The Guncle

 Book 41 of my 2024 Reading Challenge

read from May 8 - 12

The Guncle

by Steven Rowley

My Opinion

4 stars

This was a fun, touching read.  It stayed light even with some heavy topics but there was also emotional depth.

Yes it's formulaic but formulas work for a reason and it's fairly clear going in what the general path will be.  The hijinks didn't get too out of hand and the conflicts simmered without fully erupting in irreparable ways.

I wish there was more information about Patrick's mother; it seemed strange to include her in the small way she was there without addressing anything else.

I see there's a second book and I would read that too but only when I'm in the right mood for it.

A Murder in Hollywood

 Book 40 of my 2024 Reading Challenge

read from April 28 - May 8

A Murder in Hollywood: The Untold Story 

of Tinseltown's Most Shocking Crime

by Casey Sherman

My Opinion

4 stars

First of all, I can tell I'm getting older because the first thing I want to compliment is the font and spacing of the text.  I'd never really paid attention before but something about the layout of this book made a really big difference in the readability and the pages passed quickly.

The back and forth of their histories leading to their paths colliding moved things along but it was a really abrupt ending.  For such a big leadup I expected more once the actual murder occurred.  I know it wouldn't be responsible to add speculation but everything had been so meticulously detailed prior to the murder and then it seemed like the investigations and aftermath didn't have as much attention.

I would definitely read this author again.

Come Together

 Book 39 of my 2024 Reading Challenge

read from April 1 - May 6

Come Together: The Science (and Art!) of 

Creating Lasting Sexual Connections

by Emily Nagoski

My Opinion

3 stars

My husband and I have always had a strong physical connection (don't worry kids, I won't be explaining further).  I don't say this to be smug because it's not perfect and we've had ebbs and flows but I do say it because I'm not going to be able to review the book based on the practicality of the advice for specific "problems" that were focused on.

So why did I read it?  The library had it and I'd heard good things about the author and it never hurts to check in and learn more about topics that aren't frequently talked about.  The chapter breakdowns as well as the tl;dr highlights would make it easy for someone to skip around.

I filed some things away in my brain for the potential future, especially as it relates to aging, and I find this author accessible if I decided to read any of her other books.

Quiet Girl in a Noisy World

 Book 38 of my 2024 Reading Challenge

read on May 4

Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert's Story

by Debbie Tung

My Opinion

4 stars

I thought I grabbed this book on a whim while browsing at the library but after looking it up on Goodreads, it was already on my 'want-to-read' shelf.  So the book grabbed my attention at least twice before even reading it.

It was an easy way to pass a little time and as an introvert married to an extrovert, there were quite a few pages/panels I want to show him as succinct examples of our differences.