Books I Read in February, Part 1
How is February nearly over already?
This month I "officially" joined the Bookstagram community on Instagram. You'll see on my Instagram (previously @jesslikesthings and now, @booksterjess) that I'm focusing more on pretty book covers and shelves, what I've read, what I'm excited to read, and book reviews.
Just as I did for last month's books, I'm doing a quick recap of the books I read in February!
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman. 4/5
If you're a Gaiman fan or if you read American Gods, you'll know that Norse mythology is his favorite. In Norse Mythology, he transforms classic Norse myths into his own witty and whimsical renditions. This isn't something I'd normally read--even though I like Gaiman's work--but I'm glad I tried it. It was a quick, fun read that gives you a glimpse into the world of Norse mythology: gods, giants, dwarves, and Ragnarok.
The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn. 2.5/5
I mentioned in a previous blog post that I had finished this book on the day that Dan Mallory (pseudonym A.J. Finn) was exposed as a con artist. Oof. Anyway, in this book, a reclusive protagonist in New York City sees something she shouldn't when spying on her neighbors, and then drama happens. It's another book where we have an unreliable narrator who happens to be a flawed woman. Author controversy aside, I thought this suburban noir was addictive, but the main character wasn't very likable, and the writing could have been better.
The Myth of the Nice Girl by Fran Hauser. 4/5
"If women are nice, they are seen as weak and ineffective, but if they are tough, they are labeled a bitch." Ain't that the truth. I really enjoyed how Hauser stressed the importance of being genuinely nice at work in order to achieve your goals, and how that involves straddling the line between being a pushover and being off-putting. It's refreshing, practical advice. The only thing is, Hauser's voice is pretty businesslike, and I could have used more of her personality.
The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson. 4/5
There's a lot going on in The Almost Sisters, but Jackson balances it all really well. After a tryst at a comic book convention, writer and nerd Leia Birch Brigg's has to travel back to her childhood town in Alabama to care for her ill grandmother. The Almost Sisters explores life in the South, family bonds, racism, privilege, parenting and much more. I typically like more focused and straightforward books, but I enjoyed this a lot.
A Stranger in the House by Shari Lapena. 3/5
Another whodunit thriller about Karen and Tom, a seemingly perfect couple in upstate New York. Tom comes home to find that Karen has left the house in a rush and vanished. But then the cop shows up to tell him that she's been in a car accident and has temporary amnesia. What happened? After I was underwhelmed by The Couple Next Door I gave Shari Lapena another chance. This was less convoluted than TCND and, like The Woman in the Window, I thought it was addictive. But it was a typical watered down thriller that's become really popular after Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train.
Check back for Books I Read in February, Part 2!