What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall (★★☆☆☆)
Audiobook • Library • Thriller • 2023
Short synopsis: Naomi Shaw and her friends, Cassidy and Olivia, once played a game of magic in the woods, but it ended tragically when Naomi was attacked and nearly killed. Decades later, as Olivia wants to reveal a long-held secret, Naomi must uncover the dangerous truth of what really happened.
This thriller gets pretty good reviews and Meredith from Currently Reading loved it, so I was excited to read it. And I just hated it. Womp, womp. Honestly, my main issue lies with the narrator. I didn’t love the way she read the novel and I really disliked the fact that every male character had the exact same silly deep voice. It wasn’t a good performance and I considered abandoning the book because of it. Alas, I kept going because I was hopeful that the plot would make up for it. And it didn’t. The thriller was slow and meandering and even slightly predictable at times. I felt like the story went completely off the rails by the end, and the ending was deeply unsatisfying. Unfortunately, not a thriller I would recommend!
Act Like It by Lucy Parker (★★★★★)
Print • Owned (Amazon) • Contemporary Romance • 2015
Short synopsis: Once London’s hottest actor, Richard Troy’s fiery temper has made him public enemy number one, leaving fans heartbroken. However, rumors swirl that his romance with Lainie Graham might be transforming him into a new man, sparking speculation about whether this unlikely pair is genuine or just an act.
This is a reread for me, as I am a Lucy Parker stan and want to work my way through her books again while I wait for her next release. I wasn’t sure if this one would be as good as I remembered it, but it absolutely was. This one had a few different tropes: a little bit enemies-to-lovers, a little bit fake-dating, a little bit sunshine/grumpy. It all worked together for a wonderful romance that I couldn’t get enough of. What I really appreciate about Lucy’s novels is that she doesn’t create these dramatic dark moments. There is a dark moment in this book but it felt totally natural and got resolved fairly quickly. I loved this novel just as much as the first time I read it and I can’t wait to keep rereading her backlist!
What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma by Stephanie Foo (★★★★★)
Print • Owned (Amazon) • Nonfiction • 2022
Short synopsis: A searing memoir of reckoning and healing by acclaimed journalist Stephanie Foo, investigating the little-understood science behind complex PTSD and how it has shaped her life.
What a stunning memoir. I was curious to read this book as someone who also had a traumatic childhood (my ACES score is the same as Stephanie’s), although I do not believe I have complex PTSD as Stephanie does. Stephanie was emotionally and physically abused by her mom and then abandoned by her when she was only 13. And then her father was essentially absent from her life until he, too, abandoned her to live with his new family when she was 16. It’s horrifying to think about everything she went through and everything she had to shoulder alone. During this book, Stephanie takes us through her childhood, her college and early adulthood life, and then finding out her diagnosis and what she does afterward. There isn’t a ton of research and treatment for C-PTSD because it isn’t considered an official diagnosis in the DSM. Stephanie tells us about all of the different therapies she tries, from talk therapy and acupuncture to meditation and restorative yoga. It’s a beautifully written book, but it’s a hard book to read because learning how to break free of the typical coping skills of someone with C-PTSD is incredibly difficult. It takes patience and understanding and courage.
This book made me super grateful for my mom. While I did have a traumatic childhood, I also had a strong support system. I had my mom’s unconditional love. I felt safe and secure with her. I had my brother, and he is the only person in the world who understands what we went through with my father. He had my back when we were growing up and today, he’s the person I can go to when I need to reminisce and talk through dad stuff. I also had my grandparents who also gave me unconditional love and a soft place to land. I had uncles and aunts and cousins. Stephanie didn’t have any family in the States (her parents immigrated here while the rest of her family remained in Malaysia). I can’t imagine going through such a difficult childhood with nobody by my side.
Anyway, obviously this book touched me in a deep, impactful way and I am so grateful to this author for writing such a personal book. I know it’s going to help so many people.
What are you reading?
It is really such a bummer how much a bad narrator can negatively impact a book! I have started DNFing audiobooks when I can’t stand the narrator because it feels like I won’t be able to give the book a fair shake. (Like I Capture the Castle! I could not understand what was going on — it was more like a play than a book.)
