panJune 2025 Book#2
This one is going #offmyshelf @wanderglynn It didn‘t work for me. I found it so exaggerated and even histrionic in the way situations were managed or explained. What about menstruation it was like the topic is something out of this world🙄I still don‘t know why this book was in so many awards lists. I know mine is an unpopular opinion🤷🏽♀️2⭐️Almost bailed it.
so-soWho is George? Well, while we are treated to almost four decades of his existence, I'm not sure I felt any more confident in answering that question at the end than I did at the beginning. George is, it seems, fairly unremarkable, and I think (THINK) that's the point? This does lead to some humor, and the frustrating inconsistency of George's attitudes is also a plus. I think we are supposed to see him as flawed -- and he is-- but who isn't?
so-soConceptually, this book is fantastic, and the fact that it highlights young women boxers is exceptional. I bear some responsibility for my somewhat “meh“ reaction to the book as I have very little interest in boxing, and I'm sure that sullied my reaction a bit. #TOB2025 #TOB25 Full review: https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3934124522060211942/278442361882261270
#ToB26
One of my most anticipated moments each year: the #ToB longlist. I‘ve been deep diving almost all day and I have read 11, I own 12 to be read on my shelves and am about to buy another load… please help me prevent this and tell me what book or books I should absolutely get and what books I can skip 😀
pickThe title felt a bit gratuitous to me, but then I thought, what would I title this novel?...There are moments that read like a charming coming-of-age tale, others that twist your heart [...] What a gift to be able to see ourselves through her eyes, to laugh at our silliness, to cry at our cruelty, to empathize with our pain. FULL REVIEW: https://readingrantsandraves.blogspot.com/2025/10/2025-45-beautyland-bertino.htm... #TOB2025 #TOB25
pick...beautiful, tragic, funny,...There's even a plot twist -- handled deftly by Akbar, without resorting to clichéd sentimentality. ... lays bare themes of addiction, abandonment, artistic impulse, religiosity, media filters, racism, sexuality, and yes-- martyrdom-... like one of those rare honest conversations one might have with a close friend #TOB2025 #TOB25
Full https://readingrantsandraves.blogspot.com/2025/10/2025-43-martyr-akbar.html
pickPhoebe is an amazing protagonist, and the book is full of characters who are hiding behind façades, and Espach lets us see that so that they don't become caricatures. The initial premise doesn't seem like it would be very funny--and it isn't--but the story is so very human and redemptive in that the characters get to be real people, making real choices. A delightful read. #TOB2025 #TOB25
![[tagged book]](https://image.librarything.com/pics/litsy_webpics/icon_taggedBook@3x.png){kind=icon}
#BookSpinBingo # 2 (buddy read)
#ISpyBingo (number) @TheAromaOfBooks
#Tob25 1d