August Reading

[ksun]

Aug 12, 2024 8:07:34 GMT -5 followyourarrow said:

I just finished listening to It Ends With Us. I was mad at the book/author/characters for most of the book, but ended up liking it. I don't think Colleen Hoover is necessarily my style though and probably won't go out of my way to read one of her books again.

One of the worst books I've ever read. She is a horrible and problematic person/author

[fiddles]

Aug 12, 2024 7:59:13 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Did someone read Trust and comment? I feel like it was recommended but I looked at last month’s thread and didn’t see it.

[mention]tr [/mention] was it you, because I often add books you recommend to my list!

I did not like this book.  I found I got angry reading it ha  I remember reading the blurb about it and being excited about the story, but I must have missed something reading it.  I rated it 2 stars.

[TR]

Aug 27, 2024 11:44:40 GMT -5 fiddles said:

Aug 12, 2024 7:59:13 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Did someone read Trust and comment? I feel like it was recommended but I looked at last month’s thread and didn’t see it.

[mention]tr [/mention] was it you, because I often add books you recommend to my list!

I did not like this book.  I found I got angry reading it ha  I remember reading the blurb about it and being excited about the story, but I must have missed something reading it.  I rated it 2 stars.

I’ve got it checked out now so will be reading it sometime in the next 3 weeks and I’m intrigued.

[7costanza]

Aug 26, 2024 21:16:35 GMT -5 ksun said:

Aug 12, 2024 8:07:34 GMT -5 followyourarrow said:

I just finished listening to It Ends With Us. I was mad at the book/author/characters for most of the book, but ended up liking it. I don't think Colleen Hoover is necessarily my style though and probably won't go out of my way to read one of her books again.

One of the worst books I've ever read. She is a horrible and problematic person/author

I hate her too. I read one of her books that was ok-ish, then another with a super disturbing reveal at the end that I still think about on a regular basis. I won’t read anything else by her or watch anything made from her books. Plus Blake Lively seems like an asshole so that makes the latest show or movie or whatever easier to skip.

[7costanza]

Aug 25, 2024 19:28:09 GMT -5 TR said:

I got maybe 4-5 (short) chapters into The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin and DNF. What the fuck was that? I used to love her stuff back in the days if Something Borrowed/Something Blue. It was never going to win any prizes, but damn. This one is just so bad.

I finished it, and it did not get any better. I feel like a lot of the usually reliably decent beach read type authors put out disappointing latest books (Elin Hildebrand, Curtis Sittenfeld)

[TR]

Aug 27, 2024 11:57:37 GMT -5 7costanza said:

Aug 25, 2024 19:28:09 GMT -5 TR said:

I got maybe 4-5 (short) chapters into The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin and DNF. What the fuck was that? I used to love her stuff back in the days if Something Borrowed/Something Blue. It was never going to win any prizes, but damn. This one is just so bad.

I finished it, and it did not get any better. I feel like a lot of the usually reliably decent beach read type authors put out disappointing latest books (Elin Hildebrand, Curtis Sittenfeld)

after I decided I wasn’t going to finish, I went and read all of the spoiler reviews on Goodreads and I’m happy I didn’t finish it.

[ssmjlm]

Please don't support Colleen Hoover, she's well known in the book community for being problematic. I really wish booktok had not made her popular again.

Not to mention the issues surrounding the movie and the lack of support/donations to DV organizations by both Hoover and Lively.

[krystee]

I finished By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult. It is 100 pages too long and has some of her usual melodrama, but I liked it and I’m fascinated by the premise (Shakespeare being a woman), and her author’s note on it is so interesting!

[pixy0stix]

Started the month with reading the newest Patricia Briggs installment of the Mercy Thompson series Winter Lost. I hated the format. It switched character POVs and messed with the timeline - sometimes jumping back in time, sometimes running in tandem with several characters. There's a side story involving two of the werewolves that I'm not sure why it was even included. In conclusion, I really liked the plot, I hated the writing.

Then I read the newest installment of Beards & Brews - A Brewtiful Life by JollyJupiter. This series is like the definition of cozy fantasy. It has a little bit of adventure, a little bit of drama, and a bunch of laughs. It's written from the perspective of a human who has died in our universe and has ended up in a D&D world as a dwarf. Every person I've tried to sell on this series doesn't believe me that it's good, but I promise, if you want cozy fantasy, at least try it.

To round out the month, I've been re-reading through the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. I'm up to book 7.

[gerberdaisy]

Only finished three books this month, might have another one in me this weekend, TBD.

7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle - posted before, but really enjoyed listening to is, vs reading.

Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan - it was great, perfect read for when I was traveling. I loved the Crazy Rich Asian series and this was different characters, but similar. Pulled me right in and read it in less than 24 hours.

