Not to be confused with Alt-Right, okay? All right as in okay. Not delicious but satisfying. Because I’m not alt-right but I am a foodie who uses food metaphors to express how I feel. And now that I think about it: Books, food and cats are pretty much on my mind 24/7. Wait a minute! My mind is a glorious place to laze about and inhabit! And to think, I’ve been boo-hooing my crazy for years. My crazy is AWESOME!
The Books I Loved, Liked and Loathed in February
Awesome might be a slight exaggeration. But it is not an exaggeration to say the books last month weren’t exactly awesome. They weren’t awful or bad or even a disappointment. Not by a long shot. I enjoyed almost all of them. They just weren’t slap ya mama good. More like bop ya mama on the nose good.
Errr … to be clear, no one should be slapping their mama. And depending on your Mama, you may wish to refrain from bopping her on the nose too.
The above is mostly intended for my Mama who is probably wondering why good books make me want to slap her. I don’t actually want to slap you, Mom.
The Books I Liked
These are the books I liked, from most liked (4 stars) to liked (3 stars).
Burn Bright (Alpha and Omega #5) by Patricia Briggs
Book Description: Answering a distress call, Charles and Anna manage to stop a werewolf abduction but now face a new threat closer to home than they realize.
Book Review: It felt like a long time since I’ve been in Charles and Anna’s world but it like was seeing old friends again. Their previous stories felt a bit larger in scale, making them feel a bit more urgent than Burn Bright. Still, it didn’t upset me because I enjoy these characters so much. Kara, Asil, Leah (whom I still dislike but understand better) and Bran also make an appearance, which was nice.
To Read or Not to Read: Yes, fans of the Alpha and Omega series should most definitely read it. And if a book about werewolves, fae, vampires and witches sounds good to you, then you will enjoy the series but start with Cry Wolf.
Note: I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. Burn Bright is now available.
Dark in Death (In Death #46) by J.D. Robb
Book Description: Murder imitates fiction in an oddly personal, yet random way in Lieutenant Eve Dallas’ latest case.
Book Review: The previous book left me seriously concerned about the future of the In Death series, which is one of my favorite series. This book didn’t completely erase my concerns but I’m no longer in panic mode. It still didn’t hold my attention the way the previous books did but it at least felt like an In Death book. I also felt like Nora was giving readers a not-so-subtle message to chill out, which is fair. But I’d also say your readers are going to panic when the quality level lowers too.
To Read or Not to Read: Most of the In Death books can be read as a stand-alone, although I always recommend starting from the beginning, which can be scary when a series is 46 books long. Creation in Death is book #25 and the first book I read in the series. So no, you don’t need to start at the beginning!
The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian
Book Description: A flight attendant wakes up next to a dead man and begins a high stakes game of cat and mouse with the FBI and hired killers.
Book Review: Bohjalian’s previous book, The Sleepwalker, didn’t impress me (I found it a bit slow) but the premise of his latest book really intrigued me so I figured why not. And I liked this a lot more. A lot more. Cassie is epically screwed up and self-destructive but knows it. She repeatedly does things that are incredibly stupid, yet logical given who she is, although as a rational person on the outside, you’ll be mumbling, “gurl, be smarter!” to yourself repeatedly. I also was deeply amused (just because I’m weird, not because Bohjalian likely intended to the reader to be amused) by the involvement of Russian spies and the FBI in the story. It’s possible I laughed for five minutes after Cassie’s lawyer reminded her that lying to the FBI is a federal offense.
To Read or Not to Read: Sure, if you like a good thriller with spies and a somewhat endearing and unlikeable protagonist.
Note: I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. The Flight Attendant is now available.
Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi
Book Description: Ada was born with separate selves who consume her after a traumatic event and take Ada into dark, dangerous places.
