november wrap-up and december tbr
finally back into the reading swing!
Green Dot, Madeleine Gray | β°β°β°
This was a 24 books to read in 24 pick, and I buddy read it with my best friend which gave me a chance to discuss it with her, which I found super fun. This follows a twenty-something Australian girl who has to face the reality that she needs a job and takes one as a content comment moderator. While in her role, she falls for her married coworker and they start an affair. This was quite a hyped book in the Australian literary scene so it was high on my TBR.
I would say this book has some highlights, and some flaws. The first half I loved - itβs extremely funny, and itβs rare a book makes me laugh out loud. I also think it did a good job getting me emotionally invested (even if the feelings I felt were, anger, annoyance, frustration). But itβs something to really FEEL emotions over the decisions characters make.
The flaws to me is just that, itβs not that skilfully crafted. Iβve seen this plot before, and Iβve seen it done a lot better. Sections felt unfocussed and the prose was too simple for me.
Still a decently fun read though and a page-turner.
Intermezzo, Sally Rooney | β°β°β°β°
A novel that is very hard for me to review β¦ I went to a friends to discuss this book and we talked for over an hour - a testament to the complexity and depth of her work. There is no doubt Sally Rooney is one of the most thoughtful, skilful writers weβve got right now. Someone who really thinks about the medium of writing, the role of literature and the ability of the author to translate meaning and ideas.
And ALL that said, the truth is when it came down to actually sitting down and reading this book - there were times when I struggled with it. I wasnβt as engaged with these characters and this story as I have been with other works of hers. Parts of it really did work. There is some ideas and some scenes in here I loved. The ending in particular blew me away. And I know that itβs unlucky for her sheβs written so many good books that I compare this to those - most authors will never produce something remotely this good.
But toward the middle I felt the story dragging a bit, and the writing style just didnβt always vibe with me, and I found myself just not as excited to pick it up as I had been when I bought it. So even though I really liked bits and her craft is too good not to acknowledge and appreciate, this is not the five star I would have wanted. But still a very good book.
Never Lie, Freida McFadden | β°β°.5
I bought this in the airport and was intrigued since I have heard good and bad things about Freida McFaddenβs books. The good for me would be that some plot twists in this book did surprise me - the bad being that the prose is BAD, like truly NOT GOOD and I think the plot twists are only shocking because they donβt actually logically flow from some things set up earlier in the plot. But I did have fun with it.
If Beale Street Could Talk, James Baldwin | β°β°β°β°β°
James Baldwin is a perfect author who writes perfect books and that is all I hav to say on THAT.
No in all seriousness, I absolutely adored this. Reading Baldwin to me is like sinking back into a nice, warm hug. I really just love the flow of his writing, it has real rhythm. I canβt explain it, but itβs like eating rich dark chocolate. Itβs just decadent.
This is relatively short, but it packs a punch. As mentioned, the prose is stunning but I also really liked the depiction of family in this and the way love and tragedy are woven through the story, hand in hand. I am fascinated with books that contrast grief and love, pain and joy and Baldwin does this beautifully here. Even though Iβve seen the movie adaptation, this was still a wonderful read - even if it didnβt quite reach the heights of Giovanniβs Room (few books can).
goal check in:
owned tbr - 13/33
Ticked off βNever Lieβ, βIntermezzoβ and βIf Beale Street Could Talkβ
Removed βJules et Jimβ - I donβt own this anymore because I lost it :(
Hauled βOn Womenβ by Susan Sontag
24 in 24 - 14/24
December TBR
First, the books Iβm currently reading (yes this is a stupid amount)
On Women, Susan Sontag | currently reading
I bought this book on a whim because I really felt like reading some essays and Sontag has been on my list for a long time. Of course I find out afterward this is sort of her flop collection but nevertheless I have read two of the essays, one of which I liked a lot. My goal with reading my owned TBR is to be able to buy and read books right away rather then having this huge backlist, so doing that with this book has felt really good.
The Pairing, Casey McQuiston | currently reading
I started this because I wanted something a little more fun and light to read. So far Iβve enjoyed the set up and structure - every chapter is set in a different city on their Europe tour which is fun. It does do an annoying though though where most of the chapter is boring and all the action happens in the last paragraph. Iβm about 50% through this though and itβs going very quick.
More Letters of Oscar Wilde | owned tbr
Another book picked up on a whim - though Iβm not sure how much more progress Iβll make on this. This is more of a dip in and out when you feel like it book. One problem Iβve encountered is this is a companion to a different Penguin book of Oscar Wilde letters which Iβve never read, and also canβt because itβs out of print. So Iβm missing some of the context, though the letters have still been interesting so far.
Kairos, Jenny Erpenbeck | currently reading
This book finally came after I had it on reserve at the library for some time and I had to start it immediately because Iβve been so excited to read it. Iβm only a chapter in but the writing is fantastic and Iβm excited to get more into this.
December TBR
(in the unlikely event I have any time for any other books)
Pixel Flesh: How Toxic Beauty Culture Harms Women, Ellen Atlanta
This book has been on so many TBRs, I feel I donβt need to explain it again. But the library has agreed to purchase this for me, so if it comes in this month Iβll definitely be trying to read it.
Zami: A New Spelling of My Name, Audre Lorde | owned tbr
I actually picked this up and read a few pages but ultimately decided I wanted to read something else more. But I may definitely come back around to this pretty soon. Also it would be nice to read one more owned book before the end of the year.
Evenings & Weekends, OisΓn McKenna
I keep seeing this book on lots of end of year favourites lists and itβs making me want to pick it up soon. I have it on reserve at the library so if it comes in Iβll be trying to read it
Let me know what youβre reading in December and before the end of the year! I think this will be a big reading month for me, especially once my end of year leave at works begins and there is SO many exciting books to get to.
Until next time!