Wow, I have some books to discuss to prepare us all for summer reading. I’ve been listening to and reading books nonstop (bc I don’t want to hear my own thoughts lol) and boy do I have some opinions.
It’s funny because I just went back to my college for the first time in 10 years and was reminded of my time as an English student. It was a fun major to have because all the classes took place in this victorian house and there as a group of 15 or so students that everyone referred to as the English Mafia because they hijacked every class by incessantly raising their hands and having inside jokes with the professors (“Dan! I mean Professor Mrozowski! Remember that thing we talked about outside of class that was a hilarious literary reference?”). The reason this is all funny as I said in the first sentence is because I never actually did the reading for my classes. I would read a few pages and then have to go to sleep because I was so tired from swimming. Now I’m reading two-three books a week!! I wonder what the English Mafia would think of me now. I wonder what they are up to… hope they’re doing well working at a book store in Portland or something!
A common thread between the books I’ve been reading is the insufferability (new word alert). We need to talk about how annoying female protags have become. Why is it always girlies whose fatal flaw is that they aren’t good bakers, text back slowly, or, in one egregious case, use the Peloton a lot? I want some more normies, more relatables, more likable protagonists! It’s not too hard to ask. Just write someone you would like to spend time with. I wouldn’t spend 10 mins with the dweebs I’ve been reading about lately.
Anyway, here are some recent books to stream or skip.
The Guest by Emma Cline- Don’t read this for the plot because there isn’t much of a satisfying conclusion. DO read this for the writing. Similar to Sally Rooney (who wrote my favorite line “women were wearing long necklaces” to describe a party), Emma Cline just describes things so simply and so well. She writes about “girls in drag as girls” trying to fit in with the Hamptons WASPY elite. 4/5
On a Quiet Street by Seraphina Nova - Takes place in Oregon! Which I love because I think the PNW is the perfect place for a mystery to take place. It follows three women who live in a wealthy cul-de-sac. Two of them are funny, brazen, and unhinged and one of them is hiding a big secret. 3/5 because I had to look up what this book was about and I read it two weeks ago.
Identity by Nora Roberts- This poor protagonist girl has been through a lot but it’s hard to feel sympathy because she’s as lame as can be. She’s the most 63-year-old 25-year-old I’ve ever encountered. She moves to a small town to escape a serial killer, falls in love with a wealthy hotel heir, and her only insecurity is that she can’t really bake that well (insert tongue sticky outy emoji). I could have lived in the world the author created (beautiful small Vermont town with fun quirky people) had it not been for this main chare! 2/5
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah Maas- When I saw the cover for this book I thought “a book about dragons or something? Pass.” Turns out, it’s more of a steamy Outlander meets Harry Potter situation but with fairies. AND the protagonist isn’t that annoying!! What a treasure trove. They should have advertised the book differently and put hot fairy picture on the front because allll the Colleen Hoover gals would be all over this. The main issue is that I don’t really care about the details of the fairy world… probably why I don’t really get into fantasy. Regardless, I’m hooked! 4.5/5
No One Needs to Know by Lindsay Cameron- JUICY beach read!! I’ve been wondering when we’ll start getting content about the NextDoor app gone awry. This one is about the Upper East Side and an app called UrbanMyth where people can anonymously post and it gets leaked!! Chaos ensues and the ring leader’s name is Poppy! 4/5
On Our Best Behavior by Elise Loehnen - “A groundbreaking exploration of the ancient rules women unwittingly follow in order to be considered "good," revealing how the Seven Deadly Sins still control and distort their lives and illuminating a path toward a more balanced, spiritually complete way to live.” Now, we know I don’t like earnesty, but I have learned a lot from this book. I think it’s important to read, especially if you’re going through a life reset. Also, Elise is from Montana, tall, and look like my mom, so she’s a very trustable source in my opinion. 5/5
The Last Party by Clare Mackintosh- A clever mystery about a New Years Party gone awry on a lake that is half in Wales half in London. I am 3/4 of the way through it and have no idea how it will end! There’s a love story and fun local references. I’m not done but I’m guessing it will be 4/5.
Also in progress: The Maid’s Diary and Pageboy.
Other things I’m consuming (not TV because I have a supersized TV edition coming up this week):
Scamanda Podcast- I’m so glad there are more episodes- I’ve gotta find out what happens to cancer scamming Amanda.
Celebrity Book Club with Chelsea Devantez Podcast, specifically the glamorous trash talk episodes.
To Be Magnetic Podcast - I am learning how to be magnetic
Brian Jordan Alvarez’s characters, specifically Student. I watch daily and cry laughing every time.
Ok bye ttyl!!!!