As I slog along this December (& October, November) I thought I would give a little update on the two (TWO *sobs*) books I read in November and what I’ve been attempting to read since.
I just don’t feel like reading these days. I did realize I used to do a lot of my reading in the afternoon and night, back in FL, when my husband worked long hours. Here in WA he’s home by 5pm the latest and we eat, then take Fonzi to the park or something. And it gets dark so early, I feel exhausted by 7pm lol Time just feels different out here and it might take me longer than I thought to adjust to it. Or maybe it’s just time for me to take a reading break and go exploring for now.
It’s the holidays anyway, so most people are busy and taking breaks so I doubt I’m alone in this. It just feels weird to take a break just when I hit 10 years of blogging. lol
So on to the update!
Read:
The Queen of Nothing (The Folk of Air #3) by Holly Black: So…I didn’t hate this. I read it in one day (the first time I’ve done that in ages) but it was a disappointing conclusion in many ways. Even though I like how it turned out. Does that make sense?? lol I just feel like she set up a lot of complicated plotlines and then abandoned them for a cheesefest with little consequence for certain players. Not awful by any stretch but a good example of why I have trust issues with series.
Sick Kids in Love by Hannah Moskowitz: I listened to this one on audio and I struggled. I wish my library had it in another format so I could have switched. I adored Isabel and Sasha - the two *sick kids* – as they navigate chronic illness and how that affects all aspects of their life and particularly how they relate with others.
They definitely didn't always get things right but they did talk it out and adjust their behaviors and expectations as well as confronting friends and relatives that didn’t always understand their situations.
There was a bit of a twist for Isabel that I felt wasn’t addressed fully – if you want to know you can read my spoiler on goodreads review.
But the audio ughhhh – Isabel writes a newspaper column where she asks strangers questions. On the audio it jumps to these segments without warning. I didn’t even know the pov switch was because of a newspaper column until about 1/3 of the way in and I was so confused. I wasn’t sure if I needed to remember all these random characters. I’m a newbie to audiobooks so it could be just me but personally, I would recommend reading this one over listening.
DNF:
Stronger, Faster, and More Beautiful by Arwen Elys Dayton: another audiobook read and I loved the first story of a boy who receives his twin sisters organs for no other reason than their father thinks he’s the stronger one – in effect – killing his sister so he can be the superior human. I hadn’t realized this was an anthology that loosely tie together and each chapter has a different narrator. I loved the theme – a near dystopian future where we mess with genetics to “improve” people without considering the consequences – but the second story dragged and I have zero patience for that right now. I might come back to it another time. But if moral quandaries/sci-fi is your jam – give this one a try.
Bought/KU but haven’t read:
Open House by Ruby Lang – Jen liked it and it’s enemies to lovers & gardening so I snapped that one up.
Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan: Amber from DuLivre rec’d this one and it was on KU.
The Bookworm Crush by Lisa Brown Roberts: Quite a few friends rec’d this one on IG. I’m about 10 pages in – for 2 weeks lol – not a reflection of the book because it’s cute so far!
Graveyward Shift (Not Dead Yet #3) by Jenn Burke: This is the last book in the trilogy and I’m curious to see how this M/M PNR (a ghost/God and his vampire PI boyfriend and found family) series wraps up.
That’s it for now! I feel so accomplished blogging at least something about books this month! 🤣🤣
Tell me – Have you read any of these? What should I be downloaded/borrowing/buying and not reading? lol
Sometimes a total break from reading is just what you need to recharge the batteries! When I get in that kind of mood, I spawl in front of the TV to catch up with or rewatch my favourite films and series and just chill. I think exploring the new area is a nice treat to yourself too!
ReplyDeleteI long ago stopped fighting against book slumps. I figure it's my brain telling me I need a break. The only thing it sucks for is blogging. I've got nothing lol
DeleteIt's kind of nice your reLo resulted in seeing your husband more. Nice quality of life win there for him. I am still surprised the narrator didn't set up the newspaper part better, but now that I think about it, I listened to a book which did just about the same thing, and I was confused until I consulted my physical copy. I am glad you were still able to enjoy the story (so good), but I agree, the twist gave me whiplash.
