Beautiful friend

This is the end.

After nearly eight years, Steph and I have decide it’s time to retire from Show Us Your Books. It’s not something we took lightly; in fact, we had several discussions about it because we didn’t want to feel like we were letting anyone down. But, in the end, we felt it was best for us to stop hosting the linkup every month.

That doesn’t mean it’s fully over. You can still find both of us sharing our books on Instagram (me: @saysjana, Steph: @lifeaccordingtosteph), and we’ll be using #showusyourbooks to connect and find you all, our beloved reader crew. I know Steph still plans to recap her reads each month. As for me, I don’t know what I plan to do with the blog anymore. I might still write occasionally. Or not. We’ll see.

Either way, I’m grateful for all the time we spent together sharing about books. Books are a special thing, the way they can bring people together and always provide good conversation fodder. I’ve connected with so many people I wouldn’t have otherwise, and have a TBR that’s genuinely out of control thanks to this linkup. It’s become more than a blog thing; it’s a true community. I appreciate that more than I can say. Thanks for loving books, dogs, cats, and all the ups and downs that have been my life, with this being a steady constant through it all.

And thanks, of course, to Steph, my organized co-host and friend of more years than both of us can count. I’m glad we did this. And I think we’re due for an in-person check in.

So now, for the final formal time, here’s what I read last month.

Adult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman. What I love about Waxman’s books is that she’s essentially created a universe of quirky characters that all weave in and out of her books. You never know who you’re going to run into. I also love that they’re easy, predictable, and just fun to read. This one is no different.

All the Wicked Girls by Chris Whitaker. This was book #3 of his for me this year (we only have one more to go), and while not my favorite, it was still suspenseful and engaging and he is a very good storyteller. Not sorry I bought it, but I’ll likely give it away. Let me know if you’re interested.

At the End of Everything by Marikeke Nijkamp. 100% a COVID book, and not even a thinly-veiled COVID book. Straight up in your face. However, it had quite a different spin on it. I didn’t not like it, but I didn’t love it either. It felt like it tried to tackle too much and in the hands of a better writer, I feel like it would have been a home run. I just don’t think I love her writing, which is upsetting because you can tell she tries really hard and I want to.

The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson. Great mass market-type thriller. I definitely get the appeal of it and I enjoyed it very much, and I’m not glad I waited so long to read it but it is what it is. Twisty and moderately gruesome. Definitely 1000 times better than whatever mess of a book of his I read last. I’m not ready to quit on him yet.

O Beautiful by Jung Yun. This was one of those books I really, really liked when I was reading it and now, a month later, only have vague memories of it. I know that I would recommend it, and I know that it got a bit muddled in the middle, but that’s all I’ve got for now.

Activities of Daily Living by Lisa Hsiao Chen. DNF. I wanted so much to like this book and I just couldn’t. Done and done and I’m onto the next one.

Currently reading: The Love of My Life by Rosie Walsh.

(also, for those counting, that’s three song references in this one post. I’m kind of proud of me)

OK. Here goes for the last formal time: Now it’s your turn! Link up and show us your books! Don’t forget to visit my co-host Steph and some other bloggers. Nonbloggers, let me know in the comments what you’ve been reading. Don’t worry about marking down the date for the next one, but definitely don’t forget to keep sharing.

And also don’t forget to grab a book, grab a book, grab a book, grab a book today. Take a look, in the book, take a look in the book I say.
Read a book, read a book, read a book, read a book okay.
And you’ll find that your time will simply slip away.*

*that’s four.

The post Show Us Your Books: Thnks fr th Mmrs appeared first on Jana Says.

Not participating in the Goodreads challenge has been incredibly liberating but I do feel like I’m forgetting something. I mean, I guess I am. It’s fine, though. It’s nice to have no pressure to reach an arbitrary goal. I do feel like I’m reading at a snail’s pace but I also know that life is happening and when it slows down in a few weeks, I’ll wind up reading more. I don’t even know if that makes sense. I think it does.

That said, and to bring this all together, I finished 5 books last month and had a big ol’ DNF as well (which, thank god, because I almost bought it). Let’s discuss.

Oh, and no cute animal picture this month because I forgot to take them with books.

