What I’m Reading (8.10.20)

Happy Monday! I have a looooong list of books today since this recap comprises two weeks worth of reading. And I got a lot of reading down over the past two weeks—seven books, to be exact! Let’s dive into these reviews:

No Place to Run by Maya Banks (★★★☆☆)

One-sentence synopsis: When Sophie, the woman Sam had a fling with on assignment in Mexico, shows up at his home, injured and pregnant, Sam will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

I liked this book, which is the second novel in Banks’s KGI series, but it felt oddly similar to the first book in which the hero has to take care of the heroine, who is in fragile condition. Really hoping the author gives us something different in the next book! There were parts I really liked about the novel—it was super suspenseful and I loved the family dynamics at play—and there were parts I super despised, mainly how the women in the book were treated. (As one reviewer pointed out, there was no real character development for Sophie. What did she do for work? What were her hobbies? Who were her friends?) Sophie felt one-dimensional and just a side character when she was actually the heroine! Just… meh.

Woman 99 by Greer Macallister (★★★☆☆)

One-sentence synopsis: When Charlotte’s sister, Phoebe, is placed in a mental health facility against her will, Charlotte gets herself committed to save her sister.

What I enjoyed most about this novel was the historical aspect, as it took place in the late 1800s and discussed the type of women who would be committed to these mental facilities. Some of the women were in desperate need of a calm facility that valued order and isolated them from the outside world. Others, though, were only there because they had become a nuisance to their family by not marrying or desiring other women or wanting to seek higher education. It was horrifying to recognize what could sentence a woman to a place like this. What I didn’t love so much about this book was Charlotte. She was so naive and it drove me crazy at times. (I think that was the point, though, as she grew up very sheltered.) I also found the ending to be a bit of a letdown. Everything wrapped up in this neat little bow and something about that didn’t sit right with me. It left me wanting more.

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead (★★★☆☆)

One-sentence synopsis: High school senior, Elwood, is sentenced to a juvenile reformatory called The Nickel School due to an innocent mistake.

I had high expectations for this book and I don’t know if they were fully met. That’s not to say that this book wasn’t beautifully written, because it was. Colson Whitehead uses sparse language to convey complex, horrifying themes and this book is phenomenally well-written. The incidents of brutality were vivid, but so were the hope and the tenacious spirit of Elwood and the other boys. From time to time, though, I felt myself a little bored with the plot and not sure where things were going. The book almost felt like a collection of vignettes rather than one cohesive story. Even still, this novel is one I will definitely be recommending because it’s worth the read.

Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams (★★☆☆☆)

One-sentence synopsis: When Liv gets fired from her job after confronting her boss about the sexual harassment she witnessed, she vows to seek vengeance, but that means relying on the one man she absolutely despises, Braden Mack.

Ugh, this book. I had such high hopes and I was so disappointed. This book attempts a #MeToo plot involving a serial sexual abuser, but I do not feel as if the author treated the subject matter with sensitivity. Instead, there’s victim blaming, boundary-pushing, and, well, harassing sexual assault victims in appalling ways. It was hard to root for any of the characters with the way they treated the sexual assault survivors in this story, and I just really wanted so much more from this book, the characters, and the writing.

Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider (★★★★☆)

One-sentence synopsis: Lane, who has just been diagnosed with tuberculosis, is sent to Latham House, a sanatorium for other young TB patients.

This novel was so interesting! I learned a lot about tuberculosis and what it means to be diagnosed with this chronic illness. It felt fairly timely, too, with our current pandemic as TB patients are highly contagious and those without the condition have to wear masks when they’re around those with TB. The novel switches back and forth between two perspectives: Lane, who has just been diagnosed and is a new patient at Latham House, and Sadie, who has been at the sanatorium for over a year. It takes place in present day and Latham House operates like a boarding school for the sick. The kids go to classes, eat in a cafeteria, have regular doctor’s appointments, and require regimented downtime. The novel is heartbreaking at times (because these kids are sick with a potentially fatal disease) but also beautiful and heartfelt and fun. I really enjoyed it!

The Witches Are Coming by Lindy West (★★★☆☆)

One-sentence synopsis: A collection of essays discussing the #MeToo movement, the misogyny inherent in so many pop culture phenomenons, abortion, politics, Ted Bundy, and so much more.

I enjoy Lindy West’s voice so much. She doesn’t hold back and man, is it refreshing. These essays are truly timely (so timely, I wonder if some of the references are going to feel super outdated even a few years down the road) and filled with humor, heart, and disdain for white males. I laughed my way through the chapter about wellness culture, got emotional when she discussed abortion rights, and felt uncomfortable as she schooled me on the misogyny inherent in Adam Sandler films (and most comedy films of the 90s/early aughts). There was so much good in this book, however, I struggled with the fact that I felt like West didn’t bring anything new to the table, especially when discussing politics and the #MeToo movement. These are the same points anyone entrenched in liberal politics has been hearing and reading about for many years. It read like an echo chamber of my own thoughts. It left me wanting more.

Deep Cover by Scarlett Cole (★★★★☆)

One-sentence synopsis: Sparks fly when FBI agent Amy and government contractor Cabe are partnered together for an undercover assignment, but is Cabe ready to move on after the death of his fiancee two years ago?

I loved this romantic suspense novel, and after a string of “just okay” romances, I was grateful to finally find one that I could truly sink into and enjoy. I loved the dynamic between Cabe and Amy; their chemistry was palpable! Cabe spends the majority of the beginning of the novel comparing Amy to his late fiancee, and at a certain point, it started to grate on me. But, gradually, as Cabe gets to know Amy better and they begin to fall in love, he stops spending so much time comparing the two women and starts to simply enjoy Amy as she is. It was really beautiful. As for the undercover assignment, which involved taking down a money laundering and sex trafficking ring at a successful casino, it was so well done! I loved the look into casino culture and being a dealer, and the ending had me quickly turning pages to make sure everything would turn out okay in the end! All in all, a great romance that came into my life at just the right time.

What I’m Reading This Week

• A Yellow Raft in Blue Water by Michael Dorris (print) – This is my “slow but steady” read. I have a friend’s copy from high school, which is so special! I’m spending 10 minutes every day with this novel (and not stressing if I don’t get around to sitting down with the book on a particular day). I’ve read 75 pages so far and I’m enjoying it!
• The Chain by Adam McKinty (audiobook) – I’ve been dipping in and out of this thriller on audio and it’s so good so far! I’m only 3 hours in (it’s a 10-hour audiobook), though, so fingers crossed it lives up to my expectations.
• The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (print) – Eeks, I’m so excited to be reading Brit Bennett’s latest. The Mothers was in my top five the year I read it, and The Vanishing Half is shaping up to be just as excellent. And I’m buddy-reading it with Kim, which is so much fun!
• You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria – New Alexis Daria, woohoo! It’s been a few years since we’ve had a new romance from her, and I’m excited to dig into this one that takes place on the set of a romantic comedy. Fun!

What are you reading?