“Oops, Didn’t Review”

How often do I look back on the books I read that month and realize I didn’t write a formal review? Too often, tbh. I used to review EVERYTHING, and often was posting on this blog daily, but that’s a lot, and I don’t think I WANT or NEED to review every book I read, but I want to touch in regularly and brief you all on those books I read but chose not to review, for whatever reason, and mention something about them–whether I liked them or not, for example. Some of the books I read this month are ARCs and reviews are forthcoming, so stay tuned for that!

Here’s my “oops, didn’t review” for January and February 2020:

March Sisters: On Life, Death, and Little Women

I was on a Little Women binge, but I’m terrible at reviewing books of essays. If you like writers writing about writing, you’ll like this book. I listened to it on audio.

The Minimalist Way

This was a free Audible book I came across–kind of like Marie Kondo for beginners. An alright read.

One of Us Is Lying

A reread in anticipation of the sequel, but even better on the page than the audio I listened to two years ago!

One of Us is Next

Probably should have reviewed this, tbh, but it was great. Loved the twist at the end.

Viva Durant and the Secret of the Silver Buttons

An Audible original with a good soundtrack. Kind of childish (on purpose and accidentally), but interesting enough!

The Chain

A good read! Very BOTM-esque, but not a pick. If you like kidnap dramas and intertwined plots ,you’d like this.

Les Liaisons Dangereuse

I couldn’t review this because this book turns me into mush. Seriously, amazing. Also epistolary, which I loved.

The Water Dancer

It took me a lot longer to read this book than I thought it would, and I liked it overall, but I might want to reread in a few years.

And Go Like This

It feels weird to review books by former professors, and also it’s hard to review short story collections, but this has some good ones.

Theft By Finding: 1977-2002

David Sedaris can do no wrong. This book is barely a book, but hearing him speak for thirteen hours was fun.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: Daughter of Chaos

I’ve never seen the TV show so reading the books is always weird–I want to like this but it assumes a lot of knowledge I think it shouldn’t.

Trust Exercise

It won the National Book Award, so it’s got that seal of approval. I preferred the print to audio, and it’s definitely a weird type of book, but I liked it, I think, LOL.

Genesis Begins Again

Should have reviewed this! ALA award winner, super well-done and meaningful!

Hearts Unbroken

Another ALA winner I really enjoyed!

The Witches: Salem, 1692

For my March DAR book club…it’s really long and dense but has a lot of sass, which I loved.

Suffragists in Washington DC

For my March Women’s History Month Book Club. Mostly history, but not a lot to talk about as a review. Will provide interesting discussion points hopefully!

The Sun Also Rises

Who needs to review Hemingway in 2020? I identified with Brett Ashley a little too much though.

Cilka’s Journey

The sequel to Tattooist of Auschwitz. Again in that screenplay-esque style, and it wasn’t as good as the first one. Also…lots of questions of historical accuracy, which sucks. Not that bad of a novel though, if you think of it as total fiction.

What books did you read in 2020 but haven’t felt compelled to review?