Good morning, friends! I had a pretty good weekend, filled with equal parts downtime and social time. I got a pedicure with my mom, had a reading date with a friend, spent some time snuggling and playing with Lucy (Chip was too busy barking at the ducks outside), and went bowling for the first time in many, many months. And I finished two books! A good weekend, indeed.
Here are my book reviews:
The Intimacy Experiment by Rosie Danan (★★★★☆)
One-sentence synopsis: When Naomi, a former sex worker/current CEO of a sex-positive startup is approached by Rabbi Ethan Cohen to start a modern intimacy series for his congregation, she reluctantly accepts—and is surprised when she finds herself not only reconnecting with her Jewish heritage but also falling for Ethan.
I really enjoyed the contemporary romance, especially learning more about Ethan’s work as a rabbi and Jewish culture as a whole. There aren’t too many books that explore the push/pull of being Jewish today. While the ending left a lot to be desired (the “grand gesture” trope is so overdone and never believable), I enjoyed getting to know Ethan and Naomi, especially watching Naomi’s walls come down with him. Even though her chosen career path is vastly different from mine, we have some of the same fears and hangups about being in a relationship. Reading this book actually helped me explore my own fears of relationships and what’s holding me back from romantic love, and that’s something I didn’t expect from this novel! All in all, a great read!
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid (★★★★☆)
One-sentence synopsis: It’s the night of Nina Riva’s annual end-of-year party that she throws with her three siblings, but by midnight, everything will be out of control and by morning, Nina’s home will have gone up in flames.
TJR doesn’t know how to write a bad novel and, while this one doesn’t quite live up to Daisy Jones & the Six or The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, it’s still a beautifully written novel with complex characters and a fast-moving plot. The story is told in dual timelines: the present (the hours leading up to the party and the party itself) and the past (how Nina’s parents met and fell in love and their tumultuous marriage). There were so many decisions made by the characters (the Riva parents, specifically) that were hard to wrap my head around. I was also a bit turned off by all of the drug use (waiters with serving trays full of cocaine, anyone?!) Blech. However, the setting of 1980s Malibu was outstanding, I was completely enamored by all of the Riva kids and their close bond, and the ending was very satisfying. Definitely a novel I’d recommend!
What I’m Reading This Week
- Glass Houses by Louise Penny (audio) – I have just four hours left in this audiobook and it’s been such an excellent mystery so far.
- The People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry – I just started this contemporary romance so I don’t have too much to say about it just yet!
- Heavy by Kiese Laymon – I haven’t started this memoir yet but I’m looking forward to it, as it’s gotten rave reviews by many people.
What are you reading?
I’m looking forward to reading TJR’s latest. I’ve heard many say it isn’t as good as her last couple but some that loved it even more. Will be curious to see what I think!
I am still working on 2 non-fiction reads that I”m slowly making my way through. I finished “Good Company” which is by the author of The Nest. I never read that book as it felt like a ‘rich people’s problems’ book and I don’t love those kind of books. But I enjoyed Good Company and read it in about 2 days which is fast for me. And now I am reading “Competitive Grieving” which I heard about on the podcast of a bookstore in Thomasville, GA (The Bookshelf). It’s pretty good so far but I’m not far enough in to know if I’d recommend it!
Glad you are loving the Penny novel. Those books just get better and better!!
I have yet to read any Taylor Jenkins Reid books, but they always end up on my TBR list. Right now I’m reading The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett and IT. IS. SO. GOOD. I loved The Mothers and this book is probably even better.
Okay, I read Malibu Rising so I am back to talk about it! I really loved the first part of the book and learning about the kids and their parents’ past like WTF WHOA. I loved how fast paced it was. It was so nice to read a book so fast when it’s been such a slow year. The end felt a bit cluttered with all the characters though – I just wanted to know about the Riva siblings! I still really enjoyed it though!
Next I have that book to read about the Berlin Wall that you recommended.