75 Books...More or Less! discussion

I am going to stick with the 75 books, even though this year I will probably be rounding to about 85 but last year I read 76, so this year might be a little different, who knows, 2020 was a garbage year with everything else but I am glad reading kept me relatively sane!

1. Zel by Donna Jo Napoli

2. Luster by Raven Leilani

How I am glad I am no longer in my 20s. This book was on par with Queenie in that 20somethings do the most cringeworthy shit, and I can no longer relate ha!

3 stars

Welcome back, Karina!

3. Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë

The least favorite of the Brontë books. No one in this story was remotely likable.

2 1/2 stars rounded to 3

4. In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

This book should not have taken me this long to read but I have been working a ton HOWEVER this book was not good. It started off interesting, having a Groundhog Day concept but it quickly devolved into nonsense and Maelyn is the most annoying protagonist I’ve encountered so far in 2021 and I just read Agnes Grey.

Two stars

Karina wrote: "4. In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

This book should not have taken me this long to read but I have been working a ton HOWEVER this book was not good. It started off interesting, having a Groundh..."

Oh nooo that's so disappointing! I didn't choose it from BOTM but got an ARC from NetGalley that I'm obviously behind on. lol.

Elyse wrote: "Karina wrote: "4. In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

This book should not have taken me this long to read but I have been working a ton HOWEVER this book was not good. It started off interesting, h..."

It started off good and interesting and I really felt I could finish it over a couple of days (honestly, could've read it in a day if I wasn't swamped at work and needed to sleep on the weekends and veg out) the book just petered out really fast after the first 50 pages or so and it really was a struggle to finish. I just wanted a fun holiday read (that I clearly read AFTER the holiday!)

Karina wrote: "Elyse wrote: "Karina wrote: "4. In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

This book should not have taken me this long to read but I have been working a ton HOWEVER this book was not good. It started off ..."

Such a bummer!

Elyse wrote: "Karina wrote: "Elyse wrote: "Karina wrote: "4. In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

This book should not have taken me this long to read but I have been working a ton HOWEVER this book was not good. ..."

Totally was. I hate when everyone tells me it was so cute... and then disappointment!

5. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

I loved A Man Called Ove so I was excited for this one and I wasn't disappointed. I really enjoy Backman's writing and how it isn't a completely linear story and he really makes it work without confusing or making the story completely convoluted.

3.5 stars

Karina wrote: "5. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

I loved A Man Called Ove so I was excited for this one and I wasn't disappointed. I really enjoy Backman's writing and how it isn't a completely linear story a..."

Yesss. It just wasn't the same as his other books. Still good but not AS good.

6. The Removed by Brandon Hobson

I am trying to read at least one book from my most current BOTM box each month because I am truly slacking. It's embarrassing and yet I still keep ordering books! (I got 4 books in January because I got one free one. I need to be stopped)

Anyway, back to this book: I enjoyed it and I think I need to learn more about the Cherokee nation and folklore because not all of this is explained in the novel (which is fine, I am not going to expect the author to do all the leg work for us) so I can truly understand everything that is going on. The story doesn't really wrap up and leaves us hanging with the characters, though it's not necessarily bad, it just feels incomplete. I know that not every one has to have a wrapped up happy ending but there is one character in particular that I have no idea what the hell happened.

3 1/2 stars

Book 1/4 from January 2021 BOTM box

We both need to be stopped! lol.

Elyse wrote: "We both need to be stopped! lol."

I don't know how to get off this ride! And yes, I ordered 3 books for February!

Karina wrote: "Elyse wrote: "We both need to be stopped! lol."

I don't know how to get off this ride! And yes, I ordered 3 books for February!"

haha me too!

7. The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware

I was reluctant to start this book because of how bad The Lying Game was, but this book has been on my nightstand and I said "screw it" and picked it up. It took me longer to read than it normally would have because my work schedule has been awful so I don't have nearly as much time to read because I am always DEAD TIRED when I get home so I read maybe 20 pages a night during the week.

So what I am trying to say is, this book was way better than The Lying Game, not as good as The Woman in Cabin 10 or In a Dark, Dark Wood but still a fast paced read and the mystery was good. I didn't hate every character in the book and I actually wanted to know how it ended! And the ending was good, the mystery kept you intrigued. Now I have The Turn of the Key still sitting on my nightstand but I am not sure when I will get to that...

Three stars

Karina wrote: "7. The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware

I was reluctant to start this book because of how bad The Lying Game was, but this book has been on my nightstand and I said "screw it" and picked it up...."

