Welp. Another month has come and gone and I did not read as much as intended, which appears to be my new normal. I should feel grateful that I overall enjoyed what I read but it’s hard. Reading, for whatever reason, isn’t sparking the same joy as it has in the past. Thus my joy meter is low overall. But let’s not get depressing, okay? We’re here to talk books which does make my heart happy.
The Books I Loved, Liked and Loathed in May
Good news! No book earned the dreaded loathe title! Great news! A book earned the coveted love title! Even better news! I’m going to stop using exclamation points! Maybe!
The Book I Loved
Aka the book that done did right by me.
Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Book Description: An oral history of the rise and break-up of the greatest rock band of the 70s, Daisy Jones and The Six.
Book Review: I’m probably being a bit generous calling this a love book when it’s really a strong, like book. I love the concept as it felt very much like an episode of VH1’s Behind the Music but with one key difference, the show was an hour long and the book was not. It dragged a bit for me as it became somewhat repetitive given the interview format and I started skimming through spots of it. I also never felt the connection to Daisy or company the same way I did to Evelyn Hugo. But still a stellar book.
To Read or Not To Read: Yes, of course. I also think this is one of the rare books that would be better on audio. I’ve heard the cast assembled is excellent.
Note: I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. Daisy Jones and The Six is now available.
The Books I Liked
The all-right, all-right books, starting with the one I liked the most.
The Holdouts (Book #2 in Buddy Lock Series) by James Tucker
Book Description: What appears to be a simple investigation turns into something far more sinister and dangerous for Detective Buddy Lock and his family.
Book Review: Tucker’s first book, Next of Kin, got me out of a book funk last year. Not because it was the best book ever written but because it was fast-paced and fun (well, as fun as lots of murder can be). This book was still pretty fast-paced (some weird, unnecessary dream sequences that were meant to be artistic flourishes but this ain’t that kind of book, bro) but maybe not as fun. Or maybe I’m in a crabbier state of mind. Both are possible. His books, on the other hand, are highly implausible and would blow apart if you think too hard about them, but he keeps you entertained enough that you don’t care or mind and just enjoy the ride.
To Read or Not To Read: Yup. Fans of Myron Bolitar or Jack Reacher or Eve Dallas would enjoy this series. And if you have no idea of who any of those people are, well … this probably isn’t the series for you.
Note: I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. The Holdouts is now available.
The Department of Sensitive Crimes by Alexander McCall Smith
Book Description: In the Swedish criminal justice system, an elite squad known as the Sensitive Crimes Division, investigate cases that are considered especially strange and difficult.
Book Review: Well, this book promised to be silly and it was to an extent. I mean one of the investigations involved the disappearance of an imaginary boyfriend, but it wasn’t quite the laugh out loud book I wanted. It was more thoughtful and sweet and slow-paced than I expected it to be, which wasn’t a bad thing. But sometimes it takes a moment or two or a few hours to adjust and decide to be okay with it. While the protagonists are police detectives, this has more of a cozy, low-key mystery vibe. In other words, no gruesome murders but possible werewolves, imaginary boyfriends running away to the North Pole, midgets and a somewhat depressed dog.
To Read or Not To Read: Sure. The author has a weird thing about bolding random words, which I get that in non-fiction but it was a bit distracting for me.
TL;DR: What I Recommend
Another month with all winners and no losers. If you’re a music fan and devoured shows like VH1’s Behind the Music, you’ll definitely enjoy Daisy Jones and The Six. Those who love mass market mystery series should definitely try The Holdouts by James Tucker, although start with book #1, Next of Kin. The Department of Sensitive Crimes is a good choice for those who prefer mysteries without lots of murder and really polite detectives. Obviously those detectives are not Americans but Swedish, which makes a lot more sense.
To More Great Books
Well, I had originally intended May to be a NetGalley month and did read two NetGalley books, although I hoped to read four because my queue is long. But I’m gonna count this as a win! And maybe I read one less book than I did in April but I’m still reading. I’m gonna count this as a win too, because I have the optimism of Scarlett O’Hara and the resilience of Evelyn Hugo and patience and spunk of Ginny Weasley in my blood. As usual, I’m linking up with Steph and Jana for their awesome Show Us Your Books Link-Up. Be sure to visit their sites and see what everyone read last month!
What books did you love or like or loathe last month?
Tanya
i am sorry that reading isn’t sparking the same joy for you, that’s just life though isn’t it. but i hope the joy comes back soon. i’m glad you liked daisy! i felt the same way. really strongly liked it but she’s no evelyn 🙂
I think part of the problem is that I just also haven’t had that amazing love book that gives me all the feels and reminds me why I love to read so much. Everything has been okay, which is better than awful but I want to have my former enthusiasm for reading. Daisy is definitely no Evelyn. Not even close in my book.
Loved DJ&t6! Hope you get out of your reading slump soon, it can be a bummer when the thing you love looses a bit of the joy, but I’m sure it will come around again.
Sometimes I think that’s what bothers me the most … that I keenly feel that lose but haven’t figured out how to get it back. Daisy was really good. It was no Evelyn for me but I still enjoyed it.
I share your thoughts on Daisy Jones – it was very good and a great concept but I didn’t love the characters so I wouldn’t say I loved the. I did listen on Audible and I think that made me like it more than I would have in print because the cast was phenomenal.
Yup, that lack of connection I felt with them is what kept it from being a love. Evelyn was such a complex character and in the interview format the characters felt more one-dimensional, which grew old for me. I heard the audiobook cast was excellent and suspect I would have actually enjoyed it more on tape, which never ever happens!
