Hey! I’m still reading!! I leaned heavily on audio books this month to keep the momentum going, and I’m happy to report that my reading journey continues.
The Cat Who Saved Books
Format: Audio
Rating: 2.75/5 Stars
Themes/Issues: Grief, Friendship, High School, Books are Good
Library Challenge: Read a Book that has been Translated
In a quest to find more “cozy fantasy” reads, this book popped up and looked interesting. I want to retitle it: If Mary Poppins was a Cat. Basically, a high school boy needs comfort, a talking cat pops up and takes him on adventures, and we all feel better. It’s pretty boring and incredibly preachy about how books are the key to empathy. However, if you need a gentle and quick tale about friendship and the benefits of reading, this would do the trick.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Format: Physical Book/Play
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Themes/Issues: Middle Child Syndrome, Time Travel, Grief, Parenting/Relationships, Magic
Library Challenge: Read a book you meant to read in 2023
On one hand, this did not need to be made at all if you love Harry Potter. Seeing him as a frustrated dad is kind of a bummer. However, it would make an interesting play, and I’m really curious how they pulled it off on stage. It was fine, but – unless you love the time turner plotlines – it’s okay to skip this one.
Nothing to See Here
Format: Audio
Rating: 3.75/5
Themes/Issues: Friendship, Child Abuse, Empathy
Library Challenge: Read a book out of your comfort zone
My husband recommended this book, and it’s one of the weirdest, sweetest, and unique books I’ve read yet. A woman gets recruited to take care of an estranged friend’s step-children….who just happen to spontaneously combust from time to time. It’s funny and heartbreaking and lovely.
Raiders of the Lost Heart
Format: Physical Book
Rating: 4.25/5
Themes/Issues: Rivals to Lovers, Archeology, Ridiculous Adventure
I have to read any book that makes me snort-laugh in the middle of the library just by reading the cover. This was over-the-top and super dumb and a lot of fun. It is spicy and stupid and don’t judge me.
I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend
Format: Audio
Rating: 3.75/5
Themes/Issues: Comedy, Family, Cancer, Hollywood
The audiobook is the way to go for this one – he does alllll the voices. While he is over-the-top in the most Martin Short of ways, there is a lot of heart to this book. Between the name-dropping and crazy tales, it’s grounded in his love of family and friends. If you like Martin Short’s comedy, you will probably like him more after this book (which is not always the case in some of these memoirs…).
The Toll
Format: Physical Book
Rating: 4.25/5
Themes/Issues: Bleak Dystopian Future, Light Romance, Mystery, Cults, Ethics
The finale to the Scythe trilogy was a monster of a book. The author realized that he opened three billion cans of worms and tried valiantly to wrap them up over the course of 600 pages. It was…..a lot. But it kept me engaged and interested for those 600 pages, so that’s good enough for me to rate it pretty high. The most impressive thing in this book series is the connection that the main characters have when they are constantly separated. It wasn’t as good as the second book, but it was a satisfying end to the series.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Format: Audio
Rating:4.5/5 Stars
Themes/Issues: Quests, Friendship, Random Adventures
Library Challenge: Read a Book Written over 50 Years Ago
It’s time for another classic that I realized I never read! The shoes were silver, the wicked witch played a minor role, and it wasn’t necessarily a dream. This was a full dose of weirdness and it hit me while in the exact right mood.
Ghosted
Format: Physical Book
Rating: 1/5
Themes/Issues: Abandonment, Toxic Family, Car Accidents, Mental Health, Infertility/Pregnancy, Mystery
Once again, the beauty of varying book opinions struck again. A lovely friend loaned me this book (thanks for trying, friend!), and I had to tell her I didn’t like it. Oops! While it was an intriguing mystery (WHY WAS SHE GHOSTED!?), it also checked a hilarious amount of tropes/plotlines that I despise: time jumping, unreliable narrators, infertility/childbirth, and miscommunication. It was not my friend’s fault that it triggered me so, and I do understand why people would like it – it’s just not for me, and that’s okay!
Gleanings
Format: Audio
Rating: 3/5
Themes/Issues: Bleak Dystopian Future, Ethics, A Sentient Dog?
Library Challenge: Read a Collection of Short Stories
But, wait! There’s more of the Scythe universe?!? This collection of short stories was based off of the characters and plots of the original trilogy, but it only skirts the edges of the main characters and stories. It was an interesting concept with a variety of authors and narrators, but it was rather unnecessary and short story collections are really my jam.
The Wild Robot Protects
Format: Audio Book
Rating: 3/5
Themes/Issues: Environmentalism, Courage, Futuristic Adventures
The amazing robot, Roz, is back for her third book. It is much more heavy handed in its lessons (pollution is bad, y’all) and a little less charming than the first two books, but it would still be a fun read for any kid (or adult) that likes lovely illustrations, daring quests, and saving the planet.
Format: Audio
Rating: 1.5/5
Themes/Issues: Fake Dating, Enemies to Lovers, Family Relationships
Beware the cute animated covers! This book was super raunchy and borderline crude. I don’t mind that occasionally, but I at least want to be rooting for the couple at the time. The only thing more colorful than the language used in the book is the amount of red flags in the relationship. They are doomed. (Trombone slide sound effect)
Format: Physical Book
Rating: 4.75/5
Themes/Issues: Acceptance, Empathy, Child Abuse, Found Family
Library Challenge: Reread a Book that You Love
Is this book perfect? No. A bit preachy and not-so-subtle? Sure. But if you have an open mind and a weird sense of humor, this book is just lovely. It houses one of my favorite book characters of all time (A kid blob monster that just wants to be a bellhop? Yes, please.) TJ Klune has written one of my favorite books and one of my least favorite and one in the middle – ha! – but his writing makes me want to write, which is pretty cool.
Even though the greatest key to my reading success last year was being able to *quit* books, I really wanted to try to stop adding to the DNF (did not finish) list. However, sometimes books aren’t compatible with your brain or season of life. These books got the honor of being my first quits of the new year:
I might come back for this one later, but reading about mom cliques did not mesh with my mood.
Huge bursts of potential fun and adventure – but I was just so bored in between those bursts. Quit @ 33%.
I realized this is the second time I’ve quit this book – Oops! It starts out so funny – and I love a good Hollywood memoir – but this one just lost me in the super-casual style and obsession with designer handbags. DNF @ 33%.
A dystopian tale set in the year 2049?! TOO SOON. The “Read with Jenna” book club had gone 2/2 in winners, but this one did not do it for me. 3 POVs and I didn’t really care about any of them. OOPS. Quit @ 23%.
Let’s see what February will bring. Thanks for following along!