Book Review: Magical realism is a tough genre for me. Sometimes I find it incredibly beautiful and haunting. Other times, my right brain takes over, so even though it had no issues with the werewolves in Burn Bright, it struggled with the different beings/hosts who formed to hide Ada’s pain by causing pain that they controlled and narrated the story. I also felt deeply removed from Ada’s suffering because it felt weirdly clinical in how the story unfolded. An episode of Bones made me feel more emotional than reading about the suffering Ada endured. However, this remains a well-written book with some exceptionally exquisite passages that unfortunately did not resonate as strongly with me as it may with others.
To Read or Not to Read: Dealer’s choice. Note: Be aware there are lots triggers from physical and sexual abuse/rape, cutting and suicide.
Note: I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. Freshwater is now available.
Shizzle, Inc by Ana Spoke
Book Description: Isa somehow manages to land a job with a zany billionaire whom she hopes can help make her famous.
Book Review: If the idea of a young woman going to a job interview and being shocked when asked why she wants this job (even one that is a reality TV gimmick), makes you grind your teeth — this book is not for you. If you’re smirking or laughing, then you may enjoy it because Isa is an idiot. An absolute idiot but fun. And you might even find yourself rooting for her against your better judgment, even though she is really, really dumb. I mean crazy, almost unbelievably dumb.
To Read or Not to Read: I can not overstate how ridiculously idiotic Isa is but I also laughed a lot while reading this. Also, I had to start it a few times because my mood couldn’t deal with the insane level of stupidity. But in the right mood, it can be a fun, light read. You will also likely feel super smart afterwards. I mean Mensa smart.
Note: I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. Shizzle, Inc. is now available.
The Book I Wished I Liked More
These isn’t a loathe book but it really ain’t a like book either.
Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
Book Description: Ellingham Academy is home to one of the greatest unsolved mysteries and new student Stevie Bell’s plans to solve it go awry after a new murder.
Book Review: When you’re writing a series, whether it’s two or seven books long, there is one golden rule: each book must tell a compelling, complete(ish) story. It should not be 416 pages of set-up where you feel disgruntled at the end because very little happened and nothing got resolved in a meaningful way. This is also YA and read like YA. I don’t know if that makes sense but some YA reads so well as an adult that I forget it is even YA. This wasn’t one of those books and I am clearly not the intended audience.
To Read or Not to Read: No. Readers need to feel invested in the characters and story to go on a three book journey and I don’t.
TL;DR — My Recommendations to You
So overall not a bad reading month but not a great reading month where I shout from Twitter about all the amazing, awe-inspiring and outrageous books I read. Still, I do wholeheartedly recommend most of the books I read last month.
Burn Bright is a great series for those who love fantasy/supernatural books. Mystery lovers who enjoy a strong, take no bullshit female detective should check out the In Death series. Yes, it’s a big series but you don’t have to binge it! Savor it. The Flight Attendant is also a solid mystery/thriller and Freshwater is an interesting read for fans of magical realism. The only book I don’t wholeheartedly recommend is Truly Devious. It’s not bad but I suspect it’s a book best read by its true audience, teens.
To More Great Books
Even though I swear every month that I’ve caught up on my NetGalley books, somehow books magically appear in my queue. As if someone — and I don’t know who — requested books that I must read next month. Such torture! As always, I’m joining the Show Us Your Books Link-Up hosted by Jana and Steph. Be sure to check it out and see what everyone is reading. After all, you don’t want books on your TBR to get lonely. 😉
What great books did you read last month?
Tanya
Oh nooooo I’m really sad to hear that Truly Devious doesn’t measure up. It sounded really fantastic and I like a lot of her books. I know I’ll still read it but yeah, I had hoped to hear better things.
It didn’t work for me but you may absolutely love it and I hope you do! I’ve noticed with YA that I tend to enjoy fantasy/dystopian YA best, so that may have been part of the problem for me too.
I’m glad you liked The Flight Attendant because I was super meh about his last book too. I’ll have to give this one a try!
