Happy May! No long intro today. Here are the few books I read last month.
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
★★★/5; Historical Fiction 
I know that my 3 stars are in the minority. I struggled with rating this book because I honestly just don’t like the 1970s and that culture. I know some people could get past that and enjoy the story, but the heart of it was 1970s and I just hate that decade. (That’s a discussion for another time.) There were SO MANY things I liked about this book, though. First of all, Camila is g.d. angel. I loved her. I also really liked Warren and Karen. TJR is a freakin’ artist. She wrote a book that felt like a real 300+ page interview AND SHE WROTE SONGS. Hot damn. She’s incredible. Also, didn’t notice at all that we weren’t hearing from absolutely everyone. Honestly, her writing and her story telling blows me away, but when it came to Daisy Jones and The Six I hated their choices, felt bored with their struggles, and didn’t have the patience to deal with their behaviors. Evelyn Hugo is still my #1.
Read it? I’d still say yes because I’m practically the only one who feels this way.
*I watched Dirt (Mötley Crüe biopic) in the midst of reading DJ and I think it affected my opinion.
Make Me Bad by R.S. Grey
★★★★/5; Romance 
Grey missed the mark for me two books ago with Not So Nice Guy, but then her book Hotshot Doc was much better. I think this one falls closer to Doc. I debated between 3 and 4 stars, but I enjoyed this one and thought the romance was cute. I never got bored with Ben and Madison and I found myself itching to read the book when it wasn’t appropriate to be reading. Lol. Both main characters had great best friends. I really enjoyed Ben’s relationship with his dad, although I don’t think I saw him as the bad boy like I was supposed to… just a rich, ornery teenager turned refined adult. And Madison’s family was a little much, but that was necessary to the story.
You know what drives me nuts, though? Spoiler (highlight): I hate that every “happily ever after” in these romance novels ends with a fun little wedding and multiple kids or a pregnancy. EVERY EPILOGUE INCLUDES THAT EXACT THING.
Read it? If you like contemporary romance, yes.
Saga, Vol. 2 & 3 by Brian Vaughan
★★★★/5; Sci-fi Graphic Novel 
I still think these books are weird AF and much too violent for me… but I’m still hooked. I honestly can’t pinpoint why, haha. (Volume 1 review here.) There are several story lines, although there’s a major one that everything revolves around, and you quickly understand that the whole story is kind of an autobiography/history- not happening in real time. (That’s not a spoiler- you get that from page one in the first vol.) I dunno… I’m sad about the number of people who have died so far (like I said, VIOLENT), but I’m very invested in where everyone’s story goes!
Read it? Yes, but go in order. I accidentally jumped out of order and I’m ticked I did that.
I’ve had a really crappy reading month. The idea of reading books sounds great to me, but then I just don’t. I’m still halfway through The Lost World and I have three library books out right now. I’m hoping my mood changes soon and I get through them all in May.
Tell me what you read this month!
Linking up with hosts Jana & Steph for Show Us Your Books!
Life as Louise 
The hype is real about Daisy Jones and the six ! I really hope to like it when I get to it
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I hope you like it, too! I know lots and lots of readers loved it!!
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Aw sorry Daisy didn’t work for you! I could see how it wont be a book everyone loves. I haven tried RS Grey yet.
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No worries- everyone can’t love everything 🙂 I’m kind of new to the romance genre, but Grey is one of my favorites. Mostly light hearted and quite steamy.
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Sorry you didn’t love Daisy. I do really hope to read it soon; I love the format it’s told in. And I love the Saga comics – definitely violent though, and it doesn’t get any better as the books go on, but I still love it!! I just need more!!
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
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No worries. Hopefully you love Daisy! I really liked the format!! (Just not the era, sigh.) Man, Saga is such a visual drama. I have to brace myself every time I pick it up!
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I think DJ&T6 lived up to the hype- but no book is for everyone. It happens. Hope the upcoming month is better and you find something YOU love 🙂
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I think I’m just jaded by the era and the problems that people faced during that time. As far as writing and format go, it’s a great book! Hopefully May brings me some good ones! Thanks!
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bummer about daisy jones. i don’t have strong feelings about any decade but don’t love the 70s. i also don’t normally care about bands or musicians or behind the scenes stuff like that. but i do love TJR. i agree about the thing that annoys you in the epilogues. it annoys me more now than it used to 🙂
um.
so. no spoilers.
but.
if you don’t love that saga is violent and keeps killing people………………
maybe, just, be prepared, or stop. just saying. lol. i want you to keep going because i adored the series. but. there you go.
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Man… I really, truly HATE the 70s. I know it warpped my opinion of Daisy Jones. The decade aside, the writing and format and behind-the-scenes thing was really fun for me! I still think TJR is incredible.
I just don’t get why people can’t have a HEA without a basketball team of babies. I mean, especially if it’s like, “One year later…” Just, you know, enjoy that steamy chemistry one-on-one for a bit.
Sigh. I’m prepared for everyone I love to die. It just hurts a little each time it happens.
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I get like that with settings and eras in books. Sometimes I can like them anyway but a lot of times I don’t, even if the writing is great.
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Yep yep yep. I still think TJR can do no wrong but… hopefully her next book isn’t 60s/70s. I really love when she writes historical fiction, though.
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Your review of Daisy Jones kinda sums up why I have been so meh about reading it but its everywhere and everyone is raving about it so I feel like I should try. I don’t know. I am just not a fan of the virgin thing in romance books otherwise Make me bad would have been higher stars for me.
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It’s a masterpiece of a book. I’m just EXTREMELY anti-70s/flower power/hippies/etc. I tried really hard to suppress that when I was reading but the 70s themes/behaviors are just SO strong.
