Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Showin' My Books - January '20

I have a lot of books to talk about this month ... because I haven't written about books in several months. While I don't make resolutions, I am determined to get back to reading more this year.

But even though I haven't posted lately, when I DO post about books, I link up with Steph and Jana.


Life According to Steph



Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris - The good: This is a short book that I devoured in about 24 hours (and I work full time and had a 2 1/2 hour chorus rehearsal during that time period). Also good: Grace's sister Millie (who has Down Syndrome and is the smartest character in this whole book). The bad: I know a lot of people found it unbelievable that Grace could have been so snowed by Jack, but I did not. However, when he finally did show his true colors, it was so over the top that it was almost laughable. The ugly: animal harm (not graphic, but also not good); and the thought that someone like Jack probably exists. 3 stars


The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead - A very difficult book to read, but so well done. My heart broke for Elwood and for the knowledge that the Nickel School was based on an actual place. 4 stars


Becoming by Michelle Obama - I listened to this as read by Michelle Obama and I never wanted it to end. I miss the Obamas more than I thought possible. I loved every bit of this book. ALL. THE. STARS.


Lock Every Door by Riley Sager - I think I liked Final Girls better than this one. I had a hard time suspending my disbelief, but I didn't have a hard time ripping through it. The main character is also super annoying. 3 stars


She Said by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey - This was another audio book for me and I really liked it. I liked the way it was told. It's not read by the authors, although they each talk during the prologue and epilogue. It's also infuriating to hear about all of these incidents and to know that there are so many more that will never see the light of day. Fun fact: last week I won a trivia question because I had listened to this book. 4 stars


On the flip side, I've since been listening to Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow, read by the author. This may end up being a DNF, or I may finish it by reading it traditionally. There's something about the way Farrow reads it that bugs the shit out of me, especially when he's speaking dialogue and trying to sound like the person who's speaking. But I am interested in the subject matter and in comparing this book to She Said.


The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid - My first read of 2020 and it set a high bar. I loved this book and the way it was written. I flew through it, both desperate to know what happened and not wanting it to end. This is only my second TJR (I listened to Daisy Jones and the Six) but I can't wait to read more! 5 stars


The Wives by Tarryn Fisher - For a good chunk of this book I just kept hating the main character, thinking "how stupid ARE you?" And then everything got turned around and after I finished it I kept trying to piece it together. If I didn't have a ton of other books to read I might read it again to pick up on the clues. Really good psychological suspense! 4 stars


Currently reading: The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware



9 comments:

  1. I loved 7 Husbands! TJR has such a way with words! The Wives is on my TBR.

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  2. oooh your review of the wives makes me want to read it. i agree about the obamas. sigh. that book was amazing.

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  3. I see lots of my faves here! The Nickel Boys was my favorite for 2019 and Evelyn Hugo will always hold a place in my heart. And I could not put The Wives down!

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  4. I also listened to She Said and I'm waiting for Catch and Kill as well.

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  5. I just heard Ronan Farrow on Armchair Expert and I cannot imagine listening to a book he's narrating LOL

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  6. The Nickel Boys was such a fantastic book and knowing that it's based on fact is heartbreaking. That ending took me by surprise, too. And Evelyn... I mean, it's TJR. That is all.

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  7. I want to read Becoming, The Nickel Boys, and Evelyn Hugo. I've heard the narration for Catch and Kill isn't great, but the book sounds good.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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  8. I really enjoyed Becoming too :) Thanks for the reviews! Have a great week

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  9. Behind Closed Doors was weird and off-putting. I agree with the 3 stars.
    Her second book (I forget the title!) was much more my style.

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