When Books Surprise, When Books Disappoint, When Books Drag

Can this title be longer?

Seriously though, Of my last bout of books I had a few surprises and a few dead ends. 

I used to do individual book reviews here on this blog, but I won't do that anymore. It will be easier for me to lump them in like a weekly reads video.

When Books Are a Slog

This book was fine enough. I did have a good time reading about the characters' lives, and I like the addition of family dynamics in any romance, but it didn't feel like a small town.

I am grossly upset when ANY heroine is SO unsure of herself and lacks confidence SO much that is 80% of her internal dialogue ("How could he EVER like me? I'm broken..., etc.")

It got old real quick for me. She was beautiful. Stunning. Smart and a great mother. It is (of course) understandable that after her divorce she would be a bit conscious of her steps when it came to love, but this was a bit lusty, he "wiped the tears from her eyes", kind of romance. She must have cried every time he said or did any nice this. I HATE my heroine being this weak. I hate it. 

All of that said, I still recommend it. Support BIPOC romance authors.

My gosh I wanted to like this so much.

It took me 10 days to read 30 pages. Um... it was time to reassess. If you've been here for any length of time, you know that I don't care about flying through books. I actually loathe that style of reading for myself.

I do not enjoy novels that don't know what they are. Like Clarice Lispector, you feel that something is brewing underneath the surface, but I couldn't access it at all.

It felt like a stretch and reach to add a depth that maybe wasn't there by using confusing, circular narrative style for the sake of being "experimental".

I wasted my money and all of my time. 

When Books Surprise

Cold as Snow by Jessica Enough

This book was fantastic. I can easily sum it up by saying it was a deep exploration of the mental inner workings of a daughter trying to figure her way out in the world with a mother that she can't quite understand, and she doesn't even understand why it's so important for her to come to an understanding.

Profoundly character driven, this novel explores the emotional landscape of our protagonist through an up close lens. As we go through the day with her and her mother, we can see just how their connection and relationship has shifted our protagonist's view of the world.

I loved this novel.

I'm so surprised by how much I enjoyed this 420 page novel. 

I can't remember how it came on my radar, but I'm so glad that it did. 

I'm not a big "twists and turns" kind of plot-driven reader, but there is something to be said for spending lots of hours with a page turning novel.

This novel explores the Incel movement through the eyes of several members, and our lead detective. 

There are several trigger/content warnings for SA, kidnapping, murder, child abuse, gunfire, prison, etc.

This is NOT something I'd normally read, or finish and it is a testament of Pascal Engman's storytelling and writing ability that I gave it 5 stars.

I have a few books going now and will report on them soon, as well as, make an entire blogpost to capture the copious amount of DNFs that I've had lately!

Happy reading. 

My Love of Moll Flanders Died At 62% + My Current Literary Plate

I added Moll Flanders to my stack of reads the other day and gave it an honest and strong effort. 

I know that sometimes 18th century literature can be meandering and repetitive, but I'm a sucker for stories about a young woman in desperate circumstances.

Well... this is no Tess of the D'Urbervilles. 

I felt bogged down. Claustrophobic. Sad. Overwhelmed.

The truth is that on a better day this would be the symbol of a great story and lovely writing, but this period in my life, Moll's constant misfortune (yet somehow simultaneously landing on good luck), lack of consequences (as it relates to the children), and repeated marriages (and vows of TRUE love with THIS one), was too much for me to bear.

I felt that I was closed in a small space with a tiny dusty window that refused to open. 

I did NOT like the experience of it. 

It's made me think twice about my plan to read Samuel Richardson's Clarissa. I will definitely still read it, but it will have to be next year's "behind the scenes slow deep read".

A trusted book friend said to read Clarissa quickly is the best way to experience it. While I take trusted bookish friends' advice, I read at my own pace and according to my own inclinations.

So... as with life, I will put Moll Flanders aside and move onto the next novel that I want to accompany me alongside my reading of In Search of Lost Time.

On my literary plate:

I should perhaps write about my ideas of a literary plate. A dining experience that I can take bites out of. It doesn't seem that clever now that I'm reading Dracula... the concept of "bites out of"... hmm

Reminders:

1. Read what calls to you
2. Read it in whatever manner you choose
3. Savor or devour the text according to your own inclinations
4. Accept suggestions, but use YOUR own judgement about works

Happy reading my slow living friends.