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August Reading Wrap-Up

September 1, 2020 milelongtbr Leave a Comment

Hi, guys!

In August I managed to read 10 books. It’s a respectable number, especially considering I fell into a bit of a slump and didn’t open a book for over a week.

Here’s how the titles I read stack up, sorted into books I loved, ones I really enjoyed, and a couple I don’t recommend.

Books I Loved:

1. The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

The Stationery Shop is a heartbreaking and emotional historical fiction novel that spans decades, generations, and continents. I can’t recommend this book enough – and everyone I’ve talked to who has read it has it on their shortlist for top books of the year as well.

Check out my full review and discussion of the historical events from the book here.

2. The Night Swim by Megan Goldin

The Night Swim is officially my favorite thriller of 2020 so far!

Not only does the book provide two interesting cases to unravel and strong female characters, there is also some important social commentary on the treatment of victims of sexual crimes.

This book was made for audio, so I highly recommend listening to it on Libro.fm. You can go check out my full review of the book here.

3. One to Watch by Kate Stayman- London

One to Watch is said to be the perfect book for reality TV lovers and Bachelor fans, of which I am neither.

Still, I am so glad I read the book for so many reasons. Yes, it is fun and flirty. It’s an enjoyable read. But it’s so much more. This book is body-positive, sex-positive, and the heroine Bea is more focused on herself and career than in finding a man.

That’s refreshing to see in the romance genre, although Bea’s reason for this isn’t quite what I expected. That allowed for some amazingly transformative character growth which elevated this book above everything else in the genre. One to Watch is definitely one to read- ASAP.

Many thanks to Dial Press Trade Paperback and NetGalley for the advance copy

4. Duty of Care by Dr. Dominic Pimenta

Duty of Care is a deeply personal account of Dr Dominic Pimenta, a doctor for the British NHS. Not only was he fighting the virus on the frontlines in intensive care units, he was also a vocal advocate for early lockdowns and taking it upon himself to reach the public through social media and start a charity to help fellow healthcare workers amid the COVID-19 crisis.

I listened to the audiobook format, which was engaging and well-paced. Pimenta does a fantastic job narrating and telling his story.

This book provides a lot of insight into the healthcare profession from a number of perspectives and I highly recommend it, especially as proceeds from the sale of Duty of Care are donated to the HEROES charity Pimenta founded to assist healthcare workers in need. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ALC.

5. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

If you’ve listening to me talk books for long, you’ll know this is one of the top two books I never shut up about.

This was a reread to help boost me out of a reading slump and I’m pleased to say it did the trick.

I highly recommend going into this book without reading much about it- I picked it up only on Reese Witherspoon’s recommendation a few years ago- but go check out my review for more information, including content warnings.

Books I Enjoyed:

6. You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria

You Had Me at Hola about Jasmine, a rising access and Ashton, a star actor who are the cast opposite each other as leads in a telenovela.

Though they keep getting off on the wrong foot, Ashton and Jasmine find that their chemistry and connection may not just be an act.

This book was so much fun to read and also had a number of important things to say about everything from representation and diversity in the workplace, consent, gender roles, and cultural norms.

While there were a lot of great thinking points Alexis Daria managed to keep the book fun and fast-paced, flashing between the actors’ interaction and their characters’ scenes.

Keep in mind that the steam in this book is VERY HIGH, so if that’s not your thing you may find yourself skipping a few pages.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the advance copy!

7. Sorry I Missed You by Suzy Krause

After loving Karuse’s debut novel Valencia & Valentine I was eager to read more from her.

I can’t say I loved this book quite as much as V&V, but it was a charming story filled with eccentric characters. I loved the exploration of unlikely friendships, second chances, and the elements of mystery thrown in.

The “ghost” story element is so clever and great food for thought. This is the perfect read for those looking for a light palate-cleansing book to add to the fall TBR.

8. All the Devils Are Here by Louise Penny

All the Devils Are Here by Louise Penny was an enjoyable listen. I did not immediately realize this was part of a series, but was able to follow along with the story and characters just fine.

I am, however looking forward to looking into Penny’s earlier works in the Gamache series.

The writing was atmospheric and great, slowly building to a wild climax.

If you’re familiar with this series, it’s worth noting that this book takes places in Paris, which was very enjoyable for me, though I understand that is a departure from the rest of the series.

I really enjoyed this thriller and the way the narrator brought the story to life. Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advance copy.

