert on a search for his unknown father’s murderer, and it does not disappoint. If you didn’t read the first book, don’t worry about it. You can still follow and understand everything that’s going on.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Confession: I did this as an audiobook. It was narrated by Sissy Spacek and it could not have had a more perfect narrator. I adore her. Anyway, this was a reread from like eighth grade and I definitely appreciate it differently now as an adult. I’m not at all shocked at how little in our justice system has changed since it was written, but it does make me sad. Also, I totally get why it’s lasted as long as it has and why so many people list it as one of their favorites. 

TL; DR: You can’t go wrong with anything I read this month, except maybe the Bookshop of the Broken Hearted. There are better bookish books to read. 

Currently reading: Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer.

Now it’s your turn! Link up and show us your books! Don’t forget to visit my co-host Steph and some other bloggers. And when you’re done, don’t forget to enter our giveaway.

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HOLY FUCKING SHIT. GUYS. How is it the FIFTH anniversary of Show Us Your Books? Seriously. It’s bananas we’ve come this far.

And it wouldn’t have lasted this long without all of you. THANK YOU for sharing, participating, and most of all, reading every single month. Thank you for entertaining all of our other ideas, from our giveaways to our short-lived podcast to our readathon (I think maybe we should do that one again), and for always supporting books and other readers.

Because whatever else we have going on, from the good to the really truly awful, books are the one constant. Our touchstone. They make us feel better, deal with our emotions, escape, and always provide something to talk about. Readers are the best, and I (and Steph, I’m sure) am glad to have all of you each and every month.

As a thank you for five years, we’re holding a thank you giveaway.

That’s right, we’re giving up to $15 in books of your choosing–something you’ve read and would like to own, something you’ve been dying to read, something that’s coming out in the next few months you’d like to reserve a copy of so it’s delivered as soon as it hits the shelves, a book to give as a holiday gift, whatever you want–to FIVE lucky winners.

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Since I missed last month, I have extra books to cover. I mean, I should. But what I also should tell you is that since Barkley passed away, reading has been difficult. I spent the first two weeks after hating absolutely everything I picked up, and I tabled about 4 books since I do want to read or reread them. It took me about 3 weeks to finish one that was mediocre, and I legit had to force myself through it. It was a fucking Flowers book, too, so that was sad and disappointing.

So let me apologize in advance for whatever is about to happen with these reviews. I also read 3 Paul Cleave books if that gives you any indication of what was making me happy. I realize that’s a little disturbing to say.

The Killing Hour, Collecting Cooper, and Cemetery Lake by Paul Cleave. I’m grouping all of these together because it’s basically the same feedback for all. They’re all exactly what you’d expect from a Cleave book–graphic, disturbing, interesting plot–but they’re also all early books and the writing isn’t quite as good as it is now. It was a good way to get perspective on how much he’s improved and why I can’t stop reading him, and it was a fun introduction to Theodore Tate, but not his strongest showing. But, since they’re his first books, they get a little bit of a pass.

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes. I loved this book, and it’s not usually the kind of book I like. Or even try to read. It was exactly what I needed and it didn’t hurt that baseball featured prominently in the storyline.

Shockwave by John Sandford. That fucking Flowers DID NOT do it again. This book was horribly boring. Do not read. There are other ones in the series that are way better.

Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman. Loved this one as well. It was well-written and creative and again, exactly what I needed. This is the second book of hers I’ve read (Sunburn was the first), and I am crazy excited for how many titles she has. Now that I’m almost done with Paul Cleave’s entire catalog, I need a new author. I think she’s it.

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman. Speaking of authors’ entire catalogs, I think I’ve now read all of Abbi Waxman’s books, too (to be fair, there’s only 3). And she writes those quirky rom-com books I generally can’t stand, if that’s any indication of anything. I kind of liken her to Katherine Center but better.

Little Faith by Nickolas Butler. I think Butler’s writing is spectacular. I still have one of his books sitting on my shelf, and I didn’t even know he had this one (it’s his most recent), but I’m glad I found it. It’s based on a true event, which is always an interesting and sometimes dangerous choice, and if questioning religion and faith and more fundamentalist sects that eschew medicine and doctors is not for you, I do not recommend this book. If you can handle it, then put it on your list.

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead. Another one based on true events and it is heartwrenching to read. Do not read and watch When They See Us in the same time frame. Wait at least a month between. TRUST. Also, I did not see the ending coming at all which is always a nice surprise.

Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner. This book was…not what I expected but in a good way. It was inclusive and feminist and modern and relevant and all the things you want it to be, plus Jennifer Weiner is a great writer.