I just finished No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall! She’s a new author for me, so I found it super interesting that you just read one of her books, too! I liked it even though it was predictable.
Right now I am listening to The Whisper Network and just started reading State of Paradise.
We are twinning with all of our thriller picks lately – The Housemaid, now reading the same author. I love it! I’m willing to give KAM another try. I really should have abandoned that thriller to try it as a physical book or e-book. The narrator was not my style at all!
I’m taking a reading break this August. Sometimes I’m just not in the mood so why force it?
I applaud that! You have to do what feels right to you. I think my mental health suffers when I’m not making time for reading, but I know the opposite can sometimes feel true for others.
Wow, that last one. I just had a client confide in me that she was physically and emotionally abused by her mother, and that it was a “cultural thing.” I’m not sure but she could be Malaysian. It breaks my heart to think of kids being abused like that- thank god you had your mom and brother. I’ll bet this book- while it may help a lot of people- is hard to read!
I just finished Fall of Giants by Ken Follett (so good!!!) and am looking forward to finishing I Capture the Castle for Engie’s book club. It seems like a lot of people aren’t loving this book, but I am!
Stephanie Foo talks a little bit about Asian parents and I think there is a culture of emotional/physical distance with some Asian parents, which is really heartbreaking.
I’m really loving I Capture the Castle! Cassandra can be a little annoying at times, ha, but I think that’s what makes her so human and relatable.
That memoir was something, wasn’t it??
I wanted to say I’m grateful you posted because it felt like it had been a while, and then you weren’t really on IG, and I just thought “I hope Stephany is okay!” Are you okay?
Hi, friend! I am okay. I went through a little depressive episode and needed to take some time away from blogging/social media for a week. But I’m back and feeling better. <3
Oh Stephany. I wish I had listened to my instincts and reached out earlier. I’m so sorry that you went through this. Sending you a big hug. xo
It’s okay! I noticed the signs and pulled out my mental health toolbox. <3
Oof that last book sounds like a hard but important read. I hate that you could relate to the author but am glad you’ve had your mom as your rock during all you’ve been through!
I just finished ‘The Wedding People’ and it was amazing – I give it an enthusiastic 5 stars and it will be in my top books of 2024! I did not want the book to end and I rarely feel that way! Now I am reading ‘Funny Story’ by Emily Henry which I am loving!
Ooh, I’m adding The Wedding People to my TBR. I love a great Lisa endorsement of a book! I still need to read Funny Story. Soon!
The gift of family and a safe place to land is so important when there is trauma in your life, and sadly, for some folks it is not there. Heartbreaking.
I’m in the middle of Homegoing, which several people loved on the readers choices for best book of the 21st century so far. It’s really good, but tough going because it’s about slavery and racism, such difficult topics. I have also checked out Annie Bot, and Sandwich. My physical book is I Capture the Castle for Engie’s book club, which I JUST FINISHED a few minutes ago and adored.
Oh, you’re reading Homegoing! I’m so glad! That is such a great book but yes, very heavy and difficult to read at times.
I tried to read that Foo book and literally could not get past the prologue. I clearly have some work to do before I am ready to face my own trauma. Hey, compartmentalization and denial are legitimate coping strategies. So many people talk about how great that book is, but I can say that it most definitely was not right for me!
That book may not be for you! She’s very clear in the beginning that people with childhood trauma may not be the best audience for the book. Your mental health comes first! <3
Ooo I need to read Act Like It! It sounds right up my alley! I am here for the not too dark dark moment 😉
I loved reading how What My Bones Know affected you, making you feel grateful for all you had then, and now. And bravo to Stephanie for sharing her story. These stories need to be told so people can see they’re not alone and some healing is possible.
I am reading Flawless and listening to One-Star Romance.
Yes, please read Act Like It! I want to know your thoughts.
I’ve been hearing good things about One-Star Romance so I’m curious to hear your thoughts.
If I can’t stand the narrator of an audio book it’s a definite DNF. I may pick up the book if I really want to know the story.
I need to be better about DNF-ing audiobooks! I have to stop letting bad narrators impact the way I consume a story.