Books I Don’t Recommend:

9. Grown Ups by Emma Jane Unsworth

Grown Ups by Emma Jane Unsworth is a book that explores the toxic and consuming relationship we can have with social media and how that can impact our relationship with ourselves and those around us.

I really wanted to love this character-driven novel centers around Jenny, a 35-year old journalist who is, for lack of a better term, a hot mess. Nothing in her life is going right and most of it is of her own doing, though she lacks the self-awareness to see this.

I appreciate Grown Ups for what it attempted to do, but unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite deliverer for me. This book doesn’t seem ot fit very well in it’s billed genre of women’s fiction- to me, it reads more like a satire piece, though I’m not sure it satisfies there either. There were a number of parts that had me chuckling, but even with my dry sense of humor, I was more annoyed with the character than anything else.

Of course, my opinions don’t mean this won’t be an enjoyable book for you, though I’ve been seeing mainly lukewarm reviews for this book.

Many thanks to Gallery/Scout Press and NetGalley for the advance copy.

10. One Year of Ugly by Caroline Mackenzie

One Year of Ugly by Caroline Mackenzie was an interesting novel, but I’m not sure what it accomplished what it set out to do.

For a White Trinidadian to tell the story of Venezuelan refugees there needs to be a significant amount of research and care put into the writing.

While the premise was promising and there was some good humor, there were some parts handled less than sensitively that took away from the story and added to the problems.

You can read my thoughts on it here, as well as see some other Own Voice Latinx books I recommend.

Many thanks to Simon & Schuster, 37 Ink, and NetGalley for the opportubuty to read this book.

How was your reading month? Did you read any of the same books as me, or are any of these on your TBR for the coming months?

Review: Night Swim by Megan Goldin

August 4, 2020 milelongtbr 1 Comment

Okay guys, I officially have a favorite thriller of 2020!

The Night Swim was a total binge read, I may or may not have stayed up until 3 AM to finish reading it because I COULD. NOT. PUT. IT. DOWN. (Spoiler, I did and it was 100% worth it.)

This is my first time reading Megan Goldin, so those of you who read her debut The Escape Room please let me know your thoughts on it!

The Escape Room is out today, so go order your copy and keep reading this full review to see why it’s such a fantastic read!

Synopsis:

The Night Swim is about a big-time True Crime podcaster, Rachel, who goes to a small North Carolina town to cover an ongoing rape trial. Though her success has made her a household name, she’s kept her face and identity anonymous. So when a mysterious note is left on her car at a highway rest stop asking her to investigate another crime, Rachel is a little unsettled.

Though she tries to focus on the work that brought her to the area, the notes keep coming, and the more Rachel looks into the decades-old death of Jenny Stills, who was officially said to have drowned, the more it looks like something more sinister may have been at play.

Things heat up even more as the past catches up to the present. Could looking into what happened 25 years ago be the key to making sure justics is served in the ongoing case?

It seems they are link, but Rachel may put herself in danger as an outsider digging around trying to uncover a small town’s secrets.

Analysis:

The Night Swim really is a bit of everything.

It’s a gripping psychological thriller, with a bit of procedural and some courtroom drama thrown in. There’s both an old case and a current day one, which makes the alternate timelines an easy choice. There are also alternating points of view between Rachel and the woman who is leaving her notes. Goldin executes these transitions seamlessly, and the overall effect leads to a fast and compelling read.

Fair warning, it has basically every trigger warning imaginable, but if you don’t mind the darker content this is definitely a book to send to the top of your TBR.

One big positive is how the book handles the heavy subjects with care. There’s some fantastic commentary on how sexual assault crimes are handled and the stigmas and challenges faced by the victims. I really appreciate that the author took the time to have this conversation, rather than give us a heinous crime for thrills.

Also, I really love the characters in this book. Lately, a trend in thrillers seems to be the unlikable and unreliable narrator, so it’s refreshing for Rachel to be someone you really want to get behind.

And then there’s that ending.

When things finally come together, this book has the perfect blend of a believable ending while having a few surprises in store for the reader.

Audio Review:

I was lucky enough to listen to parts of the book on audio and the narration is fantastic! It’s a great way to enjoy this story.

I especially loved that the chapters of the book which were the “podcast eposides” had their own intro theme music. It was a fantastic way to transition and move the story along while giving it an extra level of authenticity.

