Casket Case by Lauren Evans [paperback, Little Shop of Stories]
Rom-Com that I picked up at Little Shop of Stories as a Blind Date with a Book (book wrapped in paper to hide what it was). The only info was the excerpted line: “‘Thank you for calling Death,’ a perky voice announces through the car speakers.”
A fine quick read. It had hints of Christopher Moore, but perhaps more grounded. A woman who works in a small town funeral home meets a man who works as sort of a death concierge.
The Bee Sting <i>by Paul Murray</i> – Hardback, Little Shop of Stories (via Bookshop.org)
This is a masterpiece. The variety of styles incorporated to capture the various narrator’s voices are pitch perfect. It’s a winding, intriguing tale jumping back and forth in time and between narrators. Heartily recommend.
This is a tale of a prosperous family in a downward spiral in a small town, told from the point of view of each family member, each chapter peeling the onion a little bit more.
If I’m completely honest I did not enjoy the last couple pages. But in this case the journey was worth the destination.
I’ve once again fallen behind in my documenting of my book reading. And as a result, I have repurchased books I’ve already read. Darn my memory.
For this catchup, if I’ve read enough to have liked or loved the book, I’m adding links to the bookshop.org site where you can get them. Bookshop.org allows you to purchase books online on behalf of your favorite local bookshop (mine is Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, Georgia).
Completed:
Actively In Progress:
Stalled In Progress:
On Deck
Abandoned
Read for my company’s book club.
Fun time travel convention with somewhat engaging short stories in Japanese culture. 6/10, probably won’t read the sequels.
An Unkindness of Magicians by Kat Howard [Little Shop of Stories]
Enjoyable read, felt like the ending kind of wrapped up quickly. Stakes felt low. But the ride was fun.
I’m Glad My Mom Is Dead by Jennette McCurdy
You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin & Lacey Lamar [Little Shop of Stories]
Amber Ruffin is the current greatest late night host. Trevor Noah and Stephen Colbert tie for second. John Oliver is up there, but maybe a different category of show? He’s kind of his own thing.
Thing is, I don’t really watch talk shows on a regular basis. So I bought this book to support her, if indirectly.
It’s a great book. It’s funny, but… even if they encourage us in the book to laugh or be amused, it’s a challenge. Because it’s not funny that this book can exist.
But… great book. Read it. And watch her show.
Piecing together the missing book logs…
Randomize: Forward by Andy Weir [audible]
I have no memory of this, but audible says I listened to it.
Don’t Panic: Douglas Adams and the Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Neil Gaiman
Enjoyable and witty walk through Adams’ life
The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
Recommended on Schuler Books’ tiktok page, an well written and entertaining story with a twist that was too easy to figure out early in the book, but didn’t really impact enjoyment. [Audible]
Fated: Alex Verus Series, Book 1 by Benedict Jacka [Audible]
Witty magic-user story in present day. Does not write female characters well, but otherwise good world-building.
Shakespeare for Squirrels by Christopher Moore [Little Shop of Stories]
Good beach read. C. Moore is always good light fare.
In Process
How Not to Be Wrong by Jordan Ellenberg [Audible]
Dare to Lead by Brene’ Brown [Audible]
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry [Audible]
More Than This by Patrick Hess [Audible]
Cursed: Alex Verus, Book 2 by Benedict Jacka [Audible]
How the South won the Civil War by Heather Cox Richardson
Supreme Inequality by Adam Cohen
Improv Nation by Sam Wasson
Termination Shock by Neil Stephenson
You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin & Lacey Lamar
Our Biggest Experiment by Alice Bell
She Memes Well by Quinta Brunson
It’s gotten away from me again. It’s been a year since I’ve logged what books I’ve read.
And there’s a reason I do this. I was looking at the log from last year, and noted that I had read the Ocean at the End of the Lane. I had no memory of having read this book. I’ve been noticing it on my bookshelf for months now, going… man, I should read that one. BUT I HAVE.
At any rate, I’ll try to piece together the past in no particular order:
The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab
This is a freaking great book. A co-worker recommended it. After I read it, I gushed and thanked her for recommending it, and another coworker asked what book we were talking about. We told him about it, and a couple weeks later, *he’s* gushing about it to us. I was telling that story to another friend, and they got it and read it, and gushed about it.
It’s a great book. Now you know.
365 Nights: A Memoir of Intimacy by Charla Muller with Betsy Thorpe
Non-fiction memoir of a woman who decided to give her husband the gift of sex every day for a year. No, it’s not graphic or even a little bit tittilating– these are very religious people– it’s a book with some interesting insights into couplehood.
Educated by Tara Westover
FASCINATING autobiography of a woman raised by extremist Mormons, and her rise from not-schooled childhood to PhD. Riveting story.
In process:
The Madwoman Upstairs by Catherine Lowell
She Memes Well by Quinta Brunson
Law 101 by Jay M. Feinman
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
You’ll Never Believe What HAppened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar
On the metaphorical bedside table:
The Madwoman and the Roomba by Sandra Tsing Loh
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
Funny Planet – How Comedy Ruined Everything by Ken Jennings [Duke University Bookstore]
This book is amazing. Unsurprising for a many multiple time Jeopardy winner, this book is packed full of comedy history, facts, anecdotes, scientific studies and insightful commentary.
I picked it up when my son was doing a summer camp at Duke last year. I read a chapter or two, then for the next year wasn’t in the mood to hear how my last refuge from the state of the world was *also* terrible. With polls trending my way a bit and in the throes of a pleasantly escapist beach vacation, I summoned the will to dive into it again.
And man, was I glad I did. it is easily one of the best books I’ve read in the past few years, despite the rather dire thesis that the current saturation level of comedy permeating our every hour has led to many ills, including our current president.
There is so much to take from this book, both hopeful and disappointing, that I hardly know how to thimbalize it for this post.
One important bit is the evidence that mocking or making light of serious societal dangers, even with the best intentions of raising awareness or opposing them, can have the unintended consequences of dulling our perception of the importance. The Colbert Report in its attempt to point out the foibles of flawed conservative thinking may have helped enable it. John Stewart’s delight at the comedy cornucopia of Trump’s candidacy may have helped obscure the dangers therein. To say nothing of the comedy arms race on Twitter.
Everyone with an interest in comedy should read this book. I’ll loan you my copy.