Let it Go…Let it Go!

via GIPHY

I've been reading outside my comfort zone a lot lately. Especially with audiobooks because I tend to like a lot of different genres in that format.

but...

I’m finally learning to let a book that’s not working for me go so this is my spin on Lindsi’s DNF&Y feature where she talks about the books she didn’t finish but explains why they might work for you.

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman ~ Goodreads “This is a poignant comedy about a crime that never took place, a would-be bank robber who disappears into thin air, and eight extremely anxious strangers who find they have more in common than they ever imagined.”

Source: Libro.fm and Atria books in exchange for an honest review

Why I dnf’d – This is not my typical kind of book so this was an outside my comfort zone read.  I listened to it on audio and there’s a full cast of characters (one narrator) and so many of the voices grated. But to be honest, it wouldn’t have worked in any format for me.

The story takes place during a failed bank robbery turned hostage situation and bounces around between the pov’s of the robber, the hostages and the police officers investigating the incident and alternates between the past and the robbery, slowly layering the story with twists and unlikely connections.

With the exception of the father, son police partners and the robber – I stopped caring about any of these people. I found the authors effort to show the human condition super heavy handed with every possible topic ever (often in bizarrely quirky ways) and then - we should all get along despite our differences! It’s nto that I disagree – it just felt very forced to me.

Why you might like it more – If you like a (slightly quirky) exploration of the human condition, with flawed characters and the theme that one small action can have reverberations far beyond that one moment in time.

Shit, Actually: The Definitive, 100% Objective Guide to Modern Cinema by Lindy West ~ Goodreads “New York Times opinion writer and bestselling author Lindy West was once the in-house movie critic for Seattle's alternative newsweekly The Stranger, where she covered film with brutal honesty and giddy irreverence. In Shit, Actually, Lindy West returns to those roots, re-examining beloved and iconic movies from the past 40 years with an eye toward the big questions of our time: Is Twilight the horniest movie in history? Why do the zebras in The Lion King trust Mufasa--who is a lion--to look out for their best interests? Why did anyone bother making any more movies after The Fugitive achieved perfection? And, my god, why don't any of the women in Love, Actually ever fucking talk?!”

Source: Libro.fm and Hatchette Books in exchange for an honest review

Why I dnf’d: Since the pandemic started, I’ve had a weekly, virtual movie date with a friend where we watch and snark text a movie. Kevin and I also watch movies this way so I thought for sure this book was made for me.

It’s not baaaad but it wasn’t that funny either. West tackles one movie for each chapter (Forest Gump, The Fugitive, Harry Potter, Twilight to name a few) and basically recaps the entire movie scene for scene with added commentary and that…got a little old. I would have rather watched the movie again and make fun of it myself or just binge Honest Trailer videos all day.

When I first started getting into audiobooks, I was sure essays and biogrophies would be the easiest for me since you can drop it and pick up again without losing the thread but I’m finding them super boring for some reason. The humor feels forced to me with a lot of these narrators.

Why you might like it more: If you’re a fan of essays, pop culture, snarky humor and a movie buff this is worth giving a go.