Tall Oaks by Chris Whitaker. Since I adored We Begin at the End, I’m currently reading through the entire Chris Whitaker catalog (it’s small. Four books, maybe) and started with this one which was great in its own right. It’s dark, a little messy, kind of unsettling, I think it’s supposed to be marginally funny, and the end slaps you in the face.

We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry. What. A. Tedious. Book. Creative AF, and I loved all the 1980s references along with the Salem witch trial stuff, but good lord, did this book go on forever (say it like Squints, please). And there were some plot points that felt…unnecessary, although they weren’t quite plot points but epilogue points and if you’ve read it, you know what I mean. If you read this, just brace yourself.

The Girls in the Stilt House by Kelly Mustian. Not my favorite book of the month, not my least favorite. It reminded me of The Roanoke Girls, even though they’re not the same in any way so I don’t know why that is. Regardless, it’s historical fiction and it takes place in the South in the 20s, so there are some hard things to read (as you can imagine). The writing is good, and so is the plot, but like most things I read, it’s not for everyone.

The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller. OK, so if there was ever a book angling to be made into a TV show or miniseries, this is it. Also, every character is a fucking asshole, some worse than others, and it should come with trigger warnings for lots of things, including rape. However, it was actually a good read despite all of that. I like the way she used the timelines to tell the story, which is different than most books I’ve ever read, and her writing is definitely solid. If you don’t feel like reading it, just wait for the show because I’ll bet money there will be one.

Some Go Home by Odie Lindsay. This is a case of loved the story, hated the writing. Well, not hate. That’s a strong word. But I didn’t love the writing at all, and it kind of ruined the rest of it for me. It jumps around a lot, which was annoying, and I wanted more of certain plotlines and less of others, but the overall story was good. Read with caution.

The Great Glorious Goddamn of It All by Josh Ritter. Quit after 50 pages. This book was stupid. I wanted to like it, too, and maybe you will. But I used the DNF with gusto.

Currently reading The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion (after waiting around 8 months for it to come in from the library) and Very Cold People by Sarah Manguso, as well as listening on my lunch break to Essentialism by Greg McKeown (although that might or might not be currently replaced with Pam & Tommy on Hulu). I also leave for vacation on Saturday and am trying to finish all three of these before then. Best wishes to me.

OK, now it’s your turn! Link up and show us your books! Nonbloggers, leave a comment with what you’ve been reading recently, and don’t forget to visit my co-host Steph and some of our friends joining us to help round out (or overfill) your TBR. And mark May 10 for the next one, although I likely won’t be participating since my daughter is competing in Florida that week (sort of). I might, though. Depends on if my iPad cooperates.

The post Show Us Your Books, April 2022 appeared first on Jana Says.

Obviously there’s a lot going on in the world, and I might come back in a few days to document my thoughts on that, but in the meantime, I’m focusing on books because they’re a nice respite. I am struggling with nonfiction, though, even the one I’m currently reading which I have been so excited for. I genuinely just want to escape.

And if you don’t believe me, I read a romance book this month. Colleen Hoover. Might even read another one. I don’t know. Everything has gone crazy.

I guess that’s a nice way to jump into the reviews.

Heart Bones by Colleen Hoover. Found this through last month’s linkup, and it was a great way to pass a day. Super fast, very predictable story. If this is what all of her books are like, I get the appeal. I just don’t know that I can read too many of them.

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds. Another one this linkup reminded me to read (the other, The Kind Worth Killing, was put on hold which I promptly forgot I did and then wound up buying). Another fast read, mostly because of the way it’s written (in verse), and it’s an excellent, outstanding book. Read it.

Who Is Maud Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews. What a fucked up little book this was. So twisty and turny, and the ending was actually a complete surprise. I wouldn’t necessarily classify it as a thriller or mystery. It’s definitely its own thing, and I definitely recommend it.

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano. This book is bonkers. I guess I’d classify it as a cozy mystery but it’s so out of the realm of reality, it’s basically just insane. It’s a fun read even if Finlay gets to be a bit tedious. It’s fine. I will read the third one because there’s no way there isn’t going to be a third one.

Upgrade by Blake Crouch. A NetGalley book I read on time! Hooray for me! There is a reason Blake Crouch is one of the few science fiction writers I will read, and this book is exactly why. It’s such a great story, albeit a little science-heavy for me at times. It comes out in July if you’re inclined to read it.