DNF: The Perfect Wife by J.P. Delaney. What a horrible fucking book. Reminded me of a less-good version of Foe by Iain Reid which, admittedly, wasn’t even that great. I gave no fucks about anyone or anything and it was a gigantic waste of my time to even attempt to read it. Pretty sure that’s not the *honest* review Netgalley is looking for by I don’t know how else to say it (I was nicer in my official review, though).

TL;DR: With the exception of The Perfect Wife and Shockwave, you really can’t go wrong with anything on this list. Paul Cleave is always a use your judgment kind of guy, but if you’re into that (clearly I am), then go for it.

Currently reading Recursion by Blake Crouch. FINALLY.

Okay. Now it’s your turn! Link up and show us your books! Don’t forget to visit Steph and some of the other bloggers on the list, and don’t forget to join us on November 12 for the next one.

Hi reader friends! There’s no recap from me this month due to a work trip and returning from that to a vet emergency. Everything should be back to normal next month, and I’ll cover all of my books then. I’m looking forward to reading all of your posts, though, and adding some of your recents reads to my TBR.

See you on October 8th for our FIFTH anniversary!

Me: I’m going to definitely start writing again!

Life: LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

Since we’ve last met, I’ve: started a full-time job, joined a 42 day fitness challenge, taken a trip to the ER with the child (she’s fine, but she is banned from using the toaster), saw Hootie and the Blowfish and BNL in concert, dealt with continual digestive issues from a very stubborn 15 year old dog, met a kangaroo and a sloth, took a couple of beach trips, and watched a shit ton of Netflix.

It’s been a month.

In between all of that stuff, I’ve managed to read a few books and stay on top of my Goodreads goal. So yay for me.

The Laughterhouse by Paul Cleave. I love his books, he can do no wrong, even ones that aren’t his best are still awesome and that’s exactly how I feel about this one. His books are pretty gruesome, though, so if you don’t have a strong stomach for that stuff, you might want to pass. Also, expect a few more on my list over the next couple of months. I’m on a mission.

The Reckless Oath We Made by Bryn Greenwood. THANK YOU NETGALLEY. I can’t tell you how happy it made me to get this book because I think she’s a fantastic writer who writes messy, ugly stories with messy, flawed people. This one is a little tricky, though, so if you want to read it, be warned that one of the characters speaks exclusively in Middle English (?) and it is tough to follow until you get used to it. But OMG, it’s so worth it.

The Rosie Result by Graeme Simsion. Better than The Rosie Effect, not quite as good as The Rosie Project. This book focuses on Don and his son, as well as Don coming to some realizations about himself through his relationship with his own father. It’s a solid end to the series. At least for me. Like Louisa from the Me Before You books, I don’t need any more Don in my life.

Cleaning the Gold by Karin Slaughter and Lee Child. This book is actually more of a long short story/novella. It was a fine way to pass an hour. The story involved their two most popular characters–Will Trent and Jack Reacher–and was a fun little thriller-ish adventure. It needed to be a full-length book as this felt rushed and abrupt.

Following Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci. This is the sequel to a book I read with the child earlier in the summer. She didn’t like this one so she made me read it. It wasn’t great, kind of repetitive and annoying, but the ending had a great payoff. I’m not too angry.

The Substitution Order by Martin Clark. I only gave this three stars. Not sure why. Now that I’ve had some time to reflect on it, it’s actually quite good. It’s a legal thriller, which I don’t generally read, but it also addresses some social issues like health care. The plot was interesting and different, it’s well-written, and you can 100% tell this guy either was a lawyer or did some serious research. The main character did have a stroke, and it felt superfluous, which got on my nerves but that’s more for personal reasons than anything else.

Dignity: Seeking Respect in Back Row America by Chris Arnade. The concept of this book was way better than the execution. The chapters felt very self-serving amidst the descriptions and commentaries of the towns he visits and the people he meets. His observations about McDonald’s as substitute community centers and meeting places are fascinating, though, and are reminiscent of some of the chapters in Eric Klinenberg’s Palaces for the People. And it’s printed on photo paper so the book weighed a ton.

TL;DR: Paul Cleave and Bryn Greenwood are awesome and you should read their books. The Substitution Order is also worth considering. Not so much the rest.

Currently reading: Cemetery Lake by Paul Cleave.

Now it’s your turn. Link up and show us your books! Don’t forget to visit my co-host, Steph, and some of the other bloggers joining us. And for those who like to plan ahead, the next one is on September 10.