Video: July Wrap-Up
Time for a July wrap-up of books!
Click each title to read my full review:
Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win by Jo Piazza
This book has a great premise. Highly successful woman with a rocky marriage decides to run for political office. What follows is a whirlwind of a campaign with an insider look at dirty politicking. But we don’t ever find out if she won. Why end before the payoff?
Census by Jesse Ball
When a doctor finds out that he has a terminal illness, he takes his developmentally disabled son with him on a new job gathering census information. At first, Census seems like a series of anecdotes. And it is. This book revels in the journey.
The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish
New Hollywood it-girl Tiffany Haddish wrote a memoir of her childhood, ex-marriage, and coming up in the stand-up comedy circuit. It’s fun, gritty, and to the point. Haddish’s is unflinching, even with tough topics.
Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage
Seven-year-old Hanna is a thorn in her mother’s side. After a series of misdeeds, Her mom becomes convinced that Hanna has it out for her. It’s a highly entertaining book, but yet another one that casts a treatable mental illness as the antagonist.
Educated by Tara Westover
Tara Westover grew up on the mountain, off the grid. Her nonfiction memoir talks about her childhood and subsequent decision to go to college and earn her PhD. It’s a herculean feat considering she had never been to school before that.
Crazy Rich Asians trilogy by Kevin Kwan
Crazy Rich Asians, China Rich Girlfriend, and Rich People Problems are a great trilogy about Asians who have crazy amounts of money. It’s an escapist treat, reading about the riches. But Rachel and Nick, our central couple, are pretty likeable, too.
When Katie Met Cassidy by Camille Perri
It’s your typical romance story, but it’s between two women. Cassidy is afraid of commitment. Katie is straight. They both have their hangups, but the reasons to stay apart turn into bothersome background noise, overshadowed by their love.
Calypso by David Sedaris
David Sedaris’ sense of humor is wry, sarcastic, dark. His memoirs take a witty look at the mundane things in life. Calypso is a more morbid turn, examining his sister’s suicide and mother’s alcoholism. Sedaris is a first-rate writer; Calypso is further proof.
Watch this and July wrap-up and other booky videos on my Read Remark Youtube/booktube channel.
Music credit: bensound.com.
