June 2024 BookSnacks
Vol. 18 — We’re on vacation, y’all!
Hence why this is coming to you when we’re already a WEEK into July. But we’re still here.
The Crumbs Podcast
This month was a quick one. After finishing the book, Dopesick, and the hulu series I talked about how I would probably do exactly what I did if I were to do it over again. Then gave some brief casting announcements for upcoming adaptations. And also talked a little about Taylor Swift because, well, did you see the news? The Crumbs—Episode 6.
And now, on to the books of the month!
Currently Reading
Us by David Nicholls
Read if you like:
Fredrick Backman (Anxious People & A Man Called Ove)
Jojo Moyes (One plus One, Someone Else’s Shoes)
Gabrielle Zevin (The Storied Life of AJ Fikry)
Julia Whelan (My Oxford Year)
Amazon-$18 | Barnes & Noble-$19 | Bookshop-$18
Nicholls wrote One Day which was very popular in its heyday but had a huge resurgence this year with the Netflix series adaptation. I’m nearly halfway through this book and am liking it so far. I fear that Nicholls may be a favorite author of mine that I didn’t know was my favorite until now. His writing makes you feel like someone who you love to hear tell stories is telling you a story. It sounds the way a witty, thoughtful, intelligent friend would talk. He pushes the story along in such subtle ways that you don’t realize he’s even doing it. It just feels like your listening to a great story. And are there parts that seem insignificant? Yes. But they hardly, if ever, end up actually being insignificant. Have you read any of David Nicholls other novels? His latest book was just released at the end of May. I haven’t gotten my hands on it yet, but I’m sure I will soon. It’s called You Are Here. Let me know in the comments if you’ve read any of his, especially this new one!
WAIT! As I was looking up the cover to put here in the newsletter I found that this book is a 4-episode mini series from PBS and guess who it stars?????? TOM HOLLANDER. As in the 2005 Mr. Collins from Pride and Prejudice. As in Harry from About Time. As in the disgusting dad in White Lotus. YEAH. So I’ll be spending my weekend watching that and then you’ll get a full review in the next podcast. And oh MAN is he the perfect person to play Douglas. I can’t wait.
Just Finished Reading
Such a Bad Influence by Olivia Muenter
Read if you like:
Lisa Jewell (None of this is True)
Elin Hildebrand (The Perfect Couple)
Nita Prose (The Maid & The Mystery Guest)
William Kent Krueger (Ordinary Grace)
Amazon-$20 | Barnes & Noble-$25 | Bookshop-$23
Do you know who is? The charming, riveting, one half of the Bad on Paper podcast and the author of her very own Substack? She does desk tours and shares all her thoughts on life and feelings in her own very fun and witty voice. She just published her debut novel, Such A Bad Influence. It’s a thriller about an influencer, who’s been one since she was five, that goes missing and the search to find her. Olivia’s writing is so smart and witty and suspenseful. I loved the turns of the story, the voice and point of view, and the ending—woo! What an ending! When you read it, I NEED to know your thoughts.
Vintage Read
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Read if you like:
Brené Brown (Rising Strong & Braving the Wilderness)
Elizabeth Gilbert (Big Magic & Eat, Pray, Love)
Amazon—$11 | Barnes & Noble-$21 | Bookshop-$26
I finally read the book of 2020–Untamed by Glennon Doyle. I’d only heard rumblings of who Glennon is back in 2020 when her book exploded across the internet after lockdown went into effect. I’d only saw and read soundbites about her and her book. It really seemed like a book I would enjoy, but the having young children and the 2020 of it all made it impossible to get to. And so I finally did just a couple weeks ago. Glennon was an alcoholic, and a burnt out mother and had previously written a book about how to fight through all of that. The book is called Love, Warrior and is about how she and her husband got through all of those difficult things and decided to stay together. And then she met Abby Wambach and all that changed. This book is about that. I think. While it was good, I felt that it was mostly Glennon wanting to tell the story of how she met Abby and then decided to leave her husband and so on. Which is great for her, I’m just not sure it was that important that it needed a book. BUT maybe after her other books she felt the explanation needed to be made to her loyal readers and fans. It had some good wisdom about not trying to beat all the wild, beautiful parts of our children out of them. But it probably could have just been a podcast episode or a long form article for those bits. For me, it wasn’t life-changing, but maybe if I’d read it back in 2020 it would have been? Have you read it? Did it change your life?
For the Kids(and sometimes adults, too)
Here’s a few children’s books for you! This month I’m sharing a book we gifted our 5-year-old for his birthday and some very cute board books from one of my favorite author/illustrators!
First up, Pokko and the Drum! This book is funny and cute and fun! I’ve been a little tired of the ‘teaching a lesson’ children’s books lately. This one just guarantees a good time and I’m up for that right now!
Second, Jon Klassen has a new set of the cutest board books coming out in February of next year. I know that’s forever away but you can preorder now! And then by February you will probably have forgotten and you’ll get a cute little surprise on your doorstep.
Snacks To-Go
🍫 I already said this on Instagram but Seth Rogen’s book was so boring and a waste of time. He literally just talked about how he tried stand-up but then wasn’t good enough and then decided to act but then thought he could write funnier movies than everyone else so he did. All while smoking insane amounts of weed. I literally wish I had that time back.
🍫 I listened to Big Gay Wedding by Byron Lane. It was good. It made me laugh at times, his character development was great. I thought it was a little lengthy, probably could have been done shorter, but overall a fun, quick read.
And that’s it! So happy you made it here this month.
I’ve decided to keep BookSnacks free for now! If you’d like to support me and my little newsletter, you can for about $5/month or about $4/month if you contribute yearly. To those already contributing, thank you so much for supporting me and this letter`—I really appreciate you.
Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss the next one!
Talk soon,
Adri
My Libby holds list is now full! Thank you for these great recs☀️
Thank you so much for reading SABI! 🩷