ReplyDeleteHe works SO much less now. Like 40 hours a week less!! He used to work a lot of overtime.
DeleteIf they ever get an e or print copy of that book in my library I'm going to grab it because I'm STILL not clear on what was going on or how it was presented int he book. On audio it's so abrupt.
The twist could have been more interesting but it's never really addressed but how could it not be??
Girl, I totally understand on the audio for Sick Kids. I was the same. Thankfully, I had the ARC so I was able to check and then knew, but at the moment, I had no idea. I'd love to read The Bookworm Crush!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was because I'm kind of new with audiobooks but I was LOST.
DeleteI get what you say about The Queen of Nothing. I liked it a lot, but I think that's because I didn't have the high hopes/expectations other people had because my experience with Holly Black's books is that she sets up something grand but never takes full advantage of it, she favors the straight paths rather than the twisty ones, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteGood to know about her series. I had only read one other stand alone by her. There were all these little clues dropped and then it was nothing...I did have fun with it but I didn't think it reached it's fullest/dark potential.
DeleteLONG SHOT. Girl, prepare the tissues because that book is ROUGH.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if I should take a break this December but I really want to try to do a Best of list this year, so maybe that'll be my last post of the year. We'll see.
I'm happy that the new job means shorter hours for Kevin! Quality time definitely takes precedent over reading.
I get what you're saying about Queen of Nothing. I too finished it in a day (LOOK AT US) and I really liked it, but that thing with Cardan was weird and random.
I don't know that I'm ready for rough lol
DeleteI want to do a best of list because I actually have books I loved!
QoN was good but not nearly as devastating as I thought it would be. It would have been fine as a stand alone but not so much as a conclusion to all that build up.
Spoil the last Black for me? I am not gonna read it
ReplyDeleteYou have been spoiled lol
DeleteHow dare Kevin ruin your reading? LOL. I read in one of your answers above that he works up to 40 hours a week less now??? How is it even possible??? Did you even get to SEE him when you lived in FL? Did he live inside his factory? 😱 🤣
ReplyDeleteI guess your adjusting will take a little more time than you would have thought, but the winter in particular must be shocking for you, especially since it's your first one. I see you don't have shortage of posts though. Hey, those books can wait. I'd lend you a hand, but I don't read romance...😉
He easily worked 13-20 hours OT every week. Then 30+ rather routinely. 40 several times a year. He was the only one who knew how to fix things. They STILL call him lol
DeleteI didn't see him much - which is why I had all that reading time lol
he did take 3 day weekends a lot though or he would go in later so we'd go to breakfast first. And he had a lot of vacation time built over the years. But yeah - he's happy working 40 hours a week now with only occasional OT. But now he's salaried and doesn't get paid for any overtime so that sucks.
Open House was cute - I loved the community garden theme!
ReplyDeleteI'm really liking it so far!
DeleteIsn't it interesting how the format--audio or hardcopy--can totally change a book experience?
ReplyDeleteIt is! I really liked the characters so I think I would have loved (& understood it) this SO much more if I had a hard copy.
DeleteI need to start the Not Dead Yet series. And I need to read Sick Kids In Love, though I do have that one!
ReplyDeleteI think it makes sense that your reading schedule is all messed up. It's totally okay to just go explore your new home and enjoy the festive season. You don't have to read 24/7. I feel like I haven't been reading a lot lately either, but we'll see how things go. lol
-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
I'm not even read 1/7 lol
DeleteThe cold weather is really hard on me. I just want to curl in a ball until spring. I'm sure I'll adapt over time but this first one is killing me!
Karen @ For What It's worth
Don't force yourself to read if you're not in the mood! I am sorry that the audiobook for Sick Kids Love was so awful though :(
ReplyDeleteOh I don't anymore! I'm also dnf'ing anything that isn't working.
DeleteI don't read a lot this time of year because there's a lot of other things going on. Maybe after the holidays you'll feel more like reading.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could say I was busy but I'm not lol
DeleteI have not really been reading much either so I can 1000% relate lol. With the holidays and everything, and my sorta being in a slump, I probably won't read much until January at this rate! Maybe the boredom of a long Midwest winter will rejuvenate me haha.
