Kati Rose

Well… I was doing so well there for a while, wasn’t I? Here I am barely making my monthly book review for April on the last day of May. It’s still within the following month after reading so I’m going to count it as a win. (The perks of having your own blog – you set your own rules.) I couldn’t skip out on sharing my April reads with you all, as I discovered a few books I truly enjoyed. It was my first month where more than one book scored 4 roses or higher.

Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg – Irin Carmon (4 Roses)

I have always had a fondness for RBG since I was old enough to truly understand politics, but it wasn’t until I read this book that my appreciation for her went through the roof. As a woman, there is so much of my quality of life today that is owed to her. She is strong, feisty and intelligent. We are lucky to have her as basically a National Treasure. This was the fourth book my book club read and the first to have unanimous love from every member. My advice for you is to not listen to Notorious RBG or read it on an e-reader. There’s so many fun doodles and notes that make the book not only beautiful to look at, but truly fun to sit and thumb through. (Goodreads)

The Lowland – Jhumpa Lahiri (4 Roses)

Lahiri’s The Lowland is a book I approached with a “sure, why not?” attitude more than an urge to actually read it. I am glad I discovered this story. While there’s no massive climax unearthed as the main event happens early on, the after shocks keep you turning pages. Every sentence the reader gains a bit more understanding of these complex and flawed characters and how the one event effected them and their relationships for decades after. If you are the type of person to enjoy character driven stories, The Lowland spans 50 years and multiple generations of a family and is exactly the type of book you’ll come to love. (Goodreads)

The Princess Diarist – Carrie Fisher (3 Roses)

I feel as I should begin with the caveat that I am not a massive Star Wars fan. If I was, Fisher’s The Princess Diarist would’ve been a wonderful behind-the-scenes look at the first movie. I however, got a bit bored at some of those details. What I loved most was the introspective parts of The Princess Diarist. Fisher had an amazing way with words. There were times where she launched into descriptions of everyday emotions and I was stopped in my tracks. Oh yeah, this is the book where Fisher finally dropped the bombshell about her and Harrison’s big affair for the first time almost 40 years later. (Goodreads)

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? – Mindy Kaling (2.5 Roses)

I wanted to like Mindy Kaling’s book, I really did, but I just couldn’t. Don’t get me wrong, there were times I was amused with Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? but I don’t think I actually laughed out loud once. Mostly, I felt like Kaling was trying too hard to come across as the cool every girl. The one thing I will give Kaling was hearing how she made it to where she is today was interesting and in a way, re-assuring.  (Goodreads)

Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen (4 Roses)

I grew up on Bruce Springsteen’s music – it was something I knew and enjoyed, but didn’t truly understand. Being clued in to the backstories of famous songs, learning the thought Springsteen puts into everything, and in general gaining insight on the Boss gave me a whole new outlook on his vast catalog of music. I love that Springsteen has an amazing story, but it isn’t full of the usual drugs and downfalls of rock’n roll music. For Born to Run, I decided to listen to Bruce himself narrate his memoir on audiobook and I think that made it all the more powerful. Plus does that man have a soothing voice. (Goodreads)

What is the best book you’ve read recently?

P.S. – I guess movie reviews are a thing I do now too. ALL the reviews up in here.

Until next time,

 

 

 

 

Not wanting to brag too much for myself, but I think I’m doing pretty good on this whole resolution to read more “real” books. Another month and four more books down. All I need to work on is getting my review posted closer to the month I’m discussing rather than the upcoming month. Enough bragging, let’s get down to business. To defeat the huns? Sorry, sorry I can’t help myself. I’ll get on with the reviews and less of my self indulgent corny jokes. (Does anyone else always automatically make the Mulan reference when they begin a statement with that phrase?)

A quick catch up on how it all works: I rate the books in the order I read them and instead of stars it’s a scale of 1-5 roses. Simple enough right?

We Have Always Lived in the Castle – Shirley Jackson (2 Roses)

I admit I only picked up the novel because Sebastian Stan is starring in the upcoming movie rendition. Jackson is hailed as one of the original writers of modern day horror stories which is not a genre I am normally interested in. Knowing that, I probably wasn’t the right audience for We Have Always Lived in the Castle. I felt like the entire book was flat and bizarre. Which isn’t a winning combination. There was kind of a storyline, but nothing that compelled me to keep turning pages. Plus the characters were very one dimension and I couldn’t put my finger on what felt off about them (other than they were supposed to be off kilter, obviously.) I did read the book through to the end and mildly enjoyed it – but it had more problems than not. However, I’m a sucker and I will still being seeing the film opening weekend because that’s the type of person I am. Here’s to hoping I’ll like it better in the visual adaptation?

Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex – Mary Roach (2 Roses)

The second choice for my kick-ass women book club was very fitting for the month of February. Let’s talk about sexy baby? I was excited going into Bonk as I had heard lots of good things about Roach’s researched-based books she had written previously. Unfortunately for me, I was B-O-R-E-D bored. For being a book on sex written by a woman, it sure focused on men 90% of the time which I found interesting and not in a good way. Maybe I went in with too high of expectations as I had previous education on this subject matter, or maybe this just wasn’t Roach’s best work.

