Tag: Book Club

No surprise, but I have manic depression. In mid-February, I fell into a depressive episode, and it lasted until about a few days ago. The whole thing ruined all of my routines that help me move through life effortlessly. 

It also felt like my self-confidence is destroyed. I try not to talk about this too much. And I decided just to take a break instead and come back when I had my emotions under control. 

 I wanted to be this interesting, relaxed and fun person on my blog, but I’m not. In real life, I’m an anxiety-ridden nervous wreck who gets depressed when life seems a little too “real” or overwhelming. I felt like I set myself up for failure these last two months. 

I’m always so critical of myself, and I sometimes have to remind myself what I did. In February, I ended up finishing two books. I’m honestly surprised I was able to even read two books. 

The first being; Daisy Jones and The Six, and the other was; Black Cake. Both of these books blew me out of the water. 

Where do I start to express my love for these novels? 

Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Summary

It is a gripping novel about the whirlwind rise of an iconic 1970s rock group and their beautiful lead singer, revealing the mystery behind their infamous breakup.

Honest Thoughts

1970s rock and roll, need I say more? I strongly recommend getting the audiobook. I started by reading this, and someone suggested the audiobook to me, and it made me love the story that much more.

The book is styled like a documentary, a compilation of interviews from Daisy, Billy, Billy’s wife, the band, and their crew. It’s an inside look into the life of a band beyond alcohol, drugs, and egos. I had to google to make sure this wasn’t a real band that I missed out on. 

The story and the characters are so realistic. Taylor Jenkins Reid can take you through a whole life journey. Daisy and Billy, the two main characters, are arrogant and selfish. Daisy doesn’t really give a shit about anyone. Billy is a control freak.  

 I love Karen with all my heart.  

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

Summary

 This multi-generational novel focuses on Eleanor Bennett and her children. The book moves back and forth between present and past as Eleanor tells her life story. The two siblings have to set their differences aside and listen to the secrets their mother will reveal in these recordings. Things they had no idea about their mom are all told through past stories. 

Honest Thoughts

I loved reading about the importance and significance of black cake to the Bennett family. Family traditions and cultures are handed down throughout generations. While some traditions fade over time, the one constant is always food. 

This is a fascinating and different book. And a painful reminder that we are never guaranteed tomorrow. 

As children, we think we know everything about our parents. We learn later in life we sometimes know very little. When Eleanor gets into her origin story, we learn about the Caribbean and how she became who she is. There’s almost a mystery in there, and it’s fascinating. Eleanor, her strength, and her heartbreak were so raw and emotional. 

 There were so many short chapters, different characters, and social issues that I occasionally lost track of who was who, especially as identities changed throughout the book. You definitely have to pay attention to the chapter titles. 

This is a strong one as debuts go, and I look forward to seeing what else Wilkerson publishes.

Quote 

“When she fled the island, his mother lost everything, but she carried this recipe in her head wherever she went. That, and the stories she’d spent a lifetime concealing from her children, the untold narrative of their family. Every time his mother made a black cake, it must have been like reciting an incantation, calling up a line from her true past, taking herself back to the island.”

I didn’t forget to update my February book club. I was waiting for all of my books to come in. I’m still waiting for a few books. I read six books last month and want to read even more this month.

I have a lot of hopes for the books I will be reading this month. As of right now, I have nine books on my February to-be-read list. Nine whole books! I feel I may be getting ahead of myself. This month is shorter, but I usually have so much happening in February it feels just as long as every other month.

I feel like this month, I wanted to add a billion different books to my tbr. And I’m not known for holding back. I’m curious how many of these books will roll over to next month.

My most anticipated read for this month is Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. I pre-ordered this book back at the beginning of January. Two estranged siblings must set aside their differences to deal with their mother’s death and her hidden past.

I’m also really excited to read Circe by Madeline Miller. Many people recommended I read it after reading The Song of Achilles. Set during the Greek Heroic Age, it is an adaptation of various Greek myths, most notably the Odyssey, as told from the perspective of the witch Circe.

I had to have a romantic novel for Valentine’s Day. The Weight of the Stars by K Ancrum. A vivid, evocative YA lesbian romance about how the universe is full of second chances.

