On The Same Page discussion

You all know I had this ready for awhile! ;-)

CURRENTLY READING

12/16 (2 DNF)

1.) Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew PerryCOMPLETED 3/17/22- 3.5 STARS
2.) Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir COMPLETED 11/12/23- 4 STARS
3.) Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt COMPLETED 4/1/23- 4 STARS
4.) The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton COMPLETED 5/31/23- 4 STARS
5.) When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill DNF AT 60%
6.) In an Instant by Suzanne Redfearn COMPLETED 7/7/23- 5 STARS
7.) Pack Up the Moon by Kristan Higgins COMPLETED 3/15/23- 5 STARS
8.) Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin COMPLETED 1/21/23- 3.5 STARS
9.) Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley COMPLETED 2/12/23- 4 STARS
10.) A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole DNF AT 36%
11.) Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica COMPLETED 1/9/23/ 3 STARS
12.) The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

Alternates:
1. Cane River by Lalita Tademy
2. The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman COMPLETED 6/11/23- 3 STARS
3.) It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini COMPLETED 1/19/23- 5 STARS
4.) Brain Damage by Freida McFadden COMPLETED 6/9/23-3 STARS

I really liked "In an Instant," Alissa -- it's similar to "The Lovely Bones" but I liked it much more than I liked "Bones." You have a great list here!

The Matthew Perry book looks interesting. I'm hoping to read Project Hail Mary too next year.

Jennifer wrote: "I really liked "In an Instant," Alissa -- it's similar to "The Lovely Bones" but I liked it much more than I liked "Bones." You have a great list here!"

I had never heard of it but a few of my followers on my book review IG recommended it so I'm excited to read it!!

I haven't read any of these, look forward to your thoughts!

The only one on here that I've read is Project Hail Mary, which I loved. A couple of these aren't even on my TBR lists. I'm really slipping. :-) Looking forward to seeing what you think.

Oh - I listened to Project Hail Mary on audio this year - loved it! The character voices added so much...personality. :D
I thought Distant Hours was interesting, kind of dreamy, I like it.
Lots of variety, nice list.

3 and 4 were rare five star reads for me and 5 was a four star read. Hope you love them.

Bonnie wrote: "3 and 4 were rare five star reads for me and 5 was a four star read. Hope you love them."

So good to hear! I hope I love them as well!

I have 5 of your books on my tbr. Good luck!

Alissa wrote: "You all know I had this ready for awhile! ;-) ."

Of course, we knew!! 😒😑😐

Anyway; this list is fabulous, darling!! Don't change a thing. I have too many of these on my own TBR.

Cane River.... *sigh*..... many emotions with this book. It's just sad, beautifully written, tragic and sad some more. Oprah never picks happy books. She needs some high fantasy in her life. js

Good luck and happy reading, Alissa!!

I have seen several lists with Freida McFadden, I think I have two of her books on my lists.

Mad Honey is very popular, too. Also, on my list. Lol

I’ll keep an eye out for your reviews.

Another vote for Project Hail Mary, which is the only one I've read, even though a few more others are on my TBR. Happy reading!

I'm so excited to buddy read Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow!! I have to get my list up. If course I'll probably be adding several of the above to my TBR list.

Is there a 2023 Alissa/Lea/Lindsey and friends buddy read post?

Ioana wrote: "Is there a 2023 Alissa/Lea/Lindsey and friends buddy read post?"

We're still using the same one from 2022 and have picked our January - May books already. Check it out!

Lea wrote: "We're still using the same one from 2022 and have picked our January - May books already. Check it out!"

Found it. Yes to "March 2023 - The Space Between Worlds".

Ioana wrote: "Lea wrote: "We're still using the same one from 2022 and have picked our January - May books already. Check it out!"

Found it. Yes to "March 2023 - The Space Between Worlds"."

Woo hoo!!! The more people, the more discussion!

