Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody: This was SO HELPFUL! But books like this are never really enjoyable IMO.
Silver Girl by Elin Hilderbrand: LOVE IT, of course. Probably not her best book, but still wildly entertaining to listen to while walking the dog and cleaning the house. **Audio
Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson: Fun to read but pretty forgettable.
The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak: I liked this because I like this guy. Again, though, probably not his best (that would be The Impossible Fortress) **Audio
Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult: Got this from a LFL and loooooooooved it.
A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay: This book was cute, and I liked the characters, but the plot was Very Simple, and the book was about 100 pages too long. **2025
A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall: I liked this a ton-- twisty and entertaining. **Audio **2025
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman: LOVED THIS! It is a charming, funny, delight of a book. **Audio
The President Is Missing by Bill Clinton and James Patterson: This was a random skip-the-line on Libby, and IT IS SO GOOD everyone should read it and imagine we live in John Duncan's America. There's a super preachy section at the end undoubtedly written by Clinton that was panned by reviewers in 2018 but that I really liked listening to in 2025. **Audio
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros: Listen, these books are very poorly written and also AMAZING. Don't judge. **Audio **2025
The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz: OH MY GOD SO GOOD. I did question my mental status though, because I apparently forgot that this book was a literal sequel and thought that I was like a master of inference because I intuited the whole back story. Only, I didn't. I READ IT IN THE PREVIOUS BOOK.
BTM 11:
Book books: 5
Kindle books: 0
Audio books: 6
BTY 28:
Book Books: 13
Kindle books: 2
Audio books: 12
2025 books: 4
Save the Cat has been so helpful to me in terms of framing my narrative! That's the only book on this list that I have read.
ReplyDeleteHaha had the exact same experience with The Sequel. “Am I a literary genius? Oh, wait…”
ReplyDeleteI haven’t read anything on this list but plan to read The Sequel!! I loved The Plot! I need to check out these first book since both you and Nicole liked it!!
ReplyDeleteThoughts on Jodi Picoult - I have only read one book of hers, 'My Sister's Keeper', and I was LOVING it, thinking, "I should give this as a gift" kind of loving it, and then THAT ENDING PISSED ME OFF SO MUCH THAT I HATE HER AND HAVE NOT DARED TO TRY ANYTHING ELSE. Sorry for yelling in your comments, but I feel strongly. So, have you read 'My Sister's Keeper' and if so, do you agree with me? Asking because I want to make sure that OTHER books by her do not pull such manipulative bullshit in the end.
ReplyDelete(Is there a tactful way for you to answer this if you have read MSK and LOVED the ending? Probably not. Just say, Different strokes, J, different strokes.)
If you're wondering what other books make me ragey, I will tell you that 'A Little Life' and 'Hillbilly Elegy' both make me resent the written word.
I threw My Sisters Keeper across the room when I finished it. Ragey indeed.
DeleteI hated that book so much. I haven't been able to read something else she wrote since then.
DeleteMe four! I was SO MAD at the end of that book and I haven't read another Picoult book since. Maybe I should let go of my grudge.
DeleteYou guys! wow! I put this one on hold just now!
DeleteLOL Sarah, 4 people tell you how much this book SUCKS, and you're all, "Well, now I have to know WHY!!!" We expect a full report back.
Deletethat made me LOL for real
DeleteI'm chuckling so hard at you inferring the backstory to "The Sequel". I checked out that We Solve Mysteries book, but might not get to it anytime soon. Maybe in the summer when I have more time. Of maybe I'll find it on small paperback. I need a lightweight - not HEFTY book to travel with when we fly to Italy the end of the month. Open to suggestions. ;)
ReplyDeletekindle!!
DeleteYou did say you liked researching and getting books first, and I am INCENSED that you read a Kate Alice Marshall book that I hadn't even HEARD of, and also impressed.
ReplyDeleteLoved We Solve Murders also
Was wavering on reading The Sequel but FINE I WILL, and also didn't really like the one Rekulak book I read, but will check out the one you recommended.
LOL-- it 's a game to find these books and use credits or the library to get them. I am hooked.
DeleteI haven't read any of these, but I did read The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz and liked it! Did you read that one before reading The Sequel and if so, how did it compare?
ReplyDeleteI read it but YEARS ago-- it's a literal sequel and excellent
DeleteI was so uncomfortable with the graphic sex in Fourth Wing. I wanted to be on board because I love books about dragons, but I am the opposite of on board. I am too prudish for those books, obviously.
ReplyDeleteAT LEAST IT WAS NOT DRAGON SEX
DeleteI literally would have preferred dragon sex!
DeleteI feel like I’m alone in this but I just could not even with The President is Missing. Not super into JP to begin with and this whole book just felt to me a good example of not everyone needs to write a book and ‘being a former president’ is not a good qualification to collaborate on a novel
ReplyDeletethis is my first patterson experience
DeleteRE Save the Cat!: "This was SO HELPFUL! But books like this are never really enjoyable IMO." LOL forever. I agree so much. I found (and continue to find) this book to be super helpful, and yet it stresses me the eff out. It makes writing a novel sound so simple and formulaic! And it is NOT.
ReplyDeleteEXACTLY!
Delete