Yes, I know. One book is probably not super brag-worthy but since I haven’t read a new-to-me book since September or October, it feels pretty amazing. Or sad. Maybe a bit of both? And sure, maybe I finished reading the book Sunday night but let’s not lose sight of the main point: I read something and I’m participating in the Show Us Your Books link-up again. Yay Tanya! You are such a good, committed reader. Or committable. Sometimes I get confused. 😉 Moving on, folks. Nothing to see here!
The Book I Liked in January/February
One might be the loneliest number but it’s still better than zero!
The Book I Liked
A solid thumbs-up from me.
Class Mom by Laurie Gelman
Book Description: Jen Dixon is not your typical Kindergarten Class Mom and her best skill may be annoying the other parents.
Book Review: This book has gotten plenty of rave reviews and overall I enjoyed it. I really loved Dixon’s emails and her snarky sense of humor but don’t go in expecting something illuminating or really any substance. It’s thin on plot and honestly characters besides stereotypes, which wore a bit thin because there was really nothing else to sustain the 300+ pages beyond Jen. The whole subplot with Don felt contrived and a little annoying. I would have much rather gotten more insight (and better mined humor) from Asami and some of the other parents.
To Read or Not To Read: From my review you might think that I didn’t really enjoy this, but I did. It wasn’t amazing, I did, however, laugh out loud several times and it passed the time just fine. This would be a great palate cleanser after reading something heavy.
To More Great Reads
So here’s the thing: I got 3, 4 or 10,358,928 books on my Kindle, waiting to be read. Begging to read. And I’m super hopeful that some day I’ll read them, although probably not all 10,358,928 of them but maybe more than one. I also have so many books that I want to borrow from the library or even buy and it actually overwhelms me, which is another reason my reading is lagging (again) this year.
I got readers guilt, people. It does exist! Or at least it exists within me. But I feel bad about the NetGalley books that I still need (and want to) read. I feel bad about the books I keep borrowing from the library and not reading, because if I was the person behind me in the queue, I’d wanna give me a solid kick in the rump for making them wait. It also bothers me that I only have one book to share with y’all. Oh well. Tomorrow is another chance to read a book. I’m pretty sure that’s how the quote goes. 😀
As usual, I’m linking up with Steph and Jana for the Show Us Your Books Link-Up. Be sure to visit the link-up and see what books everyone loved, liked and hated last month!
What great (or awful) book did you read last month?
Tanya
P.S. Yup, I’m late but I did finally get around to sharing my best books of 2019 last week. Find out what book earned bragging rights as the very, very best book I read in 2019.
Hey any reading is good reading! You gotta start back up somewhere 🙂
Exactly! I’ve got some really good books sitting on my nightstand and I’m really hoping to tackle this month versus admire them. LOL!
One book is still awesome! I read Class Mom last year and really enjoyed it. Parts did annoy me, but it made me laugh out loud sometimes too. I want to check out the sequel!
-lauren
Oh, it definitely made me laugh out loud too, especially her emails. There just wasn’t much else so it got a little boring for me eventually but still definitely recommend it.
I totally understand that – this isn’t a brain buster of a book or a deep thought provoker – but it did make me laugh pretty good & it is a good palate cleanser!
Good for you getting a book in… I say even if you do one a month, that’s more than 80% of the population.
It made me laugh too. It just felt like it ran out steam for me, although I still really enjoyed it. And I truly think it makes an excellent palate cleanser if you’ve read a few dark books and need a break. It’s true 1 book is more than some people will read a year, which sort of makes me sad because books just bring such joy to me, normally!
If I know I’m not going to read a library book I return it right away, I have serious guilt about holding it and making the people behind me wait LOL
I’m much better with physical books that I know I won’t read. I’ll return them early but with e-books, I’m so lazy and feel so bad about my laziness. LOL!
Ha! I always have books guilt. I’m not reading my books fast enough, I’m not getting through my NetGalley queue, my physical bookshelf, my kindle… I just can’t. It overwhelms me and then I try t o push through and then mid-year I end up burnt out on books, which should NEVER happen. This year I’m just trying to clear out my physical bookshelf.
