How is it already the end of May? I finished four books in May. Not terrible, not great for me… but I’ve been calling my mom during walks instead of listening to books and my new sewing habit has taken over the free time I’d otherwise be reading. I will say, I have LOVED Book of the Month so far… I like the limited, but vetted, book choices, especially right now. It’s one less thing to think about. In fact, my favorite book of the month was from BOTM!!
THE JETSETTERS: 3/5 STARS
This was my least favorite book of the month. I have to admit, I haven’t been loving Reese’s book club picks! They’re hit or miss for me and this was a miss. I liked the idea of the book… a family with individual secrets comes together to go on a cruise vacation. The story moved v e r y slowly, the characters felt a little flat, and then after so much build up, the ending got tied up so, so quickly. Anyway, maybe skip this one!
THE STATIONERY SHOP: 4.5/5 STARS
I really enjoyed this book! It has been on my list for a while and I listened to this an audiobook through my Scribd account. It’s a great love story! Roya meets Bahman while teenagers in Tehran. Their romance buds through letters secretly exchanged in books from the local stationery shop. They were supposed to meet one afternoon, but Bahman never shows up. I thought it was a wonderfully emotional read. Like just heavy enough where you feel deeply connected to the characters but not so heavy that you’ll end up gutted.
ALL ADULTS HERE: 5/5 STARS
My favorite book this month! I’m a big fan of Emma Straub’s other books (The Vacationers and Modern Lovers) and this one was no exception. I love how Emma Straub writes about people– she creates the most realistic characters. This book follows a mother and her adult children and one grandchild. I thought it was such a great portrayal of a modern family tackling modern issues. I immediately dropped the book off on my friends porch after I finished it so she could read it and we could discuss! Let me know if you read it!!
NOTHING TO SEE HERE: 4/5 STARS
This was a WEIRD but LOVELY book. Like, it was so different than I think anything I’ve ever read? I went in blind and the kookiness caught me off guard. Lillian is hired by her roommate from high school to care for her husband’s two children. The twins have a strange condition where they light on fire when agitated. (Right? Weird.) But it was really good. You’ll fall in love with the kids. You’ll laugh at the quirks. Your heart will be warmed.
Read With Me
Hated The Jetsetters!
Currently reading (and loving) All Adults Here (I love all of Emma Straub’s novels)… Now I’m off to put Nothing to See Here on my reading list! Thanks!
I had the same reaction to The Jetsetters! None of the characters were likable, I didn’t care about any of them. It was a disappointment for sure.
Glad you reviewed the Jettsetters because I just downloaded it and another book from Overdrive last week. I read a few pages of it and couldn’t get into it so I started the other book. I assumed it would be like the Vactioners? I don’t know if you read that one. I figured I’d try again when I finished this book so thanks for saving me time!!!! :)))))
Carly,
I love your book recommends and I completely agree on The Jetsetters. So much character build-up and then it ends abruptly. These characters had deeply rooted issues that needed more explanation and healing.
I love to see your book recommendations! I’d love to read All Adults Here.
http://alexagmarsh.blogspot.com/
This month I read a book called The Chemist and found it surprisingly enjoyable. My dad bought it for me years ago (because I am a chemist) and I never read it because it was from the same author as Twilight so I thought it would be lame. However, I ran out of books to read so I decided to read that one and was surprised by how much I liked it. I’d maybe give it 4.3/5 stars, but I think it was worth my time for sure.
I am so happy to hear others agreed with me on The Jetsetters. I thought I was really going to like it but ended up being disappointed – particularly in the ending. I felt like it needed a few more chapters!
Always love your book recommendations and reviews, Carly! I’m wondering if in the coming months you could put a focus on reading and sharing Black writers, especially Black women writers? I know I personally am trying to read many more of these authors, and I think it would be a great example for your audience and exposes them to authors they maybe haven’t engaged with before. To recommend a few: “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi, “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison, “The Revisioners” by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton, “More Than Enough” by Elaine Welteroth, “Children of Blood and Bone” by Tomi Adeyemi, “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, and anything by Cleo Wade.
Reese’s most recent pick is The Henna Artist. I think she will redeem herself with this one! It was a great story about women reinventing themselves out of necessity and survical in a male dominated culture.
I totally agree with you on Nothing to See Here – it sounds so add but then you can’t put it down! I read it in one day. Loved All Adults Here and checking out her other reads you linked.
Also strongly disliked The Jetsetters. Had such high hopes and was let down.
I love all the photos of you and your puppies!
I am with you on Reese’s Book Club picks. I always thought she was so intelligent and I could be too if I follow her lead, but some of her book club suggestions are forgettable fluff.