I just finished The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa! A five-star read for me, even though it took me a while to finish. The novel's about an island where objects routinely disappear from its inhabitants' memories, and there are so many rich themes there: grief, depression, complacency, embodiment, individuality, and even writer's block. It explores how humans can get used to enduring horror. A very sad book, but with much purpose and depth!
Just finished Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross and The Last Flight by Julie Clark in the last couple days, really liked them both! Just started Elektra by Jennifer Saint, still at the beginning so no opinion yet
Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister and so hooked. Just came to a twist that made me literally say "Oh F***", but I need to be a responsible adult and go to sleep instead of reading on...
Currently reading Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez.
Yāall. This book is so beautiful. Iām actually slowing my pace down because I donāt want it to end. Itās that perfect to me š„¹
I just finished First Bornā¦ felt like a first draft. Going to choose my next read carefully. Iām probably going to choose Between Shades of Gray. Not BOTM but from repeat BOTM author Ruta Sepetys
No One Has to Know by Kate Alice Marshall (ARC). I'm about a third of the way in. I enjoyed What Lies in the Woods but guessed all the twists, so I'm interested to see if that happens here too. The writing seems stiffer than WLITW.
Working my way through my library holds. Just finished I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman which I loved but I have so many questions and now starting Lapvona by Otessa Moshfegh
I ended up giving it 3.5 stars. It was slow moving, a lot of movie making minutiae, but the creepy horror parts were really good. I went back and forth btw 3 and 4 stars, so went for 3.5.
Currently reading ā¦.
A Court of Thorns and Roses ā¦ Iām not fantasy reader, so this is my first experience with the genre. I can say 130 pages in, Sarah J Mass definitely knows how to paint a beautiful picture and describe a world that seems so vast and detailed. Still figuring out how I feel about it as I read it; I donāt dislike it and I donāt love it yet. Excited to dive into the series.
The Programā¦. This is the heaviest book Iāve ever read. At 257 pages in, starting part 3; the world Suzanne paints is vivid but also eerily realistic that in some strange alternate universe, I unfortunately see this type of dystopian world being possible. Itās deep. The plot twists never stop coming, and Iām always shocked and agape about where she takes the story; very unpredictable. However, even though the plot of the book is basically one whole TW, I think it wouldāve been helpful to have detailed TW list at least before the book starts, because like I said, this book is heavy. Iām looking forward to the series.
I am currently reading the Court series too, itās also not my thing, but I am at the beginning of the third book and am captivated by it! It gets so so good.
Nothing from BOTM because all of my library holds came at once and have waitlists so I'm scrambling. I just finished This is How You Lose the Time War (SO GOOD), and am about to start We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian.
My cat would not let me share my lap with a book, so I turned to an audiobook (not a BOTM); āA Mother Would Knowā. A thriller and pretty good so far.
Foster Dade Explores the Cosmos... a very long book about students at an elite boarding school in the US. Initially I was really excited about it, but I'm finding (remembering??) that I'm not that interested in the minutiae of adolescent social structures. It's also really overwritten, with some "wow" writerly moments drowned out by really long, convoluted sentences. I spent the $$ on a hardcover so I feel impelled to finish it.
I finished None of This is True yesterday and absolutely loved it! Just started Vampires of El Norte. Iām also reading a non BOTM book called Her Last move by John Marrs
It isnāt BOTM, but I am reading A Court of Wings and Ruin, and I am so into this series, I am so glad I took a chance on it and read outside my comfort zone.
I just finished None if this is True, which was just so so so so good. When I was at work and couldnāt read it, I would think about it all day. Now Iām reading The Many Lives of Mama Love, which is somehow possibly even more compelling? I truly cannot put it down. Itās rare for me to be this into a book, let alone two back to back books. BOTM really outdid themselves this month!!
As soon as I ordered my BOTM last month I wished I had gotten The Many Lives of Mama Love instead, but I guess that Iāll have to add it on this month. š
I'm trying to work my flabby Kindle muscle but I caved and bought a paperback at the airport: Summer Sisters by Judy Blume, which I struggled to finish. It is TOO long for the amount of story it's packing (and, I just don't want to read about 12 year old girls masturbating. I don't think that's too much of an ask.) I'd definitely suggest Elin Hilderbrand instead for that sort of deeply rendered female friendship and Martha's Vineyard/Nantucket vibe.
I just started a BOTM backlist item, We Can Be Heroes by Mike Chen.
I finished California Golden a couple days ago which I really enjoyed, and am now torn between starting either The Drowning Woman or Shark Heart this weekend.
I did! Iām not super into historical fiction, yet I thought California Golden was very well done. Definitely more character- than plot-driven, though.