These Toxic Things by Rachel Howzell Hall. I’d sort of classify this along the same lines as Maud Dixon, but probably a little more thriller/mystery-ish. So well written, even if I did figure out a lot, but there was one twist I did not see coming at all and I can’t say much because it affects the end which, if I’m being honest, I did not particularly like. The rest of the book was great, though.

Highway Blue by Ailsa McFarlane. Meh. It’s definitely a character-driven book; there’s not much of a plot at all. She’s an excellent writer but the book went almost nowhere and it was kind of tedious. Thankfully it was short. Not my favorite of the month at all.

Currently reading: The Nineties by Chuck Klosterman. Fun fact: we have the same birthday.

So that’s it for me. Now it’s your turn. Link up and show us your books! And don’t forget to visit my co-host Steph (say happy birthday month while you’re there, too) and some other bloggers. Mark your calendars for April 12 for the next one and there’s something else logistic I’m forgetting but I’m sure Steph knows.

The post Show Us Your Books, March 2022 appeared first on Jana Says.

It’s been quite an eventful month, with cheer season in full swing (and Disney on the horizon), work an absolute madhouse, and the fact that I now have another cat. The short story is that he appeared at my house in late October so of course I started feeding him. In early January, he was brought inside and became Basement Cat. Then I finally (after two weeks) was able to get him to the vet, moved him upstairs, and now he’s named Pete The Cat Davidson Alonso. He’s had a hell of a life and while I can’t heal his FIV, he will spend the rest of his life – however long that may be – indoors, taken care of, and stress-free (mostly).

With all of that, I managed to read 4 books and DNF one (The Sentence by Louise Erdrich. I had not a single fuck to give about anything that was happening). Two took forever, despite the fact that they were good. Sometimes I just read slower than other times. That’s OK. It’s not a race or a contest.

Firebreak by Nicole Kornher-Stace. A little dystopian sci-fi, not my normal type of book. I really, really liked it, though. It read kind of like if The Hunger Games and Ready Player One (just the first one. Not the shit show that was the sequel) had a book baby and it took place in a world where Facebook and Amazon own the world and are at war, but Elon Musk is the evil mastermind behind it all. Sounds like a hot mess but it works.

The Secret History of Home Economics by Danielle Dreilinger. OK, so this book sounds super boring but I assure you it’s not (assuming you enjoy nonfiction). It was actually quite fascinating and had me thinking about a lot. Learning a lot, too. Like that Melvin Dewey was kind of a misogynistic pig and that the modern L-shaped kitchen design was created by a woman who wanted to take FEWER steps. However, the writing is weird and kind of uneven; at times it’s true nonfiction and then at other times, she tries to have personality and make it lighter. If you can work through that, you might enjoy it.

Punching Bag by Rex Ogle. This book is highly triggering for child abuse and domestic violence, so be warned if you read it. It’s actually his memoir about being a child abuse victim (similar to Free Lunch, where he talks about growing up poor), and it’s such an important book since it’s written for younger readers . Most authors write this stuff for adults, but to write it for kids sends a huge message. Adults should read it, too.

We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker. Holy fuck, did I love this book. Everything about it was great, so much so that a) I got choked up at the end and I can count on one hand how many books have made me cry and b) I promptly bought every book he’s written that I couldn’t find in the library (it’s only two). Is this a perfect book? No. But will it likely be one of my favorites of the year? Yes.

Currently reading: Who is Maud Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews.

OK, now it’s time to show us your books! Bloggers, link up below and non-bloggers, leave a comment with what you’ve read recently. Don’t forget to visit my co-host Steph and some of the other bookworms joining us, and also don’t forget to mark March 8 for the next one (and Steph’s birthday month!).

The post Show Us Your Books, February 2022 appeared first on Jana Says.

At least it’s not killing my desire to read. In fact, not participating the Goodreads challenge has made me more inclined to read. It feels so liberating to just say no. Oh, and StoryGraph? That’s also a no from me right now. I didn’t find it user-friendly and the data is cool and all, but for a simple tracking system, I need less work. I’m lazy and I admit it.

