I don’t know how it happened, but I was really off my audio book game this month. I think I am at a rough patch in my Libby holds, and also I HATE spending money on Audible books beyond my membership credit BUT KU audiobooks are sometimes unsatisfying. ANYWAY, onto the TL; DR:
The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain: This was a random Libby skip-the-line, and it was the perfect things to listen to in the background while doing housework, etc. It claims to the the first in a series, but it’s from 2014 and there haven’t been any more books about these characters, so… **Audio
To Die For by Lisa Gray: A Kindle Unlimited pick. Not my fave. **2023 **Kindle
Woke Up Like This by Amy Lea: I am trying to make My Kindle Unlimited worth it by listening to audiobooks through it as well. This was pretty adorable, and Dorothy liked it , too (we listened to some of it on the way to and from her dance convention). **2023 **Audio
Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid: A good, solid backlists title. **Kindle
The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner: Terrific! fast! Made excellent points about fat phobia. **2023
Hello, Stranger by Katherine Center: This was darling. I really like her books. **2023
The Comeback by Lily Chu: Loved this! Breezy and so fun but also predictable. **2023 **Audio
The Fraud by Zadie Smith: I liked this, but also, it made me think too much (like, in a following the book kind of way, not in a deep thoughts kind of way). **2023
Congratulations, the Best Is Over by R. Eric Thomas: This is a delightful collection of essays. Loved it. **2023
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood: She writes the most adorable academic romances, and this one did not disappoint. **2023 **Audio
Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen: I loved this thriller and flew through it. A very creepy and engaging story with plenty of surprises. **2023
Everyone Here Is Lying by Shari Lapena: I have a really soft sport for scary books about unhinged kids, what can I say? **2023
Holly by Stephen King: A new Stephen King? WHAT A DELIGHT. **2023
Happiness Falls by Angie Kim: THIS WAS TERRIFIC. Sad, yes, and sometimes hard to read, but so suspenseful and even funny. I loved it. **2023
This Month:
This Year:
97 books published in 2023
98 print, 12 Kindle, and 71 audio
A new Stephen King book! I have not read anything by him in a while, but definitely devoured his stuff back in the 90s! My most recent read by him was probably 11/22/63 or On Writing, which were both great, but were not his "normal" genre. Is this new one a horror or something different?
ReplyDeleteOooooh, you should read all of the Bill Hodges trilogy first and then Holly. They are horror but a bit of a departure for him— detective books and then also his own style, too.
DeletePutting them on my list now! How did I not know about those?
DeleteYou liked The Fraud!! And yes, it required me to be ON when I was reading it. I started Woke Up Like This, but DNF. Adding Happiness Falls to my TBR. (It sounds so much like that Richard Russo title.)
ReplyDeleteIt was great! When you said that thing about Fraud on multiple registers, I KNEW I would like it because I adore that kind of clever title/theme. But yes— I had to PAY ATTENTION with my thinking brain, and that’s not always why I am reading a book, you know?
Delete"I don’t know how it happened" - UM YOU STILL LISTENED TO and READ WAY MORE BOOKS THAN MOST HUMANS. Oh, and you have a big career and five kids. I have not listened to four audiobooks in my entire life, so you're winning <3
ReplyDeleteI have been on an audio ROLL for most of the year, and in October, I was just not into them— no idea why
DeleteI had Happiness Falls from the library, but ran out of time to read it before I had to take it back. I'll add it back to the TBR!
ReplyDeleteDid you read her other book, Miracle Creek? It’s great too
DeleteLike you, I am loathe to buy actual books on Audible.
ReplyDeleteOf these, the only one I read was Hello, Stranger and I really enjoyed it. Super cute and fun, despite the fact that there were WAY TOO MANY coincidences. And also I knew immediately what the big twist would be. Still cute nonetheless. I don't mind suspending disbelief when the characters are charming and the story is nicely told.
YES— that’s how I feel about most of her books. I am willing to play along with the obvious conceit because it’s so fun
DeleteI adore Holly Gibney, so this was a no-brainer pre-order for me - very enjoyable. I hated the only Shari Lapena book I've read - you liked this one?
ReplyDeleteI love Zadie Smith but haven't read her last couple of books.
I have not liked other books by Shari Lapena either but I really love the murderous kid character in every book
DeleteWait a minute. How did you have time to read FOURTEEN books this month? You have five kids! And a job! I can barely get through four books a month (that's usually my goal.). I mean I know some were audio, but eight were print. Well, I'm impressed. I haven't read any of these- some of them sound really good.
ReplyDeleteI read fast and often
DeleteHad to jot down a few of those listed here. Haven't read any.
ReplyDeleteBut I am really wondering – how do you do it all. When is there time to read and listen to so many books.
I try to have 3 books going at once— a Kindle, a regular book, and something on audio, and I interact with them all every day
DeleteI am the same … I usually have at least three books going and read in every one daily but still your count is next level for me and I do not have kids.
DeleteI didn't know Jennifer Weiner had a new book out, that's great! I'm currently listening to a REALLY LONG book, and then I will probably have some books ready for me on Libby that I've been waiting for, but I just bought this one on Audible since I have a few credits, it will be waiting for me when I'm ready. :) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt was a great read!
DeleteThis is Lisa. I liked Happiness Falls but not as much as you did, I think. I felt like the happiness quotient aspect could have been cut and not impacted the book. But it was still great and the author note at the end was amazing!!
ReplyDeleteI agree— I did not need to read all of the HQ deets
DeleteI am so glad to have your blog address! Can’t wait to read :) I read at least an hour a day, but in short spurts.
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed. When do you find time for so many books per month?
ReplyDeleteI read often and in short spurts
DeleteYour reading is blowing my mind. Wow. I'm grateful that libraries have such flexible return policies now. I'm the opposite. It takes me forever to read a book. During the school year I mostly read when I'm going to bed and by then I'm sleepy. I miss poolside reading of the summer. Hello Stranger sounds good.
ReplyDeleteHello Stranger was darling-- definitely recommend.
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