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Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Show Us Your Books September 2019


Did this come up quickly or is it just me? Can you believe this linkup turns five years old next month? Jana is not participating this month, she's been busy with work and dog health issues, so if you could keep a good thought for Barkley and their family, that would be much appreciated! 

Here's what I've been reading since the last linkup.
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Engrossing Reads

Her Mother's Grave (Josie Quinn #3) by Lisa Regan - I'm not sure why more people who like the police procedural thrillers aren't reading this series. They're very good. Philly library paperback   Buy

Her Final Confession (Josie Quinn #4) by Lisa Regan - Same goes. Philly library paperback    Buy

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates - Stunning writing, a beautiful story born from generations of pain. Dialogue was stilted in parts but I attribute that to a soaring power writer being new-ish at fiction (ish because I don't know if there have been other fiction writings). Magical realism at work too. Free ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review   Pre-order, book comes out September 24

Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman - I love her writing, and that was definitely true with this book. While I was reading it, I was thinking it is not a book for everyone...more of a slow burn, and the narration will annoy some people. OCNJ library hardcover   Buy

The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne - This big mama book was funny and beautiful and fucking heart breaking on numerous fronts - women in the world, homosexuality, love, religion, repression, shame. Generally I am not a fan of long books - this one is 480 pages - but man it was worth it. OCNJ library paperback    Buy


Passed the Time Just Fine

Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson - Solid read, interesting premise, lots of dots to connect. I love how she writes women. OCNJ library hardcover  Buy

Someone We Know by Shari LaPena - Like every LaPena book I read, I am very into it when I read it so it would be in the previous category, but when I have a day or two to look back on it, it ends up  in this one. Lots of stuff going on in this book, not all of it necessary. OCNJ library hardcover  Buy

Park Avenue Summer by Renee Rosen - I didn't love this fictionalized account of Helen Gurley Brown taking over the helm at Cosmo, but I liked it much  more than I thought I would. Philly library hardcover

A Merciful Death (Mercy Kilpatrick #1) by Kendra Eliot - This had an unusual element that was very interesting on top of the standard FBI fare. Amazon kindle e-book

Not Worth It

The Inn by James Patterson & Candice Fox - I remember many James Ps (solo and co-authored) that were deliciously sinister. This has sinister stuff for sure, but the way he wrote the male lead and the way he writes Michael Bennett in those books is very off-putting to me. OCNJ library hardcover

The Last Post by Renee Carlino - This ain't it, Renee, and you know it based on other stuff you've put out. Free ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Did Not Finish

The Perfect Wife by JP Delaney - Disappointing, I liked his other stuff. This book is fucking outrageous on premise alone and pissed me off by page two. Fuck off with this. OCNJ library hardcover

Careful What You Wish For by Hallie Ephron - I hate weak, one dimensional female characters who ignore reality. That was evident less than 20 pages in. Next. OCNJ library hardcover

Keep This to Yourself by Tom Ryan - I read halfway through this and was very hesitant to sit down with it so I stopped. Pages were turning but the story was not advancing. Philly library hard cover
The Off-Islander (An Andy Roark Mystery #1) by Peter Colt - Woosah. This was my "I will not be providing feedback" note to Netgalley: This was painful to read, the dialogue in particular. People don't speak without using contractions. It is stiff and formal and stilted and disrupts the reading flow completely. I couldn't get past 14%. Universe, get this book an editor, stat...especially if you mean for it to be a series.  Anyone out there leaving nicer than normal reviews because they gave it to you for free to read, stop. Don't be a nitpicky asshole but if you can't finish something or dislike something, say it. Free ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

What have you been reading? 
Linkup Guidelines:
This link up is the second Tuesday of every month. The next linkup is October 8, 2019 
1. Visit and comment with both of your hosts, Jana & me, and check in with as many in our reading circle as you can - give some love to the later linker uppers! 
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