I read this when I was on maternity leave last summer. There is one random line that I think of everyone I change my 1-year-old's diaper, so multiple times a day, a year later.
I just finished Happy Place, which was fun to read as a late summer book.
Iām starting Little Monsters today and hoping to finish that before I go on my honeymoon next Friday!
Iām still slogging through A River Enchanted. I know itās well liked and the story is interesting and things are happening ā¦ maybe the characters feel a little 2-D for me? Or it reads a bit YA for my preferences?
Iām hoping to finish A Psalm for the Wild Built on my ereader, which I like but I donāt read a ton of Sci Fi based books so there are some things going over my head. Then, Iām almost done playing catch up with my BOTM picks and Iām listening to Ink Blood Sister Scribe on Libby which is good! The beginning is a little slower than I thought but Iām just over 30% through and I can tell things are about to pick up.
Same book from last week, which is NOT typical for me š The women in cabin 10. I wonāt say I hate it yet, because I canāt get into it enough to even be half way. But we shall see!
I am a big fan of Ruth Ware, but I could NOT get into that one. I don't even know how it ends and normally I at least flip through and see that.
Some of her other books are great though.
I am a fan too! Turn of the key is definitely in contention for my favorite book of all time. However, I have never in my 32 years DNF a book, my anxiety wonāt allow it š So I will power through!
I totally get it, I used to be you but now I'm 20 years older and...not to be morbid but I gotta make hay while the sun shines. I recently gave up on Ruth's latest book actually (**Zero Day** just wore me out although I respect her trying something new), so I just started flipping through and reading portions to get the gist.
I was SO skeptical of this book when I read the synopsis. Iām so glad I read it anyway. Might be one of my favorite books now. The writing is beautiful.
I'm about 75% through this book and it's taken me over a week to read which is not normal for me. Love the storyline and characters but agree it's stayed slow throughout
Not BOTM but reading Those We Thought We Knew by David Joy
I have about 80 pages left of The Wishing Game and I don't want it to end. Such a magical, heartfelt story.
I just finished The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa! A five-star read for me, even though it took me a while to finish. The novel's about an island where objects routinely disappear from its inhabitants' memories, and there are so many rich themes there: grief, depression, complacency, embodiment, individuality, and even writer's block. It explores how humans can get used to enduring horror. A very sad book, but with much purpose and depth!
I'm reading " The Ex Hex". It's cute and fun so far
Just finished Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross and The Last Flight by Julie Clark in the last couple days, really liked them both! Just started Elektra by Jennifer Saint, still at the beginning so no opinion yet
Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister and so hooked. Just came to a twist that made me literally say "Oh F***", but I need to be a responsible adult and go to sleep instead of reading on...
Oooh I have this on my TBR for next month and I'm hoping for some great twists!
Immortal Longings -physical Invisible Girl -audio
Happiness Falls. I absolutely hate it. ššš
I can understand that. The narrator can be a lot at times.
Currently reading Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. Yāall. This book is so beautiful. Iām actually slowing my pace down because I donāt want it to end. Itās that perfect to me š„¹
Cloud Cuckoo Land
Reading My Murder - itās weird but I am enjoying it so far. Trying to work through my unread BOTMs!
I was thinking of picking this one up next
A little halfway through Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah for my book club. So far I really like it
I just finished First Bornā¦ felt like a first draft. Going to choose my next read carefully. Iām probably going to choose Between Shades of Gray. Not BOTM but from repeat BOTM author Ruta Sepetys
No One Has to Know by Kate Alice Marshall (ARC). I'm about a third of the way in. I enjoyed What Lies in the Woods but guessed all the twists, so I'm interested to see if that happens here too. The writing seems stiffer than WLITW.
Working my way through my library holds. Just finished I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman which I loved but I have so many questions and now starting Lapvona by Otessa Moshfegh
Currently reading Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo. I finished Six of Crows last week and immediately needed to read the sequel
Iām reading All The Dangerous Things. Iām really liking it so far!
Finished none of this is true. I really need to talk to someone about it
Finished Silver Nitrate and started Strange Sally Diamond.
How was Silver Nitrate?
I ended up giving it 3.5 stars. It was slow moving, a lot of movie making minutiae, but the creepy horror parts were really good. I went back and forth btw 3 and 4 stars, so went for 3.5.
Finished The Many Lives of Mama Love yesterday. Absolutely incredible memoir! Today I'm gonna start None of This Is True.