Yeah, Sleepwalker was my first Bohjalian novel and I wasn’t super impressed. I felt bored through most of it but things actually happen in The Flight Attendant! Cassie got on my nerves occasionally, but I also felt she was acting in a manner true to her character too. Hope you enjoy it!
The Flight Attendant sounds really intriguing.
It was! Cassie was a mess but she kept me interested. 😀
I’ve read The Guest Room by Chris Bohjalian and it was pretty interesting. Good enough that I’d read another by him – sounds like The Flight Attendant might be a good option!
The Guest Room is on my TBR and I wasn’t sure whether to keep it, but I’d like to give it a shot after enjoying The Flight Attendant. I say skip Sleepwalker and try The Flight Attendant instead!
None of them catch my fancy, but I’m glad they were alright alright alright for you!
Indeed they were … although I’d pick Matthew McConaughey over all of them. LOL!
The Flight Attendant sounds interesting, but I don’t like books about characters that keep making dumb choices… how was the writing? because a bad character and bad writing is a bad combination.
The writing was good and I am generally easily irritated by characters that make constantly stupid choices too. Cassie definitely does that but it’s also very much in line with her character so it irritated me less … if that makes sense. 😀 And YES – bad writing and bad characters are a terrible combination!
The Flight Attendant sounds like my kind of read. There are way too many books in the J.D. Robb series that intimidates me. Even though I know that series is good! Sorry you had a meh month of reading. Hopefully this month is better!
I think you’d enjoy The Flight Attendant, Nancy. Honestly, the volume of In Death novels would intimidate me now too. Because I started much earlier, it didn’t seem so bad. Honestly, I shouldn’t really complain that much about last month. It could have been much worse but I’m still hoping this month is much better!
I just started reading Truly Devious last night 😉 haha. Not sure what I think of it yet, but always interesting to see reviews.
Oh man, I hope I don’t influence you too much! I actually really enjoyed the flashbacks but the present day stuff bored me. And I sincerely hope to see a rave review from you next month on the book!
Most of my reads this month were mediocre, too.
I need to clean up my NetGalley queue. I’m actually overwhelmed with the amount of books in there.
I hate mediocre reading months. Again, nothing was awful but not having any love books bums me out. My NetGalley queue isn’t empty by any means but it’s better than it has been in the past.
That’s a bummer Truly Devious is more of a set up book I hate that. I mean, I get why when it comes to series, but it should have some sort of plot on its own too!
-Lauren
Agreed. Maybe it was just me but I felt like there was a lot of blah, blah, blah happening in the present day. The flashbacks were good though and probably the only reason I kept reading.
I think I’ve read one of JD Robb’s books, but I can’t remember which one. Might be why I’m hesitant to read any others in case it the one I already read. 🙂
I picked my first one at random at a drugstore but fell in love with the world.
I hate the months where none of the books are awesome! I was interested in the Dark in Death series but 46 books?? The last time I started a series with a lot of books I couldn’t stop and I can’t do that to myself again!
Me too. It’s silly but I want some LOVE books cuz I’m greedy. 😀 I love the In Death series but definitely understand how a series with 46 books can be overwhelming. The good thing is that virtually all of them can be read as a stand-alone. Like I mentioned, I started with book #25 and had no difficulties understanding relationships etc. The only one that really can’t be read as a stand-alone is New York to Dallas. You really need to understand Dallas’ past to fully appreciate that one.
i am currently reading burn bright! is it the last one do you think/know? i haven’t read the mercy series. i am very very early on in the in death series (like #6?), i honestly can’t comprehend how one series goes on for that many books lol, and has such a following. eventually i will get up there i am sure, though they will likely be finished when i do. i think i read that when (if) they have a kid, she’ll finish the series? or maybe i’m thinking of another series. which is a bummer!
I thought Burn Bright was the last one too but it’s not. There is at least one more. You are correct about the In Death series. A lot of fans (not me) want Eve and Roarke to have a baby, but Nora indicated pretty strongly that wouldn’t happen until the series ends.
