Okay, September! This feels big! September was only one season ago, so it feels like I’m actually getting caught up LOL
September was insanely busy for me at work, and it’s reflected in the fact that I only read 13 books. So I think we should be able to get these wrapped up in two batches!! Here we go!
Outside the Gates by Molly Gloss – 4*
//published 1986//
I’ve seen this slim (97 page) book listed on a few “modern classics” lists, so when I saw it for a dollar on Book Outlet, I got a copy. Gloss obviously doesn’t spend a lot of time world-building, yet the sparse writing somehow kept me completely engaged. I can see myself rereading this one at some point – the apparently simplicity is somewhat deceptive as I found myself continuing to think about this one long after I finished it.
Moonlight Cove by Sherryl Woods – 3.5*
//published 2011//
The next installment in the mediocre-why-am-I-still-reading-these Chesapeake Shores series wasn’t that bad. The main part that got on my nerves was the absolute obsession with the fact that the MC, Jess, has ADD. Like, it’s mentioned on almost every page. I get it, she struggles, she’s struggled in the past, she’s working hard to make it work! Okay! Sheesh. It got to the point where it felt like she was using it to excuse anything that went wrong in her life. Actually, everyone has trouble remembering things sometimes, and most of us need lists/notes/a system to make sure everything gets done – not saying that her ADD wasn’t making it more difficult, but it’s not like she’s the only person in the world who has ever forgotten to pay a bill. However, I liked the love interest and it’s always fun to see the other family members in the background. Not a fabulous read (literally none of these have been), but perfectly reg.
Everywhere It’s You by C.B. Salem – 1*
//published 2015//
Hey, you know what’s annoying? Being sold half a book and not being told it’s half a book! I’m not talking about a cliffhanger ending, I’m talking about it literally just stops. At only 170 pages, I felt like demanding $6 for the second half of a book (!) was a bit ballsy. I was already only moderately invested in this one as the writing was mediocre and riddled with typos and coincidences, so having the book just abruptly stop annoyed me enough that I no longer cared.
The Reef by Nora Roberts – 4*
//published 1998//
I order from Book Outlet about once a quarter, and almost always get a few Nora Roberts books for less than $3 each – she’s just so prolific! I think it’s crazy how she can choose some completely random setting/job yet make it work. Here we have shipwreck salvagers and marine archeologists – jobs I’ve never even really thought about! The first half of the book kind of stressed me out because I knew that something bad was going to happen to bust up Tate and Matthew’s relationship, and I never like that feeling of impending doom. However, I did like both of those characters and liked them together. Tate’s parents and Matthew’s uncle were fun and engaging characters, and the villain was totally someone you wanted to see get punched in the nose. This was one of her more slowly-paced books, to the point that a few times it felt almost draggy, but on the whole it worked.
The Fallen Man by Tony Hillerman – 4*
//published 1996//
Another solid installment of the Leaphorn and Chee books. I love all the recurring characters and the setting, so these books have all been wins for me so far.
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary – 4*
//published 2019//
This one was a reread for me, and my original thoughts from 2019 still pretty much stand – this is pretty adorable all the way through, with some more serious notes that are handled fairly well. I really like both Tiffy and Leon (especially Leon lol) and the way that they both help the other work through life complications. I think that even if you aren’t into romance, there is still a lot to enjoy in this one.
The Aroma of Books 