I didn’t mind the virgin thing. I didn’t think it was played up TOO much when it came to actual sex. The whole innocent thing was silly but meh.
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I was not a fan of Daisy. I gave it my best but it didnt happen.
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Agreed. Evelyn is much more my kind of gal.
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I know exactly what you mean about Daisy Jones! It was such a well written and thought out story. I am not a huge fan of the 70s either, and that culture is what I didn’t like about that story.
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The book itself was masterful. I just really hate that decade. But I went into it knowing that so… *shrug* my own fault.
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Oh no – sorry to hear you’re going through your own reading slump! They are the worst because you want to read but everything seems meh. Or like work. And reading should never be work!! Well, at least once you graduate from school and no longer have assigned reading! 😀 I’m absolutely intrigued by Saga and it’s not my typical read but variety is good! And also my library has the graphic novels. I’ve also read books out of order, and sometimes it’s no big deal and sometimes it really, really sucks when you accidentally do it! Here’s hoping May is a better reading month for you!
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I’m glad there are no other holds on the books I have right now so I don’t feel TOO bad about having them out from the library… but maybe if there were I’d feel the pressure to read them. LOL
If the first Saga volume doesn’t grab your interest then quit and don’t look back. But it’ll take you 40 minutes tops to get through it so I think it’s worth a shot.
Thank you! 🙂
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I loved Daisy but get why others probably wouldnt – the format didnt lend itself to a smooth read for some.
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I actually really loved the format! I think TJR is a fantastic writer (and apparently song writer, lol)! I just… I dunno… I was not and never will be a free love, flower child 😉 Lol
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I felt like Daisy Jones read like a VH1 “Behind The Music.” Totally agree with you about Camila and Warren and Karen. And the songs- I just wish the book came with the musical accompaniment! I’m looking forward to see how they do the movie adaptation. I hope all those books you got help you out of your slump!
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I really liked the behind-the-scenes aspect. I thought the interview/writing was awesome 🙂 I will definitely be interested in the movie!
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I didnt even know RS Grey had another one out – gotta check that one out!
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It’s a cute (and steamy, lol) one!
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I feel that way about WWII books so I totally understand. I almost automatically hate a book if it takes place during then. But she is a brilliant writer.
The Dirt was not a good movie but it was so good.
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I agree completely. I can appreciate the art, even if I didn’t like the subject. Hahaha.
Oh my gosh Dirt was terrible but I truly loved it so much. Hahahahahaha.
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I loved Daisy but I also loved that decade of music. It’s still my favorite!
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If it was a 90s band I’d have been alllllll about it. Hahaha! Still love TJR; Evelyn is just more my gal than Daisy 😉
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I just downloaded Make Me Bad the other day but haven’t started it.
So that’s my fear about Daisy Jones. I don’t *like* the 1970s and everything that goes with the decade. So if I hate it, I’ll feel like it’s just me. Kind of like how I enjoyed Evelyn Hugo but I felt like it was just an alternate version of Elizabeth Taylor’s life. So that kind of prevented me from loving it like so many others did.
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The writing and format of DJ was great. If that interests you, I’d advise you to read it just for that! I didn’t hate it, but I was definitely put off by the underlying era and themes of the era. I’m not mad I read it, though. Make Me Bad was cute. Nothing spectacular, but cute 🙂
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I really struggled with Daisy and I actually LOVE the 1970s era! I just didn’t care for the interview format as I felt like it was hard to really get to know the characters. I wonder if it would have been more enjoyable if it was put together differently? Just a thought… not giving up on TJR though! I need to read more of her books
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I think the era and the format are both love it or hate it things. I don’t like the 70s, but I really enjoyed the format. I cruised through because of the style but I can definitely see how it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
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Daisy Jones & The Six has been on my list. I love the 70’s music so we will see how I enjoy the book. Make Me Bad sounds good, have to check that out!
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I think you will love Daisy Jones then! Make Me Bad was a cute read- nothing too deep or serious.
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Daisy Jones is on my list too, but like you, I’m not super interested in that era so I’ve been apprehensive.
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I still enjoyed it- I just didn’t LOVE it. I think TJR is a fantastic writer so that was a redeeming quality for me. I know some people didn’t enjoy the book format but I did!
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I hate when I have a slow reading month. I’m in a bit of a slump right now. Thanks for the recommendations. Tanya – The Other Side of the Road
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Me too. Especially when there are a bunch on the coffee table and night stand that I WANT to read. Ughhh. Lol
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Sidenote: I ADORE how you mad that spoiler highlight doo-hickey!!
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Thanks!! Haha! I can’t take credit for originality- I’ve seen Alexandra ( My Favorite Things) and Kristen (See You in a Porridge) do it!
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I hope next month is better for reading. I 100% understand your feelings on Daisy Jones. I also haaaate the 1970s… and I also haaaated their choices and drama. I liked the feminist stuff, and I was more compelled than I expected to be. Someone else posting for SUYB did a good job in saying it won’t stick with them and I can relate to that. I do think TJR is a writing wizard though. So true! So I loooved Saga 1… and then haven’t read the rest yet. Whoops! Soon I hope, but I am so stoked that everyone else is finally reading them! I liked Make Me Bad, but I 1000000% MILLION agree with your thoughts on the epilogues. I almost don’t want to read them sometimes. LOLOL XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
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Girl, me too. This lack of reading is making me fussy but I just can’t get into the words right now. Ugh. I actually think the story of Daisy Jones will stick with me, but I don’t necessarily want it to. Haha. I feel like I’m easily haunted by other people’s demons so the whole infidelity/drugs/abuse issues just resonate really deep with me (which is why I avoid the era all together, lol).
Romance epilogues are the MOST annoying. Ha.
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