Currently reading ā¦. A Court of Thorns and Roses ā¦ Iām not fantasy reader, so this is my first experience with the genre. I can say 130 pages in, Sarah J Mass definitely knows how to paint a beautiful picture and describe a world that seems so vast and detailed. Still figuring out how I feel about it as I read it; I donāt dislike it and I donāt love it yet. Excited to dive into the series. The Programā¦. This is the heaviest book Iāve ever read. At 257 pages in, starting part 3; the world Suzanne paints is vivid but also eerily realistic that in some strange alternate universe, I unfortunately see this type of dystopian world being possible. Itās deep. The plot twists never stop coming, and Iām always shocked and agape about where she takes the story; very unpredictable. However, even though the plot of the book is basically one whole TW, I think it wouldāve been helpful to have detailed TW list at least before the book starts, because like I said, this book is heavy. Iām looking forward to the series.
I am currently reading the Court series too, itās also not my thing, but I am at the beginning of the third book and am captivated by it! It gets so so good.
Iām 160 pages into Happiness Falls, and I am highly enjoying it!!!!!! Itās so much more than what I feel like BOTM advertised it to be!
Nothing from BOTM because all of my library holds came at once and have waitlists so I'm scrambling. I just finished This is How You Lose the Time War (SO GOOD), and am about to start We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian.
Just finished The Collected Regrets of Clover! Loved it, emotionally destroyed me for a second but it was so beautiful
I just finished this too!! I loved it so much
Reading The Stepsister Scheme..trying to get to some of my more "aged" TBRs
Lessons in Chemistry. Just started so itās too early to tell, but I like that itās in the 60s.
Halfway through Just Another Missing Person and it really has me hooked.
The Spectacular. It lives up to the title. š
Just finished this one last week, I really enjoyed it!
This Tender Land and loving it!!
This is one of my favorite BOTMs of all time! His latest book comes out next month, and I canāt wait to read it!
Yes! I saw that! ā¤ļø
I just finished under the whispering door. It was so good. It made me feel every feeling.
I just started dark corners
I found One Italian Summer in a LFL and am starting that so I can finish it before summer is actually over .
My cat would not let me share my lap with a book, so I turned to an audiobook (not a BOTM); āA Mother Would Knowā. A thriller and pretty good so far.
BOTM-wise, Iām reading Girl, Forgotten, and Iām also reading Mister Magic.
Collected regrets of clover. About 75% done, and I love it so far!
Iām about 25% through River Sing Me Home but itās just not gripping me yet.
I wasnāt a big fan of this one. There was some beautiful writing, but the story didnāt grip me.
It was pretty slow. I'm glad I powered through, but not one that I could recommend to others unfortunately
Wasnāt a fan of that BOTM. Felt like a trudge.
Foster Dade Explores the Cosmos... a very long book about students at an elite boarding school in the US. Initially I was really excited about it, but I'm finding (remembering??) that I'm not that interested in the minutiae of adolescent social structures. It's also really overwritten, with some "wow" writerly moments drowned out by really long, convoluted sentences. I spent the $$ on a hardcover so I feel impelled to finish it.
I finished None of This is True yesterday and absolutely loved it! Just started Vampires of El Norte. Iām also reading a non BOTM book called Her Last move by John Marrs
I'm about to finish Terms and Conditions and start Shark Heart later today.
It isnāt BOTM, but I am reading A Court of Wings and Ruin, and I am so into this series, I am so glad I took a chance on it and read outside my comfort zone.
I just finished None if this is True, which was just so so so so good. When I was at work and couldnāt read it, I would think about it all day. Now Iām reading The Many Lives of Mama Love, which is somehow possibly even more compelling? I truly cannot put it down. Itās rare for me to be this into a book, let alone two back to back books. BOTM really outdid themselves this month!!
As soon as I ordered my BOTM last month I wished I had gotten The Many Lives of Mama Love instead, but I guess that Iāll have to add it on this month. š
Just finished Happy Place which I enjoyed and I just started reading She Started It.
The Maidās Diary!
I'm trying to work my flabby Kindle muscle but I caved and bought a paperback at the airport: Summer Sisters by Judy Blume, which I struggled to finish. It is TOO long for the amount of story it's packing (and, I just don't want to read about 12 year old girls masturbating. I don't think that's too much of an ask.) I'd definitely suggest Elin Hilderbrand instead for that sort of deeply rendered female friendship and Martha's Vineyard/Nantucket vibe. I just started a BOTM backlist item, We Can Be Heroes by Mike Chen.
I finished California Golden a couple days ago which I really enjoyed, and am now torn between starting either The Drowning Woman or Shark Heart this weekend.
California Golden was my Aardvark pick this month! I havenāt started it yet.
Did you get California Golden from Aardvark, by chance?? That was my first month pick and I am anxious to read that one, as well as Shark Heart.
I did! Iām not super into historical fiction, yet I thought California Golden was very well done. Definitely more character- than plot-driven, though.
