Finishing two audiobooks in one week is pretty darn good, even if I did finish one during the readathon. I feel like I should have finished more than I did, but I am in another slow reading period I feel.
FINISHED SINCE THE LAST UPDATE:
The new Caroline Kepnes is utterly forgettable. Seriously, I couldn’t even remember the name of it two days after finishing it let alone the plot. It is such a disappointment to anyone expecting twisted characters or insane plots.
As for Uncle Stevie’s latest, I was not expecting it to include what it did. It is a horror novel insofar as the crimes committed are horrific. There is also an element of the supernatural with another embodiment of evil; however, it is not necessarily the focal point of the story. To me, even though the mystical Outsider is a main character, the story is about the horror one person can inflict on another, whether it is physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual in nature. It is the evil that resides in every one of us and one’s penchant for acting on it or avoiding the temptation. The story takes a turn I was not expecting with the introduction of a familiar character. Honestly, I am not certain I am happy with that particular twist. I would have preferred the story to be more of a stand-alone novel rather than a continuation. Still, as in all of Uncle Stevie’s novels, the characters are excellent, as is the world-building. His story-telling remains top-notch, and I found that I had difficulties setting down the story when it came time for real life. His stories might be about the otherworldly, but it is his attention to the most mundane of details which bring them to life in a way few authors can accomplish. The Outsider is no different in that regard.
The Gail Carriger book was a re-read. I needed something light and fun, and I have been meaning to finish the last book in this series for a while now. It requires going back to the beginning though, which I do not mind in the least. Emily Gray has a lot of fun as the narrator on this fantastic series.
I really should have DNF’d the Katherine Dion novel. The writing is absolutely beautiful, but it does not make up for the fact that nothing happens. I kept waiting for something to happen – some big secret the widow finds out about his wife that changes his opinion of her. I would have even taken something from his past that comes to light. Nothing. There are hints of course. Between them and the writing, I kept pushing forward because I had hopes. My hopes remain dashed as I all but screamed in frustration upon finishing it. Grumble, grumble.
DID NOT FINISH:
None
CURRENT READ:
The Sarah Knight and All Souls guide are ones I want to read slowly, one section per day. So you will see them on here for a while.
CURRENT LISTEN:
NEXT UP:
June Review Copies:
So, what are you reading?
One of these days I’m going to be on a plane flight and I am going to improve the shining hour by reading alllllll those Gail Carriger books. They look like perfect plane books.
I’m rereading all the Amelia Peabody mysteries right now! And I’m also rereading Anne Carson’s incredible book Nox, which is a reflection on losing her brother and it’s just extraordinary.
The Gail Carriger books are perfect plane books, although do be warned. You may laugh out loud or at least snort in humor at least once or twice in each book!
You are doing great at getting through your ARC’s! Amazing. I was afraid to hear that Providence was awful and I’m glad I didn’t even try to read it.
Don’t compliment me too quickly. Those are just the June ARCs. Next week’s post will have July’s and August’s ARCs listed. It is not pretty.
I loved the Sarah Knight! Definitely helped me figure out how to spend my little free time and shed a bunch of meaningless activities.
That is why I am taking it slow and working through the exercises. I would love to free myself of certain levels of guilt and meaningless activities as well!