I also enjoyed it more than The Lying Game but not quite as much as The Woman in Cabin 10! lol. I do still have Turn of the Key and One by One to read. Hopefully soon...lol

8. The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

I bought this book last year when I was buying tons of books on anti-racism and also just trying to expand my reads that didn't include white people. I own other James Baldwin books (true to form) but picked up these "letters" because they were highly recommended. In a world where White Fragility is the starting point for white people to apparently combat their racism (I don't even want to get started on that), James Baldwin is a masterclass in writing, language and movement. Please, for the love of cheetos, read Baldwin. His writing is so lyrical and powerful. Giovanni's Room is where I was introduced to Baldwin and his writing is a gift. Why didn't I read Baldwin in high school? Would have preferred any of this over Beowulf or some of the not so great Steinbeck I was forced to read.

Five stars

Karina wrote: "8. The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

I bought this book last year when I was buying tons of books on anti-racism and also just trying to expand my reads that didn't include white people. I own o..."

I didn't care for Go Tell It on the Mountain but it has not turned me off all of Baldwin's work. I'll have to add this one to my TBR.

9. One More Thing by B.J. Novak

A collection of weird short stories by Ryan from The Office

Three stars

10. How To Be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi

This book took me a long time to read mostly because it’s on my kindle and I don’t read a lot of books I the kindle even though I’ve committed to finishing at least 10 this year and I have one down. Jokes on me!

I bought this book last year when I went on a book buying spree and this was on many, many anti racism lists but I do have thoughts but I won’t say all of them I will say that I wish I had done more research on the books I was buying instead of blindly looking at lists. This book and its critiques led me to other books that I should read instead.

3 1/2 stars

Karina wrote: "4. In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

This book should not have taken me this long to read but I have been working a ton HOWEVER this book was not good. It started off interesting, having a Groundh..."

Oof!

11. How Not to Die Alone by Richard Roper

I can’t believe how long it’s taken for me to finish a book (I have two others I’m halfway done with)

Another one of my BOTM books...

I enjoyed it. I saw it being called the male version of Eleanor Oliphant (though that was a better book) and it is a little bit like it. It was a quick read. I like stories about awkward people.

Three stars

12. Infinite Country by Patricia Engel

I thoroughly enjoyed this book more than I thought I was going to. It was so well written and you really get lost in the characters and their stories.
This is from my Feb 2021 BOTM box, which I was hoping I would have read in Feb but at least I finished one of them before my March box came because I can't be stopped and ordered March books. Really need to work on these BOTM stacks!

Four stars

Karina wrote: "12. Infinite Country by Patricia Engel

I thoroughly enjoyed this book more than I thought I was going to. It was so well written and you really get lost in the characters and their stories.
This ..."

You're still doing better than me on BOTM books. I did skip March though! lol

Elyse wrote: "Karina wrote: "12. Infinite Country by Patricia Engel

I thoroughly enjoyed this book more than I thought I was going to. It was so well written and you really get lost in the characters and their..."

LOL I beg to differ because you actually skipped a month... which here I am not skipping and still getting three books so I salute you!

13. Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut

I have never actually read anything by Vonnegut before and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this book. I am pretty sure I also own Cat's Cradle in my basement library so let's see if I also read that this year (Narrator: she will in fact NOT read it this year)

Four stars

Karina wrote: "Elyse wrote: "Karina wrote: "12. Infinite Country by Patricia Engel

I thoroughly enjoyed this book more than I thought I was going to. It was so well written and you really get lost in the charac..."

Yeah but I've been a member for 3 years and have maybe read 2 or 3. lol. Though I do usually only try to get 1 a month.

14. Mr. Nobody by Catherine Steadman

This book took me a while to finish. It was bad but I kept getting distracted by other books. I have her other book on my kindle “Something in the Water” which seems to have better reviews

Three stars

15. The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi

This book was so heavy yet moved at such a quick pace. It was heartbreaking yet you really went through a gamut of emotions. Another BOTM book read. (1/3 August 2020)

Four stars

16. The Child in Time by Ian McEwan

I hate picking up a book by a well regarded author and it stinks. I thought this book was going to focus on the the loss and grief of parents who had their child abducted and it just veers off into a story that had entirely too long chapters and far fetched and dumb asides. Also, McEwan makes it clear he hates poor people

2 stars (and it’s only because the prose was excellent)

Karina wrote: "16. The Child in Time by Ian McEwan

I hate picking up a book by a well regarded author and it stinks. I thought this book was going to focus on the the loss and grief of parents who had their chi..."

I've heard that McEwan is hit or miss. I've only read Atonement and Machines Like Me and enjoyed both of them so I'm afraid to read more. lol

Elyse wrote: "Karina wrote: "16. The Child in Time by Ian McEwan

I hate picking up a book by a well regarded author and it stinks. I thought this book was going to focus on the the loss and grief of parents wh..."

