Does listening to audiobooks count as reading? Here it does. Let’s discuss your favorite reads — or listens.
All in Audiobook
Expectation: An historical fiction epic focused on the experiences of two African families involved in different aspects of the slave trade.
Reality: Spanning centuries and two dozen characters, it’s a comprehensive yet intimate view of slavery and its long-term repercussions.
Expectation: Highbrow science fiction.
Reality: Science fiction almost takes a backseat to this moving examination of relationships and fate.
Expectation: A family drama heavy on religious guilt and first-generation American children defying parental expectations.
Reality: An initially confusing beginning unfolds into a layered, understated and deeply moving portrayal of the danger of secrets, carrying shame and failed second chances.
Even though Purnell’s heart was in the right place by elevating the contributions of Virginia Hall, “Woman” felt a bit tawdry. While we receive a well-rounded view of a pioneering figure in global espionage, the whole thing felt a little soulless, likely because Hall would’ve objected to its publication.
Expectation: A depressing family drama.
Reality: The perfect balance of light and heavy, Ann Patchett brought to life a cast of interesting characters with her trademark observations on the nature of relationships and how they evolve over time.
Expectation: A race against the clock of will they or won’t they sensibilities. But with death instead of love.
Reality: A slow-burn character study that takes a few strategic pivots from the usual serial killer narrative.
Expectation: A modern retelling of “The Stepford Wives” for the #MeToo era.
Reality: Definitely not what I expected but, in the best, most WTF ways.
Expectation: The romantic fiction novel du jour.
Reality: An unlikable main character, multiple trigger warnings and still wholly readable.
Expectation: A queer romance set in Italy that isn’t “Call Me By Your Name.”
Reality: A beautifully written, often funny, story about chosen family and second chances.
Expectation: A richly drawn character study that brings the tears.
Reality: The epitome of a character-driven story that lacks the emotional heft of Yanagihara’s “A Little Life” but is still an exceptional work of fiction.
Expectation: A modern-day revenge tale that doesn’t solely involve rich, white and heterosexual characters.
Reality: A bit clichéd but surprisingly heartfelt and raw exploration for grief, regret and redemption.
Expectation: A page-turning supernatural thriller.
Reality: A slow-burn mystery with some satisfying last act reveals.
Expectation: A fun-filled adventure that celebrates reading and the human-animal bond.
Reality: A disjointed and heavy-handed mess.
Expectation: Your standard gore fest.
Reality: An old school throwback gore fest with a surprising amount of heart.
Expectation: A philosophical and meandering over-rated classic.
Reality: An intimate and deeply affecting reflection on growing older and feeling needed.
Expectation: A history-flipping tale of empowerment.
Reality: A novel that isn’t bad, but in hindsight is incredibly problematic given the author’s race.
While “Stick” provides a few good insights into how to craft a message with easy recall and that drives action, some of the examples felt trite compared to other, similar books – or maybe there’s only a handful of original business books out there?
Expectation: A folksy tale of second chances.
Reality: A soap opera of confusing plots, overly sexualized characters and an insane amount of fart jokes.
“Indianapolis” is an exhaustive, sometimes tedious, but largely engrossing telling of the worst U.S. Naval disaster after Pearl Harbor that had largely vacated the public consciousness for 30 years until Robert Shaw’s Quint, the shark-obsessed fisherman in “Jaws” gave his bone-chilling monologue about surviving the USS Indianapolis sinking.
Expectation: A complex and layered story about family, regrets and moving forward.
Reality: A melodrama about terrible people, that think they are good people, getting a happy ending.
