Happy Book Day! Linking up with Steph and Jana for a few recent reads on this glorious Show Us Your Books Day!
I have 3 (YES, THREE!) books today. Woot woot!
A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer | Fantasy | ★★★★/5
This is the final installment in the Cursebreakers trilogy. Before I picked it up I saw some negative reviews, but I enjoyed it! I was sad that a few characters got the short end of the stick. It didn’t feel super creative as far as how the results shook out… but it was realistic and natural. I love Grey and have since the start- so I enjoyed his development over this book and the last two. It’s a worthwhile series with a slightly lackluster ending- but still a great world with great characters.
The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse | Thriller | ★★★/5
I picked this one up for book club- I don’t read a bunch of thrillers. It was fine and I breezed through it. There were definitely some unrealistic moments. I highly disliked the main character Elin and often doubted her abilities as a detective. The creepiness of the setting was fantastic and I think there was a lot of potential… but I don’t think the author got it quite right. But I read it quickly and was engaged- so I’m just being picky.
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for… by Robin DiAngelo | Nonfiction | ★★★★/5
Sheesh… it took me long enough to finally finish this one. I found this book interesting and I think it’s helped open my eyes to some racial disparities that I hadn’t noticed. I didn’t agree with absolutely everything DiAngelo said, though. And the idea of a nice white lady breaking down race for another nice white lady doesn’t escape me. It’s opened the door for me to pick up other books on racial inequality, though. Most definitely not a waste of time.
I’ve had so many three star books this year. It was nice to get a few four-ers. Still waiting for that magical five star read. I think I’m extra picky and judgmental this year. Lol.
Give me a five star recommendation!
Life as Louise 
How did I forget I own A Vow So Bold and Deadly?! Eep, I’m scared to find out who gets the short end of the stick!
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I feel like the second book had me turning against Rhen and Harper kind of… but I think this one kind of redeemed them. Lol
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I figured out who it was in The Sanatorium, so it wasn’t some big surprise. I did enjoy the epilogue though! I wish they had talked more about the actual Sanatorium and what happened with the people who were angry about the remodel? Nothing really happened with that.
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You’re more clever than me, lol. I had a different storyline cooked up in my head.
I agree.
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I don’t think you’re being picky about The Sanatorium; I felt the same way!
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Ha- good to know! It had serious potential… Sigh.
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I cant believe you breezed through The Sanatorium. That felt like someone was pulling my fingernails out trying to get through it – UGH.
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Hahaha. The short chapters definitely helped. Lol
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I have The Sanatorium to one day read, but I have heard very mixed things so I’m not sure where I’ll land. hah Because you’re reading fewer books, it’s probably harder to really LOVE a particular story so that might be the reason for your lack of five star reads…it’s coming though!
Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
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I have faith it’s coming! Lol
The Sanatorium wasn’t a bad book in my opinion- just kind of meh for me.
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DiAngelo’s book was a door opener for me too, eventually leading me to be like hmm I need to read a book like this from a not white person.
I think I’m going to skip The Sanatorium.
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Yep, that’s where I’m at on race books. I think it opened the door for my brother, too, when he asked what I was reading. So that’s definitely a positive.
You’re not missing much. Lol
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i was not terribly impressed with vow so deadly. womp. i’ve heard mixed things on the sanatorium so i think i’ll skip that one
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I wish two specific people didn’t get so totally screwed over. And also… the whole spy thing/traitor could’ve been WAY better drawn out and included. It felt unfinished. I dunno.
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I feel like everyone read The Sanitorium in the last month!
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Ha- the book club I’m in is online so you’re probably not wrong!
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White Fragility made me think A LOT but it also made me realize how many more books on racial inequality I need to read. I’ve been trying, which is good.
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That’s where I’m at, too. It was a good first one for me to pick up. Now I’m ready/prepped to dive in better with an open and interested mind.
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I’m never going to read The Sanatorium but I am having a blast reading everyone’s takes on it this month!
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Hahahaha- that’s fair! WHen I’m intrigued but uninterested in the book I go looking for a plot recap on in the internet somewhere. LOL
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