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September Reading Wrap-Up

October 1, 2020 milelongtbr Leave a Comment

The month of September turned out to be a solid reading month for me.

I read 11 books. This is a solid number for me, especially considering I probably watched more TV this month than I did the entire first half of the year. Between hockey playoffs, football starting, and a Gilmore Girl rewatch I have zero regrets.

And, as always, it’s about quality over quantity here.

Thankfully, most of my reads were 4- and 5- stars for me, though there was one dud.

Alright, here are the books!

Books I Loved

1. Anxious People by Fredirk Backman

This was easily my favorite read of the month. I’ve been looking forward to it for ages and was so thriller to receive an ALC from Libro.fm so I could listen to the book.

Everything about this book was perfection. The audio was fantastic, the dark comedy masterfully executed, the characters deeply human and real.

Fredrick Backman again got right to the heart of human nature, at a time where we need to be kind and understanding of one another more than ever.

I went into this book not knowing much about the plot and I highly recommend that approach. Like the characters in the book, just buckle up for the ride. The magic is in the journey.

Go check out my full spoiler-free review here.

2. Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

If I were handing out Superlatives for the month, Transcendent Kingdom would win “Best Writing.” I hung on every word Gyasi wrote in this lyrical novel.

The story centers around Gifty, daughter of Ghanaian immigrants who grew up in Alabama before moving to continue her education, first at Harvard, then at Stanford where she studies neuroscience.

This is a great work of literary fiction that gives readers a lot to think about on a number of subjects.

Listening to my favorite narrator Bahni Turpin tell the story only made it that much more incredible. Thank you to Libro.fm for providing the ALC.

3. The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas

This is one of those books I avoided reading because it was so hyped I figured there was no way it could live up.

I’m so glad I finally gave this book a chance- it’s defintely deserving of all the praise and buzz you’ve no doubt heard.

This YA novel is about Starr, whose best friend Khalil is shot multiple times by a police officer at what should have been a routine traffic stop. She watches him die on the street.

He’s unarmed, compliant, and sober.

He’s also Black.

As if witnessing that trauma wasn’t enough, Starr also has to deal with the normal trials of being a teenager; relationship drama with her friends, family, and boyfriend, and how being ‘the witness’ puts her in a difficult position with each of them.

Although I think I preferred Thomas’ other novel On the Come Up. this is a must-read.

4. When No One Is Watching

A couple things that immediately elevate a book in my eyes is the ablitity trancend genre and discussing important themes in a genre book.

When No One is Watching did this masterfully, though unfortunately for other readers this has been a reason to give a critical review.

This book is categorized as a thriller. It’s definitely got elements of a slow-burn thriller with lots of domestic suspense. There’s also some romance going on.

What really takes this a step above is the way Cole incorporated a number of timely social issues into the story, as she tells of the gentrification happening in Brooklyn and the negative effects this has on long-time black residents.

The “worst-case scenario” Cole imagines is a true horror of a different kind- the monsters that are 100% human rather than supernatural. The tension is high all the way through while I listened to the book, but it’s the ending really blew me away.

This is definitely worth the read, however, I do suggest going into it with the above in mind- not when you’re looking for your typical thriller.

Thank you to Libro.fm for providing the ALC.

5. The Nothing Man

If you are on the lookout for a through and through thriller, The Nothing Man should definitely be on your TBR.

This is a bit of a slow-burn too, as we learn of horrific crimes- serial murders and rape that happened years ago, with no trace of the perpetrator left at any of the scenes.

I loved the book within a book element. The survivor of one of the Nothing Man’s crime writes a true crime book about him, and the dormant killer comes out of the shadows,.

The ending of this book really blew my mind and it’s probably the most satisfying thriller resolution I’ve read this year.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ALC.

Books I Enjoyed:

6. The Death of Vivek Oji

This book was close to being a “loved it” book, but the way the timeline and perspectives jumped around were a bit tough to follow at times. That ultimately detracted from my overall reading experience.

Still, it was a gripping story, beautiful and heartbreaking and I am so glad I read it.

While it’s obvious going into the book that Vivek dies- it’s not clear till the end how and why, and at whose hands. While some of my suspicions about the details were correct, it was a joy getting to know the person Vivek was through his eyes and the eyes of those who loved him.

7. The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory

This was an example of the perfect book at the perfect time for me.

Jasmine Guillory’s books are comfort reads for me and I had so much fun im her world wtih these characters and all the descriptions of clothes and food.

This was the steamiest book of The Wedding Date series that I’ve read so far, but I was here for it- along with the fun enemies to lovers trope.

8. Punching the Air by Yusef Salaam and Ibi Zoboi

This is my first experience reading a novel in verse. Despite hearing so many of you rave about various books and enjoying modern poetry I was very hesitant about trying this format.

Punching the Air is a YA novel in verse and it made me fall completely in love with the concept.

Hearing it is spoken word narrated by Ethan Herrise was a wonderful experience as he tells the story of Amal, a wrongfully convicted teenager.

There is so much emotion and movement within the story and the verse excels at everything modern poetry sets out to do.

The story is trying, heartbreaking, yet so beautiful as Amal tries to hold on to hope despite dire circumstances and use his art- his words to rise.

