The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
Audiobook • Spotify • Nonfiction (Memoir) • 2023
Short synopsis: For the first time ever, Britney Spears speaks out about her life as a pop star: how she got her big break, her relationship with Justin Timberlake, her conservatorship, and more.
I chose not to rate this book because it’s not a book that’s meant to be rated. Is it well-written? Absolutely not. But did it need to be? Was that the point of this memoir? I don’t think so. This was Britney finally able to be free and talk candidly about her life. What this book taught me is that Britney has had a really, really sad life. Sure, she got to be a pop star, but at what price? There were revelations in this book that were eye-opening and most of this book was just so difficult to read. I hope she found the process of working through the highs and lows of her life to be cathartic and healing.
A Lot Like Love by Julie James (★★★★☆)
E-Book • Owned (Amazon) • Romatic Suspense • 2011
Short synopsis: When Jordan Rhodes is approached by the FBI to help with an undercover assignment, she’s originally not too keen on the idea. But then they sweeten the deal: If she helps them out, they can coordinate her brother’s early release from prison. So she teams up with undercover agent Nick McCall. They have to be a pretend couple, but after more than a few weeks in each other’s presence, it’s starting to feel less pretend and more real.
This is my third or fourth time reading this romantic suspense novel; Julie James used to be one of my go-to romance novelists but she hasn’t written a new novel in 6 years and it is such a travesty. So, instead, I get my Julie James fix by rereading her novels! Some parts of this novel didn’t quite age as well as I’d hoped (there was a tinge of toxic masculinity to Nick’s nature at times), but overall, it was a fun ride and one of those easy, brainless romance novels that I love. I didn’t have to think too hard; I just had to enjoy the story and developing romance.
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi (★★★★★)
Print • Owned (Indie Bookstore) • Historical Fiction • 2020
Short synopsis: When Lakshmi was 17, she escaped from a brutal marriage and found a new life in Jaipur where she became a renowned henna artist to the wealthy elites. Fifteen years later, her husband finds her and he has a surprise in tow: a sister she never knew she had.
I loved this book! It had such a lyrical writing style and it was so easy to get sucked into these scenes in India. I was also deeply grateful to the author for including a character bible at the front of the book. I skipped over it to begin with but then as characters were introduced (or re-introduced), I would flip over to that page to familiarize myself with who they were and their relation to other characters in the story. So helpful! This book takes place in the 1950s during an interesting time in history—most especially, a time when divorce was officially legalized in India. This was a novel that focused on women—Lakshmi, her younger sister, and some of the wealthy women she hennaed—and I found all of their stories compelling. While parts of this novel made me frustrated, it wasn’t due to the writing or the plot—it was the characters making silly decisions. To me, it’s the mark of a great book when an author can get me to feel strong emotions about made-up people! All in all, a fantastic book that I highly recommend!
What are you reading?
Yes, I agree- when I get very upset over something a character in a story is doing, I recognize that it’s the mark of a good book. If it weren’t well-written and compelling, I wouldn’t care as much.
i like how you didn’t rate Britney’s book. I’ve heard mixed reviews on that one so I feel like I get the gist of it. Somehow it seems wrong to rate a memoir like that- almost like you’re rating someone’s journal. On that note, I’m reading a really poorly-written book right now! It’s a Christmas mystery I impulsively ordered from Amazon and… ugh. Trying to decide if I’m going to DNF.
It’s so hard to rate a memoir – especially one like this that just wasn’t written to be high literature or anything like that, lol.
I’m sorry you’ve been struggling through a poorly written book! 🙁
I’m listening to the audiobook for “The People We Keep” and I’m absolutely riveted and am trying to listen any time I have a spare thirty seconds. LOL. I have no defense of the book, to be honest. It has some really problematic parts, but I’m also really invested in the outcome for the main character. I think I recommend it? I’m about halfway through, so I reserve the right to change my mind.
I need to read your review! That one is next on my TBR list.
I really enjoyed The Henna Artist and I read the sequel as well, which was good. Maybe not QUITE as good though. I’ve heard a lot about Britney’s memoir and it made me really feel for her as a person. That poor woman, what she’s been through. I was interested to hear on a podcast that she didn’t read it herself for the audiobook because it was going to be too traumatic. My heart!
I know a lot of people were shocked that she decided not to read the book herself but after listening to it myself, I can TOTALLY understand why she chose not to read it herself. That would be so traumatizing! She’s really been through so much.
I am tempted to read Brittney’s memoir but need to be in the right mind set since it sounds so sad! I often don’t rate memoirs or biographies. It feels like you are rating their life experiences or something!
I am reading ‘Search’ right now which Meredith really liked. It’s a fictional account of a Unitarian Universalist church that is searching for a new pastor. I am liking it!
I’ve heard a lot of really good things about Search! I can’t remember if I added it to my TBR list, though.
I may pick up the Henna Artist. I find that I enjoy a lot of the Reese Book Club books!
I liked The People We Keep a lot too (Engie’s book).
I doubt I will read Britney’s memoir, but I really like your approach to it.
I think you would really enjoy The Henna Artist. It was such an interesting story and SO well-written.
The Henna Artist sounds so good! And that sounds like what I have hear about Britney’s book from others too <3
I am reading The Nanny (v open door but not keeping me engaged lol) and Winter Street.
Ugh, I’m sorry The Nanny isn’t keeping you engaged! I am so much less inclined to pick up my book to read when that happens.
So happy you enjoyed the Henna Artist. I loved that one too. There is a sequel I still need to read/listen.
I also want to read/listen to Britneys memoirs. I think it is a good move not rating memoirs. I have done so often. At times you can feel that the process of writing was cathartic and needed to be done for the author and not for the reader. I can tolerate it.