My Week in Books {9/16/20}

I really don’t know what’s going on in my reading life for the last few months, but I’m finding it challenging to finish ANYTHING! I’ve tried various genres and nothing really seems to be a hit right now. I’ve DNF’d a lot of books lately and many of them were super promising to me, but for whatever reason, they’re not working. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I keep hoping I’m about to pull myself out of this funk, but only time will tell!

Before moving onto the books, here are some recent posts in case you missed them:

• My Week in Books {9/9/20}
• #6Degrees: From Rodham to Eligible
• My Week in Books {9/2/20}
• September 2020 TBR
• August 2020 Reading Wrap-Up

Last Week’s Reads:

*** The Bright Lands by John Fram

WTF did I just read?!? Is it just me or are the books being published this year just a little bit on the weird side (I’m looking at you The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires and Mexican Gothic.)? It’s not that supernatural doesn’t work for me (I loved The Sun Down Motel!), but The Bright Lands took a MAJOR turn around the 75% mark that totally DID NOT work for me (no spoilers)!

However, having said that, the first ¾ of the book held my attention! It was atmospheric, mysterious, and suspenseful. While there were A LOT of characters to keep track of (maybe too many?), the story moved along at a engaging pace and introduced some interesting themes: LGTBQ+ issues, homophobia, corrupt police, toxic masculinity, and small town drama and secrets. Another reviewer likened this to Friday Night Lights and a Stephen King novel having a lovechild and I’m here for that description!

Honestly, this review is going to be vague and pretty much worthless because I don’t want to spoil it for others, but suffice it to say that this book gives the reader quite the wild ride. It’s impressive in its depth (480 pages) and even though I was getting weird vibes, I couldn’t put it down – I HAD to know how this one ended. As mentioned above, I didn’t love the ending, but I’m still recommending this one for anyone who needs a thriller/mystery unlike anything you’ve read before! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Current Reads:

*** Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol by Holly Whitaker

My husband and I recently quit drinking (5 months of spontaneous sobreiety on Friday!). There wasn’t really one big reason, but there were a million little ones. It has changed our lives – as individuals, but also in our marriages and our family’s lives. This book is a memoir about a woman who stops drinking, but the most fascinating part so far is her argument that our society is obsessed with the culture of drinking and how pervasive marketing has increased alcohol abuse (also note that this was published pre-COVID19, so these stats are probably grossly underestimated).

*** Let the People Pick the President: The Case for Abolishing the Electoral College by Jesse Wegman

😬 I haven’t picked this one up for awhile…

DNF (aka: Not For Me and/or Skipping For Now):

*** The Regrets by Amy Bonnaffons

Eh. I started this one before my family went on vacation, and since we’ve been back, I haven’t had the motivation to pick it back up. I guess I’m hoping there’s a different book out there that will make me want to read it…so I’m off in search of it!

*** How Much of These Hills Is Gold by C Pam Zhang

I’m not totally sure why all of these big hit books just aren’t working for me, but I DNF’d this one around the 50% mark. I can’t really put my finger on what went wrong, but I know I was avoiding reading and I wasn’t rushing to get immersed in the story again…both classic signs that I need to set it aside. I think I’m in the minority on this one, so be sure to check out other reviews!

(#partner #freebooks: All books noted by asterisks (***) indicate I received the book for free from the publisher, the author, or another promotional company to review. All opinions are my own.)