I read The hating game and reckless girls on vacation as they we both recommended in the June thread. They were interesting and good enough easy vacation reads. I preferred The Hating Game. Reckless girls ended a bit abruptly and I think had potential for a better ending as it became a bit predictable in the way that it’s trying to not be predictable but is. Neither blew me out of the water.
Post by fivechickens on Jul 5, 2023 21:20:14 GMT -5
I just finished the Finley Donavan series. It is cute and mindless.
I am currently listening to Frieda McFadden’s The Inmate. The main character is kind of annoying and I am pretty sure I know how it will end but I will keep reading (ETA: don’t waste your time on this one).
I finally read The Woman In Cabin 10 and liked it.
I forget if I wrote this for June, but at the very end of the month I finished Trust. It was really good I'll prob go back and reread it.
On audiobook I just finished When Breath Becomes Air. I randomly chose it since it was an immediately available audiobook, but I really liked it. It was a memoir from neurosurgeon that during residency found out he had terminal cancer.
Also on audiobook I finished Platonic. It's nonfiction from a scientist that studied friendships and about making and deepening those relationships. I liked it ok. Some of it was basic
Im working on The Great Believers from what seems to be everyone's favorite here Rebecca Makkai lol. I'm enjoying it, except there are so many people I keep forgetting some. I'm also half way through and feel like it should be rounding out, but can visually see it will not be happening soon lol so idk if my opinion will change by the end.
Next up I got Now Is Not the Time to Panic from Kevin Wilson. I really liked another book of his so hope I like this!
Some of the books I read in June (not including some mystery books in a series)
The Guest by Emma Cline - I did not like this book, yet still want to find someone who has read is so I can talk to them about it.
Whisper Network - Also did not like, too cliche
The Violin Conspiracy - really enjoyed. I was going to pick it for book club, but wasn't sure if I partially liked it because I play the violin
Everyone in my family has killed someone - Funny, exactly the type of book I like to read
Happy Place - ehh...it was fine, read it 2 weeks ago and couldn't tell you what happened
The Cuban Heiress - I enjoy all books incorporating Cuban History
Killers of a Certain Age - Really liked it. Between this and the Thursday Murder Club series, who knew I'd love retirement age people mysteries so much!
Just finished Beatriz Williams new book, The Beach at Summerly and liked it. I started The Wishing Game, but haven't gotten into it yet.
Post by texasharleygirl on Jul 7, 2023 9:08:05 GMT -5
I just finished "The Little Italian Hotel" by Phaedra Patrick. I thought that is was a really great read and it really touched my heart. Now I am about to start "The Messy Lives of Book People" by her as well.
turbo, I've only read one of Samantha Irby's books (not the one you mentioned) and I didn't like it or find it funny either. I wanted to like her, but I think maybe her humor is just not my taste. Also, I hated Three Women so I wouldn't prioritize that one!
Okay so I read Three Women and like… what was the point? I kept waiting for their to be some feminist revelation but instead we had three white women - one of whom was abused and one of whom was being coerced by her husband - telling stories that had me like… what’s the point? The only woman with true choice in the matter was Lina and she was driving me crazy going back to Aidan over and over again. Then the epilogue with the author’s mom? I had completely forgotten the opening and was like… “What is the point of this?” It was a 1-star read for me and I find it so disappointing that the book lands on so many reading lists for Women’s History Month when there are so many better books about female empowerment. I kept reading waiting for the part where I felt some excitement about the book or some feminist reckoning or whatever and instead I was like… nothing.
turbo , I've only read one of Samantha Irby's books (not the one you mentioned) and I didn't like it or find it funny either. I wanted to like her, but I think maybe her humor is just not my taste. Also, I hated Three Women so I wouldn't prioritize that one!
Okay so I read Three Women and like… what was the point? I kept waiting for their to be some feminist revelation but instead we had three white women - one of whom was abused and one of whom was being coerced by her husband - telling stories that had me like… what’s the point? The only woman with true choice in the matter was Lina and she was driving me crazy going back to Aidan over and over again. Then the epilogue with the author’s mom? I had completely forgotten the opening and was like… “What is the point of this?” It was a 1-star read for me and I find it so disappointing that the book lands on so many reading lists for Women’s History Month when there are so many better books about female empowerment. I kept reading waiting for the part where I felt some excitement about the book or some feminist reckoning or whatever and instead I was like… nothing.
I DNF Three Women for similar reasons. Very quickly I was like "...what is going on here? Why am I reading this?"
Okay so I read Three Women and like… what was the point? I kept waiting for their to be some feminist revelation but instead we had three white women - one of whom was abused and one of whom was being coerced by her husband - telling stories that had me like… what’s the point? The only woman with true choice in the matter was Lina and she was driving me crazy going back to Aidan over and over again. Then the epilogue with the author’s mom? I had completely forgotten the opening and was like… “What is the point of this?” It was a 1-star read for me and I find it so disappointing that the book lands on so many reading lists for Women’s History Month when there are so many better books about female empowerment. I kept reading waiting for the part where I felt some excitement about the book or some feminist reckoning or whatever and instead I was like… nothing.