I couldn’t actually remember what I read since the last time we met (not for the yearly favorites) but Goodreads and my Notes app let me know I’ve read a good number of 4-star books (yay!) which is nice. So let’s recap.

Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood by Danny Trejo and Donal Logue. Holy hell is Danny Trejo absolutely fascinating. HE WAS IN PRISON WITH CHARLES MANSON FFS. I loved reading about how he got sober and got famous and his own kids’ struggles with addiction and how he tried to help them and just his whole life. It’s a great memoir, but the name dropping got a bit much at times.

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead. Can this guy fucking write. OMG. Even though this wasn’t my favorite of his, I genuinely love Ray and I’m so excited there’s going to be another book about him. It’s all the things you expect and love in a Whitehead book, but just a little lighter around the edges.

Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult. Big ups to NetGalley for the ARC for this, even if I read it a month after the pub date. It’s a Covid book, so reader beware, but it’s not a preachy Covid book. Like, you know it’s there but it’s not the main point of the story. But the story can’t happen without it. If you read it, you’ll know what I mean. Anyway, it’s a great book. SO MUCH BETTER than her last book which was crap on a stick.

The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain. LOVED this book. I can’t remember what I interpreted it to be about when I requested it (thanks for the book, NetGalley), but it turned out to be nothing I expected. It was so very good and interesting and even though it went back and forth between past and present, it didn’t feel gimmicky the way some books do. And a character has the same name as one of my friends so OF COURSE I sent text updates about that character. This is what you get if we’re friends.

Currency, various authors. This one of those free Amazon short story/novella collections, written by lots of well-known authors. This particular collection has stories by Emma Cline, Cristina Henriquez, Tom Perotta, Kiley Reid, and some others, and they focus on things like race, wealth, class…fun stuff like that. It was a decent group of stories. Some I loved, most I just liked. But if you’re aiming to get your book count up in a quick way, this is a solid way to do it.

56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard. Probably my favorite book of the month. Another Covid book, but there’s crime. It’s quite a creative take on what could happen and the surrounding story is really different and well done. I don’t know what else to say without giving too much away. But you can read the summary.

You’ll Be the Death of Me by Karen McManus. I read this YA thriller in a day. Literally an afternoon. I think this is going to be her next series (following the whole One of Us is Lying pattern), but it’s good. She knows how to tell a mystery. However, if you are not a fan of YA, you might not like this one and should pick up other books instead. If you are, you’ll probably enjoy it.

Currently reading The Sentence by Louise Eridich. Hopefully I will finish it before it needs to be returned.

So that’s it for me. Now it’s your turn to link up and show us your books! Don’t forget to visit my co-host Steph and some other bloggers and mark your calendars for February 8 for our next one.

The post Show Us Your Books, January 2022 appeared first on Jana Says.

Ordinarily, I do a whole breakdown of stats for what I read this year, but all I could muster this time was fiction vs. nonfiction (69 vs. 16) and men vs. women authors (32 vs. 53). I know I read from a diverse population of authors, including a good amount of BIPOC, so that’s exciting. There were also three DNFs (Sophomores, The Promise, Dream Girl). The rest though? Doesn’t matter. Just like the fact that I will have finished 86 books by the end of this year doesn’t matter (I’m still working through one as I’m writing this, but will finish by the end of the year).

Of note: I decided I’m not participating in the Goodreads challenge next year. I think I’m going to still track my books using the app (paper and pen was my next choice but let’s face it, I’m forgetful and I’d lose track) but on a shelf I create rather than the challenge itself. I don’t think I like what that challenge has done.

People seem to feel more focused on hitting an arbitrary target or goal than focusing on the act of reading itself. Which, honestly, is the point. Reading to read. Not to have another metric by which to compare yourself to others. I’ve said it a dozen times – reading is not a competitive sport and I partly blame the Goodreads challenge for turning it into one. So I’m opting out.

I think there are a few other aspects of reading I’m a little disenchanted with, particularly around social media and I’m also considering muting or unfollowing a good amount of bookish IG and Twitter accounts. I miss when reading was just about the books. It’s so focused on pretty pictures and reviews and book hauls and it’s overwhelming at this point. I don’t mind some of the posts; I think I just follow too many accounts and it’s starting to make me unhappy. So it needs to go.

