9.10.2021

August Book Reviews



The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green

I forgot how much I enjoy Green‘s voice, and this book was like a balm during a trying summer. I think it’s the first book I’ve read that was written during Covid and acknowledges our current reality, which helped give me perspective. I found his essays fascinating, funny, heartbreaking and hopeful. You would think that an essay on “researching strangers on the Internet” would be totally tongue-in-cheek, but it brought me to tears. All around really powerful and wonderful stuff - excellent on audio.


Grown Ups by Marian Keyes


A lovely family saga with all of the Irish colloquialisms (Grand! Right, so!), of which I am a sucker for. The characters are all deeply flawed, but not unlikeable, and the narrative took turns in some unexpected directions. I would say it was a tad too long (didn't need to be over 500 pages) and MAJOR trigger warning for disordered eating. But if you are looking for a lovable and dysfunctional family drama (with a side of European vacation) to immerse yourself in, it’s a good choice. 


People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry


Last book of the summer reading season for me, and it was a JOURNEY reading People We Meet on Vacation!
I used my Book of the Month birthday credit grab this buzzy book, and I have to admit, it stated off on the wrong foot for me. I kept thinking what kind of college age humans that are clearly attracted to each other stay “just friends“ for so long, and is this ripping off when Harry Met Sally!? Alas, the author was intentionally honoring the great Norah Ephron, and being “just friends” that meet during a drive home from college are where the similarities end.
Soon I became drawn into their inside jokes which felt so authentic, Henry has my kind of sense of humor. And I also felt that she treated the high school trauma that Poppy carries with such care and authenticity.
Usually I get frustrated with romance novels where the basis of tension is miscommunication or no communication at all. Yet when the threads of the story come together between Alex and Poppy, it actually makes perfect sense and I adored the ending. Deserving of the hype! Recommend!


The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson


I was in the mood for some fast paced and engrossing sci-fi, and I am glad I picked up this novel that published last summer. The story grabbed me right away, I was hooked on this authors concept of a multi-verse and excellent world building. Though when the plot went in the weeds with political/palace intrigue, my interest started wane. Overall, though, the ending was satisfying, and the themes were thought provoking.


Nobody Will Tell You This But Me by Bess Kalb


This memoir as ode to the author’s grandmother was so wonderful and moving. Everyone should be so lucky to have a grandmother like Bobby. I kept thinking I hope I get to have children to spoil and be a part of their lives the way Bobby was for Bess. Not that their relationship was perfect, and Kalb writes with such sincerity the realities of maternal relationships. I also quite enjoyed the way she outlined her family history, which could be the same story of so many immigrants that came to New York, told in such a loving, funny and bittersweet way. This was such a fabulous book - excellent on audio.



Only When it’s Us by Chloe Liese


Liese’s Bergman brothers romance novels are favorite series on Bookstagram, so I decided to dive in and see what all the fuss was about! The character development in the book is excellent, but the constant non-communication gets a little old for me as a romance trope. Although there are very specific reasons in the beginning of this book, then more emotional reasons why the characters hold their cards close to the vest as the book goes on - understandable, but still got a bit stale and repetitive. The non-romantic relationships (Willa and her mother/Ryder and his family) kept me engaged while the romantic leads kept repeating mistakes. When the HEA finally arrives, it gave me all the warm and fuzzies. I also thought that grief, disability, and mental health were written with such care.