Reading Recap: September '25

 

Tampa by Alissa Nutting

Well. Let's just say it was a very strong way to start the month and christen by brand new Kindle (!). I've been wanting to read this for a while, but I didn't want to buy it because I wasn't sure what my reaction would be--it's probably good that I held off.

    I want to make it clear that I didn't dislike this book because of the content. I believe that everything should be explored in media, and the people who say this book is inherently problematic and encouraging of pedophilia didn't finish it. The reason it got a 2.5 was because the writing style sucked shit. It felt more like a writing exercise than a fully fleshed out story with complex characters, and I don't want to root for Celeste, but there needs to be a little more there. / ★★½

 

The Runaway Jury by John Grisham

After reading The Rainmaker, I decided to pillage my library's Grisham section and choose the most interesting one there. I could tell something was off from the beginning, when Grisham opened with an introduction to the trial lawyers rather than our main character. Rudy Baylor is what makes The Rainmaker work so well because he kind of sucks, but he's sympathetic and we know why he does what he does. We're a part of his world. This novel feels more about the plot than the characters, and it's a slog to read over and over about how smoking is bad when the reader (and the jury members) already knew that. For how much Grisham tried to conceal and hype up Nick's identity, the reveal was a let down. I would like to pick up another Grisham in the future, but I'm worried that it'll be all downhill from here. / ★★½

 

Open Throat by Henry Hoke

I loved this as I was reading it. It was fun and fresh, and mostly succeeded at saying what it wanted to say. My main problem (and it isn't really a problem, it's more just a feature of the form) is its length. Aside from the page number, it was also spacier than anything else I've read, even after I jacked down the Kindle font size and line breaks. Right after finishing it, I wanted to give it a 4 or 4.5, but as I'm writing this a couple of weeks later I can't remember much outside of the basic plot points. It's exactly what I thought it would be--an after dinner mint before I move on to my next 500-pager. It's weird to say about an author that has already published five books and been shortlisted for multiple awards, but in five years I think he'll write a full-length novel that actually captures my attention. / ★★★½

 

The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich

Sooooooo where do we begin. Was this a good biography? Absolutely not. Mezrich resorted to conjecture for 90% of the book, so much so that I wouldn't be surprised to hear that he never interviewed a single source and wrote the book in a weekend. So, what was it if not a biography? Good question. It was an RPF flashpoint.

    To credit Mezrich, a lot of iconic lines seen as an Aaron Sorkin work of genius came from him. It was fun to see them in the context of the story, and the few tidbits Fincher decided to leave out. Did you know that Zuckerberg had multiple girlfriends? That Mark picked Eduardo up from the airport? If anything, it was a deeper look into Sean Parker's psyche, but if you're looking for the facts then go literally anywhere else. / ★★½

 

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Most of the time, the weird questionable romances I'm looking for can be found in early-1900s best sellers. All you need to know is that the heroine is unnamed, and it works. She is nothing outside of the visage of her predecessor. I'm curious how other people characterize Rebecca. Is she seen as the devil Maxim portrays her as? Or a misunderstood woman at the whims of the world around her? I'm sure the truth lies somewhere in the middle, but being the person I am, I can't help but be on her side.

    Here's a good test for if you'll like Rebecca. If this quote gets you giddy and gleeful then run, don't walk: "You know I love you more than anything in the world. There has never been anyone but you. You are my father and my brother and my son. All those things." / ★★★★½

 

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

I watched the movie a million years ago, probably for Referencedale, but I had forgotten enough to make the book a fresh experience. I admire Capote's ability to demonstrate everyone's humanity, while still acknowledging the horror of what was committed. It was smart to spend time with the Clutters before their deaths. The readers got to know the stakes, the victims, as if they were a part of the town. In many ways, Capote addressed the issues I had with Alissa Nutting.

    One of my favorite bands is the Smoking Popes. In 2008, they released the song "The Corner," named after the gallows at Kansas State Penitentiary. I knew it was based on the novel, but in hindsight it's fascinating. Lyrics are grabbed from Smith's confessions to create a picture of a man wracked with guilt. Smith's real feelings were complicated, and if he ever felt remorse, it wasn't until the end. The band has created an idealistic alternate reality in line with their very vocal Christian/humanist beliefs. They've somehow become the townspeople of Holcomb, especially Mrs. Meier and her perception of Smith.

    There is a fascinating amount left between the lines. It's become somewhat of a recent phenomenon that any child wetting the bed must be linked to CSA. I'm not sure how I feel about the lack of consideration for other possible causes, but it certainly changes my perception of Smith's story. That, on top of the sketchbooks and muscle mags and the puppy-dog loyalty. It makes you think. So many things could've gone differently. / ★★★½

 

6 books — 2047 pages — avg 3.17 ★