Only four books in April!
April was a bit slow for reading, White Teeth took much longer than I usually do with audiobooks and I’ve just not been reading for as long at night.
As usual I have linked the title to my full review.
Four Read
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Another fantastic critical look at true crime, this novel is based on the crimes of Ted Bundy but told entirely from the perspective of his victims. It smashed through the myth created by the media and law enforcement that he was some kind of super intelligent, super charismatic geniusand had me so frustrated on the behalf of victims and their loved ones. It’s not perfect, but recommended reading!
White Teeth by Zadie Smith ⭐⭐⭐
Yet another Classic that doesn’t push my buttons, but I can understand the accolades! A family saga following the generations of immigrants in 1970-90s London, it’s funny with Dickensian type characters but just too long for me. It took me a month to get through which accounts for my low book count! Wonderful audiobook production though!
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell ⭐️⭐️
This wasn’t the book I wanted to read, or what the title promised. The content on language was sparse and shallow with most of the book being entry level basics on well known religious cults, which if you are interested in this book odds are high you already are well versed in (who doesn’t know all about Scientology?!). I did like the last chapter on culty marketing, internet gurus and QAnon.
Wool by Hugh Howey ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I just got this one over the line! Wool was a reread and just as good afternoon decade after I first read it. I didn’t plan to read it alongside Fallout but the two have some interesting similarities. Intruiging conspiracies, solid characters and a fast paced plot, highly recommended!
Currently reading
Oh man, I’ve had two nights not reading because I have dithered so much over what to read next. I could go into Silo #2 but… not sure that’s the vibe I want for chilling out in Carcassone! I’m tempted to attempt The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton because the only way I’m getting into 850 pages of something like that is when I’m on holidays!
Adding to TBR
Just the one, Vaccuum in the Dark by Jen Beagin which is a sequel to Pretend I’m Dead. I found that an interest read last year, so why not!
TBR Pulls
Right now I still have 44 books waiting on my Kindle in my “to read” collection! Each month I browse through and pick the 3 that are calling to me most.
Last time I picked out FOE, Weyward and Shift. Not much has changed!
You can read my reasons for the last two in March’s round up.
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton
It is 1866, and Walter Moody has come to make his fortune upon the New Zealand goldfields. On arrival, he stumbles across a tense gathering of twelve local men, who have met in secret to discuss a series of unsolved crimes. A wealthy man has vanished, a whore has tried to end her life, and an enormous fortune has been discovered in the home of a luckless drunk. Moody is soon drawn into the mystery: a network of fates and fortunes that is as complex and exquisitely patterned as the night sky.
The book gets raved about but honestly if I’d know how long it was I’d not have bought it! Ah well.. Maybe it will be good for 850 pages but very few books I enjoy are. Only one way to find out.. And a holiday is the only time I’m likely to try.
What books are you excited to read at the moment?