I DNF Three Women for similar reasons. Very quickly I was like "...what is going on here? Why am I reading this?"
I am reading The Golden Couple. So far it is fine.
Beatriz Williams has a new historical fiction that I want to read as I have really enjoyed all of her books. The new one is called The Beach At Summerly.
turbo, I also finished it. It was the worst book I've read in years. I absolutely hated it for so many reasons.
It’s weird, because I almost want to have a book club like discussion to discuss just how freaking horrible that book was. The way it was written. The lack of diversity in characters. The horrible misrepresentation that somehow abuse and / or coercion are anything BUT abuse and coercion. It was such a terrible book on so many levels and I actually appreciate everyone telling me they hated it because I have been sitting here like… what am I missing? Why does *anyone* like this book? Turns out no one (here) does. 🤣
On the flip side, I started We Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith this morning and that book is GREAT. Beautifully written and also does a great job of tapping into all the conflicting emotions that I feel like women deal with as the navigate marriage, motherhood, and adult life. I’m halfway through (easy to do since I’m home sick) and imagine I’ll finish it tonight or tomorrow morning. Right now it’s a 4.5-5* book for me.
turbo , I've only read one of Samantha Irby's books (not the one you mentioned) and I didn't like it or find it funny either. I wanted to like her, but I think maybe her humor is just not my taste. Also, I hated Three Women so I wouldn't prioritize that one!
Okay so I read Three Women and like… what was the point? I kept waiting for their to be some feminist revelation but instead we had three white women - one of whom was abused and one of whom was being coerced by her husband - telling stories that had me like… what’s the point? The only woman with true choice in the matter was Lina and she was driving me crazy going back to Aidan over and over again. Then the epilogue with the author’s mom? I had completely forgotten the opening and was like… “What is the point of this?” It was a 1-star read for me and I find it so disappointing that the book lands on so many reading lists for Women’s History Month when there are so many better books about female empowerment. I kept reading waiting for the part where I felt some excitement about the book or some feminist reckoning or whatever and instead I was like… nothing.
My book club read this and we all felt the same way. The content was nowhere near what is advertised. It was terrible.
Okay so I read Three Women and like… what was the point? I kept waiting for their to be some feminist revelation but instead we had three white women - one of whom was abused and one of whom was being coerced by her husband - telling stories that had me like… what’s the point? The only woman with true choice in the matter was Lina and she was driving me crazy going back to Aidan over and over again. Then the epilogue with the author’s mom? I had completely forgotten the opening and was like… “What is the point of this?” It was a 1-star read for me and I find it so disappointing that the book lands on so many reading lists for Women’s History Month when there are so many better books about female empowerment. I kept reading waiting for the part where I felt some excitement about the book or some feminist reckoning or whatever and instead I was like… nothing.
My book club read this and we all felt the same way. The content was nowhere near what is advertised. It was terrible.
I feel like I may have inadvertently stumbled upon a GBCN unity horse here…
Okay so I read Three Women and like… what was the point? I kept waiting for their to be some feminist revelation but instead we had three white women - one of whom was abused and one of whom was being coerced by her husband - telling stories that had me like… what’s the point? The only woman with true choice in the matter was Lina and she was driving me crazy going back to Aidan over and over again. Then the epilogue with the author’s mom? I had completely forgotten the opening and was like… “What is the point of this?” It was a 1-star read for me and I find it so disappointing that the book lands on so many reading lists for Women’s History Month when there are so many better books about female empowerment. I kept reading waiting for the part where I felt some excitement about the book or some feminist reckoning or whatever and instead I was like… nothing.
My book club read this and we all felt the same way. The content was nowhere near what is advertised. It was terrible.
I think this book hit at the right time and had one of the best PR campaigns and publisher support I’ve seen but I have never met anyone who actually liked it.
turbo , I've only read one of Samantha Irby's books (not the one you mentioned) and I didn't like it or find it funny either. I wanted to like her, but I think maybe her humor is just not my taste. Also, I hated Three Women so I wouldn't prioritize that one!
Okay so I read Three Women and like… what was the point? I kept waiting for their to be some feminist revelation but instead we had three white women - one of whom was abused and one of whom was being coerced by her husband - telling stories that had me like… what’s the point? The only woman with true choice in the matter was Lina and she was driving me crazy going back to Aidan over and over again. Then the epilogue with the author’s mom? I had completely forgotten the opening and was like… “What is the point of this?” It was a 1-star read for me and I find it so disappointing that the book lands on so many reading lists for Women’s History Month when there are so many better books about female empowerment. I kept reading waiting for the part where I felt some excitement about the book or some feminist reckoning or whatever and instead I was like… nothing.
