This month’s books were real thinkers, and while they definitely weren’t the most uplifting books, they did lead to a lot of interesting discussions. And all our ride-or-die readers were back. WE LOVE YOU GUYS! Here’s what went down:
Dry by Neal and Jarrod Shusterman
Everybody seemed to like this book. It really made you think twice. A lot of us are contemplating hoarding some water, but most of us agree we don’t have the space. I personally want to recommend this book to everyone since it’s so topical. Something like this could happen at any moment and I’m sure most of us aren’t prepared. I need to add that doomsday preppers show to my DVR…Here’s what people had to say about the book:
On teaching a man to fish rather than giving him fish:
I could see where his dad was coming from. These neighbors had been giving him a hard time for years about his “hobby,” I would want to be vindictive. And, he was proven right, people can’t handle their gift, they go crazy. But, I couldn’t actually turn someone down if it came down to it. – Angela
On preparing for some inevitable natural disaster:
Um, yeah. I want to buy a crap-ton of water now (but only in large containers because all the small bottles make me paranoid for the earth). I do think there is a point where it goes too far, but I try not to judge the McCrackens of the world. The guns, though? That ish terrifies me. – Courtney
Dry made us thirsty, and not in the good way, but everyone still enjoyed it. And the rating is…
Damsel by Elana K. Arnold
Damsel was SUCH an interesting read, unlike pretty much anything we’ve read in Boozy Book Club before. It was terrible, horrible, and made you squirm with each page. What seems like your typical fairy tale is so much more. This entire story is an allegory for life as a woman – in a very extreme way, but it’s effective. Some people loved it, some people were a little uncomfortable. But hey, it’s always good to read out of your comfort zone. Here are some highlights of our discussion about Damsel:
Would we recommend this book?
I don’t know that I would recommend it? I wanted to. After the first few chapters I thought it was going to be amazing, and it was a page turner. But it was so specific to one topic that I would have a hard time recommending it to everyone. That’s where I really feel like the book could have benefitted from more character development, because then it would be easier to recommend to general audiences and you would still be able to talk about the harder topics.
But I can also understand why the author wrote it the way she did. It really left the subject to remain brutal. Nothing to distract from the ugliness of it. It’s in your face and you can’t avoid it. – Elizabeth
On having such a flat main character, Ama:
I didn’t identify with Ama, though she seemed very real to me in that I think many women can be made to be whoever someone says they are. I felt very squirmy while reading this one, because the gaslighting was strong, and because I felt like the way it was written was like being hit repeatedly by a Thematic Sledgehammer. 🔨🔨🔨 – Courtney
Damsel was hard to get through at times, but we did learn a new name for a penis. From now on, it shall be the yard. Survey says…
January’s Reads
So we’ve decided to skip the holiday craziness and save our next meeting for January 7th. That way, you can ask for both our book choices for Christmas or Hanukkah or whatever you celebrate and have no worries about the library wait lists or having to spend your own hard earned cash! It’s a win-win – more time to read, and free books!
So with that good news, here are the choices:
Winning the poll by a landslide – the first time that’s ever happened…
My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren
I’m shocked (not)! Like Angela, I was able to get an advanced copy of this book, and it’s perfect Boozy Book Club fare. I have no doubt that everyone will love it and after reading it we’ll once again be waiting for the next Christina Lauren Special. Buy it!
P.S. – there’s a Goodreads Giveaway happening for this book RIGHT NOW. It ends December 3rd so you have plenty of time to enter.
Coming in second is…
From Lukov, With Love by Mariana Zapata
Looks like we’re feeling romance-y this holiday season. And I, for one, am into it. Plus, I’m over the moon that this is a Kindle Unlimited book. I just got 3 months of KU for $0.99 and now it’s proved it’s worth! This story sounds like a Hallmark movie come to life and I can’t wait to read it, forget I can’t skate, and fall on my ass trying to recreate some fancy lift scene that I’m 80% sure will take place in this book…no promises if that doesn’t pan out. Buy it!
Ready to Start Reading?
All you have to do is join the Boozy Book Club on Facebook, attempt to read one (or both!) of the books for the month, and then join us on January 7th at 9/8c. Of course, we’ll still be talking books through the holidays, we just don’t want the boycott that’s sure to happen if we schedule a meeting for December 27th…hell, I wouldn’t even come to that…
