This update is a special occasion. With 30 books finished and reviewed, I am officially past the halfway mark! I may celebrate with a little treat tonight.
For the main list of book titles I’ve finished for this challenge, see this post. For reviews on specific books, see previous posts:
A
Alive at the End of the World by Saeed Jones – My favorites were “A Song for the Status Quo,” “Saeed, How Dare You Make Your Mother Into a Prelude” (along with the alternative titles proposed on the following page), and “the Trial.” Also all the ones with the collection’s title. And “Against Progeny.” And the odes/letters/notes to all the songwriters, singers, and writers. You know what? They’re all good. Just read them all. And then read his memoir How We Fight for Our Lives.
With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
B
Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
C
The Castlemaine Murders by Kerry Greenwood
The Postmistress of Paris by Meg Waite Clayton
D
Dear Bob and Sue by Matt and Karen Smith
Postcolonial Love Poem by Natalie Diaz – God, this collection is sexy. That was my reaction to the first reading. The second, slower reading had me holding the book open on my lap with one hand while searching all the words I didn’t know on the laptop with my other. The pieces that connected rivers with the body were my favorite parts. This should (and never will be…stupid Texas legislature) required reading.
E
Excuse Me While I Disappear by Laurie Notaro
F
Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney – I like a book with twists and turns that you can sort of see coming but don’t really know how it’s going to turn out. This was a quick read because once I got started I couldn’t stop reading. It was fast-paced and ominous from the start. Definitely recommend.
G
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
Winter Recipes from the Collective by Louise Glück – What a lovely collection! This is the first time I’ve read Louise Glück on my own (I’ve had her poems read to me, which is also lovely and I also highly recommend), and I adore her and this exposition of the joys and sorrows of close relationships. Also, there are gems such as “If you can’t read, my sister said, can you be happy?” Highly recommend for National Poetry Month or literally any time.
H
How To Be Perfect by Michael Schur
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
I
The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne
J
Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry
The Friend Zone and The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez
K
Writers & Lovers by Lily King
L
Lucky Turtle by Bill Roorbach
M
Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
N
O
The Opposite of You by Rachel Higginson
The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki
P
The Pisces by Melissa Broder – I’ve never read anything that made me make so many different faces and exclaim for so many different reasons. Part superb dry wit, part “no no no no no that’s a terrible idea,” part “Ugh punch him in the throat,” part “WTF did I just read,” with a few minor sweet moments scattered throughout. I don’t know how Broder stacked the commonplace so neatly against the surreal, but I think she pulled it off. I’m still mad about the dog, though.
Q
Queen of the Flowers by Kerry Greenwood
R
A Rhythm of Prayer, edited by Sarah Bessey
S
A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle
T
Women Talking by Miriam Toews – I picked this one up because my friend Brenda likes to go to Oscars Week at the movie theater, and she really liked this movie. I think I would like the movie better, as it was difficult for me to keep most of the characters separate, but their discussions were interesting. I think it would be a good book club selection (but I am not going to suggest it because I don’t think I’ll read it again).
U
V
W
A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny
X
Y
Z
Welcome Home: A Guide to Building a Home for Your Soul by Najwa Zebian
M. Suzanne Terry 
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