Does listening to audiobooks count as reading? Here it does. Let’s discuss your favorite reads — or listens.
Like most pop science, or psychology in this case, the thesis – uncovering why some things become insanely popular while other, sometimes better things, don’t – is an interesting question, but not one that can sustain a 300-page book without becoming repetitive.
Expectation: A quasi-cozy romance with enough sass and drama to keep you interested but a firm ground in reality.
Reality: A sometimes far-fetched but utterly engrossing story of chosen family. I was surprised by the emotional depth of the characters and how their journey unfolds.
I had thought I was picking up an American true crime story in the same vein as "In Cold Blood," and while I did get that story, I was treated to nearly 200 pages of history on the Mormon religion.
Not expected.
Expectation: A dramedy about second chances with a strong main character and a colorful supporting cast of the non-penguin variety.
Reality: Predictable and outlandish, it is saved by a solid foray into Veronica’s past, but the contemporary chapters and almost every other character are unforgettable.
Expectation: A scattershot collection of stories from King’s uneven period of the mid-aughts.
Reality: A completely passable and often entertaining collection that bring forward some classic, and previously unpublished stories, and set the groundwork for some of his later works.
Expectation: A comedic take on racial inequities in Hollywood.
Reality: A layered, original and surreal examination of selling out, pushing forward and dreaming bigger than your circumstances allow.
“Why Fish Don’t Exist” is a podcast in book form, which makes it the perfect audiobook for listeners of that format looking to branch out.
Expectation: A crackling takedown of Big Tech, faux diversity and the work-life balance façade.
Reality: This was two books smooshed together. One, the corporate satire, was a helluva lot more interesting than the second, a basic bro wish fulfillment fantasy but with a BIPOC lead.
Expectation: A sappy romance about forbidden love that normalizes and celebrates infidelity.
Reality: A smart, engaging story with well-written leads and ancillary characters that help bring forward the consequences of Mallory and Jake’s actions.
The hype was lost on me, here’s six popular books I hated, plus five I couldn’t even finish.
Expectation: A heartfelt story about forming connection.
Reality: A solid first half is squandered by several convoluted plot twists that put Klara in the backseat.
Expectation: An overdone young adult romance about magical children.
Reality: A charming and queer-positive character-driven story that will keep adults and teens enthralled.
If you’re a fan of Bukowski, this collection is likely a must read as it features many previously unpublished works. But if you’re a cat lover looking for saccharine sweet stories, you won’t find them here.
Expectation: A warm hug for the soul.
Reality: A few reminders for how to live a fulfilled life, but there’s a lack of cohesiveness that detracts from the messages.
Baron presents the events as a tense, slowly unfolding disaster complete with disagreeing citizens, unconcerned politicians and a few people determined to raise the alarm. If you replaced great white shark in “Jaws” with a group of mountain lions, the plot of that movie and this book would be eerily similar.
I was intrigued, uncomfortable and mostly bored by Tate’s memoir of life in group therapy. Read the description and a few reviews before deciding if it’s right for you.
Expectation: A kooky, scifi comedy with political themes and “After School Special” lessons on tolerance and second chances.
Reality: Funnier than expected with a fair amount of heart, it’s mostly feel-good plot starts to fall apart near the end.
I defend five books that have obnoxiously low Goodreads ratings for how much I enjoyed them.
Expectation: A hot and heavy romantic fantasy about living without consequence that will appeal to non-genre fans.
Reality: A tad overcooked, and sometimes repetitive, but it succeeds in bringing forward uncomfortable feelings about the main characters while still delivering a satisfying ending.
Expectation: A sprawling, heartbreaking, and utterly American story about overcoming adversity.
Reality: A sometimes rushed and emotionally disconnected narrative that’s still powerful given Kristin Hannah’s solid writing and historical research.
