Ripping through the year here, aren't we? I ripped through books this past month too. Lots of few hour reads on a weekend and slower reading throughout the week, which has been typical for me over the past three months or so.
Here's what I've been reading since the March linkup
Engrossing Reads
French Braid by Anne Tyler - It’s been a while since I read an Anne Tyler, and I’ve forgotten how sweet and melancholy a meander in her worlds can be. Everyone gets to be human, flaws patted in gently beside strengths. I had feelings after this. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review
The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James - Engrossing in that I tore through it, not that I loved it. It's hard to explain given that I liked a lot about it, including the premise and some of the characters. I am not into paranormal, but I liked Sundown Motel more than this and that had it too, and I knew this did going in. That's sort of a thing with St. James, yes? I hate star ratings, but this is probably a 3.25-3.5 for me. Great cover though. OCNJ library hard cover
Watch Her Disappear (Detective Josie Quinn #14) by Lisa Regan - The Josie Quinn series by Lisa Regan is consistently excellent and the latest entry is no different at #14. Loved the focus of this one. Can't wait for the next. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review - today is publication day! Go get it!
Who is Maud Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews - Reminded me of Hitchcock, maybe? Definitely weird and something old timey about it even though it happens now. Regardless, I tore through. OCNJ library hard cover.
Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka - What a title, yes? This was an excellent read. OCNJ library hard cover
The Match (Wilde #2) by Harlan Coben - Never read a bad book by Harlan Coben, and I've read them all. I devoured this in a few hours. It's the second Wilde book and it references another hugely popular Coben book from several years back - I always love tie ins like that. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
Passed the Time Just Fine
Four Aunties and a Wedding (Aunties #2) by Jesse Q Sutanto - More suspension of belief required here, but honestly guffawed loudly and for a long time at least twice over a few lines Ma put out. Entertaining. OCNJ library hard cover
Or Else by Joe Hart - So I thought I was reading a John Hart book and this is a lot different than every other John Hart I’ve read but this is a JOE Hart so that explains that. And it was a quick (under three hour), fine read. Thanks for Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review
Damaged Intentions (Abby Mullen Thrillers #2) by Mike Omer - I've come to expect good things from Mike Omer and while this was not my favorite of his, it was a solid 3.5. His inclusion of social media and conspiracy theorists in this book was exactly spot on to life in 2022. Which might have contributed to me not loving it like the others? Still can't wait for more from him. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry - So weird and wonderfully 1980s. Dark humor, which I love. I don't think this is a blanket book everyone would enjoy. It is unique and fits well over a certain type of reader of a certain age. OCNJ library hard cover
Like a Sister by Kellye Garrett - A little slow to start but I liked Lena so I stuck it out and am glad I did.
Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth - Not my favorite Sal, but still a fine way to pass the time. It felt like plodding through at a point, which happens when I've read too many books (this was the last thing I read before the linkup, and I had read a lot over the past month), plus I finished the last half on my phone because my kindle was in Philly and I was at the shore. While I think both of those factors played it feeling slow, I also think it was the book itself. It was almost like it was run through a grammar editor and not a content editor. Free ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Not For Me/Did Not Finish
Remember Me by Estelle Laure - This was like a teenage version of The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind? It was fine, but would not read again if I knew how I'd feel at the end. Free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
The Oceanography of the Moon by Glendy Vanderah - I did not read the forest/stars book everyone loved. I hope it was better than this LOL. I love the title, which is why I picked it up period. The cover is great as well. There is quite a lot going on in here and some of it feels flat wrong - this coming from a person who regularly reads serial killer books, I know. Anyway I wasn’t sure if I would stick with this one but it flipped to a need to know scenario quickly. I cannot believe how it all went down. I said “I can’t believe this” multiple times while reading it. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review
In Defense of Witches: The Legacy of the Witch Hunts and Why Women are Still on Trial by Mona Chollet - The introduction was so good, and the rest of the book was not what I expected based on the title. A great exercise in feminist thought, even if the author's feminism doesn't align perfectly with my own, but more like the author's thoughts on feminism with some witch history dripped in here and there versus the legacy of the witch hunts and why women are still on trial. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley - Least favorite of her novels. Slow and just...not great OCNJ hard cover
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This link up is the second Tuesday of every month and will happen as long as we post about reading books. All are welcome to join us! The next linkup is Tuesday, May 10, 2022.
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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