I’m sorry reading hasn’t been as enjoyable lately. I hope you find some amazing books for you soon. I do really want to read Daisy Jones; it sounds kind of perfect for me. LOL I’m pretty sure I have an e-book of Next of Kin so I need to check that out.
-Lauren
It’s definitely good, although I preferred Evelyn. In fact my deep, deep love for Evelyn may have affected my expectations for Daisy. I really enjoyed Next of Kin. It’s not the most awesome book but it’s a solid action book that kept me entertained, which was exactly what I wanted at that moment.
I wish I’d have enjoyed Daisy Jones more than I did. It just wasn’t my cup of tea. Oh well. The Department of Sensitive Crimes sounds quirky and interesting!
Honestly, the more distance I have from it, the less enthused I am. I’m not going to change my rating of it because I definitely recommend it but unlike Evelyn, it won’t be the best book I read in 2019. Sensitive Crimes was definitely interesting. Odd yet sweet. Slow at times but also amusing and silly. It’s really hard to describe and not something I can see everyone loving but it mostly amused me. And I liked not feeling depressed after reading it. 😀
Daisy was great!
TJR fans should definitely check her out.
I just entered a giveaway for Daisy Jones. I’ll probably get on a wait list otherwise, at the library. I don’t love the premise of the book, but TJR is so great at what she does. I have to try it.
Yup, TJR is so good and Daisy while not at the level of Evelyn is still a good book. TJR just knows how to write!
Daisy Jones is one of my favourites. Im so glad you loved it!
Reese Witherspoon optioned the rights for a TV series, which is where it really belongs because it’s a book that begs to be seen and heard in my opinion.
Sorry to hear that reading isn’t sparking the same joy in you as it often does…maybe you need a totally different genre or something. Or just a break. At least books will always be there for you when you are feeling them!! It’s an easy hobby to slip in and out of without having to re-learn anything 😉
I really enjoyed Daisy too but not quiiiiite as much as her other books. I think part of that was because I wasn’t really into all that music video culture so that part wasn’t nostalgic for me like other people 🙂 Great characters though and I liked the format more than I thought I would!
Yeah, I may need to try some different genres to see if that sparks something. And also just being okay if I need to take a break from reading. It just feels weird to me. Reading has always been such a part of my life and something I look forward to doing. And not feeling book love just feels wrong. I love music so that aspect I enjoyed, but the interview format, while interesting, felt limiting in the end. Like Daisy (and The Six) never reached the complexity of Evelyn, so I didn’t feel that connection. Honestly, looking back, she’s a bit one-note, which seems strange for TJR who excels at creating vivid characters. I wish it had been a mix of interview and traditional story, then I think it would equalled (or even surpassed) Evelyn. Still a TJR fan and still a book I would recommend though.
It makes me so happy to see so many like Daisy Jones… I just love TJR writing. Cant wait to get that one!
She is such a phenomenal and creative writer. I still need to read more of her catalog.
I’m glad to hear you liked Daisy. That is by far one of my favorites of 2019. I’m sure the audio will be amazing. If I heard correctly, it will be a shoe/movie.
Yes, Reese Witherspoon optioned the rights and it’s going to be series on Amazon, I think. Or one of the streaming networks. I think for me it might be one of the rare shows I enjoy more than the book! And I really want to hear those songs!
Daisy is going to be a TV series. I can’t wait to watch and hear how the adapt the songs.
Me too. That’s something that I really, really wanted in the book – to hear those songs.
I’m on the library list for Daisy Jones!
Yay! Hope you enjoy it!
Next of Kin was okay…..not sure I’d read the next one and get myself invested in a just okay series. I also didn’t connect to any of the characters in Daisy Jones, so maybe that’s why I didn’t enjoy it as much.
Yeah, I hear you. If you’re not feeling a series, then no reason to keep going. To many other great books out there! Yeah, to me that was the biggest flaw to Daisy is that I didn’t feel much (or really) any connection to Daisy and I need that, especially in a character-driven story.
I would agree that daisy would be better as an audio book. The style it was written in just wasnt for me.
I liked the format initially but I wanted more story, I guess. I felt disconnected to them a bit and wish it had been a mix of the interview format and traditional story. But I heard the audiobook is excellent and think the series will be excellent. This is really a book that is meant to be heard and seen, more than read in my opinion.
I enjoyed Daisy Jones, but I heard someone else say that they don’t think it will stick with them for along time, and that is definitely how I feel personally. 🙂 It was definitely fun and different which was a nice change of pace for my reading life! XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
I agree. I enjoyed it and recommend it, but it’s not a story that’s going to stick with me the way Evelyn did.
Sorry that reading isn’t bringing the usual amount of joy. I also go through phases where I just don’t feel like reading as much as usual or I’ve had a few books that I just didn’t enjoy. Usually it just takes one cannot-put-down-book to bring it back for me.
I think that’s part of my problem. I’ve read some good books and a few okay books this year but nothing (fiction-wise) that’s blown me away. I want a true blue love book that I cannot stop yapping about and constantly annoy people with my need to tell them about it. 😀
It’s been a LONG time since I read an Alexander McCall Smith book. He’s one of those people who, when you Google his picture, looks exactly like you’d think he would.
I am #283 in line for Daisy Jones and the Six.
Okay now I have to google his picture! His book is a bit quirky so I’m imagining him to look like the kind of guy who would write a quirky book. Yikes! #283! Well, I hope you love Daisy when it finally gets to you (and frankly remember that you even put it on hold!) and is worth the wait.
I haven’t read any of these books but can I just say, I used to watch VH1’s Behind The Music all the time!!! It was so interesting 🙂
I really liked Behind the Music too, so it brought back some fond memories. Also made me feel a tad old because I’m pretty sure that show hasn’t been on for more than decade!