Island Time - Georgia Clark: 5 Stars
Netgalley
I absolutely loved how complex this story was, within a seemingly breezy rom-com! Even though there was quite a large set of characters, each one had a distinct voice and personality. I loved how the story unfolded from each of their perspectives. I wanted more from the epilogue (how far out was that set, about a week? too short), like how each member was faring in their new lives, but I really enjoyed how messy the author made these characters- as a family, and as individuals, and the pliability and realism in their relationships. I also liked how the author described everything; the island- I could actually feel the cool breeze off the beach(!), the terror during certain storm scenes, and resilience of each in the face of devastating and drastic changes. She also seemed to have a strong grasp of the ecology of the island and explained so without shoving climate change down the reader's throat and without standing on an environmentalist soap box, which I appreciated.
The Woman in the Library - Sulari Gentill: 4.5 Stars
library hardback
I loved this reverse locked-room mystery! Basically, "Boston Public Library is quiet, until the tranquility is shattered by a woman's terrified scream...four strangers, who'd happened to sit at the same table, pass the time in conversation and friendships are struck. Each has his or her own reasons for being in the reading room that morning—it just happens that one is a murderer."
I immediately liked Freddie and Cain. I liked that Freddie was also an author who was in the library that day to work on her book. I loved that one of the other strangers sitting with her picked up on her nicknames for them (ha!). I found Marigold to be a bit too young and absolutely too intrusive in the others' lives. But I think my favorite part may have been learning about Freddie and her obsessive fan, who we only glimpsed correspondences of from him to her about her upcoming book. I knew at least two who DIDN'T commit the murder in the beginning, but was left guessing for anyone else, which leads to a solid murder mystery to me!
Yerba Buena - Nina LaCour: 3 Stars
BOTM; Own
Trigger warning: addiction
In LaCour's first novel aimed at adults (as opposed to YA), she takes two women and tells us their story from teenagerhood through adulthood. These two women seemingly have nothing in common, except their experiences with addiction. I'm usually a big fan of FF romance, but something didn't sit right with me when progressing this one. Sara's life is complex and hard; Emilie is like a silly girl flitting around using her parents' money. Their "connection" felt too sudden and forced. I actually originally gave this 4 stars but I can't remember why, so I'm giving it 3.
Oh, Rainbow. You've let me down again (but not as bad as you did with Fangirl). This was....fine. Ok, maybe it wasn't you, it was me. I don't typically like stories involving science fiction, magic realism, or ::shudder:: time travel, and that's what you gave me. In summary, Georgie and Neal have been married for a long time, they're have some struggles, and then Georgie has to work over one Christmas vacation, when they normally got to Kansas to visit Neal's family. So Neal packs up the kids and goes without her. And then she calls his house, and *somehow* (through some "magic phone") gets to talk to a younger version of him. Like, when they first started dating version. I was intrigued by the premise but underwhelmed by the execution. I'm all for a HEA, but I would've liked some explanations.
Landline - Rainbow Rowell: 3 Stars
Own
Oh, Rainbow. You've let me down again (but not as bad as you did with Fangirl). This was....fine. Ok, maybe it wasn't you, it was me. I don't typically like stories involving science fiction, magic realism, or ::shudder:: time travel, and that's what you gave me. In summary, Georgie and Neal have been married for a long time, they're have some struggles, and then Georgie has to work over one Christmas vacation, when they normally got to Kansas to visit Neal's family. So Neal packs up the kids and goes without her. And then she calls his house, and *somehow* (through some "magic phone") gets to talk to a younger version of him. Like, when they first started dating version. I was intrigued by the premise but underwhelmed by the execution. I'm all for a HEA, but I would've liked some explanations.
Currently Reading: The Last Anniversary - Liane Moriarty
Book Stats (recounted this month)
Total number read: 22
Owned: 14
Total number read: 22
Owned: 14
Library: 8
E-book: 15
Physical book: 7
Non-Fiction: 3
BIPOC Author: 3 (same)
Non-Fiction: 3
BIPOC Author: 3 (same)
Given Away/Paperback Swap: 12
What are you reading?
Linking up with Lauren!