I read it a couple of years ago so details are fuzzy - but I remember there being no point. I also didn't like that they were all white women and all had (IIRC) relatively sad stories where they were not living very good lives. I think that may have been fine IF there was some larger point being made but instead it just seemed like if they were supposed to be a small sample representing the experiences of women. These three women were not good representation.
Okay so I read Three Women and like… what was the point? I kept waiting for their to be some feminist revelation but instead we had three white women - one of whom was abused and one of whom was being coerced by her husband - telling stories that had me like… what’s the point? The only woman with true choice in the matter was Lina and she was driving me crazy going back to Aidan over and over again. Then the epilogue with the author’s mom? I had completely forgotten the opening and was like… “What is the point of this?” It was a 1-star read for me and I find it so disappointing that the book lands on so many reading lists for Women’s History Month when there are so many better books about female empowerment. I kept reading waiting for the part where I felt some excitement about the book or some feminist reckoning or whatever and instead I was like… nothing.
I read it a couple of years ago so details are fuzzy - but I remember there being no point. I also didn't like that they were all white women and all had (IIRC) relatively sad stories where they were not living very good lives. I think that may have been fine IF there was some larger point being made but instead it just seemed like if they were supposed to be a small sample representing the experiences of women. These three women were not good representation.
My book club read this and we all felt the same way. The content was nowhere near what is advertised. It was terrible.
I think this book hit at the right time and had one of the best PR campaigns and publisher support I’ve seen but I have never met anyone who actually liked it.
It’s just that it was hyped as this feminist book about sex and then it ended up being about abused women. And then there was nothing redeeming or other lessons learned. I felt like the description of the book was really misleading. My book club was really annoyed about it because it was not at all what we expected it to be.
I think this book hit at the right time and had one of the best PR campaigns and publisher support I’ve seen but I have never met anyone who actually liked it.
It’s just that it was hyped as this feminist book about sex and then it ended up being about abused women. And then there was nothing redeeming or other lessons learned. I felt like the description of the book was really misleading. My book club was really annoyed about it because it was not at all what we expected it to be.
Yup! The power of a good campaign. They poured a ton of money into presenting it as what they thought would sell at the time and it paid off. They didn’t care that what they were saying wasn’t accurate or people actually didn’t like it, they sold a ton of copies.
Finished The Last Flight and give it 5 stars. I loved it! Super fast paced and suspenseful. A couple things were very far-fetched but that doesn’t bother me. I liked it so much I just downloaded another by the same author, The Lies I Tell.
Add me to the list of people who found Three Women totally pointless. Either share more vignettes that are real and representative stories covering the gamut of experiences, or have a powerful angle supported by fewer, deeper stories, but this was just pointless.
gerberdaisy I also love old people mysteries! I loved Killers of a Certain Age and the Thursday Murder Club series!
I just started reading the new Katherine Center and already do not think it will be among my favorite of her books (I really enjoyed Things You Save in a Fire and The Bodyguard).
I looked up the author sometime last week and I discovered that she's also a poet, which to me kind of explains why it feels overwritten and too flowery. According to my kindle I only have about an hour of reading left at this point, so I'm powering through. I have to know if they win state, or if it's an absolute epic disaster. LOL!
My book club just read On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong and same complaint. It was actually painful, with interesting topics briefly mentioned but ignored in place of flowery, ridiculous diatribes.
I've convinced us to read Jaws as our July "beach read" and OMG it is so good. It's my third time reading it and it's just fantastic! Quite different from the movie. Highly recommend.
I just read Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan. It's set during WWII (my genre of choice) but it was really unrealistic and terrible. I was shocked to learn this woman had won a Pulitzer for a book called A Visit from the Goon Squad, which people on Goodreads seem to adore, so I'm perplexed by where this one came from. Just rubbish.
Beatriz Williams has a new historical fiction that I want to read as I have really enjoyed all of her books. The new one is called The Beach At Summerly.
I find Beatriz Williams to be really unevent. Some of her books I absolutely love, others have a mess of a plot. I can't decide if I want to read anything new by her.
I just finished Happy Place by Emily Henry and just need to let it all out. I liked the plot and the charcters, but the last part of the book just DESTROYED it for me, it was so unrealistic.
Harriet didn't like her residency due the long hours (fair enough) and the fact that she hated washing her hands so much. It was so WEIRD that this was the sole focus of her hatred of surgical residency, which is notorious for being full of egotistical assholes. I buy her being miserable, but the depiction of her misery was really one-dimensional
I thought it was bizarre that she was so concerned with financial security her whole entire life and then she just quit residency to become a potter. She had loans from Columbia--so $280K for just tuition & fees + whatever loans she needed to live in NYC during this time. Given Harry's history, I think she'd try to transfer to a less toxic residency program (non-surgical) in Montana rather than walking away from a medical career entirely.