EDITED: I do a virtual book club with my BFF from home and after months of waiting she got Mad Honey from the library, so we're going to be reading it this month. Therefore, I removed it from the 2023 Challenge and subbed it. I chose a BOTM book I literally just got so now I must read it lol (It's in #4 slot)

The Light Pirate

Linette wrote: "Oh - I listened to Project Hail Mary on audio this year - loved it! The character voices added so much...personality. :D
I thought Distant Hours was interesting, kind of dreamy, I like it.
Lots of..."

Agreed! If you ever listen to audio books, I'd recommend doing this one as an audio book. The narrator was SOOO good.

Amy wrote: "Agreed! If you ever listen to audio books, I'd recommend doing this one as an audio book. The narrator was SOOO good..."


Hi Amy! For which book, Project Hail Mary?

Great list! And I'm not surprised at how quickly you got it posted. I enjoyed 2 and 12 a lot. Hope you do too. I've had my eye on 3,4, and 8 so I will be watching to see what you think of them.

Nice! Several of these are on my TBR, interested in your thoughts...

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow... looking forward to this book

My brother said the Matthew Perry book was excellent, especially the audiobook. I know our tastes are similar so it is not surprising that most of your choices are on my TBR already. Wish you the best of luck on your challenge.

Denise wrote: "My brother said the Matthew Perry book was excellent, especially the audiobook. I know our tastes are similar so it is not surprising that most of your choices are on my TBR already. Wish you the b..."

thank you!!

Started my 1st book of my 1st 12+4, the audiobook of Tender is the Flesh

Alissa wrote: "Started my 1st book of my 1st 12+4, the audiobook of Tender is the Flesh"

I recently added this to my TBR. I hope you "enjoy" it. I'll be waiting.... 👀

Alondra wrote: "Alissa wrote: "Started my 1st book of my 1st 12+4, the audiobook of Tender is the Flesh"

I recently added this to my TBR. I hope you "enjoy..."

Im loving it so far. Its such a gross concept but so interesting lol

waiting til you finish before I add to my TBR ---it does sound intriguing but ........

COMPLETED Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica



3 STARS

The plot of this book says it all:
"First, it was reported that an infectious virus has made all animal meat poisonous to humans. Then governments initiated the “Transition.” Now, eating human meat—“special meat”—is legal. "

Um. yeah. This book was gross. But I liked it, it had a very interesting societal theme to it that really made me think. But yeah. So gross. Haha!!

Alissa wrote: " COMPLETED Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica



3 STARS

The plot of this book says it all:
"First, it was repo..."

Mmmmm. The last gross book I read wasn't as gross as most of the crap I've read, but it made me wanna hurl. I may hold off on this for a minute.

Alondra wrote: "Alissa wrote: " COMPLETED Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica



3 STARS

The plot of this book says it all:
"Fir..."

I mean it wasn't gross as in the description, moreso of the fact that they are raising people for meat and making it so that they are no longer human beings. A great read but also so distrurbing

Nope, nope, nope!

COMPLETED It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini



5 STARS

This was one of the first books I added to Goodreads when I joined in 2013, and I continuously just passed it because #1- ooh shiny new books and #2- this is a YA book that deals with mental illness, suicidal thoughts and makes it somewhat humorous? Huh?

But that is exactly what Ned Vizzini did. He based this book on a real-life situation he was in where he checked himself into a mental health facility for 5 days after experiencing suicidal thoughts. In this book, Craig is a 15 year old boy struggling with his inner thoughts and outside pressure and decides to call the Suicide Hotline when he contemplates jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge.

This book gave me so many emotions. The other patients in the hospital were so funny but also so real. I didn't personally feel that the author made the discussion of mental health "too cartoony" or silly but realistic and eye-opening.

This book begins with a foreword from Rachel Cohn, where she mentions that unfortunately Ned Vizzini passed away in 2013 from suicide.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 200+ crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 9-8-8. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. <3

Alissa wrote: "I mean it wasn't gross as in the description, moreso of the fact that they are raising people for meat and making it so that they are no longer human beings. A great read but also so distrurbing.."

Okay, I will keep that in mind and marinate on it... LOL. Thanks, Alissa

COMPLETED Book #3 of this list- Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin



3.5 STARS

This was Book of the Month's Book of the Year, as well as Goodreads 2022 winner for Best Fiction. This was also a buddy read with Lea and Lindsey and our January On the Same Page monthly read!

