Show Us Your Books

I'm not gonna lie... my love of reading has certainly taken a nosedive in the last few months. We all have highs and lows even when it comes to hobbies, right? I just couldn't find my groove until recently, but better late than never! Here's what I read since the last time I linked-up: 

In Her Boots - K.J. Dell'Antonia: 3 Stars
Netgalley

I liked that the focus in this one was female friendship and mother-daughter issues versus romance, but Rhett was very immature and naïve for being nearly 40 years old. A lot of the drama could have been avoided easily by just talking. I think the best part was the Emily twist. I was really looking forward to this one, but it was a little too predictable and I found it dragging.

Almost Romance: A Memoir - Nancy Balbirer: 2.5 Stars

Kindle Unlimited

I liked this story- after 30+ years, these once lovers reunite. Yay. (That is not a spoiler, it's in the description.) I just didn't like the author's writing style. Too many Yiddish words that made following difficult without having to look them up, and other words that made it seem like she was trying too hard (ex: soupcon, just say a small amount! or heretoupon, etc). For a book less than 200 pages, there was a lot of "fluff" and it took me a lot of willpower to get push through this one. 

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves - Karen Joy Fowler: 3 Stars

library e-book

What a weird little book. I was completely enthralled until about 24%, when we learn a fun fact about the MC's sister, Fern. And then the whole story changed course and I no longer loved it. I did enjoy the the dry humor and side characters, and support what the author clearly wants me to support, but can't say too much else about the story without giving away spoilers. If you want to know what I'm talking about, highlight below!

[spoiler]: There’s something you don’t know yet about Mary. The imaginary friend of my childhood was not a little girl. She was a little chimpanzee. So, of course, was my sister Fern. Some of you will have figured that out already. Others may feel it was irritatingly coy of me to have withheld Fern’s essential simian-ness for so long.

 

DNF: Exciting Times - Naoise Dolan

I did NOT have an "exciting time" reading this one. I usually try to give a book at least 20% before giving up but honestly, I don't even think I made it that far before marking this "nope, not for me, maybe for you." 

"I wasn’t good at most things but I was good at men, and Julian was the richest man I’d ever been good at."

Currently reading: The Smash-Up - Ali Benjamin

Book Stats 
Total number read: 16
Owned: 3 (same)

Library: 7 

E-book: 8

Physical book: 5 (same)
Non-Fiction: 1 (same)
BIPOC Author: 3 (same)

Given Away/Paperback Swap: 10

What are you reading?

Linking up with Steph and Jana!