Many of you have told me how much you enjoy my book reviews, so I am going to try to post more of them. Today is Wednesday, so how about a What I'm Reading Right Now post? Most of the time I have three books going at once: one audiobook, one digital book on my Kindle, and one physical book. I get asked a lot how I get so many books read and the reason is that I am a fast reader, I make time to read each day, and lastly, I often wake up in the middle of the night (looking at you Husband) and read until I can fall back asleep.
These are three books I am reading at the moment or have just finished. I will give you a plot summary and a detailed description of what I think of the book so far.
My most recent audiobook is What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan. This book was very obviously based up to a point on the Gabby Petito murder from last summer. At that time the press and social media influencers went nuts over the story of a lovely blond woman going missing and the most likely suspect, her boyfriend Brian Laundrie. The book was derivative of this real-life occurrence and an interesting portrayal of how the media views these crimes and victims as entertainment.
The setup is that the seemingly perfect couple Nina and her boyfriend Simon go away for a weekend trip from which only Simon returns. Nina's parents are frantic, Simon's story doesn't quite add up, and Simon's parents don't seem to be cooperating fully with the detectives investigating the case. The parents are frustrated with the way the case is unfolding and ultimately take matters into their own hands, each in their own way. (This aspect of the book deviates completely from the Petito story). Things go off the rails as the reader sees the desperate lengths parents will go to when it comes to their child.
This story is told from multiple points of view: members of the two families and the detective in charge of the case. The audio full cast narration was excellent. It was a tense story that made me want to keep listening and not take a break. It also demonstrated the terrible harm that can come from the media making rash and unfounded claims that ruin individual's reputations or businesses. I gave this one 4 stars even though I wasn't totally satisfied with the ending.
The digital book that I am very nearly finished with is The Best of Everything by Rona Jaffee. This backlist title was first published in 1958 and will be readily available at your library, in paperback, or on your Kindle. The book has been described as the original "Sex In the City", and was certainly a shockingly ahead-of-its-time book when it came out.
The setup is that four girls in their early 20s move to New York City and meet and become friends while working at the same publishing company. I found it to be a sociological study of the problems and situations women in society had at that time and the solutions that were available to solve them. To the modern reader the stories of Caroline, April, Barbara, and Gregg may seem oversimplified and stereotypical, but I found the plot fairly believable (particularly misogyny in the workplace). The sad thing all four women had in common was the hope that falling in love with a suitable man could be the step towards lifelong fulfillment and happiness. It certainly is a pre-feminist take on women in the workforce. If you loved Mad Men or Sex In the City, I predict you will find this book interesting and even compelling. It will definitely make you glad you don't live in the 1950s. I thought the ending was a bit too rushed and "wrapped up". I gave this book 3.75 stars.
James by Percival Everett is my physical book of the week. I am a little more than halfway through it and think it is excellent so far. It could potentially be a 5-star book for me.
The story is based on Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn, only told from the point of view of the enslaved Jim. As in the classic Twain story, Jim and Huck are both on the run and team up for the dangerous journey down the Mississippi River toward freedom and safety. The author's writing skills are off the chart and his retelling of this classic story will amaze you. The book is funny at times, but also very dark. What I loved most was the fact that James lives a double life: his own eloquent and intelligent inner one (James), and an outer appearance of what white people expect from a Negro of the time (Jim). His inherent wit, compassion, kindness, and understanding help him survive a hostile world. My review does not do this novel justice, but I can tell you it is an important book and you shouldn't miss it.
21 responses to “What I’m Reading Right Now”
I am one who enjoys your recommendations. I keep a running list of books you recommend and have found many gems thanks to you. I have heard about but forgotten “Jim”. It will go on the list. Thanks.
I am one who enjoys your recommendations. I keep a running list of books you recommend and have found many gems thanks to you. I have heard about but forgotten “Jim”. It will go on the list. Thanks.
I am one who enjoys your recommendations. I keep a running list of books you recommend and have found many gems thanks to you. I have heard about but forgotten “Jim”. It will go on the list. Thanks.
Re previous post – “James” not Jim. Blame it on early morning and too little coffee.
Re previous post – “James” not Jim. Blame it on early morning and too little coffee.
Re previous post – “James” not Jim. Blame it on early morning and too little coffee.
Thank you for your always honest book reviews. ‘The Best of Everything’ is on my radar–you had me at ‘Sex & the City’! I do share your reviews with others & you don’t disappoint! Happy reading/listening! 📚
Thank you for your always honest book reviews. ‘The Best of Everything’ is on my radar–you had me at ‘Sex & the City’! I do share your reviews with others & you don’t disappoint! Happy reading/listening! 📚
Thank you for your always honest book reviews. ‘The Best of Everything’ is on my radar–you had me at ‘Sex & the City’! I do share your reviews with others & you don’t disappoint! Happy reading/listening! 📚
The new book in the Rebecca Yarros Fourth Wing series, Iron Flame, has been published. I read Fourth Wing based on your blog review and loved it. I can’t wait to read what you think of Iron Flame.
The new book in the Rebecca Yarros Fourth Wing series, Iron Flame, has been published. I read Fourth Wing based on your blog review and loved it. I can’t wait to read what you think of Iron Flame.
The new book in the Rebecca Yarros Fourth Wing series, Iron Flame, has been published. I read Fourth Wing based on your blog review and loved it. I can’t wait to read what you think of Iron Flame.
The new book in the Rebecca Yarros Fourth Wing series, Iron Flame, has been published. I read Fourth Wing based on your blog review and loved it. I can’t wait to read what you think of Iron Flame.
The new book in the Rebecca Yarros Fourth Wing series, Iron Flame, has been published. I read Fourth Wing based on your blog review and loved it. I can’t wait to read what you think of Iron Flame.
The new book in the Rebecca Yarros Fourth Wing series, Iron Flame, has been published. I read Fourth Wing based on your blog review and loved it. I can’t wait to read what you think of Iron Flame.
Thanks for all the great book reviews. I always enjoy them and have read a few choice selections from your list.
Coincidentally, the top photo of the woman holding the red coffee cup looks SO MUCH like one of my co-workers hands, and she even has a favorite red coffee cup! I had to do a double-take. LOL
Thanks for all the great book reviews. I always enjoy them and have read a few choice selections from your list.
Coincidentally, the top photo of the woman holding the red coffee cup looks SO MUCH like one of my co-workers hands, and she even has a favorite red coffee cup! I had to do a double-take. LOL
Thanks for all the great book reviews. I always enjoy them and have read a few choice selections from your list.
Coincidentally, the top photo of the woman holding the red coffee cup looks SO MUCH like one of my co-workers hands, and she even has a favorite red coffee cup! I had to do a double-take. LOL
I too enjoy your book reviews. I just reserved “James” through the library with a 7 week wait.
I need to read “Huckleberry Finn” again anyway.
Thanks for taking the time to review the books you read.
I too enjoy your book reviews. I just reserved “James” through the library with a 7 week wait.
I need to read “Huckleberry Finn” again anyway.
Thanks for taking the time to review the books you read.
I too enjoy your book reviews. I just reserved “James” through the library with a 7 week wait.
I need to read “Huckleberry Finn” again anyway.
Thanks for taking the time to review the books you read.