Show Us Your Books August 2021

Here we are in August. Here I am on vacation, somewhere I've never been before for the first time in too long. Here I am wearing a mask indoors everywhere because that's where we are at this time because people refuse to get the vaccine and soon we'll all be at risk again because the variants will be able to mutate enough to outwork the vaccines and people are so indignantly selfish but I digress. I have put up SUYB posts on other vacations over the years since we started this linkup in 2014 but I've always tried to well prepare a full post before-hand, then log on and do the whole thing on SUYB day. I might do that this time, but that's not my plan, and I definitely phoned it in below and even on photos throughout the month. That's how it is sometimes. So if I miss you this month, I'll catch up with you next. 

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

Engrossing Reads

A Familiar Sight (Dr. Gretchen White #1) by Brianna Labuskes - I always find the first book in what is going to be a series a little repetitive as its characters find their groove. I hope Labuskes does not hammer Gretchen's sociopathy in every single book. We get it, she's like that but not. I'm definitely up for a second Dr. Gretchen White. Aside from that repetition I enjoyed it a lot. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Such a Quiet Place by Megan Miranda - This was fucked like most of her books, but a quick read, also like the rest of her books for me. I consume them quickly. OCNJ library hard cover

Passed the Time Just Fine

The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris - Extremely well written for a debut novel by a young author. This had two strikes against it for me coming out of the gate and I'd still say it was a 3.5. My strikes are a) Set in or around the Civil War times - I have never enjoyed a book set in and around this era b) more character driven than plot driven, which is typically slower moving and not as engaging for me in Coronaland. OCNJ library, hard cover

Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand - I'll probably be an outlier here but meh. This was a little Our Town, It's a Wonderful Life, and Hot Topic (how much can we cram into this book?) all in one. Quick and easily consumable though. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Just One Look by Lindsay Cameron - It took me a while to get into this but it was fine when it got going. Some female Joe tendencies...IYKYK. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Godspeed by Nickolas Butler - This story did not drag me in and light me on fire like some of his other work, but I appreciate Butler's writing, always, and the swipes at capitalism. Thanks to him for that, obviously, and to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Dial A For Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutano - Super quick, cute, amusing, palate cleansing read. OCNJ hard cover 

Not Worth It

The Guilt Trip by Sandie Jones -  For the love of God, do not. This is a huge and repetitive mess. Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

The Turnout by Megan Abbott - Standard Megan Abbott fare which is starting to feel like the same thing in different settings. Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Did Not Finish

Dream Girl by Laura Lippman - I am regularly a Laura Lippman #1 fan even when other people find her books lacking but this one, I could not. I lacked the patience and it lacked something else. I had a free advanced copy from Netgalley. 

Linkup Guidelines:

This link up is the second Tuesday of every month. The next linkup is Tuesday, September 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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