The Storyteller by Kathryn Williams. This story follows a teenage girl’s quest to uncover the truth behind her secretive great aunt Anna, who might be the long-lost Russian princess Anastasia.

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. A gripping novel about the whirlwind rise of an iconic 1970s rock group and their beautiful lead singer, revealing the mystery behind their infamous breakup.

Daughters of a Dead Empire by Carolyn Tara O’Neil. An imaginative retelling of the Anastasia story. I preordered this book, and it comes out on my birthday.

What once was mine by Liz Braswell. I grabbed this when I was in Target because I impulse buy and love everything Disney. A twisted Rapunzel tale seems too good to pass up even if it’s giving wannabe The Princess Bride vibes.

I will say I saved the two more adult-themed books for last. I ended up on spicy booktok, and I had to order these books.

Promises and Pomegranates by Sav R. Miller. A Hades and Persephone retelling.

Tin by Candace Robinson. A spicy Wizard of Oz retelling with Dorothy Gale and the tin man as a couple.

January is finally over, and I read some great books last month. This January book review includes my favorite book of 2022 so far. 

 I originally planned to read three books this month and read more. The latest book on my list were last-minute additions this month. I was desperate to search for something cute and romantic after reading The Song of Achilles. Much like watching a Disney film after watching a scary movie. 

If you want to purchase any of these books just click on the book cover and it should take you to Barnes and Noble or Amazon – depending on where I found the book.

The Song Of Achilles by Madeline Miller

A Quick Summary

The Song of Achilles is a 2011 novel by American writer Madeline Miller. Set during the Greek Heroic Age, it is an adaptation of Homer’s Iliad as told from the perspective of Patroclus. The novel follows Patroclus’ relationship with Achilles, from their initial meeting to their exploits during the Trojan War, focusing on their romantic relationship.

My Honest Thoughts 

There are not enough words to describe how I feel about this book. I consider this to be my favorite book of 2022. I love Greek mythology. At the same time, I knew very little about Achilles and Patroclus’s relationship. I knew I would love this book, but not as much as I genuinely did. This book broke me into a million pieces. I think it’s very beautifully written, and the passionate and romantic diction truly moved me. I can talk about this for hours. I can quote this book for even longer. 

Quotes I’m Obsessed With 

“Patroclus, he says, “Patroclus. Patroclus. Over and over until it is sound only.”

“Name one hero who was happy.”

“I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way, his breaths came, and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world.” 

The Maidens by Alex Michaelides 

A Quick Summary

Mariana is certain that Edward Fosca is a murderer. Having been called back to CambridgeUniversity by her distraught niece, Mariana is determined to prove that this well-loved professor killed a student.

My Honest Thoughts 

Don’t waste your time reading this if you love dark academia, Greek mythology, and murder. 

It was a mystery thriller, a specific genre that I rarely read. To that end, I wanted to be careful with judging it.

 But the book was disappointing. The beginning of the book was slow, flat, and boring. The characters were okay. Not exceptional by any means. I didn’t feel like I knew any of the characters, even the main one. I enjoyed how short the chapters were. It was a quick read, but it left me with… nothing. I wasn’t engaged in the story enough. I was more excited just to finish the book and write a rant review than I was for finding out how it ends. 

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

A Summary

Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most.

Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up

— she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan — her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.

My Honest Opinion

I first read this from Colleen Hoover. I knew nothing about her except that booktok was obsessed with her. I thought it would be another cliché- love- story, but I’m glad to say that I was wrong! This is not a love triangle. 

 I loved this book, but it was a hard book to read. I was entirely unprepared for the emotional rollercoaster of a Colleen Hoover novel. I was expecting a feel-good rom-com to get me out of the slump The Song of Achilles gave me. I think I’m more depressed now. It was a gripping, emotional, and heart-wrenching story. 

Quotes I’m Obsessed With

“Fifteen seconds. That’s all it takes to completely change everything about a person. Fifteen seconds that we’ll never get back.“

“In the future . . . if by some miracle you ever find yourself in the position to fall in love again . . . fall in love with me.”

“We all have a limit. What we’re willing to put up with before we break.”