I own Atonement and I want to read it before I watch the movie (I know, I am years and years behind lol!) so I will read Atonement, I just don't know when

Karina wrote: "Elyse wrote: "Karina wrote: "16. The Child in Time by Ian McEwan

I hate picking up a book by a well regarded author and it stinks. I thought this book was going to focus on the the loss and grief..."

I enjoyed both the book and the movie but I did see the movie first and do have a crush on James McAvoy so I'm more partial to the movie. lol.

17. Modern Lovers by Emma Staub

It has taken me entirely to long to finish books and it's not the fault of the books, this pandemic is killing my reading desire. I am falling behind on my reading goals and I am trying not to think about it. I am going to accomplish my goal, I just don't want to stress myself out in the process:

Getting back to Modern Lovers: it was an easy, breezy read. None of the characters were likeable persay, but the plot kept it moving which I definitely needed as I go through a reading slump.

3 stars

18. What Does Killer Makes You Blacker by Damon Young

I love memoirs in the form of essays so much. (I actually finished this book days ago) and this was a fun and quick read but of course since it is on my kindle, it always takes me longer to finish those books because I usually only read them in the morning.

Three stars

19. Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski

The first book in The Witcher series (I read the first two short story collection prequels) and I love fantasy. This book is definitely helping with my reading rut. I read this in less than a week which is great considering I’ve done minimal reading and I am behind on my reading challenge.

Four stars

Karina wrote: "19. Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski

The first book in The Witcher series (I read the first two short story collection prequels) and I love fantasy. This book is definitely helping with my read..."

I still need to read this series. I own the first 2 short story collections and the first 2 novels.

Elyse wrote: "Karina wrote: "19. Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski

The first book in The Witcher series (I read the first two short story collection prequels) and I love fantasy. This book is definitely helpi..."

I have the next two in the series. I think I am going to finish it this year (and I'm pretty sure I mean it HAHA)

20. The Final Revival of Opal and Ned by Dawnie Walton

This book is in the same vein as Daisy Jones and the Six (though admittedly, this story is better and really captures the good and bad of the 70s and the good and bad of today) I enjoyed it though there were aspects of the novel (I am not going to spoil anything) that I wish were slightly different to make it a more cohesive story

March 2021 BOTM box 1/3

3.5 stars

21. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

I wasn't so sure I was going to like this book but back in January, BOTM was giving out a free BOTM finalist book and this was the only one I didn't own. I am glad my book club chose this book (even though I was unable to attend) and now I am mad I missed the discussion because I really enjoyed this book!

Book 2/4 from my January BOTM box

4 stars

Karina wrote: "21. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

I wasn't so sure I was going to like this book but back in January, BOTM was giving out a free BOTM finalist book and this was the only one I ..."

I'm slated to read this last in my stack of BOTM books for #unreadBOTMay. I love loved the Shades of Magic trilogy and I don't know how I'm going to feel about this one!

Elyse wrote: "Karina wrote: "21. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

I wasn't so sure I was going to like this book but back in January, BOTM was giving out a free BOTM finalist book and this was ..."

This is part of a trilogy!!????

Karina wrote: "Elyse wrote: "Karina wrote: "21. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

I wasn't so sure I was going to like this book but back in January, BOTM was giving out a free BOTM finalist book..."

Nooo Shades of Magic was the trilogy. Addie LaRue is a standalone. lol

Elyse wrote: "Karina wrote: "Elyse wrote: "Karina wrote: "21. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

I wasn't so sure I was going to like this book but back in January, BOTM was giving out a free BOT..."

haha okay! I just added the first book to my want to read list... I am going to try and not buy it... yet

22. The Guest List by Lucy Foley

I enjoyed this thriller so much more than I thought I was going to. It started off a bit slow but it comes together and really packs a bunch at the end! (this is book 2/3 from my April 2020 BOTM box. I might finish a 2020 box in 2021 ha)

3.5 stars

Karina wrote: "Elyse wrote: "Karina wrote: "Elyse wrote: "Karina wrote: "21. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

I wasn't so sure I was going to like this book but back in January, BOTM was giving ..."

OMG Shades of Magic is so good. Just thinking about it makes me want to re-read it buuuut I let my coworker borrow them and he still has them. I should get them back, it's been awhile. lol

Karina wrote: "22. The Guest List by Lucy Foley

I enjoyed this thriller so much more than I thought I was going to. It started off a bit slow but it comes together and really packs a bunch at the end! (this is b..."

Oop I have this one too! It didn't make it onto my TBR for #UnreadBOTMay. I did listen to The Hunting Party and it was just okay.

23. Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

This was such a great fantasy book! Loved the story and loved the world and the characters.

Book 1/3 from June 2019 BOTM.... I have so many 2019 books left

4 stars