We're well into summer now. So I'm trying to enjoy some additional time off, some hot weather, while still spending a fair amount of time hiding indoors because the sun makes me burst into flames. I am making an effort to get out and the little monster has a new hobby, mini golf (thanks, Holey Moley) so I am managing to get out of the house. We've even made it to the beach (where I hide under lots of sunscreen, hats and umbrellas, envying the guys in my life that tan).
But for now, let's focus on the reading, shall we?
Total books read
4
Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer
Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up by Alexandra Potter
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
The New Girl by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer
The book is a mix of true crime, the murder of Brenda Lafferty and her infant daughter Erica, as well as the often violent history of the LDS church, particularly focused on the fundamentalist sects. It's an upsetting story (violent murder, and all) and the history provides interesting context certainly not to excuse any of the horrendous acts but to explain how they could come to pass.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up by Alexandra Potter
Nell is in her forties but life isn't quite was she thought it would be. She figured she'd be married, maybe on her way to having a kid, living her best life out in California. Instead, her engagement has fallen apart and she's moved back to London, living with a roommate and looking for a job. She finds one writing obituaries and meets the 80-years-young Cricket and embarks on some new adventures. She also has a pretty good support system between her family and friends (even if she feels like her friends are where they're "supposed to be"). Sometime the story is funny, sometimes I rolled my eyes, it's a bit predictable at times but still fun
Rating: 3.25 stars
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
I did not expect to read this book. I've been on the waitlist at the library for months and anytime I checked the status I got a message that was basically "Don't hold your breath". So I was shocked, shocked I say, when suddenly the book said it was available. The book is a memoir of Michelle Zauner's relationship with her mother, who died of cancer when Michelle was 25 as well as her Korean identity. The story is touching, painting a complicated relationship between Michelle and her mother, the good and bad, ups and downs, pushes and pulls. There is lots of talk of food as well, the role food and memories play together.
Rating: 4 stars
The New Girl by Jesse Q. Sutanto
I have audiobooks I bought during a sale that are just sitting there waiting for me to listen to. Instead I was scrolling through my library apps to see what was available when this book by Sutanto (of Dial A for Aunties) showed up. I figured I like a mystery and I liked Sutanto's other book so hey, why not? Fish out of water, Lia Setiawan earns a track scholarship to an exclusive boarding school filled with richy-rich kids. Her first day she sees a student being dragged out, though few of the students or teachers seem to be fazed by this and Lia wonders what is going on with this school. Then there is the schoolwide social media app that seems made only for bullying and Lia gets on the wrong side of a few important people, student and teacher alike. Corruption, blackmail, drugs and murder. Can Lia make it out?
Rating: 3.75 stars
Number of pages read
1,536
Fiction
50%
Female authors
75%
BIPOC authors
50%
US authors
50%
Book format
audiobook - 100%
Where'd I get the book?
library - 100%
Decade published
2000s - 25%
2020s - 75%
Resolution reads
75%
Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up is by a UK author
Crying in H Mart is by a BIPOC author
The New Girl is by a BIPOC, non-US author
