State of Wonder by Ann Patchett (★★★☆☆)
Audiobook • Libby • Fiction • 2011
Short synopsis: After Dr. Marina Singh finds out that her former mentor, Dr. Annick Swenson, has died while working in the Amazon on a valuable new drug, she embarks on a journey to find out exactly what happened to him.
I’ve had this book on my TBR for quite a long time because the premise didn’t really excite me. I’m not one for adventure stories like this, but plenty of reviews said the same: It wasn’t an enticing premise but was well worth the read. I listened to the audiobook, which was probably the best way for me to consume this novel. I think I would have abandoned it if I were reading it in print. This was a hard book for me to rate and I found myself waffling between 3 and 4 stars. It was an intriguing story and I found myself looking forward to listening to it, but I also finished the book with a feeling of, “Meh.” I don’t think it’s a story that will stick with me and it’s not one I’m rushing out to recommend to everyone. It was a fine story, but nothing outstanding.
Zami: A New Spelling of My Name by Audre Lorde
E-Book • Libby • Nonfiction (Memoir) • 1982
Short synopsis: Zami is a chronicle of Audre Lorde’s life, from her vivid childhood memories in Harlem to her coming of age in the late 1950s.
I’m choosing not to rate this memoir because I just feel weird about rating memoirs. The synopsis of this novel gives absolutely nothing about the plot so I wasn’t exactly sure what I was getting into. What I didn’t expect was to get a glimpse into the queer culture of the 1950s, and it was fascinating in that respect. It was so interesting to read more about how gay women were navigating life at this time—how they were finding community, finding love, finding themselves. I loved reading about all of the women Audre Lorde loved during this time in her life. She also had a lot to say about how gay women were dressing themselves and styling their hair, which was a fascinating time capsule. While I wouldn’t say this is an outstanding memoir, it was a good one and I’m glad I read it.
On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn (★★☆☆☆)
E-Book • Libby • Historical Romance • 2006
Short synopsis: The youngest Bridgerton sibling, Gregory, has finally fallen in love. Only the woman he’s in love with is betrothed to another man. Can he convince her that they are meant to be together?
Ugh, okay. Let’s discuss this book. It started off rough, with Gregory falling in lust with our heroine Lucy’s best friend, Hermione. This is nothing new; men are forever falling in lust with Hermione because she is an ethereal beauty, and many times, they are also trying to befriend Lucy so she’ll put in a good word. It’s a bit of a shallow start for our guy. It’s not until later in the book, after Gregory realizes that Hermione is in love with someone else, that he starts to notice Lucy. And I’ll be honest, I did love the sweet love story between Lucy and Gregory once that plotline picked up. But then things went completely off the rails at the end of the novel, and I just found myself rolling my eyes and skimming paragraphs because I just wanted it all to be done. All in all, a lame ending to this series.
What are you reading?
I really like Ann Patchett, but Commonwealth was not my favorite book of hers either. I much prefer her essay style books, like This Precious Life or This is the Story of a Happy Marriage. I have not read either of the other books, but did read The Duke and I and I found it quite shallow and not really my cup of tea. Given that, I probably will not read anything else by Quinn unless I am hurting for something to read and they just happen to be available.
There are much better historical romance writers than Quinn. The Duke & I was fine, but not exceptional in any way. I’m glad I read through the series, but it’s not one I would recommend, unfortunately.
This week it is exclusively Christmas magazines from the library and I am LOVING it.
Here’s the thing – I know that everyone loves Ann Patchett and I want to read her…but I just haven’t been able to get into any of her books. It sounds like State of Wonder is not going to be my entry point. Someday.
SAME! Everyone talks so glowingly of her books but I’ve yet to find one that I truly love. I don’t get it!
I found the last two books of the Bridgerton series not enjoyable. I loved the first six books (When He Was Wicked is one of my all time favorites), but the books for the two youngest siblings just seemed so so so silly. I like when Quinn combines humour with sincerity and a touch of angst and Gregory and Hyacinth’s books didn’t seem to have that combination for me.
I just finished Rachel Lynn Solomon’s Business or Pleasure and thought it was a lot of fun, but more open door than I was anticipating.
I enjoyed When He Was Wicked, too! I also enjoyed Hyacinth’s story but this last one was terrible. She was really phoning it in at the end, it seemed.
I did not love that Patchett book either. I see above that Kyria didn’t like Commonwealth but that was my favorite!!
I just finished a book about a family that is quarantining over Christmas in England. It’s set in 2017 so not a Covid novel. I can’t tell you the name of the book – it was a bunch of little words that don’t stick with you. It was pretty entertaining. I read about it in a book page articles about Christmas/winter holiday books. Now I am starting ‘Heaven and Earth Grocery Store’. The first 5% has not been compelling but it made so many best of lists so I am going to give it more of a chance.
I was also “meh” on Commonwealth, so I’m guessing Ann Patchett just isn’t for me. Oh, well.
I’m looking forward to reading The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store! I loved his previous novel so much!
Romancing Mister Bridgerton was the only book in that series worth reading. I stand by this claim!
Once again, our book tastes are not aligned as I did NOT enjoy that book in the series at all! To each their own. 🙂
For some reason the whole Bridgerton hype can’t grab me. reading your review it doesn’t look like I am missing much.
The memoire sounds like an interesting read.