I started these “What I’ve been reading” posts in January. Basically and honestly I started it for filler because I just have not been cooking that much. (I have been making food, it just hasn’t been worthy of documentation.)
I do feel like I’m reading more than I ever have (and listening to more audio books on my drives to and from work).
So, if you’re interested in what I’ve been reading, keep reading. 🙂
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
I’m not a big thriller fan but I did enjoy this audio book. I thought the different POVs really helped the plot along. I did not feel bad in the least when the “bad boy” bit it! I also liked reading about the excesses of the upper class, in this case the wedding event of fictional two pseudo-celebrities.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I do love a good Taylor Jenkins Reid read (even though this was an audiobook). I appreciated the loose connection to Carrie Soto but if you haven’t read that one, no worries, you can pick this one right up.
Give me a good family dynamic dramedy any day especially when the main character triumphs.
The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn and Janie Chang
 I started out quite liking this book and only picked it up because I had just read The Alice Network. I’m rating it a three. While I loved the plot and the characters, it was just a bit rambling. I totally wanted to find out what happened to all of the strong female characters (and the villain, Thornton) but the ending was a bit predictable. I also felt like some editing help was needed. I felt like I could track when each author was writing because of the characters’ dialogue and voices changing.
I did appreciate this plot all playing out during the days leading up to the 1906 San Fran earthquake. I would have liked to have seen Thornton meet his maker there and then the characters move on…..
The Secreat Life of Sunfolowers by Marta Molnar
Here’s another one I really wanted to love. I did like the format and the history lesson of Theo Van Gogh’s widow. I also like a good family mystery so Emsley’s search for what the secret dairy and letters means was intriguing. (The POV jumps from modern day in NYC to the late 1800s in France and the Netherlands.)
While I probably enjoyed reading about Emsley’s adventures and her struggles just as much as I loved reading about Johanna’s, there were times part of Emsley’s tale was annoying. I know she was an older twenty-something, but good god. How long did it take you to figure out you could not be business partners with your ex who left you for your best friend (while you all were living together)?
I thought the the wrap up for Emsley was a bit trite and I was expecting more of a surprise when the mystery was solved.
This book reminded me a bit of Cooking for Picasso by Camille Aubray because of the plot and art angle.
In the Great Quiet by Laura Vogt
Vogt is an Oklahoma author and writes a novelized version of her great-great-grandmother’s adventures during the Cherokee Strip. I am an Oklahoma and also had ancestors participate in the run. I wanted to love this book. There were some moments of greatness but I had a few issues with some of facts like planting potatoes in October and planting an orchard of orange trees…on the Oklahoma prairie. I still would recommend if you like historical fiction and strong female characters.
I’m still a bit behind on my Goodreads goal. Yikes, eight books behind!
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