ReplyDeleteHope the new books are good. :)
I'm experiencing my first winter and I just want to hide and do nothing lol
DeleteSorry the audio for Sick Kids in Love wasn't great---some books are tricky with audio because of things like that. I can definitely see it being a problem! Oh, but I think you missed something when it came to that spoiler---I'll email you about it so I don't spoil things for anyone else. :-)
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Thank you!!!
DeleteI've been avoiding The Queen of Nothing BECAUSE of how much I'm looking forward to reading it. I don't want to be disappointed! I haven't looked at other people's reviews, I skim comments on Twitter and IG... it's sad. I'm even more hesitant now that you said "abandoned plots" and "cheesefest." *cries*
ReplyDeleteLindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? ☃💬
Eh - you never know. We have different tastes sometimes. Amber (DuLivre liked it!)
DeleteOkay I have to say that I now feel VERY content with never having continued after Cruel Prince. I have heard great things about book 2 (even from people who felt meh about CP like I did) but now... nope hard pass, look at all the money you just saved me!
ReplyDeleteI LOVED Sick Kids, and am so glad you liked it too. It stinks about the audio formatting, because I thought the column bits were so fun but I can fully understand how that would take you right out of the story, ugh!
I am so sad that you didn't like Stronger, Faster, too. That is one of my faves!
Hope that you enjoy your new acquisitions!
Do not waste your money on the QoN. It's not that it was bad per se just that there wasn't a lot of pay off.
DeleteThe problem with the Sick Kids audio is that I didn't even know it was a column until about 30% in. I had to ask a friend that read it what the heck was going on. I'm sure if I could have SEEN it - I would have been fine and even enjoyed it.
Don't be too sad about Stronger Faster - I'm going to get back to it when my brain is more focused. I didn't know it was an anthology an. I'm going to give it another go.
Have a break, you deserve it after ten years! 😊
ReplyDeleteIn 10 years - I've learned not to force it lol
DeleteThose unexpected POV switches would have annoyed and confused me too. There are some aspects of printed books that don't translate so well to audio. I think it's rare though so hopefully your next listens will be better
ReplyDeleteI've been on a roll with audio books and I even do well with multiple characters but this was something I just could not visualize. And it didn't even explain that it was a newspaper article until about 30% in.
DeleteI'm back because I forgot to say that reading habits are so interesting. We've talked a little offline about when people squeeze in their reading, but I didn't realize you used to read when Kevin was at work. That makes so much sense as to why you're in a slump. It's like jetlag but for reading.
ReplyDeleteI hate reading earlier in the day and didn't realize how much I was alone before lol It's not like I can't read when Kevin's here - he doesn't care but we're usually doing house or dog things instead.
DeleteThere seems to be so many of us having something of a reading slump for one reason or another at the moment OR, like you with The Bookworm Crush (loving the cute cover), are struggling to finish books that we'd usually have read in no time ... the early onset of nightfall certainly doesn't help.
ReplyDelete... the early onset of nightfall certainly doesn't help.
This is my first cold winter in a long time. between it getting so dark and the cold I want to hibernate. You would think that would mean reading more but nope! lol
DeleteMost reviews I've seen for Queen of Nothing have felt incredibly let down by the finale too Karen, it sounds as though it was a bit rushed and she probably could have used a fourth book to wrap it all up. I think it's that time of year when we're all tired and winding down. I'm still reading but have a heap of reviews to write and just not feeling it at the moment. I'm hoping my motivation will spring back in the new year.
ReplyDeleteI would say less rushed than completely changing course lol She wrapped everything up but it wasn't in a satisfying way.
DeleteYou always seem to stay on top of things between reviews and IG!
Although I've shifted in my attitude to audiobooks, I still don't buy my own - I listen to my kid's - so I'm not in danger of listening to Sick Kids in Love but I will definitely be reading it!
ReplyDeleteI'm also pleased to say that I've finally started reading The Cruel Prince! I've been saying I'll so it for months but your reassurance on the ending had me finally picking it up!