Takeaway:

The Night Swim is easily a five-star read and an “unputdownable” thriller perfect for when you’re looking for a fast summer read with some substance.

What’s the last book you stayed up way too late reading?

Review: The Guest List by Lucy Foley

June 12, 2020 milelongtbr 1 Comment

I love a good locked-door mystery, and Lucy Foley’s latest, The Guest List is one of the best ones I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing lately.

The Guest List, published June 2nd, is one of June’s Reese’s Book Club pick, so if you don’t have an early copy of this one through another book club, go ahead and order your copy and read along with Reese.

Also, check out Reese’s other pick for June, I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Chan ning Brown.

Keep reading the full review to see why this may be the perfect suspenseful thriller to add to your TBR this summer.

Synopsis:

It’s going to be the wedding of the season. Jules Keegan planned and perfected every detail to be certain of it.

She’s marrying Will Slater, reality TV golden boy; the perfect man.

The charming destination venue; a private island off the coast of Ireland will be enough to make her the envy of all the important guests on her list.

Then the tides start to turn. On the eve of the wedding, when the wedding party is gathered on the island tension arises.

A storm is brewing outside, and once the wedding guest arrive there’s no getting off the island with the high tides and stormy seas. For better or for worse, they are stuck on the island until the storm passes.

The bride. The best Man. The plus-one.The Wedding Planner. The Bridesmaid.

These are the key players in the story, which is told from their alternating perspectives and from alternating timelines until the story catches up to the night of the wedding… when a blood-curdling scream interrupts the night’s festivities.

Someone on the island won’t make it off alive.

But who will it be?

Everyone among them seems to be lying, trying to conceal some secret from the past.

Though on the outside their lives appear shiny and perfect, each of the guest also seem to have reason to hate each other, though the past may keep them bound together.

But who has reason enough to kill? When the lights go out and chaos breaks loose, will the answers be brought to light, or will they take their secrets to the grave?

Analysis:

I’ll be the first to admit that The Guest List has interesting premise, but we’ll get there.

First I’ve got to talk about these characters.

About halfway through this novel, I came to the conclusion that out of an entire wedding party there is one person so far I’m not convinced is hiding something sinister. One! And after completing the book I stand by that assessment. Things only got more twisted as the story progressed.

I don’t mind unlikeable characters in a book as long as they are complex and interesting, and the ones in The Guest List are both. They are largely privileged, entitled, and don’t care who they step on as long as they come out on top. They’re full of lies and hiding secrets that could destroy each other. The key is that despite the characters being unlikeable, the tension and history between them kept me eager to keep reading and find out more about what’s happening.

The mood of the book was suspenseful and eerie. I could feel the Agatha Christie vibes that were mentioned in early reviews, and love how Foley paid homage to the Dame.

That said, there is one caveat for avid thriller readers.

Given the focus on the drama unfolding between the characters and has elements of classic, gothic mystery, it’s understandably more slow-paced than your typical thriller.

This is not meant as a criticism. I do feel, however that knowing the book will help readers choose one they’ll enjoy better at the time. As a murder noir the book excels at feeling modern while having that classic vibe and keeps readers engaged. Just don’t expect quite as much action as the average thriller. The Guest List has a slower build, and a much more nuanced tension woven throughout.

Now, back to the plot. The book opens with the discovery of a body, so there is little surprise that someone won’t make it off the island. I like Foley’s decision to conceal who the victim is and take us back and forth in time on the day leading up to the wedding.

The alternating points of view within the novel also worked well. The short POV chapters kept the pace of the novel moving steadily, and Foley made it flow well.

This helps make the book a compelling read, and balance the slowness that is characteristic of a locked-door mystery. This is not to say the plot isn’t interesting. It is, but it takes a back seat to these twisted and dark characters and the drama between them.

And, with an ensemble this twisted I don’t mind it at all.

Takeaway:

Overall, The Guest List is a tense and gripping thriller, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and contemporary suspense alike.

While I was able to guess “whodunnit” as well as the murder victim, I was questioning myself and suspecting each of the key characters as I was reading. It was an enjoyable ride to the end, watching it all unfold.

I give Foley’s The Guest List four stars. It’s a great book to add to your TBR when you’re looking for a fast and entertaining read. Go order your copy today and get reading!

Content Warning:

gaslighting; self harm; suicide attempt; past suicide loss; substance abuse; infidelity, brutal murder

Review: The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon

June 9, 2020 milelongtbr 1 Comment

What would you do if the man you’re dating & the TWO other women he’s dating all meet at a restaurant?