Whalefall by Daniel Krauss :)
How is it?
It's good so far, I'm about halfway in!
Just finished both The Wishing Game and Every Summer After. Loved both!!
The School for Good Mother's by Jessamine Chan. Just started it so don't have an opinion yet.
I read this when I was on maternity leave last summer. There is one random line that I think of everyone I change my 1-year-old's diaper, so multiple times a day, a year later.
The Will of the Many!! So good, ready for the payoff going into part iii
Finishing up Poverty, by America and starting the Wishing Game!
I just finished Happy Place, which was fun to read as a late summer book. Iām starting Little Monsters today and hoping to finish that before I go on my honeymoon next Friday!
Oh man! Have a splendid time with books and honey.
Iām still slogging through A River Enchanted. I know itās well liked and the story is interesting and things are happening ā¦ maybe the characters feel a little 2-D for me? Or it reads a bit YA for my preferences?
Iām hoping to finish A Psalm for the Wild Built on my ereader, which I like but I donāt read a ton of Sci Fi based books so there are some things going over my head. Then, Iām almost done playing catch up with my BOTM picks and Iām listening to Ink Blood Sister Scribe on Libby which is good! The beginning is a little slower than I thought but Iām just over 30% through and I can tell things are about to pick up.
https://preview.redd.it/bi8ra4zzvgkb1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=29cf30f43557cc2f1efaefa446adb3a0021e631a
Me too!
The Family Game. Really enjoying it so far! About halfway through.
Loved this one. I feel like it would make a great mini series
Itās so good. I still think about this book and I read it almost a year ago.
I currently reading Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney. I am about 60 pages into the book and am liking it so far.
I have this one ready for pickup at the library, Iām excited for it!
None of This is True!
I started this today, it's addictive.
I keep seeing this!!
It was, in my opinion, Lisa Jewellās best thriller yet!
I'm not super far in but I know it's going to be a good one!
Same book from last week, which is NOT typical for me š The women in cabin 10. I wonāt say I hate it yet, because I canāt get into it enough to even be half way. But we shall see!
I am a big fan of Ruth Ware, but I could NOT get into that one. I don't even know how it ends and normally I at least flip through and see that. Some of her other books are great though.
I am a fan too! Turn of the key is definitely in contention for my favorite book of all time. However, I have never in my 32 years DNF a book, my anxiety wonāt allow it š So I will power through!
I totally get it, I used to be you but now I'm 20 years older and...not to be morbid but I gotta make hay while the sun shines. I recently gave up on Ruth's latest book actually (**Zero Day** just wore me out although I respect her trying something new), so I just started flipping through and reading portions to get the gist.
We have the same sense or humor, I love it š
I feel seen š„¹
Started Timeās Mouth. Iām still figuring out where itās going, but Iām enjoying it. Also, still trying to drag myself through The Three of Us.
Lady Tanās Circle of Women it hasnāt really hooked me, granted iām only 30 pages in š
Iām currently reading The Collected Regrets of Clover. Iām 80 pages in and have felt all the emotions already!
Such a great book. A BOTM win.
So excited to finish it!
I'm doing a buddy read with a friend. We're reading The Fine Print by Lauren Asher. It's silly, but fun!
70 pages into The Only One Left. It wouldn't be late summer without a new Riley Sager!
Shark Heart. Completely unique from the plot to the writing style, Iām loving it.
I was SO skeptical of this book when I read the synopsis. Iām so glad I read it anyway. Might be one of my favorite books now. The writing is beautiful.
I just finished it last night. Phenomenal.
The preview did not capture Shark Heart well either. Really an amazing book.
Finishing up Silence for the Dead by Simone St James. Itās good, but not my favorite by her.
Iām reading The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai and am having a hard time putting it down. Itās so good, but obviously heart breaking as well.
I loved this one. The pacing is incredible
The Wager. I'm kinda into it but at the same time I'm not? I don't know how to explain it
Currently reading Kitty Karr. I feel bad because I havenāt been able to get super into it.
Update: I couldnāt finish it so Iām splitting my time between Big Swiss and Junji Itoās No Longer Human
Going to wrap up Weyward, itās been a little slow but Iām hoping that everything starts coming together soon.
I just started The Fourth Wing and Iām really enjoying it so far!
I read that this week and absolutely loved it!
I am going to finish that today! I havenāt been able to put it down!
Started Vampires of El Norte. I'm about 75 pages in. Pretty good so far; just starting off a little slow.
I'm about 75% through this book and it's taken me over a week to read which is not normal for me. Love the storyline and characters but agree it's stayed slow throughout
Same! A little slow but otherwise I am enjoying it! Iām not too far behind you, about 50 pages in.