The Hunter - Tana French - She's one of my favorite authors. I enjoyed this book, but wasn't my favorite of hers.

Picked up "A Happier Life" by Kristy Woodson Harvey. So far so good, just started last night though.

[fiddles]

Aug 27, 2024 11:45:52 GMT -5 TR said:

Aug 27, 2024 11:44:40 GMT -5 fiddles said:

I did not like this book.  I found I got angry reading it ha  I remember reading the blurb about it and being excited about the story, but I must have missed something reading it.  I rated it 2 stars.

I’ve got it checked out now so will be reading it sometime in the next 3 weeks and I’m intrigued.

I will be interested to see what you think of it.  It seems our reading aligns.  The big thing I remember is that the blurb made it sound super interesting, but I didn't find it met with the book.  If that makes sense.  

[scm1011]

In the last week I've finished:
How to Read a Book - 5 stars
Ask Again, Yes - 4 stars (audio)

I'm currently reading Rainbow Rowell's new book Slow Dance. So far so good.

[countthestars]

I just finished The Ivies and thought it was pretty good! Young adult-ish mystery.

[litskispeciality]

I think I need a recommendation or two for a good mystery or thriller. I've tried to pull a variety of things from this thread but they all have waitlists (whomp whomp). If you read mysteries or thrillers please let me know some good books you've liked even in the last year.

[TR]

Aug 28, 2024 13:10:12 GMT -5 litskispeciality said:

I think I need a recommendation or two for a good mystery or thriller. I've tried to pull a variety of things from this thread but they all have waitlists (whomp whomp). If you read mysteries or thrillers please let me know some good books you've liked even in the last year.

From 2023 so maybe more available:

The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michallon
Girl, Forgotten by Karin Slaughter
The Chain by Adrian McKinty
Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Canas
The Trap by Catherine Ryan Howard
Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon

[underwaterrhymes]

I just finished Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun. This was a complicated rating for me. As a romance novel, I give it a 2.5. I didn’t really feel the chemistry between them and the pop culture dialogue (e.g. “Shay Fucking Mitchell!”) drove me absolutely fucking nuts.

But as a Tuesdays With Morrie style novel, it was wonderful and it would be a 5 if not for the first part.

Ultimately, I’ll give it a 4, because I loved the last third of the book.

ETA - I would love to read a prequel about Joe and Remy.

[wildrice]

Aug 27, 2024 12:29:10 GMT -5 TR said:

Aug 27, 2024 11:57:37 GMT -5 7costanza said:

I finished it, and it did not get any better. I feel like a lot of the usually reliably decent beach read type authors put out disappointing latest books (Elin Hildebrand, Curtis Sittenfeld)

after I decided I wasn’t going to finish, I went and read all of the spoiler reviews on Goodreads and I’m happy I didn’t finish it.

I'm about halfway through it and will probably finish since it's a quick read, but now I'm nervous lol. I don't have strong feelings either way on it so far (though the shocking situation at the beginning thew me).

I am listening to Lucy by the Sea and that may be a DNF. Too much COVID plot and the narrator's voice on the audiobook is so whiney!

Also reading By Any Other Name and enjoying it so far. I'm about 100 pages in.

I've somehow started reading three books at a time - an audiobook, a hard copy for the couch or hammock, and my kindle for bedtime.

[TR]

Aug 31, 2024 7:57:35 GMT -5 wildrice said:

Aug 27, 2024 12:29:10 GMT -5 TR said:

after I decided I wasn’t going to finish, I went and read all of the spoiler reviews on Goodreads and I’m happy I didn’t finish it.

I'm about halfway through it and will probably finish since it's a quick read, but now I'm nervous lol. I don't have strong feelings either way on it so far (though the shocking situation at the beginning thew me).

I am listening to Lucy by the Sea and that may be a DNF. Too much COVID plot and the narrator's voice on the audiobook is so whiney!

Also reading By Any Other Name and enjoying it so far. I'm about 100 pages in.

I've somehow started reading three books at a time - an audiobook, a hard copy for the couch or hammock, and my kindle for bedtime.

Have you read any of the other Lucy Barton books? I love them all so much. You could try an older one and it won’t have the Covid stuff. I don’t know about the narrator though because I can’t do audiobooks.

[wildrice]

Aug 31, 2024 8:55:23 GMT -5 TR said:

Aug 31, 2024 7:57:35 GMT -5 wildrice said:

I'm about halfway through it and will probably finish since it's a quick read, but now I'm nervous lol. I don't have strong feelings either way on it so far (though the shocking situation at the beginning thew me).

I am listening to Lucy by the Sea and that may be a DNF. Too much COVID plot and the narrator's voice on the audiobook is so whiney!

Also reading By Any Other Name and enjoying it so far. I'm about 100 pages in.