This book is a must-read … and it’s a quick one, so there’s no reason not to add it to your TBR.

Many thanks to Harper Audio and NetGalley for the advance copy.

9. One by One by Ruth Ware

I’m a HUGE Ruth Ware fangirl, so despite hearing lukewarm feedback about One by One, which was one of my most-anticipated books of the year.

And overall I enjoyed it. It has Ware’s trademark atmospheric vibe, as the characters find themselves snowed in at a luxury ski chalet. There are some decidedly unlikable- though interesting- characters here, which made it a fun read.

My main issue with the book was the pacing.

I don’t mind a slow-burn thriller at all– and this one certainly started out in that direction.

The tension built well enough, but unfortunaltely for me the climax came way too soon, and then things fizzled out and dragged on for too long for there.

If you’re frustrated with thrillers that end abruptly or with too many loose ends you may appreciate this aspect more. Personally, I’d have preferred less.

10. Shut Up You’re Pretty by Téa Mutonji’

This collection of stories is captivating, intimate, and beautiful- even as it deals with a number of difficult and unsavory subjects.

It’s a collection of short stories about a girl who is trying to discover and understand herself as she grows up.

The writing was great and the narrator brought it to a new dimension withthe rhythm of her storytelling.

This is a great book for those looking for stories that deal with a broad range of themes that involve Intersectional Feminism.

Many thanks to Bespeak Audio Editions and NetGalley for the ALC.

Did Not Like:

11. The Less Dead by Denise Mina

I went into The Less Dead with high hopes after enjoying a crime thriller from the same author last year. Mina’s Conviction was a Reese’s RBC pick and I thought I was in for another good read.

I was wrong.

Guys, I hate writing negative reviews, but there just isn’t a lot of good to say about this book.

An attempt was made to humanize sex workers and get readers to consider what may lead a person to that life. I appreciate that.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t entirely convincing and the book as a whole was a bit of a mess.

Also, the book has essentially EVERY trigger warning/ content warning imaginable.

Many of these difficult elements seem to be there for shock value and have no bearing on the plot.

You can check out my full review here.

There you have it, friends!

Ten hits and one miss to close out the month.

Now on to ALL THE SPOOKY READS for October!

Have you read any of these books yet?

Which ones will you be adding to your own TBR?

The Less Dead by Denise Mina Review

September 2, 2020 milelongtbr 1 Comment

After enjoying Conviction last year I was eager to read more from Denise Mina. That was my first book from the author, which I selected because it was a Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club Pick.

Unfortunately, The Less Dead did not deliver the exciting thriller I was expecting.

Keep reading this review to see what specifically about The Less Dead didn’t work for me and see if it’s one you want to read or consider skipping.

Synopsis:

The following quote is the promotional blurb for The Less Dead.

“She thought she was finding her birth mother.

Now she’s searching for a killer.

Dr. Margo Dunlop is at a crossroads. Her adoptive mom just passed away, and Margo misses her so much she can’t begin to empty the house—or, it seems, get her brother on the phone. Not to mention she’s newly single, secretly pregnant, and worried about her best friend’s dangerous relationship. In an effort to cheer herself up she goes in search of her birth mother. Instead she finds Nikki, her mother’s sister. Aunt Nikki isn’t what Margo expects, and she brings upsetting news: Margo’s mother is dead. Worse, she was murdered years ago, and her killer is still at large—and sending Nikki threatening letters.

Margo is torn. Should she stay out of this mess, or try to find justice? But then Margo receives a letter, too. Someone out there has been waiting and watching, and in Margo sees the spitting image of her mother…

Darkly funny and deeply affecting, The Less Dead is a sharply modern new thriller from the bestselling author of Conviction, and a surprisingly moving story of daughters and mothers, secrets and choices, and how the search for the truth—and a long-hidden killer—will lead one woman to find herself.“

Analysis:

What worked for me:

Mina attempted to humanize sex workers and show what might lead a person to that kind of life and challenge people’s preconceptions of them.

The final paragraph was strong.

Short chapters made for a quick read.

There was tension in some of the scenes that reengaged my interest.

What didn’t:

The writing. The style was uncomfortably choppy, the transitions between points of view and dialogue were sloppy, the tense changed intermittently.
The characters. They were unlikable, which isn’t necessarily something that makes me dislike a book, especially thrillers. In this case, however, there was too much backstory in some aspects, and yet none of it added up to giving me an understanding of the main character or what would lead her to make many of the choices she did.
The Grit. It’s a thriller, I expected the book to have some dark and difficult elements. In the case of The Less Dead, I found it to be distasteful. Virtually every trigger warning imaginable applies to this book. (See list at end of post.) I feel that Mina took this too far and at points, it seemed that certain elements were added in for shock value rather than to contribute to the plot.
Female friendships. Shockingly, the number one device I have a hard time getting past isn’t the rape, murder, or even the pedophilia. It’s the relationship Margo has with her “best friend” Lilah.In short, it’s a toxic, competitive, and “frenemy”-like dynamic that I simply can’t stand and also has no relevance to the plot.
The Plot. Most of the time I simply wasn’t engaged and interested in what was going on. There was too much extraneous information and storylines which were never resolved. I didn’t like the way Mina chose to end the story.