I wish I could say I liked it more. It was good, I read it pretty quickly, I loved the story of two lifelong friends growing up and designing video games together. However... Sadie. And Dov. and Sadie and Dov together..... wanted to punch them both in the face multiple times throughout this book. Sadie was extremely unlikable and didn't redeem herself in the end like I wanted her to. Whereas Sam I feel DID go through quite the growth and I was rooting for him the entire time. Team Sam all the way!

Alissa wrote: "Amy wrote: "Agreed! If you ever listen to audio books, I'd recommend doing this one as an audio book. The narrator was SOOO good..."


Hi Amy! For which book, Project Hail Mary?"

Yes, for Project Hail Mary. I don't usually do sci-fi, so was a bit reluctant to read but wanted to (for some reason I don't recall). I was planning on toggling between audio and paper, but the narrator was so fabulous that I covered the whole long book all on audio.

Amy wrote: "Yes, for Project Hail Mary. I don't usually do sci-fi, so was a bit reluctant to read but wanted to (for some reason I don't recall). I was planning on toggling between audio and paper, but the narrator was so fabulous that I covered the whole long book all on audio."


Thanks for the rec! It's currently waitlisted at the library ha

Starting my Feburary/romance-y books a tad early =)

Started

Alissa wrote: " COMPLETED Book #3 of this list- Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin



3.5 STARS

This..."
it disappointed me too- and I gave it 2 stars. I actually thought it was well written, but the gaming stuff didn't interest me- and the characters got worse instead of showing growth to me. Especially Sadie. Sam was more likeable, but he got weirder and made worse choices.

Bonnie wrote: "Alissa wrote: " COMPLETED Book #3 of this list- Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin



3..."

Sadie needs a Snickers bar. Guh

Bonnie wrote: "Alissa wrote: " COMPLETED Book #3 of this list- Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin



3..."

I actually like reading this. I keep hearing SO much hype, and then I read the book summary and it doesn't appeal to me. And then I hear more hype, I reread the summary and still think it doesn't appeal to me. And the cycle repeats. So it's refreshing to know it isn't EVERYONE's cup of tea.

I read Remarkably Bright Creatures and Project Hail Mary and loved them both! I hope you enjoy them as much!

Bahahahaha- Sadie needs a snickers bar!!! Oh I wish I would have thought of that line for my review! That's perfect!!!!!!

DNF at 36%

A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole



Bummer. I HATE DNF-ing one of my 12+4 but it needed to be done. Yes this is YA, but one of my biggest gripes about some YA novels is that the authors tend to write teenagers as adults (I call it the Dawson's Creek Syndrome). Teenagers are kids- they need to talk and act like them.

This is what I'm talking about- I practically heard the Dawson's Creek theme song playing on a loop. 15 year olds do NOT talk like that. 17 year olds do NOT talk and act like that. This book was just not for me, so cheesy it was practically dripping off the sides of the pages. Pass.

Finished Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley



4 STARS


Oof, this was a tough one. There is not a lot of happiness in this story but it's an important story to be told. This book is loosely based on a true story, It deals with sex work, some sexual abuse, abandonment, amongst many other hardships.

Set in Oakland, California, this story follows a young black girl who is sexually abused by a group of police officers after she makes the decision to become a sex worker at 17 after she is threatened certain eviction from her run-down apartment she shares with her brother. Kiara is so sad but she is trying her best. Her situation is so unfortunate and hard to stomach.

Alissa wrote: "Finished Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley



4 STARS


Oof, this was a tough one. There is not a lot of happiness in this story b..."

I have this one on the list at the library. I heard about the book on NPR. I think the author is really young, like 18-20?

Alissa wrote: "Finished Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley



4 STARS


Oof, this was a tough one. There is not a lot of happiness in this story b..."

It's on my TBR, too. Maybe later this year?

Alissa wrote: "Finished Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley



4 STARS


Oof, this was a tough one. There is not a lot of happiness in this story b..."

Sounds like a powerful story...