What I’ve Been Reading: A Catch Up
Normally I put reviews of what I’ve been reading at the end of my Week in Review posts but that has just gotten away from me during #coronavirusdays. So I figured I’d do a separate little catch-up post.
I’m not getting to read as much I’d hoped…and I’m not listening to any audiobooks since I no longer have a daily commute, so “reading” is way down. But I have gotten through these four since I last wrote a review.
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris
I had no frame of reference for this book. Everyone was always saying YOU HAVE TO READ DAVID SEDARIS, HE’S HYSTERICAL. And I tried, years ago, with Me Talk Pretty One Day…and I just could not do it. And I swore off him for life. Til someone whose book recommendations I respect said that she really liked his book Corduroy. I tried to get it from Paperbackswap but the deal fell through…and I ended up with Dress Your Family…which doesn’t have the greatest reviews, but I found it readable, at least – better than MTPOD. And he was clever and witty. “Hysterical” is not the term I would use, but definitely clever and witty and entertaining enough. It’s a memoir, I guess? Sort of unrelated stories from throughout his lifetime (which is a vague definition of a memoir, I suppose), but I am not generally a fan of books of several/many unrelated stories. I know I have more of those on my book pile, maybe someday one will win me over. But this was not that one. It was fine, I was not blown away. I will still read Corduroy when I can get it. But that might be his last chance with me. 3.5/5
The Mare: A Novel by Mary Gaitskill
This was…interesting and unusual and not at all what I’d expected. And I don’t know that I’d say I LOVED it, but I had to keep reading it. It had such disparate elements to it: it was disturbing but hopeful, surprising, real and unreal. A young girl from the projects in NYC got to be like a Fresh Air Kid and go to a family “in the country” for two weeks in the summer. The wife in that family was slightly unhinged and desperately wanted a child, so the girl became way too important to her. And there were horses. That was the “unreal” part. I would recommend if you like things that are just slightly “off.” 3.65/5
First Comes Love by Emily Giffin
Sometimes it’s just nice to read something a little simple and easy, like watching a rom-com. This is that. I’ve read most of her books. I think I have one left…and it’s on my bedside table right now. Her books make a good palate cleanser after too many deep, depressing, difficult books. This one was more “sister sister” relationship than man/woman…a long-dead brother, a good friend, maybe a new love interest. It’s a good enough weekend, car-trip, or beach (if ever) read. 3.25/5
Asleep by Banana Hoshimoto
This was another case of “I couldn’t get the book by this author I really wanted, so I got this instead.” I shouldn’t have liked it, it’s three entirely different stories with one common theme: sleep. BUT. It’s translated from the Japanese and written in such a charming way that I just enjoyed reading it. I enjoyed the words and the way they were put together. When I used to sell on eBay sometimes I would sell something to a buyer in Japan…and they would write me the loveliest thank you notes (NO ONE else wrote thank you notes!) in their broken English and they were just the sweetest. I wonder if I still have any saved anywhere. Anyway, this was another very quick read, a delightful little book with…three odd little stories. If you like that kind of thing, I recommend this. I still want to read her book “Kitchen,” which was the one originally recommended to me. 3.68/5
This afternoon I started The Silent Wife by A. S. A. Harrison, a psychological thriller, not my usual jam. I can’t remember how it ended up on my list or my book pile, but here it is. Two chapters in and it is annoying me. Very sexist. That kind of thing in books or movies used to just roll off my back, unnoticed, and now it disturbs me to the point where I wonder if I even want to continue. I’ll give it two more chapters.
So that was my quick catch-up. Many months ago I started a separate page on the blog for just book reviews. Someday I hope to get back to that! I thought during quarantine I’d have time for things like that, but nope!
What are you reading? Got anything to recommend??
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Cheryl
I read Naked by David Sedaris a while ago and enjoyed some of his funny short stories. I recently read Belly Dancing for Beginners by Liz Byrski. It was a light, uplifting read and so good after the deep and serious titles I had been reading. Thanks for your great reviews.
bettyewp
Haha I MEANT “Naked”! I just realized I wrote Corduroy twice, but I meant Naked! Belly Dancing for Beginners sounds like a book I read last year called like Sex Advice for Punjabi Women or something like that! I will look for BDFB, thanks!
Laurie E.
I enjoy your book reviews. Your comment “Very sexist. That kind of thing in books or movies used to just roll off my back, unnoticed, and now it disturbs me to the point where I wonder if I even want to continue” strikes a strong cord with me. I have been reading Debbie Macomer fluffy romance books, among others, for years and just lately reading them is no longer enjoyable. Too conservative and sexist. The characters are indecisive, insecure and whiny in their relationships and not the strong women I would respect. Since thrift stores are closed I’ve resorted to re-reading paperbacks I have on my shelves. I feel trapped with these characters I don’t like and cant wait for new material! Maybe I will order some new books when that stimulus $$$ hits my bank account. Have a good week. 🙂
bettyewp
And check out PaperBackSwap! It’s really a good CHEAP way to get books AND to pass along ones you’re done with. I keep very little fiction anymore, just things that I SO enjoyed or are REALLY written and I might want to reread someday…or try and force Katie to read!
julia
Gosh, I’ve noticed that with books, movies and TV shows lately — the sexist stuff that used to go unnoticed. Like, it’s a really big crisis that a woman is single and the clock is ticking and she really, really needs to find a man soon. Or the man makes a mistake or screws something up and blames her and she apologizes for it and accepts that it was her mistake. My husband was watching old movies, like Humphrey and Bogart era, with our daughters and they couldn’t stand them because of the rape culture elements: he breaks down her door, she hides, he finds her and holds her in his arms and forces a kiss on her. They ran out of the room screaming at those completely shocked that those scenes were even allowed and we all used to think they were good, wholesome family movies. Wow.
bettyewp
Right?? While I’m glad I no longer find that “normal” or “acceptable,” it sure doors take a whole lot of entertainment off the table! It’s like when I see someone smoking in an office or restaurant in a movie, I’m like whoa! THAT could never happen today… but I’m not personally offended by it. These sexist scenes are really uncomfortable and distasteful to me now! And I sorta feel like that’s just been in the past year or so for me. I wonder what changed. I never used to even really notice it. #METOO maybe!
Diane
I’m in a book club and we read all genres of books, with authors like Danielle Steele, David Baldacci, Debbie Macomber, James Patterson, we run the gamut. Right now we are reading Escape by David Baldacci. No sexism so far. A good insight into today’s military and prison life. Not my type of topic but is actually a good thriller. “A former Air Force officer escapes from Leavenworth…. or did he”.
jodie filogomo
You really ought to sign up for the Forever Fierce Book Club the way you read Bettye. It’s interesting to read books that others choose…some I like, some I don’t. But talking about it afterwards always gives an interesting analysis.
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com