That’s how Farrah Rochon’s The Boyfriend Project, which was published today, begins. The rest of the book is just as much fun to read. I adored the characters and seeing the relationship between them unfold between them more than I have with any other romance novel this year. (Beating Beach Read and a couple of Christina Lauren books.) Keep reading this full review to see why The Boyfriend Project is an important book to read right now, and why it’s shaping up to be one of my favorite romances of the year.

Synopsis:

After Samiah accidentally discovers on Twitter that a woman is on a date with the man she’s been going out with, she rushes to the restaurant to confront him. When she and the third girl he’s seeing show up to crash the couple’s dinner plans, the three women instantly form a united front against the man who’s been deceiving them. They leave together, determined not to let him spoil their night.

Unfortunately, a bystander catches the scene on video. Before Samiah returns to work at her high-profile tech job on Monday it’s gone viral. Everyone has seen her in one of her worst moments.

Brought together by the experience, the women become fast friends. They’re true squad goals as they encourage each other to put themselves first and focus on their personal goals instead of finding a man to meet societal expectations.

So, they commit to meeting for dinner and drinks weekly and to giving up dating while they work on their respective projects.

Samiah wants to focus on finally developing the app she’s had on her mind for years.

London, a successful doctor with not much of a personal life wants to find a hobby she’s passionate about.

And Taylor wants to get her career as a personal trainer on track.

Samiah is ready to commit to herself and finally making her dream a reality and getting the app finished,. Then the new guy in her office threatens to distract her from her mission.

Daniel is sexy, smart, and seems to care more about Samiah’s well-being after the incident and the fallout from the video than the coworkers she’s worked with for years.

The more time they spend time together, the more she likes him… but isn’t this the time she’s supposed to be focusing on herself and how she doesn’t need a man?

Daniel has his own reasons for why he should not get involved with Samiah, He’s hiding a number of secrets… including who he really is and what he’s doing working at Trendsetters.

Analysis:

The first thing that makes this book so endearing is its characters. Farrah Rochon really gave us some great insight and even the characters with smaller roles are multidimensional and well-personified.

Samiah’s character in particular is strong, ambitious, kind, and completely believable. I love her level of self-awareness and honesty with herself and others. She is a Black woman working in the male-dominated tech industry, and there is a lot of timely social commentary about how hard she’s had to work to make it to where she is in her career.

And Samiah isn’t only looking out for herself. She also talks about how important it is to exceed expectations in the office to help pave the way for other women of color in the industry.

This priovides insight into discrimination in the workplace and the systematic racism that too often goes unnoticed by those who aren’t subject to it. Additionally, there is discussion that no matter how successful a women is in her career, society still puts pressure on her to find a man.

Rochan manages to incorporate all these important social themes while still keeping the tone of the book fun and exciting.

Another thing in this book that stands out about The Boyfriend Project is female friendship in the book. It warmed my heart to see these women come together and build each other up. I love seeing books that show women supporting and uplifting each other and this girl group was absolute squad goals. The other two women in the group have stories just as interesting as Samiah’s.

This book provides a lot of insight into what’s going on in the character’s heads. While I loved much of what this exposed, I feel that on Daniel’s part, this was a bit overdone. I do understand why Rochon had to include this element. Because of Daniel’s deception, we readers need to believe that he had good intentions and feels bad about betraying Samiah. Unfortunately, at a point it seemed like he was harping on himself. I feel that Rochon could have made this point without being so repetitive.

The steamy bits of this book are HOT! There was some real passion, and definitely more explicit than some romance novels out there. I did notice a few phrases that were repetitive here too. Still, overall very sexy and the chemistry between Daniel and Samiah is strong and believable.

At times the pacing of the story in The Boyfriend Project seemed a bit off, and I had to reveiw the previous pages to see if I’d missed something because the previous scene ended abruptly.

Still, the book worked overall and I love the way the elements of the novel come together for a smart, sexy, and fun read.

Takeaway:

If this review of The Boyfriend Project tells you anything, it’s that you should go order a copy right now!

I rated this book four stars, with only a few of the above things keeping me from giving it a full five stars. Still, it’s an enjoyable and smart read and discusses a number of relevant social issues.

