what i’m reading

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (9.24.18)

Well. This was a very successful reading week for me. I haven’t finished many books in the past few weeks, but I have five reviews for you today. FIVE. Three of the books I’ve been working on for a few weeks now, one was a short audiobook, and the fifth a novella. So, settle in, my friends, for quite a few reviews.

Books Finished

Title: The Meaning of Michelle: 16 Writers on the Iconic First Lady and How Her Journey Inspires Our Own
Edited by: Veronica Chambers
Published: 2017
Format: Library audiobook
Rating: ★★★★☆

Plot Summary: In this essay collection, 16 writers talk about the impact Michelle Obama had, both in the unconventional way she lived as First Lady and in the way she challenged ideas of what womanhood means in this culture.

My Thoughts: This was such a lovely, lovely read. I listened to the audiobook version, which is just under five hours, so it’s a fast read and a good starting point for anyone wanting to listen to more audiobooks. Michelle Obama had such a massive impact in our culture, and it is especially so for black girls who grew up not seeing themselves reflected in pop culture or politics. But for eight years, we got to have a black First Lady and someone who owned her blackness and celebrated it, someone who was beautiful and gracious but also unflinching in her beliefs. She was unlike any other First Lady in history, and I’m so glad we got to have her for eight years.

Title: Taking Fire
Author: Cindy Gerard
Published: 2016
Format: Library e-book
Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Plot Summary: Bobby’s been betrayed by Talia once – six years ago on assignment in Kabul – and when they are unexpectedly reunited at the U.S. Embassy in Oman and thrust into a dangerous mission, he has to decide whether or not he can trust her again.

My Thoughts: Cindy Gerard is one of my favorite romantic suspense authors, but I haven’t loved her last few novels as much as her previous ones. There’s something that feels… forced. The characters don’t feel real, the plot isn’t as dynamic as usual. This one even repeated a plot line from one of her previous novels, which I found to be just lazy writing. Plus, this book included my most-hated romance trope, a plot I just cannot get behind no matter what. Was the story well-paced and well-written? Yes. Was the action exciting? Of course. But I just expected more from Gerard.

Title: Persuasion
Author: Jane Austen
Published: 1817
Format: e-book
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

Plot Summary: Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth were betrothed once, but she was persuaded by her dear family friend to break off the engagement since the match was unworthy. Eight years later, Wentworth returns as a successful sea captain, only to find Anne’s family on the brink of financial ruin and his sister renting the Elliot’s house.

My Thoughts: I gave Jane Austen a fair shot, and I have decided she is just not for me. And no, I don’t feel bad about this. I don’t feel I have to like Austen to be a “good bookworm.” I had to use SparkNotes to understand what was happening in this book, as so much of the language went over my head, and my reading experience was just not enjoyable. The plot could be considered compelling, but the writing felt so dense that it was hard to really get engaged in what was happening.

Title: Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life
Author: Emily Nagoski
Published: 2015
Format: Paperback
Rating: ★★★★★

Plot Summary: This book, written by a human sexuality expert, explores women’s sexuality – how it works, why it doesn’t sometimes, and how women can have fulfilling and happy sex lives.

My Thoughts: This book is life-changing, and it’s a book I want to get in the hands of every woman I know. I think it is so, so important to understand how sexual functioning works and why it sometimes doesn’t. I have a lot of thoughts about this book, and I’m going to save most of them for the blog post I intend to write very soon, once I’m able to formulate my thoughts into something coherent. I understand that it can be embarrassing for women to talk about sex (and to have a book like this on their Goodreads profile, ha), but I think that’s the whole point of this book. We need to stop being embarrassed, to stop thinking our pleasure doesn’t matter. It does. We do. And this book is a great stepping stone for that.

Title: Never, Never: Part Three
Author: Colleen Hoover, Tarryn Fisher
Published: 2016
Format: Library paperback
Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Plot Summary: In this third and final novella, Silas and Charlie are desperate to find out why they continue to lose their memories every three days.

My Thoughts: Oy vey. I was so intrigued after part one – it was so well-written and I just needed to know what happened next. Part two was less intriguing, probably because Silas and Charlie spent most of the novel apart and it felt like the authors were opening so many different doors. And part three? Part three was so disappointing. The reason for Silas and Charlie losing their memory was… silly. The loose ends that were opened up in parts one and two were never fully wrapped up. I think the problem with this series was breaking a full book into three novellas (still not sure why the authors did that…) I think it could have been much stronger as one book, and I think it would have been easier to really wrap this series up in the right way. Meh.

