Images from Goodreads

[90] Godshot by Chelsea Bieker
Fiction / Literary, Sarah’s Bookshelves Live “Episode 53, Spring Book Preview with Catherine Gilmore (@gilmoreguide)”

Synopsis: Peaches, California is suffering a long-lasting drought, and many of its residents have turned to cult-leader Pastor Vern, who promises he’ll bring rain through “secret assignments” he assigns to members of the congregation once they’re of age. Lacey May is fourteen and eager to have a secret assignment of her own. But when her mother is exiled from the cult and she moves in with her grandmother and begins to learn more about Pastor Vern’s plan, she isn’t as enchanted as she once was.

Review: The writing is great, but I’m a mood reader and I was not in the mood for this sad, slow moving novel. Lacey May is abandoned by her mother when she needs her the most and spends most of the book lamenting on that and dreaming about bringing her back home. Her grandmother is completely bizarre and doesn’t properly care for Lacey May. She can’t rely on anyone in her extended family or church/cult. It’s incredibly sad. She does meet some “infidels” outside of church that care for her and treat her well, and that is redeeming. But Lacey May doesn’t make the big transformation (in her beliefs) that I expected her to, and we don’t get the full story on the church/cult, so… meh.

Recommend? No

[91] After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Fiction / Contemporary Women, recommendation from Courtney

Synopsis: Several years into marriage, Lauren and Ryan realize they can no longer stand each other and can’t remember the last time they wanted to spend time together. So they decide to take a year off from their marriage – living separately and not communicating – to see if they still want to be married after the year is over.

Review: Another brilliant novel from Jenkins Reid! Lauren and her family were so well realized, I immediately felt like I was another family member. I loved going through the journey with Lauren while she contemplated the romance at the start of a relationship and how it can fade it to complacency, and what can make it feel alive again. I wish we would have seen a bit more of Ryan’s time away, and really, more of the story at the end, but I enjoyed this!

Recommend: Yes

[92] The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab
Fiction / Fantasy / Historical, Currently Reading “Season 3, Episode 10: The Books We Are Jealous You Get to Read for the First Time,” Green light from Jamie on The Popcast

Synopsis: Addie LaRue made a deal in 1714 to live forever – but she’s cursed to have anyone who meets her instantly forget her. She’s unable to leave any trace of her existence and lives a solitude life until a bookstore clerk remembers her in 2014.

Review: I loved the concept of this book, and the writing, but it didn’t 100% do it for me. It had such a slow start. I didn’t get into it until the bookstore clerk (Henry) was introduced, and that was at the end of part 1 (of 7). The chapters alternated between present day and the past, and a lot of was the early 1700s in France right after Addie made the deal and I felt kind of bored by that part of her past… but later felt like I wanted more of her past in the 1800s and 1900s. I did feel compelled to finish it, because I wanted to see what happened to Addie and Henry, and figure out what Henry’s deal was. I think I was supposed to be sad about the ending, but I was like, eh. Ha, great review!

All that said, I can’t imagine no one remembering me. All I want is for someone to care about me and what happens to me! Connections with other humans is so important to my happiness. I love meeting someone for the first time and having a random convo and never seeing them again, but that would not sustain me for 300 years on earth!

Also, what is with the name Adeline (this book)/Adaline (Age of Adaline) being used for a woman who cannot age? It’s a beautiful name, but I am surprised the author used the same one as the movie Age of Adaline (which we just rewatched and despite the cheesy narrator, gave me all the feels).

Recommend? Sure