All of that said, here are my lists of yearly favorites. There were a lot of great books I read, but for one reason or another, these resonated with me more than others. Are they the best books I read? Maybe not. But they were my favorites.

OK. Now let’s see what your favorite books of the year were. Bloggers, link up below. Nonbloggers, leave a comment with a couple of your favorites. It’s also important that you visit my co-host Steph and some others joining us. And don’t forget that the Show Us Your Books fun will continue into 2022, with the first one on January 11.

The post Show Us Your Books, 2021 favorites edition appeared first on Jana Says.

I did manage to meet my Goodreads goal, which in actuality means nothing since it’s a completely arbitrary number I pick but still, good for me I guess. As for next year, I’m thinking I want to take a break from tracking on Goodreads but I’m not sure what else to do except with pen and paper. Maybe a list on my Notes app? That might work. Any other suggestions?

Anyway, while we’re all pondering how to break my dependency on Goodreads, let’s use it to remember what I read last month (I realize this is not making a good case to stop using it). I think there were seven books. Some were good, some were fine, none were awful, and one I paused because of a library avalanche I am still sorting through.

Godspeed by Nickolas Butler. Well. This book started off REALLY strong and then took a sharp turn into what the fuck am I reading. I didn’t so much hate where it went as I was utterly confused and while I rolled with it, it still wasn’t as good as I had hoped. He is a great writer, though, even if his stories are somewhat questionable.

The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth. Read most of this on a plane to and from Denver and that’s precisely the kind of book this is. Great travel companion. I’m still a little puzzled by the ending but I didn’t mind reading this murdery family drama. I think it might have been a NetGalley book but I’m starting to think that’s another habit I should just quit in 2022.

We Own This City: A True Story of Crime, Cops and Corruption in an American City by Justin Fenton. If you liked The Wire, read this book because it reads like a season of that show brought to life. Which is appropriate as they’re both set in Baltimore. I digress. It was actually a fascinating read but not shocking, especially if you’re familiar with the corrupt history of Baltimore and the fact that cops can be criminals. Parts of this story are set against what happened to Freddie Gray, so be aware of that if you choose to read it.

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. Read. This. Book. It is so touching and fantastic and sad and if you are part of a culture that places a lot (and I mean A LOT) of emphasis on food, you’ll appreciate this tribute to her mom and her Korean heritage even more.

The First 21 – How I Became Nikki Sixx by Nikki Sixx. This was my third nonfiction in a row, but so worth it. Even if you don’t like Motley Crue or Sixx A.M.’s music, you have to be intrigued by Nikki Sixx (and the title is pretty self-explanatory). And if you are, read this one as well as The Heroin Diaries, which remains to this day one of the best memoirs I’ve ever read.

Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena. Put this in the same camp as The Younger Wife, except I didn’t read it on a plane. A simply written, straightforward, family murder drama. It was a nice change from the nonfiction, a quick read, and good for a vacation or a nice long at-home break like the two-week one I have coming up.

The First Husband by Laura Dave. Meh. It was fine. Fluffy rom-com type book, good for a cold weekend, but without a lot of com and a lot more of drama. It reminded me of some of TJR’s earlier books and like TJR, Dave’s books seem to get better the more she writes because The Last Thing He Told Me, which I read earlier this year, was excellent. Still haven’t read Eight Hundred Grapes yet. I think it’s been on my TBR for about five years so I should probably get on that.

Currently reading: The Promise by Damon Galgut and Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood by Danny Trejo.

And now, it’s time to link up and show us your books! Don’t forget to visit my co-host Steph and some other bloggers (I commit to doing this this month) and also mark your calendars twice. Once for December 29 for our yearly favorites bonus linkup and once for January 11, the first of our 2022 linkups.

The post Show Us Your Books, December 2021 appeared first on Jana Says.

Today, however, is special because it’s Lizzy’s gotcha day. Four years have gone by since my favorite girl was rescued from a puppy mill (the day before her 5th birthday!) and came into my life. She is genuinely the sweetest dog I’ve ever known, and I could (and probably should) write a whole tribute to her but for now, just enjoy a picture of her face:

And now, books.

I think I read six books. That’s what Goodreads tells me anyway. They were good – not great – books (except for one), but nothing I wouldn’t not recommend. Wouldn’t put them high on the list, either.

Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke. This is a weird workplace book that takes place entirely in Slack conversations. If you have not used Slack, you might be less entertained but if you have, you’ll get it. It’s actually pretty funny and the ending was definitely a surprise. What I liked most was how different the story was told, and there were some unique elements to it (like Slackbot taking over a person’s body), but in the end it’s another workplace book.

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris. Speaking of workplace books, this is another one (not sure what was up with that theme this month). I liked this one a lot, particularly the mystery-ish elements to it, but some parts went on for way too long and I got a little glossy-eyed reading it. It does make some excellent points on race, workplace diversity, and performative allyship, and she is a good writer. Jus be prepared for a little bit of a slog at times if you pick this one up.

Off Season by Jennifer Weiner. Yet another work-related plot. This was a short story, part of that whole Cape Cod summer series she’s been writing, and it was more thrillery than what she usually does. I liked it, and it was a very enjoyable short story. Kind of wished it was a little longer but not too much longer because parts were really fucked up and I’m not sure how much more I could take. And that’s coming from me. I have a high threshold for fucked up.

The Killing Hills by Chris Offutt. So I gave this 3.5 stars but now that I’m sitting here trying to review it, I can’t remember a damn thing about this book. I guess I liked it but I couldn’t tell you why. ETA: I read the plot summary and it sort of made a lightbulb go off. It was kind of a run-of-the-mill thriller and I suppose it made sense to set it in Appalachia but it probably could have worked well in almost any setting. It makes a good vacation read.

Downeast: Five Maine Girls and the Unseen Story of Rural America by Gigi Georges. I loved the premise of this book, but the execution was for shit. I don’t know how to write about it without sounding like a huge asshole myself, but it felt voyueristic rather than anything else. She almost seemed to romanticize or glamorize the poverty and hardships that these girls experienced, mostly so she could showcase how idyllic where they live is. I’m not explaining it well, but something about the book just didn’t sit right with me. That said, I did find myself invested in what happened to the girls so there’s that.

As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson. The final book in the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder trilogy and it delivered. Such a great ending to the series. Even if you don’t love YA, I highly recommend this book (and the previous two) because they could have worked just as well as adult thrillers.

Currently reading Godspeed by Nickolas Butler.

Now it’s your turn to link up and show us your books! Bloggers, drop a link below and nonbloggers (or anyone who didn’t write a post), share in the comments what you’re reading. Don’t forget to visit Steph and some other bloggers for even more recommendations, and mark down December 14 for the next one and December 30 (a Thursday!) for our yearly favorites linkup.

The post Show Us Your Books, November 2021 appeared first on Jana Says.

It was not my fastest reading month. I’m OK with that, though. They happen. Life happens. Books take forever to read, even if you don’t want them to. Which was the case this month. I only finished five, which is low for me but it’s fine. One I actually didn’t count towards my Goodreads because I skimmed more than read and it felt like cheating. But also fine.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. I love Andy Weir’s books. Mark Watney is one of my favorite characters ever, even before Matt Damon brought him to life. And I am waiting on the movie for Artemis (like, it better happen). And although I liked this one, it was not my favorite of his. It was too science-heavy for me and the not-cursing cursing got on my fucking nerves. But Rocky is adorable (or I picture him to be adorable) and the relationship between him and Ryland is fantastic. It’s a typical Andy Weir book but it fell differently for me than his others. Oh, yeah. I got it from Netgalley but read it like 6 months after it was published.

The Seven Day Switch by Kelly Harms. I found this book very triggering as far as the Mommy Wars go (I am adamantly opposed to that shit) and I really struggled my way through it. Not to mention the fact that Celeste is fucking asshole and I wanted to strangle her the whole time. Wendy wasn’t great, either, but Celeste made me angrier than I have time for. I actually found the book hard to read at times because I got so annoyed and enraged. That said, it’s probably a cute, fluffy book for someone who isn’t me.

Get Good With Money by Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche. This is the one I didn’t count because I skimmed. This book is absolutely excellent if you’re trying to figure out how to handle the whole money thing. She breaks it down into simple steps that aren’t rude, condescending, or mean and are intended to actually help people become, as she calls it, “financially whole”. However, if you have a better understanding of money, you might not want to read this as it’s pretty basic. Although a refresher is never bad for anyone.

Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy. Holy fuck. Some books don’t need to be 400 pages to punch you in the heart and this is one of them. I don’t really know how to describe what this book will do to you when you read it, but I cried when I finished. I think that says enough. However, if you are triggered by domestic violence, you might want to think twice about this one (and also Maid on Netflix. You should read that book, though).

Broke in America by Joanne Samuel Goldblum and Colleen Shaddux. This is a solid overview of the systemic and root causes of poverty in this country, as well as how various aspects of poverty (defined as a lack of ability to afford basic necessities like food, water, housing, transportation, health care, hygiene, and power/utilities ) affect different people and communities. What sets this book apart is that the authors also highlight programs that are working to combat poverty and actions steps anyone can take to help fight against it as well. Hint: it starts by fixing the systems, not the people.

Currently reading: As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson.

OK now, as promised, here’s the raffle. And below that is your chance to link up and show us your books! Don’t forget to visit some other bloggers and mark November 9 for our next get-together.

The post Show Us Your Books, 7th anniversary edition appeared first on Jana Says.

Moving on.

Last month, I read a bunch of books. I think it’s around 9. Quit on one, Dream Girl by Laura Lippman. It was decidedly not a dream. More of a nightmare and I quickly put it in the trash pile next to Ron DeSantis’s humanity.

The Unseen World by Liz Moore. I learned about this one on Twitter, and it’s from the same author as Long Bright River. I liked that book more, but this one is quite good. About an orphaned girl trying to piece together her father’s life, it’s heartwrenching and lovely and well written but also a little tedious at times.

Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau. This book was good but not necessarily GOOD. It was fun, enjoyable, a little weird, and even with the occasional anti-Semitism, it’s a solid pass the time on a weekend read.

Every Vow You Break by Peter Swanson. I found this book to be a good thriller but also a serious wreck. It was kind of a mess at times but super solid at others. I loved Eight Perfect Murders and I recommend that one instead. I’m not quite ready to give up on Swanson but if this is the first one his you plan to read, prepare for disappointment.

What’s Mine and Yours by Naima Coster. Another good but not great book. I liked the story a lot, it dealt with some pretty relevant themes, and the writing was good. It started off really strong, tapered off, and then came back around. There was a twist that wasn’t really a twist, and it keeps you engaged, but it’s not that big of a shock. It’s kind of easy to figure out, really, although it does keep you hooked.

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. Deserving of all the good reviews. I read this right after the Swanson book and THIS is how you do a domestic-type thriller. Fast read, super solid plot and I finished it in about a day.

False Witness by Karin Slaughter. Meh. Yet another 3.5-star read. It started out awful. Just awful, and that doesn’t even include the unnecessary shitting on cheerleaders. But it picked up and got way better. Especially the end. I liked when it ended. And how it ended. However, if you read it, note that she really loves to drive home the fact that this takes place during COVID (it’s super tedious to read) and like many stand-along Slaughter books, it deals with a host of triggering topics (sexual abuse, drug use, rape).

Write My Name Across the Sky by Barbara O’Neal. Not quite as great as When We Believed in Mermaids, but probably the best one I read this month. It centered on family, loss, love, friendship – all the things. She put it together around a creative and engagingly written plot and I definitely need to read more of her books at some point.

Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson. This book is HARD to read. I mean, she’s a great writer, but it’s not an easy read at all. Imagine if season 4 of The Wire were a book. It’s that difficult. The timelines get a little muddy and hard to follow at times, though, but it’s worth figuring it out because this book will punch you right in the stomach.

Dead of Winter by Stephen Mack Jones. This is the third book in a series and according to Goodreads, I read the first one and gave it four stars but I have no recollection of reading it at all. This one works as a standalone so you don’t have to have read the first one for this book to work. Which it sort of does. Sometimes. It’s fine. Not great, not bad. Mediocre. Not must-see TV.

Currently reading Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.

Now it’s your turn. Link up and show us your books! Don’t forget to visit my co-host Steph and some other bloggers, and don’t forget to join us on October 12 for the SEVENTH anniversary of Show Us Your Books. I’m not quite sure how we’ve been doing this for seven years. Crazy.

The post Show Us Your Books, September 2021 appeared first on Jana Says.