What I’m Reading This Week

Fear: Trump in the White House by Bob Woodward – I was surprised to get an email from my library saying the audiobook was ready for me to download! (When I checked it a few weeks ago, I was #24 on the list and they had one copy.) It is so, so good and reads like fiction.
Home Front by Kristin Hannah – Kristin Hannah is the kind of writer where I really have to be in the right frame of mind to read one of her books. Mostly because her books always pack an emotional punch, and most times, they have a slow pace. I’m a little over 100 pages into this novel, and I am loving it. It’s just so good, although I can tell it’s probably going to completely destroy me by the time I finish it. Eeks.
Dr. Strange Beard by Penny Reid – I’m about halfway into this contemporary romance, the fifth in Reid’s Winston Brothers series. So far, so good. (I’m reading it in between pages of Home Front because sometimes, I need a break from that heavy-ish read!)
On Second Thought by Kristan Higgins – Once I finish Dr. Strange Beard, this is next on my list! Higgins used to be one of my favorite contemporary romance authors, but she’s moved into women’s fiction and I haven’t read her recent releases. Remedying that now!

What are you reading this week?

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (9.17.18)

Happy Monday, friends! I had such a lovely, relaxing weekend. So relaxing, in fact, that I managed to finish an entire 350-page book in two days. (Which is a good thing, considering it was for book club and our meeting is tomorrow!)

This week, I finished two books. My reviews are below!

Books Finished

Title: A Million Junes
Author: Emily Henry
Published: 2017
Format: Library audiobook
Rating: ★★★★☆

Plot Summary: June O’Donnell and Saul Angert are supposed to hate each other because that’s the way their families work. June’s family has a long-held grudge against Saul’s family, but June cannot help the pull she feels toward Saul. He’s gruff and sarcastic but sparks fly whenever they’re around one another. So, what happens when an Angert and an O’Donnell fall in love?

My Thoughts: I’m not one for magical realism typically, but damn, I loved this novel. It was fun and witty while also being emotionally moving, stirring my heartstrings. I loved the characters of June and Saul, and I could feel their chemistry immediately. Their love story warmed my heart and it’s what made me most curious to see how everything would end because it seemed like their love was doomed from the start. I also loved the secondary characters in this novel, especially the relationship of June and her best friend Hannah. They had a strong, healthy female friendship and it was a beautiful thing to witness. They just loved each other and wanted the best for one another at all times, and that’s something more YA novels need. Teenage female friendship can be healthy! Yes, yes. This book was so fantastic and so beautifully written. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA books and magical realism (but also encourage anyone who isn’t into magical realism to give it a try because that’s not my typical bag and I really enjoyed it.)

Title: Red Clocks
Author: Leni Zumas
Published: 2018
Format: Library hardcover
Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Plot Summary: In this novel, Leni Zumas has imagined a world where abortion is illegal, IVF is banned, and every embryo is granted the right to life, liberty, and property. She explores how this affects four very different women: Ro who is trying to have her baby on her own, Susan who is a mother of two and trapped in a disappointing marriage, Mattie who is fifteen and gets pregnant unexpectedly, and Gin who is a modern-day witch doctor who is arrested and put on trial.

My Thoughts: The premise of this book sounded great. Timely and important, and let’s face it, if Brett Kavanaugh is confirmed as Supreme Court Justice, a reality we could be facing in the not-too-distant future. However, the writing just didn’t meet my expectations. I found the writing pretentious as if the author was trying so hard to make this book as literary as possible. None of the characters were truly likable, and it just made me sad that none of the women featured in this novel had a strong relationship with anyone – not a romantic partner, not a family member, not a friend, not a colleague. If the author wanted to write a female empowerment book, well, I think she failed on that account. I will acknowledge that I thought the ending was well done and made up for a very slow beginning and lackluster character development, but eh. Not a book I’m going to be recommending.

What I’m Reading This Week

Persuasion by Jane Austen – Okay, confession: so much of this book has been going over my head that I finally broke down and read the SparkNotes chapter summaries for everything I had read so far. Mostly because I was getting the characters mixed up, and also because I read two chapters in a row where I was like, “Wait. What did I just read?!” I couldn’t have told you if my life depended on it. So now I’m reading the SparkNotes chapter summary before I read a chapter and the experience is so much better! Pretty sure after finishing Persuasion, I’m giving up on Jane Austen novels. Sorry not sorry?
Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life by Emily Nagoski – Still working my way through this one! It’s so, so good, but also very dense, and I’m taking my time with it. But it’s definitely a book I would recommend to anyone who has insecurities or fears regarding sex.
Taking Fire by Cindy Gerard – Nearly done with this romantic suspense novel! It has one of my most hated romance tropes, but it’s an easy read nonetheless and I’m curious as to how it will all turn out.
The Meaning of Michelle: 16 Writers on the Iconic First Lady and How Her Journey Inspires Our Own by Veronica Chambers – My audiobook pick for September! I started this yesterday and it’s going to be a really quick read, as it’s under five hours. And an enjoyable one because, right now, I need to remember a time when our democracy wasn’t a garbage fire.

