Books for December
Last nine books of 2020. I got to 130 which seems to be my number in recent years.
Solutions and Other Problems - Allie Brosh, 3/5, 528 pages
I loved "Hyperbole and a Half" but unfortunately this follow-up could not live up to my expectations, and I ended up skimming a lot of the stories. The ones I didn't skim, I really enjoyed though (the one about the bucket and the one about her neighbour, Richard especially), so I'm still going to rate this 3 stars.
Månen over Østerbro - Claus Holm, 3.5/5, 178 pages
12 short-stories or vignettes all happening in a single night on Østerbro. I liked how they were all intertwined somehow, so even though each focused on a different aspect, you never knew when (or how!) characters from an earlier chapter would show up again.
Very different genre than what I've come to expect from Claus Holm, but every bit as well written as usual.
In a Holidaze - Christina Lauren, 4/5, 307 pages
"Groundhog Day" meets Christmas chick-lit. It was delightful and adorable and I loved every minute of it. Christina Lauren writes wonderfully charming chick-lit, and this completely lived up to my expectations. It was more "winter wonderland" than actual Christmassy, but I loved the traditions, I loved the family feel and I could definitely see myself returning to this as a regular Christmas read.
Brothersong - T.J. Klune, 3.5/5, Audiobook ~18hrs
T.J. Klune uses a very unique writing style in this series, which takes some getting used to, and really doesn't work for everybody. Every time I start a new book, I have to get used to it all over again. Once I've gotten used to it, I like it, but it does mean that starting a sequel takes more effort than it would usually. So while I enjoyed this latest book in the Green Creek series, I'm not entirely sure I'll keep on reading the series. Which is a shame, as I absolutely adored the first book.
Peace on Earth - Audrey Faye*, 3.5/5, 282 pages
Previously published as 4 separate "Lesbian Assassins" novellas (vol 1, 2 and 4 + one short Christmas story), but it really makes more sense as one longer novel. I really enjoyed revisiting Carly and Jane and getting to know Lelo and Rosie all over again. It's ridiculously readable and I loved how the rewrite turned it into a Christmas story.
The Unhoneymooners - Christina Lauren*, 4.5/5, Audiobook ~9hrs
I wish I could remember who originally recommended this book to me and thank her profusely, because I ended up absolutely loving it! Sure, it's the enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating trope, but so charmingly written that I loved every single minute of it. It was originally designated train reading, but I ended up picking it up every free minute at home as well.
It made me laugh, it made me cry. It was predictable as anything, but the characters so likable that I just didn't care. Even the final resolution was more satisfying than I had originally feared (with proper growth, rather than just ignoring everything to swooningly - yes, it's a word - fall into each others' arms).
It's not high literature in any sense of the word, but for pure enjoyment, it might be one of my favourite reads this year.
Fervent Prayer - Priscilla Shirer*, 4/5, 211 pages
A really good book with some concrete examples of how we can pray specifically and strategically for the areas in our lives where the devil is most likely to attack us. Priscilla uses personal examples to make the issues relatable to the reader, and offers verses from Scripture to use in our prayers.
I don't think I learned so many new things from this book, but I appreciated the specific examples of how to apply her ideas to my existing prayer-life. Especially the part about praying specifically and individually for family and friends rather than just the litany of "bless him and her and her and...". Prayer blesses both the one being prayed for and the one praying, and this tactic allows me to focus more distinctly on whoever I'm praying for. Not that there's anything wrong with the other method - and sometimes that is indeed all I have time for - but it's good to be reminded of alternatives.
Grower's Omen - Audrey Faye*, 4/5, 162 pages
A bit slower to take off than the first book in the series, but once it did, I enjoyed it just as much. Especially the ethical dilemma Tyra faced, and her absolute dedication to staying on the right side of the equations, even if she did have to cross certain lines along the way.
After reading the first one, I was glad to see that there didn't seem to be any romantic interest for Tyra in this one. While I loved the story of Kish and Devan, I still appreciate that the focus is on the Fixers' jobs, rather than on getting them all paired up ;)
Twelve Days of Christmas - Trisha Ashley*, 4.5/5, 402 pages
Just as good as on my first read-though. This is going to be a firm stable of my Christmas reading I think. But I got so HUNGRY!!! There many descriptions of Holly making delicious-sounding food.
On this readthrough I didn't mind the writing style at all. It reads more like Holly's diary than anything else, which really worked for me this time around, so I have no idea what my issue was with it the first time.
Books read: 130
Pages read: 24,727
Book of the Month: In a Holidaze
Biggest Disappointment: Solutions and other Problems.
