Welcome to Quick Lit where I share books that I chose for my own reading enjoyment in a mini-review format. These are not books I received for review, but books that I’ve been wanting to read or that have caught my attention. Most of them have been talked about ad nauseam or have been on my to-read list for a long time so they don’t really need a full review. But, I’d still like to give them some space here on the blog, so instead, I’m offering mini-reviews of the books that won’t get full-page space here.
I’ll be linking up with Modern Mrs. Darcy and her monthly Quick Lit link-up. Be sure to head over to see others share their Quick Lit posts. This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read more about that.
My current reads are BEYOND THE POINT (still from last month), AND FINALLY: Matters of Life and Death on Kindle, and THE CACTUS on audio.
As I have mentioned, I am trying to read more books off my shelves, but it’s hard to do that when review books come in the mail and new books are constantly being released. So, I added some of the books from my shelves to my Libby audio holds. Then I can read faster by dual reading…reading the physical copy and listening to it on audio. Only two books this month were from my personal shelves. The rest were Audible or Libby audiobooks.
Here are 7 very different books I read and listened to in the last month. including three memoirs, a middle-grade fiction, a historical fiction, popular fiction, and a novella by a popular author.
OUT OF THE CORNER
By: Jennifer Grey
Narrated by: Jennifer Grey
Published: May 3, 2022
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Memoir
Format: Audiobook through Audible
The author narrates the audiobook which gives it an authentic and emotional feel. But, I just felt some of her stories were uninteresting. I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes of Dirty Dancing and her time on Dancing with the Stars, her failed relationship with Matthew Broderick, and her chaotic childhood. But, her constant partying as a teenager and failed relationship stories were a bit repetitive. I’m a fan of Jennifer Grey and overall enjoyed the listen. I did take a peek at the physical copy and there are several pictures spread throughout the chapters that you don’t get to see by listening to the audio version.
EVIDENCE OF THE AFFAIR
By: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Narrated by: Julia Whelan and George Newbern
Published:
Publisher:
Fiction/Novella
Format: Audiobook through Audible
This short novella shares the perspective of a couple finding out their spouses are having an affair with each other. A letter-writing relationship begins between the spouses as they uncover the lies being told by their partners. The chapters flip between their correspondence and as they learn more about each other, they find a connection as well. But, you won’t be expecting the twist that comes. This is a very short listen or read and has a good twist.
Note: This is only available on Amazon as an eBook or audiobook.
THESE PRECIOUS DAYS: ESSAYS
By: Ann Patchett
Published: November 23, 2021
Publisher: Harper
Memoir/Essays
Format: Hardcover
Ann Patchett shares short reflections and stories from her childhood through the present day. This was the first of her essay collections that I have read and I really enjoyed many of the stories. My favorites included ones about her time at the Iowa Writer’s Workshop and after the tornado in Nashville in March 2020 and her efforts keeping her bookstore open during COVID. I also was deeply moved by her friendship with Tom Hank’s personal assistant, Sooki.
I’M GLAD MY MOM DIED
By: Jennette McCurdy
Narrated by: Jennette McCurdy
Published: August 9, 2022
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Memoir
Format: Audiobook through the library
We were huge fans of iCarly when our kids were little. We loved Spencer, Carly, Sam, Freddie, and Gibby and their antics while hosting an internet show called iCarly. Sam was played by Jennette McCurdy and I had no idea the struggles she was going through in her life while filming iCarly. Her memoir is shocking, heartbreaking, and brutally honest. Her mom was extremely emotionally abusive to Sam and unfortunately caused Sam to make horrible choices. Jennette McCurdy narrates it herself and she is a fast narrator. I usually listen to books at 1.4 speed, but I had to slow hers down because her narration is so fast. I’m amazed that she has overcome a lot of her issues and stayed true to herself after all she has gone through. You’d never know it while watching iCarly, but I do want to go back and watch a few episodes to see if I can pick up the cues now. Trigger warnings for alcoholism, eating disorders, controlling behaviors, and emotional abuse.
PASSING
By: Nella Larsen
Narrated by: Robin Miles
Published: 1928
Publisher: Knopf
Historical Fiction
Format: Audiobook through the library
I loved Robin Miles’ narration in SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO so was excited to find out she narrates this classic novel. I first became interested in reading this one after the movie came out and then again after reading THE VANISHING HALF by Brit Bennett. Two friends reconnect in their later adult lives. Irene is a light-skinned black woman living in Harlem with her doctor husband. Claire is a light-skinned black woman who has passed as white while being married to a white banker. Claire’s return to Irene’s life has caused some conflict in Irene’s very structured life and marriage. This is a very quick read/listen and I was not expecting the twist at the end.
BAN THIS BOOK
By: Alan Gratz
Narrated by: Bahni Turpin
Published: August 29, 2017
Publisher: Starscape
Middle-Grade Fiction
Format: Audiobook through the library
I’m not sure how I heard about this one, but because it was written by Alan Gratz, I added it to my library holds. A 4th grader decides to take on the school board and school after her favorite book, The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is banned in her school library. When she finds a long list of books to be banned, she decides to secretly create her own library of banned books in her locker. The list of books gets larger and larger due to a parent’s influence and Amy Anne Ollinger decides she has had enough and gets the courage to fight back. This story has a great message on both choosing to read books appropriate for a child’s age/maturity level as well as fighting for something you believe in. Bahni Turpin’s narration is excellent as well.
BLACK CAKE
By: Charmaine Wilkerson
Published: February 1, 2022
Publisher: Ballantine
Fiction
Format: Hardcover
This was our book club pick for January. It has been getting a lot of buzz on social media and in bookish articles. Two siblings reconnect after their mother has died and find she has left them a recording revealing a long-held secret that will forever change their lives. I was pretty attached to this story and I’m glad I read a physical copy because I had to flip back and forth quite a few times. There are several characters introduced throughout the story (some seemed unnecessary to the story) but some of the main characters in the story change names which can make the reading experience even more confusing. But, the journey the siblings take to learn about their mom’s past is quite moving and I really enjoyed the story.