I’ve been vetting 2021 releases in preparation for recording the Winter 2021 Book Preview podcast episode on Tuesday, so I’ll be switching back to some backlist and free range reading for the rest of the year. I’m sure I’ll work in some January releases as well!
Podcast
See you in 2021 (2021 Winter Book Preview with Catherine from @gilmoreguide coming on January 6)!
On the Blog
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I finished reading…
The Push by Ashley Audrain (January 5, 2021)
I called this debut a psychological thriller last week and it’s not a thriller at all! I’d say it’s a messed up family story…I loved it, but know that it’s definitely not for everyone (it would be excellent for book clubs)! Super dark and unsettling. You’ll hear more about it on the Winter 2021 Book Preview podcast episode.
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I’m currently reading…
The Fortunate Ones by Ed Tarkington (January 5, 2021)
This sophomore novel is my most anticipated release of January! I loved his debut, Only Love Can Break Your Heart, and Annie Jones has already read and loved this one. I’m about 25% in and I love his voice…so far, it’s a standard “rich, unsupervised teens” (to quote the hosts of Bad on Paper Podcast) story set at an elite private school in Nashville (which I’ll take any day!) and I’m flying through it.
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I tried, but wasn’t feeling…
This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith (February 2, 2021)
DNF at 39%
This was a case of my expectations being off going in. I expected it to be darker and more literary than it was (Book of the Month described it as “literary” in their emoji descriptions section). It was much sweeter (maybe even cheesy?) then I expected and felt like a romance. Also, I found the way the plot played out after the initial opening to be unbelievable.
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Upcoming reading plans…
Unless a library hold comes in…
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro (May, 1989)
Liz Moore (author of Long Bright River) called this “the perfect novel” when she was a guest on my podcast. Ishiguro has a new novel (Klara and the Sun) coming out in March, so I figured I’d try this one from his backlist before his new novel comes out.
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How was your reading week?
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I have The Push upcoming but I still have a few December books to get through first.
Wishing you a great reading week, and a merry Christmas
I hadn’t heard of The Push, but feel like it’s one I’d really like. There seem to be a lot of COA books coming out in 2021. I’m still unsure about the Tarkington book. I feel like I’m a little tired of rich kid/poor kid stories. It may be one that would work better on audio for me. I’ll wait for your final thoughts. Merry Christmas!
I’ve finished my January review books and am free-range reading for the rest of the year. I do enjoy a nice romance once in a while and really don’t care for anything that could be described as a family drama or literary. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I like the idea of free range reading! I am still enjoying your podcasts and while we have wildly different reading tastes I find I still enjoy the book chat. Take care and hope Christmas is good for you and your family.
The Remains of the Day is completely brilliant. I’ve read it twice and love it so much!
I hope you like THE REMAINS OF THE DAY. It is a truly beautiful book. One the wonderful things about Kazuo Ishiguru is that none of his books are alike!
I immediately thought of you when I heard Annie talk about The Fortunate Ones! I’m so happy to hear it’s working out for you and I’m adding it to my list!