Today, Tonight, Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon

A Quick Summary

Today Tonight Tomorrow is a story taking place over 24 hours between bitter rivals. But could they be more? 

My Honest Opinion

 This book was so adorable! I related to Rowan so much! I need to go to Seattle now. The book is a love letter to Seattle with all of the references to the city. I want to go to the gum wall (how incredibly disgusting does that sound?) and see all the other sights that Rowan and Neil visit. I wish Free Puppies! (the exclamation point is important) was a real band. Neil is adorable and dorky. 

The thing that sold me on this book is THE BANTER! I loved how witty their remarks to each other were. I loved how competitive they are, and I love how they flirt, tease, and learn from each other. This book has a contemporary pride and prejudice vibe. 

Aside from the romance bits, I appreciate all the real talk. I loved that the author wasn’t afraid to talk about issues of class, religious discrimination/stereotypes, and unfortunate family issues. It was feminist and sex-positive and progressive in a way that uplifted rather than dragged you down.

Quotes I’m Obsessed With

You’re going to miss him telling you to have a shitty day?” Kirby asks and shakes her head. “Straights, I swear.”

How To Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie

A Quick Summary

• Kill my family
• Make a claim on their fortune
• Get away with the above
• Adopt a dog

Meet Grace Bernard.

Daughter, sister, colleague, friend, serial killer…

Grace has lost everything. And now she wants revenge.

My Honest Opinion

I love a female psychopath, and Grace was undoubtedly that. She was cold, cynical, and sarcastic with her general disdain for everyone around her. Grace wasn’t particularly likable, but I was rooting for her.

Parts of the book seemed a little clumsy and disjointed. Some chapters tended to drone on, and there was a lack of consistency with the timings. I hated the ‘twist’ at the end; it pretty much ruined the rest of the book. 

Posted in Lifestyle

Let’s Get Reading!

Posted on January 10, 2022June 2, 2022 by Eryn 🐰

Happy Monday!!!!

We survived the first week of January! How are you all feeling about the year so far? I know sometimes it’s hard to get back into a routine after the holidays.

My week has been a bit hectic. I woke up a few days ago with a terrible cough and was forced to take a few days out of work. This was the first time in a while where I had felt so sick that I had no energy. I’m happy to say I’m back to being my usual healthy self, and it wasn’t covid.

Before going back to work, I decided to go to a bookstore. This gave me a fascinating idea, and hopefully, you guys will enjoy it as well.

Welcome to the very first book club here on Some Punny Bunny!

I’m so excited to launch this series and hopefully continue to add more options like video reviews and maybe even zoom meetings. All suggestions are welcome. I’ve never done this before.

I plan to share 3-4 books that I have chosen to read throughout the month on my Instagram. Anyone can join in at any time!! I will continue to update everyone on how I’m enjoying them in recaps before writing a follow-up with a blog post at the end of the month.

If you want, join me in reading. Remember to read at your own speed. When I read books that I love, I tend to read the whole thing SO fast. Feel free to pass on reading any book you’ve already read or aren’t interested in.

I have 18 books planned for the year already, each one varying in genre and topic. I plan on adding more books. I want to read at least 24 books this year. This book club will be helping me stay on track with my reading.

As for the books, I will add to the list; it just depends on what comes out, what people recommend to me, or what I find randomly. So feel free to suggest any books in the comments.

In no particular order, here are the books I plan to read in 2022

1. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
2. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
3. Run, Rose, Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson
4. It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
5. Today, Tonight, Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon
6. The Weight of the Stars by K. Ancrum
7. The Shore of Women by Pamela Sargent
8. Just Your Local Bisexual Disaster by Andrea Mosqueda
9. Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore
10. Three Pianos: A Memoir by Andrew McMahon
11. Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
12. The book of life by Deborah Harkness
13. The storyteller by Kathryn Williams
14. The Idiot by Elif Batuman
15. Either/Or by Elif Batuman
16. Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
17. I Fear My Pain Interests You by Stephanie LaCava.
18. The Maidens by Alex Michaelides

This month, I have chosen three books!

I thought starting with the books I missed reading in 2021 would be most straightforward. These books have been on my TBR list for the longest. I would always talk myself out of buying them. And finally, I had enough of hearing about how good these books were without reading them for myself.