It hasn’t been a great reading week. It’s hasn’t been a great week full stop, really. But I’m here, still kicking, and though this coming week is going to be a stress-fest, who knows. The week after might kick ass, right? Lie to me if you must.
Just Shelved
I finally finished The Black Echo, which is the very first book in the Harry Bosch series. I’d read it before, but a long time ago and only really remembered that there were tunnels. It was good, but a lot slower than his most recent Ballard/Bosch books that I just finished. I think I’ll continue with the series, but I’m not sure when. I then picked up The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires on a whim because it was the free Editor’s Extra pick on Audible this month. It started off very promisingly, but then went downhill and by the end I was not at all enjoying my experience. First of all, I don’t like really proper horror. I don’t mind paranormal, which is what I expected, but this got so horrific that I really didn’t have a lot of fun reading it (the rats!!!!!), but wanted to find out what happened. Now I wish I hadn’t bothered. There were so many dropped plot points, so many inconsistencies, so many unbelievable relationships and overly dramatic exchanges, and the sexism and racism was just… UGH. I know it was set in the ’90s, and in the Southern US, so I assume there was more of this back then. I guess there’s an argument to be made for historical accuracy, I wouldn’t know as I wasn’t there, but it felt way overdone and so gratuitous and unnecessary. This is the first book I’ve given one star to in quite some time. I tried to give it three. Then I lowered it to two, but that still just didn’t feel right. Definitely not for me. I know other readers have loved it though, so it might work better for readers who enjoy horror and don’t mind some of the flaws in the writing and plot in favour of a fast-paced story. Sorry if you loved it – as we all know, books don’t ever work for every reader, and this is just my one opinion on the internet. So if you’re interested in this, by all means give it a shot!
Currently Reading
I haven’t made any progress on these this week, but am still part way through all three and planning to keep making slow progress!
Up Next
Yep, these guys are still hanging out in the TBR section. Hoping to actually get to them this week!
That’s it for me this week! Tell me how your reading week went. Did you read any corkers? Have you read any of the books on my list? What are you planning to pick up next?
A weekly post that encourages bloggers to share what they have read in the past week, what they’re currently reading and books they’ve recently added to their TBRs. Originally started by Sheila at Book Journey, it is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.
I just received a copy of The Last Chairlift, it’s a chunkster!
I’m off to a slow start this week, but I’m looking forward to my book selections
I hope next week isn’t as stressful as you expect.
Wishing you a great reading week
Have you started it? I eventually gave in and got it on audio – which is going much faster and I’m really enjoying it so far!
I saw that vampire one and am now glad I passed it up. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
I mean, a lot of people have really enjoyed it. So I think it’s at least partly a me thing. But it definitely didn’t wow me! There were some inconsistencies and odd decisions and problematic representations that made it difficult for me to enjoy – even above and beyond the horror element that got way more graphic than I had expected!