I've somehow started reading three books at a time - an audiobook, a hard copy for the couch or hammock, and my kindle for bedtime.

Have you read any of the other Lucy Barton books? I love them all so much. You could try an older one and it won’t have the Covid stuff. I don’t know about the narrator though because I can’t do audiobooks.

No - maybe that's the problem! I think I grabbed this one just because an old friend who is a writer was posting about how much she loved it, and it was available immediately to borrow when I needed a new book to listen to! Maybe I will try one of the earlier books in kindle format instead.

[wkatie]

I finished How to Read a Book and LOVED it.

I’m now reading All Fours by Miranda July and it is really fing weird.

[TR]

Aug 31, 2024 9:41:48 GMT -5 wildrice said:

Aug 31, 2024 8:55:23 GMT -5 TR said:

Have you read any of the other Lucy Barton books? I love them all so much. You could try an older one and it won’t have the Covid stuff. I don’t know about the narrator though because I can’t do audiobooks.

No - maybe that's the problem! I think I grabbed this one just because an old friend who is a writer was posting about how much she loved it, and it was available immediately to borrow when I needed a new book to listen to! Maybe I will try one of the earlier books in kindle format instead.

Yes! Try “My Name is Lucy Barton”

[Jalapeñomel]

I picked up Real Americans and I like it so far. Not liking the fact that it’s another long book.

[meowmaps]

Aug 31, 2024 9:43:20 GMT -5 wkatie said:

I finished How to Read a Book and LOVED it.

I’m now reading All Fours by Miranda July and it is really fing weird.

That’s a perfect description of All Fours. I didn’t know what I was reading but I also couldn’t look away. So odd.

[toepick]

Aug 31, 2024 8:55:23 GMT -5 TR said:

Aug 31, 2024 7:57:35 GMT -5 wildrice said:

I'm about halfway through it and will probably finish since it's a quick read, but now I'm nervous lol. I don't have strong feelings either way on it so far (though the shocking situation at the beginning thew me).

I am listening to Lucy by the Sea and that may be a DNF. Too much COVID plot and the narrator's voice on the audiobook is so whiney!

Also reading By Any Other Name and enjoying it so far. I'm about 100 pages in.

I've somehow started reading three books at a time - an audiobook, a hard copy for the couch or hammock, and my kindle for bedtime.

Have you read any of the other Lucy Barton books? I love them all so much. You could try an older one and it won’t have the Covid stuff. I don’t know about the narrator though because I can’t do audiobooks.

Do you know that in the new Elizabeth Strout book out shortly, Lucy Barton and Olive Kitteridge will meet! 

[toepick]

Aug 31, 2024 9:43:20 GMT -5 wkatie said:

I finished How to Read a Book and LOVED it.

I’m now reading All Fours by Miranda July and it is really fing weird.

I also loved How to Read a Book and decided it had a similar vibe to Remarkably Bright Creatures (minus the octopus of course, but you do get some cool parrots!) 

[wkatie]

Aug 31, 2024 13:12:14 GMT -5 toepick said:

Aug 31, 2024 9:43:20 GMT -5 wkatie said:

I finished How to Read a Book and LOVED it.

I’m now reading All Fours by Miranda July and it is really fing weird.

I also loved How to Read a Book and decided it had a similar vibe to Remarkably Bright Creatures (minus the octopus of course, but you do get some cool parrots!) 

Yes! Exactly. It was like RBC meets Orange is the New Black. Just excellent.

[ksun]

Finished my month with:

The Perfect Son 4/5
The Inmate 4/5
Ward D 5/5
Hopeless 3/5
Reminders of him 4/5
The Perfect Marriage 1/5
The Perfect Wife 3/5
The Girl who was Taken 5/5
One True Loves 4/5

[wkatie]

Aug 31, 2024 12:25:05 GMT -5 meowmaps said:

Aug 31, 2024 9:43:20 GMT -5 wkatie said:

I finished How to Read a Book and LOVED it.

I’m now reading All Fours by Miranda July and it is really fing weird.

That’s a perfect description of All Fours. I didn’t know what I was reading but I also couldn’t look away. So odd.

Omg, it’s so weird. But it’s got some great lines. My favs so far:

“I told myself that all I had to do was to get up and make Sam’s school lunch. After that, I could die or go crazy.”

“She was scrolling on her phone, seemingly unbothered or unaware that she had nothing to look forward to, cunt-wise.”

💀

[underwaterrhymes]

I finished Room for Rent by Noelle Ihli. It was a speedy read, but fairly predictable. Decent thriller; I liked, but did not love it. 3*.

[al dente]

I finished The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer and loved it. It was so sweet. I read so many kids series growing up and the thought of a kind old kids writer doing a contest just warmed my heart lol. It was a quick read I'd recommend!