It’s Okay to Laugh (Crying is Cool Too) – Nora McInerny Purmort (4 Roses)

I adore Nora. Like, full on bordering on obsessed with everything she writes and basically want to be her bff level of adoration. She’s a pretty big deal around the Twin Cities and for good reason – all her writing is heartwrenchingly raw, vulnerable, and relatable (even when the subject matter is something you haven’t dreamed of experiencing in your worst nightmares.) Plus, her humor and sarcasm are top notch. In her memoir, Nora chronicles a little bit of everything but it focuses on the stretch of time where she miscarried her second child, suddenly lost her father, and buried the love of her life way too young. Packed full of wisdom, it had me walking away and taking a big hard look at my own life. The first chapter begins with Nora discussing a famous Mary Oliver quote, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” I couldn’t get the concept out of my head even long after I put the book down. The title, It’s Okay to Laugh (Crying is Cool Too) is spot on, I laughed and cried and I can’t wait for her next book.

The Girls – Emma Cline (4 Roses)

If you’re looking for a nerd who loves learning about all aspects of the 60s – the good, the bad, and the weird that came out of that time period – you don’t need to look further than me. It isn’t a reach that I’d be drawn to a book inspired by the infamous Manson Family. The Girls centers on Evie, a young girl who gets wrapped up in Russell and Suzanne, who aren’t as good natured as they seem. I eagerly anticipated the climax, wanting to find out exactly what events led up to the murders. My biggest peeve was I couldn’t quite get into the grown-up Evie perspective that was interwoven throughout the book. Her adult storyline with Julian and Sasha felt forced. I understand why it was put in the book, but it doesn’t work in the way Cline intended. The main story may only span a few months, but at it’s core it’s wrapped up in something much bigger: a story of a young girl grappling with her sexuality, loneliness, and impending adulthood.

The month didn’t start too hot with my selected reads, but definitely turned around by the end. I took a few weeks off leading into March, but I picked back up again so I will see you all here for the literary round up volume 3 next month!

If you’ve read any of the above books, what were your thoughts? 

What’s the best thing you’ve read recently?

P.S. – Monday is the start of spring around these parts and I can’t wait. You know I got a sunshine filled playlist on repeat.

Until next time,

What do we have here? Two weeks in a row with a post? Talk about a hot streak guys.

I had mentioned in my last post one of my intentions in 2017 was to read more actual books. I not only stuck to that resolution in January, I completely smashed it. Like zero to five in a month, which is a pretty impressive start.

Reviews on books seem to be big in the blogosphere and since I’m experimenting with content, I’m giving it a shot. I’ll be giving a run down in order of how the books were read. The only other piece of knowledge you should know is that instead of stars, I’m doing a scale of 1-5 roses. Get it, roses, like my name and blog title? Yeah it’s cheesy, but I dig it.

I Am Malala – Malala Yousafzai (3 Roses)

Before reading this book, I had already found myself loving listening to Malala speak. She has a very insightful viewpoint on things. Yet I never readily reached for her autobiography. This was the first pick for the kick-ass ladies book club I’m in for 2017. While I enjoyed it, I felt Malala is more engaging as a speaker. There were times where she got into history or people’s back stories and I trailed off with my attention. However, her story is still incredibly powerful and it is amazing how much she has experienced and seen at a young age. It made me realize how as someone who adores learning, I’ve never grasped my inherent privilege in being woman and having education be a given due to living in the United States.

 

Fangirl – Rainbow Rowell (4 Roses)

I’m a fangirl, this is a book about a fangirl…perfect combination right? Well, mostly. I really enjoyed the story overall. The biggest reason I didn’t give it a higher score? There was too much of the second rate Harry Potter fanfiction involved. I would’ve preferred more substance on the main quartet of characters. (Plus, the former RA in me hated how Cath wouldn’t put herself out there at all in college.) By the end of the book I felt like I wanted to know more about Cath, Wren, Levi, and Reagan. They were still growing and coming together, what happens next? The one thing I did find strange was the disconnect between fanfiction and fandom that was evident. Cath is this prolific fanfiction author, but I was surprised that she supposedly only stuck to that? As someone who fandom has played a part in my life, I have never once witnessed someone stick to a tiny little aspect.

 

Shrill – Lindy West (3 Roses)

Over the past few months I’ve had Shrill recommended to me countless times. Don’t get me wrong, I really did like it. There were moments in the book where Lindy recounted a story and I would sit there soberly realizing just how much I related. Even though I’ve come far in my journey with self acceptance and feminism, there are still moments where I still uncover something or don’t understand how deeply engrained some thoughts and behaviors are into my psyche. Honestly, I can’t really say why I didn’t love this book more, there just wasn’t something that fully clicked.

 

Girls in White Dresses – Jennifer Close (1 Rose)

Shitty one dimensional girls complaining about dating shitty one dimensional guys. None of the girls had any identifiable qualities and eventually blended together in a mix of whining and making fun of their supposed friends. Was that Abby or Isabella? Honestly it doesn’t matter. I didn’t really care. They are literally interchangeable. There was literally not an ounce of character growth. I only finished the book out of spite.

 

Modern Romance – Aziz Ansari (4 Roses)

High five to my past self for deciding on the audiobook version of Modern Romance. While the book wasn’t what I expected (spoiler alert it’s not Aziz writing comedically about his dating exploits) I was still rather excited. In university I studied psychology, so a research based perspective was fascinating to me. Plus, Aziz manages to make facts not come across dry. I never found myself going more than a few minutes without a chuckle. Who knows, maybe I even picked up a few nuggets of knowledge for my still as single as ever journey.

 

Have you read any of the above books? What were your thoughts?

P.S. – While I’ve been binge reading lately, I think I may take the weekend off to watch a few of my favorite flicks. It’s been far too long since I watched my ultimate comfort film, Almost Famous.

Until next time,