Takeaway:

Not sure what to say other than that, folks. The “What Didn’t Work” list should speak for itself.

I hate to write negative reviews but have to be transparent about this book, especially if there are other readers out there who enjoyed Conviction and are expecting something similar.

I struggled to finish this book and likely would have DNF’ed it if I were not reading a review copy. Ultimately, I gave the book two stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for the advance copy.

Content Warning:

death of parent, abusive relationships, stalking, child abuse and neglect, prostitution, abortion, murder, violence, drug use, mention of suicide, pedophilia, rape, allusions to child pornography, defiling a corpse,

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?

The Switch by Beth O’Leary Review

August 18, 2020 milelongtbr Leave a Comment

The Switch has been one of my most anticipated book releases of the year, and it’s finially here! Keep reading to see if it lived up to my expectations- and the high standard set by Beth O’Leary’s debut novel The Flatshare.

Synopsis:

The Switch is a charming novel about two women- grandmother and granddaughter who both find themselves in need of a change of scenery.

When Leena is ordered to take a two-month sabbatical from her high-pressure job in London, she decides to go her grandma Eileen’s house in the English countryside for a change of pace.

Eileen, almost 70 and newly single, needs a change of pace as well and decides to switch lives with her granddaughter.

She moves to London and starts online dating while Leena stays in her hometown and tries to mend her relationship with her mother and unplug from her hectic corporate life.

Analysis:

Obviously, there are growing pains as each woman adjusts to her new life, and this provides some great comedy as Elieen learns about dating in the age of technology, and Leena has to learn to live without her devices.

This book was so much more than a cute comedy, though.

In the style I’m coming to expect from Beth, she discusses some darker things; in this case grief and loss.

While the plot of The Switch seems very different from the Flatshare, they are both lovely books with similarities. They explore family relationships, juxtapose serious realities with fun, charming story lines, and have characters you can’t help loving.

Audiobook Review:

This was such an endearing and fun story, and I love the dual narrators who brought the story to life. They did a great job with the characters of Leena and Eileen and kept the pacing of the book consistent.

This book is a great one to listen to on Audio. You can listen on Libro.fm and get a free book for signing up!

Takeaway:

I absolutely adored this book. It’s such a heartwarming read, and offers a much-needed escape and breath of fresh air to your summer TBR. It really is the feel-good book we need right now.

I definitely recommend The Switch- and considering the audiobook format if that’s something you enjoy.

I rated the book four-stars, though looking back I can easily see myself rounding up to five-stars of pure joy.

Many thanks to Macmillian Audio and NetGalley for the advance listening copy.

Fast Five Friday – Lightning Round Reviews

August 14, 2020 milelongtbr Leave a Comment

What do these five books have in common? They’ve all been sitting in my “To Be Reviewed” pile for too long! So, today I’m doing “Lightning Round Reviews” and giving my take on each title in one short paragraph.

Let’s go!

1. 📚 I’D RATHER BE READING

This book spoke to my bibliophile soul. I’m a longtime fan of @annebogel and loved her musings on life as a reader. I also appreciate that she too struggles to write reviews at times and discuss what exactly she enjoys about a book. Reading this was so comforting and felt like a chat with one of my best bookish friend who gets all the #bookwormproblems we face.

I gave this book four stars.

2. 🏨GIRL, INTERRUPTED –

I read this for my nonfiction pick in May for Mental Health Awareness Month. It was troubling to hear Kaysen’s account of the mental healthcare system in the 1960s. Still, it was insightful and an important reminder that having these conversations and shedding light on mental healthcare will help normalize and make care more accessible to those who need it.

I gave this book four stars.

3. 📝THE ROXY LETTERS-

I liked the idea of the book more than I actually liked it. Told entirely in letters, this follows Roxy, a bit of a hot mess as she tries to get it together. There were some funny parts, but Roxy’s immaturity and poor choices made it hard to really enjoy.

I’d probably skip this one. I gave it three stars.

4. 📚BY THE BOOK-

Such a cute read! This YA book is filled with quirky characters, myriad literary references, and plenty of moments that will make you laugh as Mary Porter-Malcom learns that books don’t hold the answer to everything in life- some things she’ll have to experience for herself.

This book is a delightful read for bibliophiles. I gave it four stars.

While I didn’t review this book on Instagram, I did feature it in my June Reading Wrap Up, where you can read more about the plot and my thoughts.

5. 🎤ON THE COME UP-

I adored this book! This was my introduction to Angie Thomas and I absolutely loved her storytelling and characters. I also appreciate the very important themes getting discussed in YA novels. Looking forward to THUG, whuch I’ve heard fantastic things about as well. I listened on audio with Libro.FM and Bhani Turpin, one of my favorite narrators did such a fantastic job bringing it to life, especially the rap scenes.

I gave On The Come Up five stars and recommend it to teens and adults alike!

Do you struggle to keep up with reviewing what you read, or are you good about getting them written and posted? This is a great way to play catch-up on books and get that other TBR pile under control!

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.