Foreverland

 Book 14 of my 2022 Reading Challenge

Foreverland: On the Divine Tedium of Marriage

by Heather Havrilesky

3 stars

Published in 2022, Foreverland is a non-fiction collection of essays about her marriage.

Apparently the author also has an advice column (Ask Polly).  I'm not familiar with it but I can see how her style of writing essays would also apply to writing columns.

There's a fine line between being realistic yet not overly bitter.  This book edges that line sometimes but never completely crosses it.

I thought the book was fine.  I didn't mind it while I was reading it but as I write this review (behind as always) a month or so after finishing it, I don't really remember much about it either.

Mobituaries

 Book 13 of my 2022 Reading Challenge

Mobituaries: Great Lives Worth Reliving

by Mo Rocca

4 stars

Published in 2019, Mobituaries is a book, similar to his podcast of the same name, that sheds light on lesser-known people, places, items, and even an animal or two by giving them the same sort of obituary that notables get.

I've always read obituaries, visited cemeteries, and just had an interest in people's lives in general.  This book made me think of my dad because we shared that in common and this is absolutely a book that I would've passed on to him if he was still here.  We'd be sharing tidbits back and forth while reading.

I haven't listened to the podcast but I liked the book because it included pictures.  For those who do listen to the podcast, there is a note in the book that it includes new information.

The Light of Falling Stars

 Book 12 of my 2022 Reading Challenge

The Light of Falling Stars

by J. Robert Lennon

4 stars

Published in 1997, The Light of Falling Stars is a fiction novel that takes place after a plane crash.  It mainly focuses on the couple who owns the land the plane crashed on as well as characters involved in their lives.

This book gripped me right away and was difficult to put down.  I started reading it in the van and it blocked out everything around me.  

I had a little trouble keeping the characters straight as they introduced so many both on the plane and off but once they settled down and focused on a few I didn't have any other issues.

Although it was absorbing I only read a little at a time.  It was uncomfortable but realistic and I wanted to keep some distance between myself and the characters.

Wow, no thank you

 Book 11 of my 2022 Reading Challenge

Wow, No Thank You

by Samantha Irby

3 stars

Published in 2020, Wow, No Thank You is a collection of essays about life by Samantha Irby.

I thought the book was entertaining and interesting.  I related to more than I expected to based on our life differences.  This was my first book by Irby and I will definitely search out her other books.

#IMOMSOHARD

 Book 10 of my 2022 Reading Challenge

#IMOMSOHARD

by Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley

3 stars

Published in 2019, #IMOMSOHARD is a book about the highs and lows of motherhood by Kristin and Jen, the creators of "IMOMSOHARD."

I've watched enough of Kristin and Jen's videos on Facebook to pick up this book when I saw it. It does help to have a familiarity with them because they jump right in without backstory and it helps to read it in their voices and know their dynamic to get the full picture.  I can't say for sure since I haven't seen their comedy special or every single video but this book does seem to have new (or at least expanded) material.

Having a flip chart at the bottom of each page with a wine glass emptying and refilling was a fun touch that reminds me why I still enjoy physical books more than anything.

After Alice Fell

 Book 9 of my 2022 Reading Challenge

After Alice Fell

by Kim Taylor Blakemore

4 stars

Published in 2021, After Alice Fell is about Marion Abbott investigating what happened to her sister Alice.  She was in an asylum and they say she fell alone, either by accident or on purpose, but Marion feels there is more to the story.

I was very nervous reading this.  It's set in 1865 and that's an era where women can be committed by male relatives for little to no reason.  As Marion asks more questions and becomes more combative, it added a layer of suspense because not only was I reading for the mystery, there was also the low level hum in the background of feeling like Marion would be locked away for pushing it too far.

All in all, it had good pacing and kept my interest.

I Might Regret This

 Book 8 of my 2022 Reading Challenge

I Might Regret This: Essays, Drawings, Vulnerabilities, and Other Stuff

by Abbi Jacobson

3 stars

Published in 2018, I Might Regret This is collection of essays chronicling the time Abbi Jacobson spent on a solo cross-country road trip following a breakup.

I bought this book used and it was well-loved by the owner(s) before me.  Things were underlined, emphasized, etc.  I loved that they felt moved enough to highlight "be still and think" and "butt-crack" on the same page.  There was also an inscription in the front: "[name redacted]'s GIVE BACK!  but please borrow LOVE YOU!"  I hope that the person named is the one who got rid of the book and not that the borrower not only didn't return it but sold it as well.

Now that the information about my physical copy is out of the way, I really don't have much to say about the book itself.  It felt like a journal in a good way with sidenotes, drawings, etc. filling out the essays.  I didn't make any notes while reading it which means I didn't have strong likes or dislikes.  Rated a neutral 3 stars.