so-soI absolutely loved Station Eleven and The Sea of Tranquility, so I was disappointed to find this one a bit of a snooze. I just didn't care about any of the characters or their journeys. I picked this one up for #AuthorAMonth, and now wish I had gone with The Glass Hotel instead 😂. @Soubhiville
pickInteresting story about a young mother who makes a desperate choice, and the consequences of that choice years in the future. The structure of going back and forth in time made sense for the narrative, but the POV shifts made it hard for me to connect with any of the characters. There‘s also a LOT of commentary about the soulless nature of suburbia.
Not my favorite of hers but still worthwhile.
#authoramonth
I‘ll be back later with April recaps, but first…May mysteries!
These are my “required reading” for this month but not all I expect to read. #preview
so-soI love this author‘s work so much that I was just happy to read another book by her. While it was interesting, it‘s definitely not her best. Read it if you are a completist for her work, but otherwise start with Station Eleven.
“The point was that Gavin had opened a door, cracked it slightly, & he could see through to the disgrace & shadows on the other side. If you tell a lie it‘s easier to tell another. And abyss yawns suddenly at your feet.”
In March I participated in the bi-annual month long Trope-Ical Readathon on twitter. It was my second time with this particular readathon. I won one of the giveaways! They generously gave me a book of my choice. It arrived yesterday. This has been on my tbr for years after hearing about it on Modern Ms. Darcy‘s podcast What Should I Read Next.
pickThis is an older book by Emily St. John Mandel. I loved her three more recent books, which may be more familiar: Station Eleven, The Glass Hotel, and Sea of Tranquility. All beautifully written. This book is about three men and two women, four of whom were in a high school band together. We follow them, some flashbacks, through the next ten years of their lives. It‘s very moving and you will really feel invested in the characters.
A book I didn‘t want to be over but couldn‘t wait for the end. My second favorite by this author.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#catsandbooks #catsoflitsy
pickIt‘s only appropriate that my last book of the year was by the author of my favorite book (although this wasn‘t as good as Sea of Tranquility).
Gavin visits his sister in Florida, and she‘s found a girl that may be his daughter with his high school girlfriend. This stuns him. Anna disappeared soon after graduation, and he begins to suspect his old friends are hiding something about her. Great job weaving in the recession and opiate crisis!
pickReally fun, I blew through it in 2 days! A failed journalist learns he has a daughter and tries to solve a mystery about what happened to her mother and why they‘re in hiding. Not my usual, but nice change of pace.
pickSo I thought I was reading one plot/character arc and it changed to another. Being cryptic to avoid spoilers but I really loved how this wasn‘t a typical ending. The characters were multi faceted and although you could read the book quickly and be a bit ‘meh‘ I think it has quite an interesting take on peoples personalities/selfishness/loyalties. Worth a read and the writing is good.
so-soI did not care much for any od the characters. Would not recommend.
Thank you so much, @Victoriahoperose for the fantastic #mysterymessageswap !! Two books I can't wait to read and all the goodies stuffed inside! I love the annotated book. So special. What a fun swap @TheReadingMermaid , thank you for organizing.
so-soThis is the third book I have read by this author, and it just doesn't hold up to Station Eleven. I didn't like any of the characters, and I wasn't really invested in the plot. I did finish it because I felt like I wanted to know what happened, but more out of obligation than true curiosity. Station Eleven is definitely this author's best book, in my opinion. ⭐⭐⭐/5
Finally getting to something besides Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel. I‘m liking it a lot so far.
Such a slump this month, but I've committed to keep and post stats, even during the valleys. Here's to a better September!
pickReading slumps are the worst. I've been in one & haven't been around like I've wanted. Then this showed up in my library holds - Emily St. John Mandel has become a must-read author for me. This wasn't quite up to Station Eleven, but it was excellent & kept me turning pages, which I haven't done all month.
panThis book really should have been a "Bail," but I loved Station Eleven so much I kept believing it would get better. I just couldn't connect with any of the characters. I just didn't care.
First day of summer break is beautiful! A perfect day for reading outside ☀️😎
Reading makes waiting at the doctor more bearable 😊
I'm inspired by @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks photos 😁 Continuing with my Station Eleven fascination - another book by the same author. Dark Matters was up next, but I own it, this came in on hold so I need to read this first!
so-soNot bad, decent story.... Certainly no Station Eleven though. I wonder if I would have liked this book better had I read it first...
Take the kids to the arcade on this sweltering day....? Sure! Perfect opportunity to hide in a corner & finish my book! Sometimes ADHD is helpful. Hyper focus and the beeps crashes and lights are a million miles away...
The Lola Quartet | 
