Show Us Your Books December 2020

Looks like we made it. Last SUYB regular post of 2020. The SUYB Favorite Reads of the Year post is Tuesday, 12/29. The first SUYB of 2021 is January 14. I'm glad this linkup survived 2020 even though reading took a big hit for me personally. Will I ever read at my previous pace? I don't know. I care less about the pace and more about my ability to easily and immediately sink into a book and shut the world out. That has been rare for me this year and I miss it desperately. It's been like losing a coping mechanism I've had through every other stormy part of life. This year has helped me shift my perspective though. I'll read anything and everything that keeps my attention. I've always been like that, I'm not a book snob, but the books I'd consider fluffier always got pushed down on my list for a special brain break treat. No more. It's your time to shine a light in my life, fluff.

As a little bookish holiday token, Jana and I are giving away two Rae Dunn mugs on Instagram (find me here and Jana here). We'll be pulling winners by Friday so I can get them packed up and to the post office by Monday. 

We will also be donating to a reading/lit focused charity this month, like we always do in December. This year it will be focused on diversity in reading and we'll share on Instagram when that's done in case any of you are interested in doing the same. I hope we are all going into 2021 intent on diversifying all of our spaces. 

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

Engrossing Reads

The Searcher by Tana French - This took me a while to read, all of her books do, but I loved it. It's probably my second favorite of hers aside from the first book in the Dublin Murder series. OCNJ library

When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain - I secured this from Netgalley but it doesn't publish for a long time so I was going to wait to read it until Anne mentioned it on IG and I tumbled right into it. This is probably the novel that cements me as a Paula McLain fangirl. It is different than what I've read from her previously but I loved it straight out. It's a mystery/thriller, but the writing was wonderful, almost lyrical in spots, which is not always the case in mystery/thrillers as those of use who read a lot of them know. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review - book publishes April 13, 2021

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle - This book has been out for a while, but for some reason Netgalley just gave it to me a month or so ago. I was not expecting what I got from it. It went both as I thought it would and not which is always interesting. Stayed up late to finish, well told quick read despite not liking the way some things went down. I read it in under five hours. Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Passed the Time Just Fine

White Ivy by Susie Yang - This was cumbersome at the beginning and a few of the characters are awful (the mother in particular), but the story was quite good., especially for a first novel. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie - Nadine had this in her post a few months back. It was a slow start for me but was good in the middle pace-wise. Great writing, dark humor, I loved the glimpse of Ghana and really enjoyed Afi. OCNJ library

Wild at Heart (The Simple Wild #2) by K.A. Tucker - This would be one of those fluff books that has gotten pushed down. Heather at The Maritime Reader reminded me I had this on my kindle and away I went. A solid second entry and I will read the next of course. Kindle book

Take it Back (Zara Kaleel #1) by Kia Abdullah - This book was a lot to handle and process. Heavy themes - sexual assault/trial, islamophobia, deformity, bad home life to name a few - and despite that kitchen sink varietal and it being a court room drama which I am not into, a good execution by the author in my opinion. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Not Worth It

n/a

Did Not Finish

The Perfect Guests by Emma Rous - I did not finish a lot of books this year - started so many and put down within pages but blamed the year and not the book. This was a case of not a good fit book-wise (and I suspect author-wise going forward but that remains to be seen). Free copy from Netgalley, told them I could not finish and would not be reviewing. Book publishes January 12, 2021

The Mermaid from Jeju by Sumi Hahn - This was similar in so many ways to The Island of Sea Women. Such a rich tableau to pull from of Jeju and the haenyo aso I was disappointed to crack this open and get the same time period/occupation/death at sea. Stopped reading and told Netgalley why. The writing was quite good I was just not up for a story so like one I've already read. 

Linkup Guidelines:

This link up is the second Tuesday of every month. The next linkup is  The Favorite Reads of 2020 on Tuesday, December 29.  The next regular SUYB linkup is Tuesday, January 14, 2021. 

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! 
2. Link back to us in your blog post - if you want the button you can get it from that link

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