Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Recently Read - Vol. 30 (July '18)


It's Tuesday and it's the second Tuesday of the month, so you know what that means - it's time to talk books with Steph, Jana, and a slew of other book nerds like myself.  Here's what I read (listened to) last month:


Read July 11-19 | Format: Audiobook | My rating: 3.5/5

Think:  A former college football star turned repo man starts hearing a voice in his head.  The voice turns out to be that of a homicide victim who needs Ruddy's help.

This book partially reminded me of books in Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, but it wasn't as funny.  It was clever and entertaining and had some laugh out loud moments, but it wasn't monumental or earth shattering.  The main character was quite likable as were the list of supporting, nutty townsfolk who made the book feel more complete.

FINAL VERDICT:  Passed the time just fine.


Tampa by Alissa Nutting
Read July 23 - August 8 | Format: Audiobook | My rating: 4/5

Think: Celeste, an attractive, but sociopathic middle school teacher with a singular sexual obsession, preys on young male students.

I'll be honest, this was a hard book for me.  I found myself, due to the explicit nature of the story, only being able to stomach it for short periods of time.  That's why it took me so long to finish.  Also, I want to say that I liked the book, but whenever I hear myself say that, I start to cringe because this is not the kind of book I'm supposed to like.  But, I did.  It was well written and painted some very vivid images in my head, maybe too vivid considering the content.  Celeste is a quite possibly one of the most vile characters I've ever read and she evoked very strong emotions in me.  I really just wanted to punch her in the throat!  Kudos to the author, for she kept me wondering what was going to happen next, because in my opinion, the story could have gone in several directions.

FINAL VERDICT:  I would cautiously recommend.  Just keep in mind the explicit and unsettling content.


Have you read either of these books?  Where were your thoughts?

Until next month, happy reading!


Linking up with Steph and Jana


30 comments:

  1. Hmm, the way you describe Tampa makes me think of You. It feels weird to say I "liked" the book because Joe is a TERRIBLE human being...but it was a great book.

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    1. I would, without hesitation, put Celeste and Joe in the same sociopathic category. Here's the crazy part - I liked Joe, I rooted for him and wanted him to get the girl and live happily every after. Celeste on the hand, I utterly despised. But, their "preferences" were completely different, so that's why I have such different feelings towards them both.

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  2. It feels weird to like a book like Tampa but the writing, characterization, and execution were close to perfect. It takes talent to do that with subject matter that turns most people’s stomachs.

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    1. You nailed it! That pretty much explains my feelings. I agree, Nutting has a very special talent that I admire and respect.

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  3. This may sound dumb, but does "Tampa" take place in Tampa, FL? LOL I live nearby.

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  4. Your review for Tampa is like everyone else's and I haven't read it yet. I don't like books I can't ever stop thinking about and I think this would be one of those.

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    1. This one irked me to the core and I guess it's because I work with kids who are not that much younger than the object of the main character's obsession. She really infuriated me and what's scary is that I know there are real life people out there like her.

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  5. tampa has been on my list for a couple of years but i keep putting it off for when i think i can handle it lol.

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    1. Erin's review of Tampa a year or so ago is what put it on my radar, but I could never commit. I needed a book with a despicable main character for a book challenge. Had it not been for that, I'm not sure I would've ever proceeded with reading it.

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  6. Tampa is disturbing. Very disturbing. But she did such a great job on the book it was hard to not love it. Her book Made for Love is weird AF but still good as well.

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    1. I know! I want to say this book sucks, it's awful, etc., but I can't because the book doesn't suck. It's actually a great book, it's just the content that sucks.

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  7. Tampa sounds very disturbing... But you are making me want to read it.

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    1. What Steph wrote above is absolutely true - "It feels weird to like a book like Tampa but the writing, characterization, and execution were close to perfect. It takes talent to do that with subject matter that turns most people’s stomachs." The writing and execution were great, it's just a very jacked-up read.

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  8. The author of Tampa is seriously so amazing! I mean you wanted to hate Celeste so incredibly much, but at the same time she wrote a book that you just couldn't put down. I had to know what happens next, but I have to admit the ending really pissed me off.

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    1. Oh, girl... ME, TOO! I was actually quite livid when I finished it. Seriously, this book elicited so many strong negative emotions in me. I'm a fairly even keeled gal and books don't usually get me worked up, but this one sure did!

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  9. Tampa has been on my TBR for a long time but as you said, it's one of those books that's hard to read. So I keep waiting until I feel like I can stomach it because I do want to read it.

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    1. Yeah, it's definitely one of THOSE books. The author is amazing (like Ashley said about) and I'm impressed with her abilities as a writer and as a story teller, the book just had some hard content. It's definitely not a book for everyone.

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  10. Never heard of either of these books! I don't think that Tampa would be for me! Thanks for sharing! :)

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    1. The only reason Tampa popped up on my radar is because a fellow blogger read it a year or so ago and shared it during a SUYB. The cover of the book caught my attention. Had it not been for the fact that I needed to read a book to fulfill the category of "Book with character that is unlikeable," or something like that in a current book challenge I'm in, I doubt I would have read it. But, disturbing or not, I'm glad that I did. Thanks for stopping by.

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  11. I actually have Tampa checked out from the library right now, so I should (hopefully) have a review for that next month. I have a feeling I'm really going to enjoy it despite the content. It's funny, though, because, as you said, it's hard sometimes to say you really "liked" something that makes you feel so disgusted. It's like, "Should I feel bad for liking this?" Haha. I like disturbing books and movies, though, so I guess it's not so out of character for me to enjoy yet another that would fall under that category.

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    1. LOL! That's exactly it! I did feel bad and guilty and weird for liking it, but in the end, I did.

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  12. Neither of these really appeal to me, but I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed Tampa overall, even if it was a bit disturbing in parts. LOL

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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  13. Gosh, Tampa sounds so crazy. I can see why it would be tough to read! XO - Alexandra

    Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things

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    1. It was rather crazy, although disturbing is a the best word I can come up with.

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  14. I completely understand how you would "like" Tampa for the writing, but not because of the subject matter. I felt similarly about The Roanoke Girls. In fact, I think it was on my TBR and took it off because I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to stomach the story, so I give you props for actually finishing it!

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  15. I've never heard of Tampa, but it sounds really interesting. The fact that the subject matter is so difficult yet it kept you reading says a lot. I may have to check it out.

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  16. Tampa sounds WAY too intense for me but maybe someday!!!

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