Man, it’s slow-going on the reading front. I had high hopes for November (what with a long holiday weekend and all), but between moving and work-related stuff, I didn’t get as much reading done as I had hoped. It’s now very unlikely that I will hit my reading goal for the year (60 books), even though I was getting pretty close (on book 50, as of right now). It’s okay, I am not going to be hard on myself, I am reading for fun after all.
I read the following two books in November, which were both just “okay” (as you can see from my ratings).
America: the Farewell Tour by Chris Hedges (★★★☆☆)
This book was… weird. I was super-intrigued, even though equally depressed, by the first part of the book, but then Hodges went off on weird tangents and I found it hard to follow at times. There are lengthy chapters on pornography, gambling, drugs, hate, and poverty and I agree that these are all parts of a declining culture, but his outlook is pretty grim and he doesn’t really offer much hope. He is pretty convinced of America’s downfal in the next 20 years and isn’t shy to say so. I’d love to hear your thoughts, if you read the book already.
Wish You Were Here by Renee Carlino (★★★☆☆)
Gah, this book was so frustrating. I really like Carlino’s writing style and I wanted to read something ‘lighter’ after the depressing, non-fiction book above, but as in one of her previous book, Carlino left me with a lot of eye-rolling. I mean, is this real life? (Apparently not – it’s fiction!) Because, man, do things work out for some people.
The plot of this story strangely reminded me of “Me before you“, which I actually loved, but in this book, there is way too much “priviledge”, too much “I try hard to fuck it up and win anyway”-kinda stuff going on. I am all for a good love story, which is what I was expecting and in the beginning I thought “oh, this book might be just what I was hoping for”, but then halfway through it really all fell apart. The last few chapters were just “too much”, even for someone who likes happy endings.
What did you read in November? Anything you’d like to recommend? Leave a comment, and then add me on Goodreads to keep in touch.
Beth
December 7, 2018 at 8:41 amBummer that neither of your November reads were super wins, I’m intrigued by the America book but at the same time I just don’t know if I could handle it right now. I might still check it out though.
Stephany
December 7, 2018 at 11:02 amOh man, that America book seems way too depressing for me to read right now. My favorite book from November was One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid – such a cute, fun love story!
Charlotte
December 8, 2018 at 12:27 pmI haven’t heard of either of these, but that’s s bummer that neither of them really spoke to you. Was just talking about that with a friend yesterday—how much time (or how many pages) do you invest in a book you’re not enjoying? I have a 50-page rule. The America book sounds really intriguing but life in this country is so effed that I’m not sure I need to read something that will just make me fall further down the rabbit hole. MYbe I’ll check it out though. Nothing has really grabbed my attention, but I did start a book yesterday that’s really interesting (the woman in the window—you know me and my suspense novels!). Xoxo
Akaleistar
December 9, 2018 at 11:11 amBummer. Too bad these books weren’t winners for you.
ShootingStarsMag
December 9, 2018 at 6:13 pmSorry neither of these really worked for you. I’ve read one Carlino book, and I loved it, so I want to check out more…but maybe not this one!
-Lauren
Lisa of Lisa's Yarns
December 10, 2018 at 6:46 amThat first book sounds way too depressing to me… It sounds like he tackled serious issues but I would need some hope after reviewing all the things that are wrong with the world today. :/
You had a busy month so I can see why you didn’t get as much reading done as you’d like. Moving is so much work, plus you blogged every day which is impressive!
My November reading was ‘just ok.’ Garden Spells was a good, light read and just what I needed. Sarah Addison Allen is a good author to check out when you need something light and easy/breezy. I read another book in Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series. I love those books. They are cozy mysteries and this is a great time of year to read those kind of books since it’s snowy and cold here!