It’s also worth noting that this book will be the first book in a series. It looks like we’ll get to continue the journey with these characters as Taylor and London realize their own goals- and maybe find love as well. Hopefully there will be lots of appearances by Samiah and Daniel in the upcoming books! Check out Farrah Rochon’s website to sign up for the newsletter to keep you up to date with new releases.

Go purchase a copy for yourself from your favorite Black-owned bookstore.

Many thanks to @readforeverpub @netgalley for the Advance Copy!

Content Warning:

Explicit sexual content, discusses gender inequality and racial discrimination in the workplace.

Review: Beach Read by Emily Henry

May 19, 2020 milelongtbr Leave a Comment

Beach Read was one of my Book of the Month picks for April and I am so glad I got to be an early reader of this book because it came at just the right time for me!

I’ve been finding myself drawn to lighter reads like contemporary romance lately, despite myself, and thanks to Emily Henry I finally understand why.

“I wasn’t writing romance yet– I didn’t even realize how much I loved reading romance until Mom’s second diagnosis two years later, when I needed a good distraction– but I was definitely writing romantically, about a good world, where things happened for a reason, where love and human connection were all that really mattered.”
-Emily Henry, Beach Read

I love this quote from the book– and how it put into words the longing I’ve had for this type of story. No, we can’t always expect happy endings– but sometimes we need to read them. And now, with all the uncertainty in the world, is one of those times for many readers.

Yes, the name and cover of this book are slightly misleading. There’s not much beach happening in the book. But, it’s a lovely contemporary romance that provides a welcome escape.

Here’s what you need to know about Beach Read.

Synopsis:

January Andrews is a bestselling romance novelist who stops believing in happy endings after the death of her father leads to the discovery that he had a secret house and lover. Then her longtime partner leaves her for being too sad.

Unsurprisingly, this makes it hard for her to do her job- write books where everyone lives happily ever after.

January is running out of options- and money- so she moves to the love nest her father left to her in the small lake town of North Bear, Michigan to get it ready to sell and to write her next book.

She doesn’t have high expectations of North Bear, but what she didn’t expect was for her next-door neighbor to be Agustus Everett- her college nemesis who has his own successful career writing literary fiction.

It’s soon apparent that in a town this small there isn’t much chance of not running into the other woman who she’s always trying to avoid, let alone Agustus.

He’s struggling with writer’s block too, so to motivate themselves into writing they make a bet. Each writer agrees to write a book in the other’s genre.

But, since Gus doesn’t have much experience with happily ever afters and January needs research for her work, they agree on regular outings to educate each other on the necessary elements of each genre.

The thing is, these “research outings” start to look a lot like dates.

And January and Augustus find it increasingly harder to pretend that they don’t enjoy each other’s company.

But, will they be able to put their differences aside and be real enough with each other–and themselves to turn it into something lasting? Or is January better off finishing her book and getting the house sold as quickly as possible so she can get far away?

Analysis:

Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes, and Beach Read is a fun example of just how entertaining it is when done well.

I would say that Augustus and January’s coming together was less due to character development and more to them dropping the pretenses and being vulnerable to each other. While I love to see some transformation in the main characters, the book still had them come together in a satisfying way.

This book had lots of gems for bibliophiles, some literary jokes had me nearly spitting out the margarita I was sipping while reading this by the pool. There were a number of cheesy moments, but Henry embraces them and they work to make this a fun romantic comedy.

What the book was not?

Sappy. With a character that’s a self-professed romantic at heart, albeit a temporarily disillusioned one, it could have easily gone the other direction. I’m glad Henry keeps it in check and makes things believable between the two characters.

A few minor characters really stood out as well. Pete and Maggie are full of all the small-town charm you’d expect from the endearing locale in the book. January’s best friend Shadi is fun and quirky, and though most of her appearances in the book are virtual, it’s evident that the two have a strong bond. It’s refreshing to see healthy female friendships so supportive and genuine.

The pacing of this book worked well. The plot moved along at a pace to keep you reading and engaged, while still giving the feel of long summer days.

My main criticisms of the book are that I’d have liked to see more character growth and exploration of some of the deeper themes the book discusses. A bit more balance between the romance and literary fiction that the characters write, if you will. But for escapism, this book is hard to beat.

Takeaway:

Henry’s Beach Read is the perfect Summer escape and my favorite Contemporary Romance of 2020 so far. I’m giving this fun summer romance four stars – and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author when I’m looking for a fun read.