Hi, friends, and a very happy Monday to you. My bookish moment of the week is an easy one: putting together my list of 25 Things About Me as a Reader! It was really fun to think about my reading life and what I wanted to share. And, of course, after publishing that blog post, I’ve thought of a handful more facts that I want to share! So maybe a part II will be coming soon. 🙂
I read three books this week and enjoyed all of them!
Sadie by Courtney Summers (★★★★☆)
One-sentence synopsis: A radio personality is drawn into a story about a missing girl in a small town and starts a podcast to find her.
The audiobook of this thriller has a full cast so it’s a sensational listening experience. The book follows two timelines: the podcast in which West Craven, the radio personality, is investigating Sadie’s disappearance, and what Sadie was up to in the weeks before she was reported missing. It’s a book filled with trigger warnings, especially regarding violence, rape, and child sexual abuse, so sensitive readers should take great care. But it’s a pretty good thriller overall and I found Sadie’s journey to be a believable one, even though she’s only 17. Is this a book I’m rushing out to recommend? No. But it’s a great audiobook listen and a solid read that will keep you engaged until the end.
I Remember Nothing: and Other Reflections by Nora Ephron (★★★★☆)
One-sentence synopsis: A short essay collection about Nora’s past, present, and future.
I read this to fulfill the last challenge category for the Unread Shelf Project, which was “the shortest book on your shelf.” This essay collection clocks in at just under 140 pages! It was a super enjoyable read, most especially because it felt like a time capsule of the early aughts (it was published in 2010). Nora is vulnerable and incredibly funny in this essay collection, and made me laugh out loud and reminisce about things like Games.com and when e-mail was this new and mysterious concept.
Beach Read by Emily Henry (★★★★☆)
Short synopsis: January, a romance writer, is dealing with major writer’s block even though she’s promised to send her publisher her latest draft by the end of summer. She’s spending the summer at a beach house where she knows she must focus and write, only to find out that her nemesis, hero of the literary world, Gus Everett, is living next door.
I very much enjoyed this romance! (There is a lot of debate about whether this book is women’s fiction or romance; it read like a romance to me, as the love story was central to the plot, but YMMV.) It’s a buzzy book that everyone, even people who don’t typically read romance, are reading and loving, and I can see why it’s getting so much praise. It was excellent! I loved the characters and the romance and the witty banter. I loved January’s relationship with her father, even if it made me long to have the same one with mine. I loved Gus so, so, so much and thought he was an extraordinary hero. And I loved watching the writing process in this book, as January is trying to get a book to her agent by the end of summer—it was fun to get a glimpse into her process. All in all, a solid romance that even non-romance readers could enjoy. (Open-door romance.)
What I’m Reading This Week
- Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations by Mira Jacob – This graphic memoir comes highly recommended from so many trusted sources, and it’s easy to see why. It’s amazing! It will be an easy 5-star read.
- Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid – TJR, why are you putting me through the emotional wringer with this one? Ack! It’s so good, but so heartbreaking, as it follows a woman who has been married for a week when her husband is killed in an accident.
- Here for It: Or, How to Save Your Soul in America by R. Eric Thomas – I’m starting this memoir on audio this week, and I’m very much looking forward to it! I think it will be a fantastic listening experience.
What are you reading?
Okay, as a person who normally doesn’t read romances, but who has recently discovered that maybe that means I am MISSING OUT on a ton of good books, I am fully won over by your description of Beach Read. I am going to try it!
I’ve been meaning to read “Forever, Interrupted” for what seems like, well, forever – but I never feel ready to be so sad!
I really enjoyed Beach Read! Give me allll the light books!
I am still reading The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. I barely made progress the first week of Will’s life but have been reading while nursing so will likely finish it in the next several days. I think if I wasn’t reading it during the newborn haze I would like it even more. But I am so gd tired and reading in little snippets so that takes away from the reading experience to some extent.
Sadie has been on my list for AGES. I really enjoy Courtney Summers, even though her books are generally really intense. Most people I know who have read it have had similar thoughts to yours (not necessarily one they would recommend but that it’s solid and engaging). I’ll have to keep an eye out for the audiobook at my library!
On the flip side, I have heard really good things about Beach Read generally so awesome to see another person whose taste I trust endorse it!
Currently reading In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren — came available at my library while I was in the middle of another book (the Happy Ever After Playlist) so I took a break to read it during my borrowing period. It’s not too bad so far, but I still have about 30 per cent to go. Slow reading these days on my end.
Oh! I remember hearing about Sadie! It sounded very interesting!
I need to keep I Remember Nothing in mind when I am reaching for my 100 books goal in a couple (eek!) weeks!
I liked the book writing parts of Beach Read too! And how they took each other on those little adventures to show each other their process.
A friend told me not to read Forever, Interrupted because it made her so sad. We’re both on a TJR binge (me and that friend).
I am reading Operation Ironman, a humorous memoir by George Mahood. I have read several of his books and they are light-hearted and funny! I am still reading so slowly though!
I am reading