[13] Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson
Fiction / Women, saw my friend Kim recommend in her Instagram stories, Audio
Synopsis: After a year of sobriety, Emma, 26, is thinking about reentering the dating world, but it’s been a challenge. Between her mother’s new relationship, a creepster she accidentally matched with on a dating app, and the sudden reappearance of her estranged father, things feel more complicated than ever. Yet, she still finds herself attracted to Ben, the charming IT guy who just might understand her in a way no one else does.
Review: This is not a romance, and therefore, it was a pivot for me, which felt refreshing, even though it’s about a recovering alcoholic. Emma is a sincere person that’s easy to root for and I found her story compelling from the beginning. It’s sort of slow moving, and not a lot happens, but I appreciated the view into addiction and recovery.
Recommend? Yes
[14] Cleared for the Option: A Year Learning to Fly by Patrick Chovanec
Non-fiction, saw on this 24 books for pilots to read in 2024 list, Kindle
Synopsis: Chovanec recounts his journey to becoming a private pilot during the early days of the pandemic, starting with Microsoft Flight Simulator before transitioning to real-world flying. He dives into how his passion for aviation took off, blending key topics with anecdotes from both virtual and actual flights.
Review: This book is good, but it drug out a bit for me – it leaned more textbook than anecdotal in parts and storytelling makes things stick in my brain better than rote memorization. I liked the humor and writing style of the other learning to fly book I read better. BUT! This one got into some interesting and helpful stuff the other one didn’t (actual mechanics of an airplane, etc.), so I’m not mad I read it. I just know y’all are really interested in a flying books so I want to make sure it’s clear you should read the one below instead LOLOLOL.
Recommend? Nah, read Learning to Fly instead
[15] Saving Noah by Lucinda Berry
Fiction / Psychologica, book club book, Audio
Synopsis: Noah was a model student and star athlete until he confessed to molesting two young girls. Sentenced to a juvenile rehabilitation center, he leaves his family in turmoil. His mother, Adrianne, stands by him, but her husband refuses to let Noah return home. As painful truths unfold, Adrianne faces the agonizing choice: How far will she go to protect her son?
Review: Why is it that the books I don’t care for are always the ones I have the most to say about? I guess it means something that this one got me so fired up! But still, I would never recommend it to anyone. Anyway. It was painful to listen to – because I could not stand the narrator’s voice, and because the mom is so naive. I am childless and appreciated the view into someone’s blind love for their child, but it was too much for me. It made me feel super ick – not just what her kid did, but how she wouldn’t listen to specialists, took all her anger out on her husband, made all her decisions based on emotion, etc. It will be interesting to chat about it at book club and see if that was realistic. I just don’t get it. Even if it is, I didn’t like being in her head for it. Or hearing it in that horrible voice.
Other annoyances:
- It’s set in Chicagoland, and they claim Buffalo Grove is a small town where everyone would know each other. With a population over 42K? Doubtful. She also says “the” Navy Pier. LOL whut. We call it Navy Pier.
- The writing was super elementary
- It’s worth mentioning again, I could not stand the narrator’s voice or how she voiced her young daughter. Ugh.
- The “twist” was predictable
- It was just super fucked up
Recommend? You know what? NO.