She is really really really dumb. haha – I love how you review books. Shizzle sounds like something I’d want during the summer for a Beach Read, when its really just a backyard read 😉 haha
& I’m sure your momma is happy you dont REALLY want to slap her 😉
Shizzle is an ideal beach read because you can’t take a single thing seriously. It’s pure farce! And seriously, if Isa was a real person she would be the stupidest person alive. But still I laughed. A lot. But you gotta be in the right mood to laugh at stupidity. 😀 Yeah, she better be relieved! LOL!
LOL that happens to me on Netgalley too. Can’t complain though – free new releases! 🙂 I haven’t heard of any of these books (well except of course the JD Robb series in general) – they all sound good!
Right? That’s what I tell myself too – free new releases! Stop complaining! But then I see how many I have to read and all the other books I want to read and feel overwhelmed. And to alleviate my stress, I request more NetGalley books and put more books on hold at the library. #BookNerdProblems
I started the Alpha and Omega series long ago but honestly I had forgotten about it! I will have to get back into them again!
Definitely! I really enjoy it. I like the Mercy Thompson series (in the same world) a little bit better but Charles and Anna are great too.
The Flight Attendant sounds good!! 🙂 Also, I totally would be amused at the whole Russia thing too.
Good! I’m glad I’m not the only one because I seriously laughed at Cassie being reminded that lying to the FBI is a federal offense. 😀
I didn’t finish more than two books last month but they were a 4 star and 5 star so I’m ok with that 😉 Glad there was only one on your list that you were wishing was a bit better! It stinks when those types of stories pile up!!
Because I am apparently the world’s biggest book baby, I want … need a love book and it bums me out when I don’t have at least one book that I adore. Plus, I take it personally that the In Death book wasn’t a love book because up until the last few, they all are.
I’m only familiar with J.D. Robb (I have a friend who has read all the Death books), but that is exactly what I like about this linkup – it expands my horizons and introduces new books that I might not otherwise have ever heard about.
Ah, your friend is a kindred In Death spirit then. I love those books. And I agree – this link-up has introduced me to so many new books and authors that I might have never known existed.
I think my husband and I will both enjoy the Flight Attendant. Chris Bohaljian is going to be at a local event next month and I’m thinking about going. Happy Reading! Pam 🙂
That’s cool! Definitely check out the book – it would be worth buying to get his signature. Like I said, I didn’t like Sleepwalker but The Flight Attendant I enjoyed.
Anyone who loves Maureen Johnson should go find her on Twitter. She is wickedly funny, especially during the yearly Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I think I’ll add book #1 of the In Death Series to my TBR. Thanks for the recommendation!
I’ll have to check her out on Twitter. Definitely add In Death to your TBR. IT’s a really good series!
Your “slap yo mama” comments made me laugh! I do hate it though when a month goes by without a really great book. I guess that’s better than a month of bad books though! I’m intrigued by Freshwater, although I’m not sure magical realism is for me–I haven’t read enough of that genre to really know.
Yeah, I’m such a big book baby that it makes me cranky not have a real love book last month. Freshwater was very interesting. Magical realism is always a tough genre for me. Sometimes I love it. Sometimes I am confused. This feel solidly in the middle. Beautiful and confusing! 😀
I don’t think I could handle reading The Flight Attendant or Shizzle inc.
It’s hard to like a book without liking the main characters and I think I would get frustrated with both of the girls you described!
I struggled a couple times with Shizzle, Inc and had to be in the right mood to handle her unbelievable stupidity and laugh versus cringe.
I think I get later at reading and commenting on these every. single. month. LOL I am intrigued by The Flight Attendant, though I am rarely in the mood for a thriller. I added it to my TBR anyhow! 😛 I think I would enjoy the Alpha & Omega series. 🙂 No shame in loving a fluffy book! 🙂 XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
LOL! I really enjoy the Alpha and Omega series but I have a soft spot for vampire/werewolf/fairy/elves types of books. 😀