Yup, books guilt is real! I think sometimes the overwhelming aspect of my TBR actually affects my reading mojo too. It’s not like I have to read those books – I want to read them, but I also feel guilty that I keep getting side-tracked by other new books or life. Good luck clearing out your physical bookshelf!
It is easy to get into a reading funk, especially if the titles that are on your TBR just aren’t particularly interesting at the moment. Totally get it! 🙂
Yup, I try to remind myself that I read for pleasure. But sometimes I can’t figure out what particular book appeals to me because it seems to change-up moment to moment too. Call me finicky, I guess. 😀
Oh I know what you mean! I have SOOOO many books piling up on my Kindle and I do feel guilty that I haven’t read them but I also have a bunch of books checked out from the library and I always feel like I can’t return them without reading them.
I used to struggle with returning books unread but I finally got over it, mostly because I had so many piling up that I could never actually read them before they were due. 😀 It does still make me feel guilty about making the people behind wait though.
Good job for reading a book! Any progress is progress! I enjoyed Class Mom and liked it much better than the sequel.
I’ve heard that from others that they weren’t as big of fans of Class Mom. While I enjoyed it, I didn’t LOVE it so I’m probably going to pass on the sequel for now.
Readers guilt is definitely a real thing. I definitely experience it, too. Especially when it comes to Netgalley books.
NetGalley books is where I feel the guiltiest. I have quite a few books to read there and my procrastination shames me. And worse, I actually really truly want to read most of them too!
This one has been on my list for awhile. My mom loved it and raved about it… and I also only read one in January, so no worries! LOL
Yay for one-book readers! 😀 I think because everyone had raved about Class Mom that my expectations may have also been a little high too. It’s good, not a rave book for me, but definitely one that I would recommend.
Reading is a personal thing – do what you enjoy! Glad you enjoyed the book you read – better one good book than a bunch of crappy ones! Have a great month 🙂
So true. I’ve had months where I’ve read a lot but nothing awesome, which is kind of a sad! I’ll always take one good book over lots of meh ones!
I liked Class Mom a lot. It wasn’t deep, it wasn’t life-changing, but it was fun.
The sequel didn’t interest me as much. Once I started it, I realized I didn’t care where it was going. It’s not like it was suspenseful or anything.
It was fun and no regrets over reading it. I just expected it to be hilarity nonstop, which was probably unrealistic on my part! Yeah, I’ve heard that from several people who really loved Class Mom that the sequel wasn’t as good. It’s a pass for me now.
I have Class Mom on my list, hoping to get to it soon. I have readers guilt for sure. The second I’m finished with a library book, or know I’m not going to get to it…I return it immediately. Hoping I get some good book karma back lol. And I have NETGALLEY books that are like 2 years old I haven’t gotten to. Oops.
I need to get better about returning books quicker if I’m not going to read them. I’m okay with physical books but super slow with ebooks. I just keep them until the library takes them back. 😀 Okay, I don’t have 2-year old books on NetGalley but definitely year-old books. Ack!!!!
One is definitely better than zero! I’ve been in a reading slump since the beginning of the year… boo. Trying not to push myself too much though. I’m sure I’ll get out of it eventually. I get reader’s guilt too, especially with the library holds, so I’ve since stopped placing requests. I’m trying to get through my Netgalley and physical bookshelves this year, but the newer, shinier books always distract me!
Reading slumps suck!! It’s really hard (and frankly weird) since reading generally gives me such joy. And it still does – but it’s all books I’ve read before. Like they make me comfy and safe. I know what’s gonna happen! I guess I need comfort books right now. I’ve stopped with requests, mostly. Some ebooks, just because the waiting list seems so much longer on them. Newer books always distract me too. I’m like a little kid, I WANT IT NOW! LOL!
LOL, you finished one more book than I did 😉 Congrats! Way to go!
Well, I finished it the Sunday before the link-up so I just barely made it. I haven’t read anything new yet. But I’ve thought a lot about reading. 😀