Solutions and Other Problems - Allie Brosh, 3/5, 528 pages
I loved "Hyperbole and a Half" but unfortunately this follow-up could not live up to my expectations, and I ended up skimming a lot of the stories. The ones I didn't skim, I really enjoyed though (the one about the bucket and the one about her neighbour, Richard especially), so I'm still going to rate this 3 stars.
Månen over Østerbro - Claus Holm, 3.5/5, 178 pages
12 short-stories or vignettes all happening in a single night on Østerbro. I liked how they were all intertwined somehow, so even though each focused on a different aspect, you never knew when (or how!) characters from an earlier chapter would show up again.
Very different genre than what I've come to expect from Claus Holm, but every bit as well written as usual.
In a Holidaze - Christina Lauren, 4/5, 307 pages
"Groundhog Day" meets Christmas chick-lit. It was delightful and adorable and I loved every minute of it. Christina Lauren writes wonderfully charming chick-lit, and this completely lived up to my expectations. It was more "winter wonderland" than actual Christmassy, but I loved the traditions, I loved the family feel and I could definitely see myself returning to this as a regular Christmas read.
Brothersong - T.J. Klune, 3.5/5, Audiobook ~18hrs
T.J. Klune uses a very unique writing style in this series, which takes some getting used to, and really doesn't work for everybody. Every time I start a new book, I have to get used to it all over again. Once I've gotten used to it, I like it, but it does mean that starting a sequel takes more effort than it would usually. So while I enjoyed this latest book in the Green Creek series, I'm not entirely sure I'll keep on reading the series. Which is a shame, as I absolutely adored the first book.
Peace on Earth - Audrey Faye*, 3.5/5, 282 pages
Previously published as 4 separate "Lesbian Assassins" novellas (vol 1, 2 and 4 + one short Christmas story), but it really makes more sense as one longer novel. I really enjoyed revisiting Carly and Jane and getting to know Lelo and Rosie all over again. It's ridiculously readable and I loved how the rewrite turned it into a Christmas story.
The Unhoneymooners - Christina Lauren*, 4.5/5, Audiobook ~9hrs
I wish I could remember who originally recommended this book to me and thank her profusely, because I ended up absolutely loving it! Sure, it's the enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating trope, but so charmingly written that I loved every single minute of it. It was originally designated train reading, but I ended up picking it up every free minute at home as well.
It made me laugh, it made me cry. It was predictable as anything, but the characters so likable that I just didn't care. Even the final resolution was more satisfying than I had originally feared (with proper growth, rather than just ignoring everything to swooningly - yes, it's a word - fall into each others' arms).
It's not high literature in any sense of the word, but for pure enjoyment, it might be one of my favourite reads this year.
Fervent Prayer - Priscilla Shirer*, 4/5, 211 pages
A really good book with some concrete examples of how we can pray specifically and strategically for the areas in our lives where the devil is most likely to attack us. Priscilla uses personal examples to make the issues relatable to the reader, and offers verses from Scripture to use in our prayers.
I don't think I learned so many new things from this book, but I appreciated the specific examples of how to apply her ideas to my existing prayer-life. Especially the part about praying specifically and individually for family and friends rather than just the litany of "bless him and her and her and...". Prayer blesses both the one being prayed for and the one praying, and this tactic allows me to focus more distinctly on whoever I'm praying for. Not that there's anything wrong with the other method - and sometimes that is indeed all I have time for - but it's good to be reminded of alternatives.
Grower's Omen - Audrey Faye*, 4/5, 162 pages
A bit slower to take off than the first book in the series, but once it did, I enjoyed it just as much. Especially the ethical dilemma Tyra faced, and her absolute dedication to staying on the right side of the equations, even if she did have to cross certain lines along the way.
After reading the first one, I was glad to see that there didn't seem to be any romantic interest for Tyra in this one. While I loved the story of Kish and Devan, I still appreciate that the focus is on the Fixers' jobs, rather than on getting them all paired up ;)
Twelve Days of Christmas - Trisha Ashley*, 4.5/5, 402 pages
Just as good as on my first read-though. This is going to be a firm stable of my Christmas reading I think. But I got so HUNGRY!!! There many descriptions of Holly making delicious-sounding food.
On this readthrough I didn't mind the writing style at all. It reads more like Holly's diary than anything else, which really worked for me this time around, so I have no idea what my issue was with it the first time.
Books read: 130
Pages read: 24,727
Book of the Month: In a Holidaze
Biggest Disappointment: Solutions and other Problems.