What are you reading?

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (9.10.18)

What a crazy weekend! I had my first therapy appointment, a much-needed therapeutic massage, and finally got my Dutch tattoo. And football started, which means my Sundays will now be spent at my mom’s, watching the games with my family and I couldn’t be happier about that.

Last week, I only finished one book but that’s okay! My reading definitely seems to have slowed down in recent weeks, but I’m not concerned about it. I’m still reading every day and finding fulfillment in it, and it’s kinda nice to not read at such a frenetic pace right now. Perhaps it will pick back up, or perhaps this will be my new normal for a while. Who knows!

Book Finished

Title: Sleigh Bells in the Snow
Author: Sarah Morgan
Published: 2013
Format: Library e-book
Rating: ★★★★☆

Plot Summary: Kayla arrives at Snow Crystal, a ski resort in Vermont, with one mission: to help this struggling business find its footing and start booking guests again. And then she meets Jackson, the owner of the resort, and sparks fly.

My Thoughts: This was the most perfect contemporary romance novel, filled with lovable characters and the plot reminded me of a Hallmark Christmas movie. (Right down to a “stop the car!” scene at the end, haha.) The setting was so charming and it’s absolutely a book I would recommend to anyone looking for a fun, sexy romance that will leave you feeling oh-so-happy.

Book Abandoned

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante – Eh, I ended up abandoning this book. I was enjoying the story, but I also kept thinking about all the other books I could be reading and I wasn’t engaged enough to care about how the plot unfolded. One of those “good for you, not for me” books.

What I’m Reading This Week

A Million Junes by Emily Henry – I am so close to finishing this audiobook! Only a few hours left. I’ve really enjoyed it, though, and I’m so curious to hear how it ends!
Persuasion by Jane Austen – Slowly working my way through this classic novel. I have about 100 pages left, so I should be able to finish it sometime this week. The writing is so dense, ah!
Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life by Emily Nagoski – What a title, eh? This book has been sitting on my bookshelf for a while, and I finally decided to pick it up this month. It’s been transformative in helping me to feel more normal and setting a foundation for what sexual desire truly means for women. I may even write a blog post about it if I have enough courage to do so!
Taking Fire by Cindy Gerard – My romance for the week! Cindy Gerard is always a sure bet for a great, fast-paced read.

What are you reading?

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (9.3.18)

Happy Labor Day, my fellow American readers. Is there anything better than a three-day weekend? I think not! It’s been so nice to have a nice, long weekend where I can relax, get outside, and read as much as possible. I’m definitely trying to take advantage of all the sunny weather we’ve been having here in Florida (and since fall doesn’t exist here, wah, it’s something I’ll be taking advantage of for at least the next few months).

Last week, I finished two books, and here are my reviews!

Books Finished

Title: Beartown
Author: Fredrick Backman
Published: 2017
Format: Paperback
Rating: ★★★★★

Plot Summary: Beartown is a hockey town, and the entire town’s hopes and dreams lie in the men’s junior ice hockey team where the national semi-final match is the catalyst for everything. By the end of the night, a violent act will have been committed and a town will be in turmoil.

My Thoughts: Okay, yes, sign me up – I am fully on board with the Beartown love. This book was phenomenal. Backman is such an incredible wordsmith, crafting sentence after sentence that had me setting the book down to recover. He really and truly got to the heart of what it’s like when a small town is broken apart by violence, and how each side wants to be heard. In this instance, there is only one right side, but the way Backman explored how people respond to tragedy when it relates to revered sports stars is so timely and important. This book should be required reading, although I do caution anyone who reads this book that the first half is kiiiiinda a slog. While I didn’t have to force myself to keep reading (Backman’s writing is so exquisite and kept me engaged), I do understand why someone might abandon the book. But, trust me, it is worth it. It is so, so worth it. You most definitely won’t regret spending time with this story.

Title: Love and Other Words
Author: Christina Lauren
Published: 2018
Format: Paperback
Rating: ★★★☆☆

Plot Summary: Elliot was Macy’s first love, and when she runs into him in a busy coffee shop in San Francisco 11 years after they imploded, she can’t help but question everything about her life and what would have happened if their last fateful night had never occurred.

