Expectation: High concept horror drivel, if the incredibly low user ratings on Goodreads are to be believed.
Reality: Uneven but creative, I was entertained throughout.
All in Audiobook
Kindred – Octavia E. Butler
Expectation: A science fiction/horror classic with historical elements.
Reality: A no holds barred exploration of the horrors of slavery through the lens of 20th century sensibility. It was devastating and utterly engrossing.
Hawk Mountain – Conner Habib
Expectation: A psychological thriller and modern-day revenge fantasy with queer sensibilities.
Reality: A promising first half is squandered by overstuffed plots and a last-minute reveal that is more frustrating than illuminating.
Less Is Lost – Andrew Sean Greer
Expectation: Another imperfect but reflective travelogue with Arthur Less.
Reality: Essentially three different stories mashed together, Greer favored slapstick over sentimental in this inconsequential and unnecessary sequel.
My Policeman – Bethan Roberts
Expectation: A part-romance, part-revenge tale made more heartbreaking due to the time period.
Reality: A simple, yet effective story with no clear villain or hero.
Carrie Soto Is Back – Taylor Jenkins Reid
Expectation: Another engrossing novel about a fictional character that feels like someone you’ve known about your whole life.
Reality: Shallow and repetitive but still entertaining, it is the least interesting story from the author.
I’m Glad My Mom Died – Jennette McCurdy
I read this solely out of FOMO. I’m too old to have followed her Nickelodeon career, and I couldn’t have told you who she was prior to the press about this book. All that to say, you don’t need to be a fan to be enthralled.
My Government Means to Kill Me – Rasheed Newson
Expectation: Yet another take on the Great American AIDS novel.
Reality: A propulsive page-turn that expertly marries fact and fiction. It’s more plot driven than character driven but that’s okay when a story is this entertaining and informative.
Marrying the Ketchups – Jennifer Close
Expectation: A family drama infused with Chicagoland ethos (think part “Happy Endings”/part “Shameless”).
Reality: Funnier and more thought provoking than anticipated, I was absolutely engrossed by the story and felt seen in the pages.
Remarkably Bright Creatures – Shelby Van Pelt
Expectation: A high concept buddy dramedy exploring the human and animal connection.
Reality: Marcellus and Tova are the strongest parts of the story, so whenever it shifted to someone else the narrative lost steam. Still, I was charmed overall.
Black Cake – Charmaine Wilkerson
Expectation: A big-hearted family drama with historical fiction elements and the experiences of Caribbean Americans.
Reality: It delivers on the drama and Caribbean experience, but there’s too much plot and too many people making it feel overstuffed and undercooked.
Hello, Molly! – Molly Shannon with Sean Wilsey
There’s no celebrity gossip or score settling, but we do get an interesting behind-the-scenes view of her time on “Saturday Night Live,” and how she created iconic characters like Mary Catherine Gallagher, Sally O’Malley, Circe Nightshade and Miss Colleen. It was a great nostalgia trip.
Upgrade – Blake Crouch
Expectation: A science fiction bro-fest with predictable and outlandish plots.
Reality: More political and emotional than anticipated, it reminded me of a 1980s action film — over-the-top and ridiculous but a ton of fun.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow – Gabrielle Zevin
Expectation: A romance novel rooted in the world of tech and gaming.
Reality: Nuanced and gorgeous writing, paired with a genre-melding plot made this one of the most immersive and surprising stories I’ve read all year.
The Swimmers – Julie Otsuka
Expectation: A dramedy about wanting to hold on to your younger days in the twilight years.
Reality: A unique style of storytelling somewhat masks the affecting exploration of mortality, memory and caring for aging parents.
If You See Me, Don’t Say Hi – Neel Patel
Expectation: A darkly comedic take on acknowledging your own shortcomings.
Reality: Recursive and mediocre. None of the characters are particularly likeable, which made reading this feel like a chore.
Sharks in the Time of Saviors – Kawai Strong Washburn
Expectation: A quasi-scifi family drama about carrying the weight of your family’s hopes and dreams.
Reality: A strong first half was ruined by a mid-point plot twist that rendered the rest of the novel far less interesting.
Bel Canto – Ann Patchett
Expectation: A layered, nuanced and tense story of life and death.
Reality: Bogged down by too many characters and writing flourishes, it still packs an emotional punch in the end, but some readers (like my husband) will have given up by then.
The Five Wounds – Kirstin Valdez Quade
Expectation: A big-hearted family drama.
Reality: More depressing than hopeful, you want to root for the Padilla family, but sometimes they make it difficult.
A Million Quiet Revolutions – Robin Gow
Expectation: I expected a light story about celebrating the future while acknowledging the past.
Reality: A moving portrayal of the transgender experience, but the book-in-verse format didn’t translate well as an audiobook.