I got a Groupon for hot yoga this week, and it was 113 degrees in the studio, and now I realize this is how I am meant to live. And that’s pretty much all I want to remember about this week.
I said it last week, and earlier today, and I’ll say it one last time. I. Loved. Less. This is funny and sad and charming and an instant favorite. I’m still sad that it’s over.
I’d heard a lot of buzz about What it Means When a Man Falls from the Sky. Happy to say, it lives up to the hype, for the most part. There were a couple stories that didn’t totally jibe for me, but super solid collection. The first story ends with such a gut punch, and I will never forget Windfalls. Damn, that was a good story. Can’t wait for her to write like ten more things.
I was really excited for The Wedding Date, because this one didn’t just have buzz, it had Roxane Gay buzz, one of my favorite buzzes. I’m not usually one for genre fiction, especially not romance, and this is totally boy-meets-girl formulaic, but so charming and so funny. Great characters and I loved that it didn’t shy away from race issues. Really fun light read.
It may seem like I’m just loving everything, but, surprisingly, the streak ended with Anatomy of a Scandal. I was sure I’d love this too; her first book was great, and I love very modern domestic drama. But my god, where were the editors here? There is so much that could be cut from this book! This is something of a thriller but it was soooo boring. So many chapters just take place in people’s heads, doing nothing at all to advance the story. I mean, I can assume that the wife of a man who’s on trial for rape would have some conflicting feelings, I really do not need them spelled out every other chapter. This was a huge disappointment.
The Girls in the Picture looks very promising. I started it today, and so far, so good. I love old Hollywood stories, and I loved the other two books I’ve read by this author, so I am pretty optimistic. I will of course keep you posted!
