Review: Swan Song, by Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Genres: Historical Fiction

Goodreads / Amazon

I didn’t think I would pick up Swan Song, but my recent undertake of reading up the nominees for the longlist of the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2019 made me more curious about this book. I haven’t read anything by Truman Capote yet, although In Cold Blood has been on my list for years. I did find Swan Song much more a collection of gossip about the glamorous women in the 60s that Truman Capote hang out with – before they all shunned him after reading what he wrote in the Esquire.

Why Did I Start Running? (aka wtf am I doing)

Hello readers!

So, I run consistently 2-3 times per week for the last months. You guys don’t know me in real life, so here is a piece of information that might make you understand a little more why this is shocking: I SUCK at anything athletic. I played football (soccer) in High School and I was the goalkeeper because, while I was a GREAT goalkeeper with reflexes of a ninja, the fact is that I could not run for my life, so all other positions on the team were a big no-no to me. The sports I’m best at are reading marathons and foosball (table football). So you can say I’m not the most athletic person.

There are a few reasons why I started running, and better reasons why I continue to run.

Why I Started

First, I need to do something about my cardiovascular health – it’s my highest priority and it must always be. I’ve got a strong family history of heart problems, and I’ve had high cholesterol since my teens (genetics, huh). It’s now under control, but I will always have to watch that with exercise and food. Since I hated all kinds of aerobics anyway, I decided running sounded like the most effective way to improve heart health in a short time. If I had to suffer, I’d do it efficiently. (typical me, tbh)

Review: Daisy Jones & The Six, by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Rating: ★★★★★

Genres: Historical Fiction

Goodreads / Amazon

Daisy Jones & The Six has been on everyone’s most anticipated lists for 2019, after the emotional breakdown everyone had after reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I heard great things about the audiobook, so that is how I read it, and, based on reviews from other bloggers, this is how I recommend everyone read it!

Daisy Jones & The Six is the story of seven band members and all the other people involved in the big phenomenon of the late 70s. From Daisy joining the band to the reason why it dissolved in 1979.

Gosh, the audio narration of this was… amazing. It’s full cast, it’s done with such emotional depth… I was hooked. And it went so perfectly with the documentary-style of the book it’s almost like it was meant to be listened to. Highly recommend.

The Sunday Snuggle Week 14 2019

Hello readers!

Sooo this week I got sick. Which is good news for my reading and not so great news for… everything else. I got my running training a bit off, my medication makes me sleepy and so on. But it’s ok! I’m better now and ready to get back on track! 🙂

This is the last Sunday Snuggle for the weeks, since I will be on vacation for two weeks and will not be able to update weekly. I’ve scheduled a lot of posts and substituted the Sunday Snuggles for other posts, reviews and so on 🙂 So you guys will definitely be provided for, I will just be late answering comments.

I got the following ebooks:

And the following audiobooks:

Giving Star Rating to Books: An Experiment

Let’s try an experiment.

I am doubtful of star ratings of books. Unlike your average Amazon purchase of household items (“The shelf works well, goes with my furniture! 5 stars”, “This goddamn pair of shoes ruined my life. 1 star”), books are a very personal experience. Ratings are normally done in one of the following ways:

1. Via emotional response. I LOVED THIS BOOK, 5 stars. THIS MADE ME SOB SO MUCH, 5 stars. It was okay, 3 stars. Wow, the only emotions this provoked on me where utter cringe-y ones, 1 star.
2. Via categories. Great writing, 5 stars. Terrible plot, 1 star. Final rating: 3 stars.
3. Via comparison. I actually loved this book, but I can’t give it 5 stars, I gave this other book 5 stars and it was so much better. 4 stars it is.

As for me, I’m a mix of the three. I normally follow my gut response and then, when writing reviews, list as thoroughly the good things and the bad things as I can (without overwhelming the poor reader). This sometimes makes me realize that my gut reaction to the end of the book does not correspond to my overall experience, and I change the rating – I’ve never had that happen for more than 1 star of difference, though. So, in average, I am an emotional rater.

(which are you, by the way? Tell me in the comments)

The Liebster Award #5

I recently got tagged by Eline from Aqua Pages (I love this name, it gives such literary mermaid vibes) for The Liebster Award! I haven’t answered tags & awards lately because I normally forget them for, like, SIX MONTHS and then I’m embarrassed to post, but I figured that since my last one I have followed many new people, and it would be a nice way for us to get to know each other!

My last Liebster Awards:

Liebster Award – Discover new blogs

The Liebster Award #2, #3, #4

Rules:

• Say thank you to the person who has nominated you for the Award.
• Answer the 11 questions the person has asked you
• Nominate 11 people
• Ask the people who you have nominated 11 questions