I have been in a reading rut for almost 6 months... I shared about my health challenges on Instagram back in January and have written a super long blog post about it that I will share soon. But, long story short, I was diagnosed with adenomyosis and PCOS in November/December and I really spiraled into a big life rut. I was only going to work and to teach barre and basically nothing else. Typically, I read to get through stressful times but this was next level stress and I just couldn't focus. Since social distancing began, my reading motivation has come and gone but I've read a few books.
I don't want to just recap all the books I've read since last August. So instead, I'm going to share some of my most favorites, some that were pleasant enough and some you should skip - because I love being told what to skip, personally.
DEFINITELY READ
This book is so heart wrenching and I cried a couple of times reading it. I wanted every possible ending (yes, that's vague for a reason) to happen and that's obviously not possible. Highly recommend if you want a good tearjerker!
American Royals by Katharine McGee
I listened to this via audiobook and it was a very cute, quick listen. The sequel is set to come out this Fall and I already can't wait. It's definitely a weird twist to think of America as a monarchy!
Get a life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
I've already lent this book to two friends with another one on the waiting list! It's so nice to read a romance with a non traditional lead. I'm trying to read romances that aren't your typical perfect people that are straight, white, and binary.
Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren
I've read a couple Christina Lauren books and didn't enjoy the others has much as this one. I really, really enjoyed this one and it sent me down a romance road of books for a little while!
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
I just read this book a week or so ago, and I don't normally like Liane Moriarty's books, but this one I did enjoy! So, if you don't normally like her writing, give this one a try. I had a friend who loves Liane books who said this wasn't her favorite so keep that in mind!
Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine
This is the only thriller on my "must read" list right now! I have been seriously let down by thrillers recently (as you'll see below....). But, I listened to this one as well and really enjoyed it! It's the first in a series and I own the rest but haven't started them quite yet.
PASSED THE TIME JUST FINE
I got this book from Book of the Month and was really excited about it! It was a great story but the "thrill" aspect wasn't there as much as I had hoped and you have to suspend reality a bit to believe the ending.
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
This book had been getting ALL the hype and I was so excited when I got a galley of it to read. But, I was let down a little bit because of the hype, I think. I believe I would have enjoyed the book more without that hype. I expected it to be a little more serious around the race issues but it wasn't. I don't want to say too much because it would ruin the book, in my opinion.
You Are Note Alone by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Again, with the expectations. Everyone kept talking about this being the *twistiest* thriller. And I thought it was a good book and very enjoyable but nowhere close to the the twistiest thriller. Maybe I should stop comparing everything to Final Girls by Riley Sager.
Whisper Network by Chandler Baker
I really enjoyed this book!....until I went to book club. My book club didn't love it as much as I did for some reason. They felt that is was a little unrealistic - which I agree with! It was a heightened sense of what the real world feels like. But, I've worked in a male dominated field and a few of the plot points really hit home.
NOT FOR ME
The Wives by Tarryn Fisher
I was so let down by this book. I LOVED the idea of it when I read the synopsis because I find polygamy so interesting. If you don't want any spoilers skip down now --------
this book ends up just being another "crazy lady is crazy" and I'm just really over that trope in thrillers.
Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough
I definitely seem to be in the minority in the dislike of this book. I was really enjoying it riiiiiight up until the last chapter. You'll see all over Goodreads about the "crazy ending" and "crazy twist" but that was a hard no for me. I wanted a crazy thriller and I mean, I guess that's what a got... if you've read this, I would LOVE to hear your thoughts!
Three Women by Lisa Taddeo
Again, possibly in the minority here. This book was advertised as a feminist book celebrating women's sexuality and that is just not what is happening here and was really let down by this Book of the Month selection. It's currently sitting in my giveaway pile for when things open up again.
When Live Gives You Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger
I had been really looking forward to this book for awhile before reading it. I loved the Devil Wears Prada books and was excited to visit with Emily again. But, this book was terrible. In almost every chapter, Emily is shaming women for their food choices or how fat they are or the clothes their wearing. It's told from three points of view and I was only rooting for one POV and even then, I would use "rooting for" lightly.
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Please don't hate me!!! I know this is unpopular. But, the story just doesn't make sense. There's no way that the detective would have figured that out from the information he had provided to him. So, just nope. I only finished this for a reading challenge I was doing.
Currently Reading:
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel
The Starter Wife by Nina Lauren
Audiobooks:
The Witches are Coming by Lindy West
I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle Mcnara
See, I have a focus problem.
8 comments:
I loved Stillhouse Lake.
I try to go into every read as expectation-less as possible, I think I find more things totally readable like that.
So I really enjoyed Behind Her Eyes. I still remember listening to the audio on my way to work and thinking WTH!? when that twist popped up.
I don’t like Agatha Christie at all. I’ve tried multiple books and I don’t get the appeal.
You can always count on TJR for a good book.
Whisper Network was a rough read. The characters were all so unlikeable but you also kind of understand why and support their choices.
I bought Such a Fun Age and the Holdout because the library waitlist for the eBook was too long. I never do that.
Ooh so many good selections here! I recently read The Holdout and Such a Fun Age - loved both of those. But for one that I felt like didn't get as much buzz, I really found The Whisper Network intriguing and quite a good read too.
Popping over from Show Us Your Books!
I have Such a Fun Age from the library right now and I'm not sure what to expect-- for some reason the cover does not match the synopsis for me as weird as that sounds. I liked Behind Her Eyes but the ending really annoyed me too-- I can't even remember what happened now, other than being disappointed.
I actually liked Behind Her Eyes. I have Chloe Brown on audio (haven't started it yet) and I also got The Holdout from BOTM but haven't started that yet either. So many books!
I have my first Christina Lauren on my TBR pile now, but it's a different one. I read What Alice Forgot a while ago, but barely remember it. Great list - thanks for sharing :)
I really enjoyed What Alice Forgot as well!! I had not read anything else by Liane, but had wanted to since I enjoyed this so much. Now I am worried nothing will compare to this one! lol
Here are my March reads, if interested! https://elle-alice.blogspot.com/2020/03/march-book-reviews.html
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