My Thoughts: After reading and loving Roomies earlier this year, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on another Christina Lauren romance, but this one didn’t live up to my high expectations. The novel alternates between two timelines: “now” and “then.” “Now” takes place in present day in which it has been 11 years since Elliot and Macy have spoken to one another. They are both in their late twenties, leading completely separate lives. “Then” takes place from the time Macy was 14 until she turned 18, and gives readers the back story between Elliot and Macy. I loved the “then” storyline and felt like it worked so perfectly. I could totally understand why Macy would fall in love with Elliot and their romance felt real and true. The “now” storyline, however, did not work for me at all. It felt rushed and impractical, and there were times when I really, really could not stand Macy. I wanted the authors to explore their dynamic as adults and what Macy and Elliot have been doing in the time they’ve been apart. I wanted to know why these two are meant to be together now. Sure, they were each other’s first loves, but how does that correlate to the people they are today? First loves are often not last loves, so what makes Macy and Elliot’s love different? I don’t feel like that was explored at the length it should have been to make the romance believable.

What I’m Reading This Week

Persuasion by Jane Austen – I started this novel over the weekend to meet my goal of reading four classics in 2018. I’ve never read a Jane Austen book (I tried to read Pride and Prejudice in high school for a class project, but I gave up and just read the Cliff’s Notes version in order to complete the project), so I chose one of her shorter novels. And, oy, is it slow going. I have to read sentences three or four times to understand what she’s trying to say, but I’m getting through it and I don’t hate it, so that’s saying something.
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante – I started this novel over the weekend, too! I’m not quite sure how I feel about it. The writing isn’t totally grabbing me, but it’s not not grabbing me, either. There’s something lovely about the setting and the characters, but I also don’t feel like I would be sad if I just stopped reading the novel. Still debating if I want to abandon it, which is typically a sign I should abandon it. 😉
Sleigh Bells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan – In between Persuasion and My Brilliant Friend, I’m picking up this light-hearted romance novel by one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. It’s got that Hallmark Christmas movie appeal that I’m digging.
A Million Junes by Emily Henry – It’s the beginning of the new month, which means it’s time to listen to a new fiction audiobook. This one was immediately available to download from Overdrive, and it’s gotten rave reviews from friends. I’m hoping I love it just as much!

What are you reading?

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (8.27.18)

Reading was a struggle last week. It was this weird feeling where I felt like I was fighting for every page I read. Reading felt… hard and boring, in a way. I was much less excited to reach for my books, preferring to scroll Instagram or play a game on my phone instead. I can’t remember the last time I felt that way, and I’m not really sure what caused it. I was busier, as I’m trying to finish up a freelance project and I’m attempting to walk 10,000 steps every day. So maybe it was just having a little bit more on my plate and needing my downtime to be less mentally focused. Who knows. But I honored this feeling as best as I could, knowing it would pass and I’d be back to voraciously consuming books.

Even still, I finished two books this week! But one of them was an audiobook that I only had an hour left in when Monday rolled around, ha.

Books Finished

Title: You’ll Grow Out of It
Author: Jessi Klein
Format: Library audiobook
Published: 2016
Rating: ★★★★☆

Plot Summary: This book of essays by a female comedian explores many different topics of womanhood, from how to find good porn to dealing with fertility issues when you’re not even sure you want to have a child.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this essay collection from Klein. I don’t know of her work at all, but have had this book on my TBR list for a while. I listened to it on audio and that was the perfect way to consume this book because Klein reads it herself and had me laughing out loud during some of her stories. She has a great voice and this book felt like I was sitting down with a funny friend to hear stories about her life. Highly recommend for a fun, easy read.

Title: A Princess in Theory
Author: Alyssa Cole
Format: Library e-book
Published: 2018
Rating: ★★★★☆

Plot Summary: Thabiso, an African prince, has been betrothed to Naledi since birth. But then Naledi’s parents fled the country and she spent her life bumping from foster home to foster home after they died in a car accident not long after coming to America. But the time has come for Thabiso and Naledi to marry, so he flies to America to secure his bride.

My Thoughts: This novel was just pure fun, and I really loved both Naledi and Thabiso’s characters from the beginning. They had their own unique hangups that they needed to sort out before falling in love, but it all worked out perfectly. I will say that I think the author could have tightened up the beginning so that the ending could have been better fleshed out because it felt like the ending came so suddenly that it gave me whiplash. All in all, though, a fantastic read and I can’t wait to read the next book in this fun series!

What I’m Reading This Week

Beartown by Fredrick Backman – I have a little more than 100 pages left in this novel and it is completely shattering my heart. It’s so beautiful and so tragic and so timely.
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren – I started this romance over the weekend and it’s offering a nice light-hearted companion to Beartown. I flew through the first half of it in just two days.
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante – Once I finish Beartown, I’m going to start this novel. I’m really not sure if it will be my cup of tea, but I’ll give it my usual 70-page try and hopefully, it will surprise me!

What are you reading?