Happy Monday and happy JULY. (Whaaaat?!) I have a three-day workweek and then a five-day weekend, so I am feeling good. I did not mean to go MIA from my blog last week, but I just couldn’t find the time to write. Ah, well. It happens!
Even in the midst of my busy week, I still found lots of time to read! I finished four books last week, woop! I also abandoned not one but two books this week:
- As Long As We Both Shall Live by JoAnne Chaney – Abandoned at 30%. The writing style wasn’t for me and I didn’t find the plot very compelling.
- Attraction by Penny Reid – Abandoned at 41%. I felt that this story was super far-fetched and the main character was written way too quirky to be believable.
Here are the reviews for the books I did finish:
Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (★★★★★)
I was worried I wasn’t going to like this book, even though it’s gotten rave reviews from many of my trusted sources. The 70s music scene of “sex, drugs, and rock and roll” isn’t really my thing, so I didn’t know if it would all feel a bit too much. However, when I went to Taylor Jenkins Reid’s author signing for this book, I got to hear her process of writing. I listened as she admitted she doesn’t know much about using drugs or music in general, and that made me more excited to read it because she was coming to this book from a truly honest place. And, you guys, this book is so good. I’m not even much of a music fan and I was completely captivated by the scenes of the band writing and performing. As I was reading the book, I wanted to download all of their music on Spotify. It’s a phenomenal story, written as an oral history, and definitely one of my favorite books of the year. I’m planning on rereading this book by listening to the audiobook because I hear it’s an incredible listening experience.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (★★★★★)
The book was so delightful and worth every minute I spent with it. It follows the First Son of the United States falling in love with the Prince of England, and what could be better than that? The chemistry between Alex and Henry crackled on the pages and I found myself so completely charmed by them and their love story. I also loved this parallel universe that McQuiston created, in which the president is a woman (and a Democrat). The story is set during 2020, as the president is running for her second term, and just… how I wish this was our reality. Oof. It was a lovely story in all respects, although I should offer a warning that the sex scenes get a bit steamy. However, there aren’t a lot of them and you can easily skim over them. I would definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for an escape and just want to read a sweet, fun romance.
The Wicked Will Rise by Danielle Paige (★★★☆☆)
This book continues the story of Amy Gunn and her twisted journey in Oz. The first book ended on a cliffhanger and the second book jumped right into the action with very little explanation, so I’m glad I read these books back-to-back. While I didn’t find the second book as compelling as the first – and there were many more high fantasy elements that were hard to wrap my mind around – I still enjoyed my reading (er, listening) experience. Throughout the novel, Amy has to fight against her instinct for evil and I really loved the growth of her character from the first novel to this one. Excited to dive into the next one soon!
Lucky in Love by Jill Shalvis (★★★★☆)
Another winner from my tried-and-true romance author! This is the fourth novel in Shalvis’s Lucky Harbor series, following the love story of ER nurse Mallory and a character who made frequent appearances in the previous novels under the moniker Mysterious Cute Guy. Nobody really knows who he is or why he’s in Lucky Harbor, but Mallory and MCG (whose real name is Ty) make a connection during a snowstorm that grows deeper the more time they spend together. It was a sweet story that I flew through over the weekend.
I’m currently reading…
> Miracle Creek by Angie Kim, on audio. I’m so excited to dive into this novel that has gotten rave reviews from so many people.
> All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin. I recently picked up this novel at my library’s book sale, not realizing it was Giffin’s latest and I had yet to read it! I’m only about a chapter in so far.
> Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole. This quick novella is a F/F romance, a subgenre I’ve never read somehow. Looking forward to diving in this week.
What are you reading?
What is F/F? I don’t read romance so have no idea what that means!
I just finished “Goodbye, Paris” which was a book I picked up when I saw it on a display table at our library. I’m a sucker for anything with Paris in the title. 😉 Now I am reading “One True Loves” by TJR which I am really loving. I am on the waitlist for Daisy Jones but it’s a long wait so I am reading her backlist while I wait for that book to become available!
Good job abandoning 2 books! I used to be a completist but have stopped doing that because life is too short to read a book that’s not for you!
I am curious about Daisy Jones & The Six after you talked about meeting the author and seeing so many people I know reading it! I may have to check it out! Red White & Royal Blue sounds fun too 🙂
I just started a memoir, From Scratch 🙂
Mannn, I have been SO bad about reading the last few months. I feel like life has really gotten away from my lately, & when I’m stressed or running out of time, I guess reading falls by the wayside… ugh. I need to get back to it. I miss it!