Sunday, April 3, 2022

The Sunday Post #301

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The Sunday Post is a chance to recap the past week, talk about next week, tell you what I’m reading, and share news. It’s hosted by The Caffeinated Book ReviewerReaderbuzz, and Book Date.




The Sunday Post #301





On The Blog Last Week






On The Blog This Week


  • On Tuesday, I talk about the worst (and funniest) thing I've done to a book.
  • On Wednesday, we look at upcoming April book releases.





In My Reading Life


Last week, I finished the audiobook of You by Caroline Kepnes. All the people who recommended the audiobook are correct: This story is much creepier when you can hear Joe's voice. He's talking directly to the reader and saying scary stuff. It's . . . an intense audiobook experience. This story is narrated by Joe, a stalker and murderer who becomes obsessed with a woman called Beck. He schemes up ways to insert himself into her life. This is a train-wreck novel. You know it will end badly for Beck, but you can't look away.

I'm kind of worried about my sanity because I love this book. It scared me. I think I love it because it brilliantly explores a nightmare situation. I understand why Beck is attracted to Joe. On the outside, he's helpful, funny, smart, sweet, and bookish. I'd probably date him too. Since the reader gets to hear his internal monologue, we know what Beck doesn't: He's violent, controlling, judgmental, and arrogant. It makes you wonder how well you can ever truly know a person.

I could not put this book down because I could imagine myself in Beck's situation. I wanted her to wake up and realize that Joe is a disguising human, but I knew she wouldn't. He's just too good at manipulating people.

I recommend this book. Read it if you want to be terrified.




Since I liked You so much, I immediately got the sequel from the library. It's called Hidden Bodies. Joe heads to California in pursuit of an ex-girlfriend who stole valuable books from him. His plan is to murder her, but he gets sidetracked by beautiful women and the Hollywood celebrity lifestyle.

I enjoyed this book because Joe is creepy and unpredictable, but the first book is better. This one seems less realistic and relevant. It was too easy for Joe to gain access to celebrities. He hasn't even finished moving into his apartment yet, and he's already getting invited to famous-people parties. Then he discovers a hidden talent for writing movie scripts. I had a hard time believing that the events in the book would happen so easily.

The plot twists and characters kept me up past my bedtime, but I wanted to be scared, and the sequel didn't do it for me. It's too far-fetched to be scary. I had fun reading it, though. Joe's body count seems to be growing quickly. I'm interested to see what happens to him in the next book.




I needed a break from serial killers, so I read Saints And Misfits by S.K. Ali. It's a young adult contemporary novel about a Muslim girl who divides everybody into "Saints," "Monsters," and "Misfits." Unfortunately for her, people don't fit neatly into categories. She knows that one of the "Saintly" teen boys at her mosque is actually a monster who committed sexual assault. She has to figure out how to make the people at her mosque see past his "Saint" mask and believe that he committed a crime.

I think teenagers will be able to relate to Janna, the main character. She's nerdy and awkward and imperfect. She makes impulsive judgements about people and doesn't always know what she wants from life. Her relationships with other teens are believable. I love that she gets crushes that grow strong and then fade. I don't think I've ever read a YA book that shows fleeting crushes. Usually, YA characters end up going to prom with their first crush and then living happily ever after. Real life rarely works out so perfectly. Sometimes crushes are temporary.

I like the characters in the book, but I struggled with the pacing. It's way too slow. The plot meanders, and I spent most of the book wondering what this story is about. What was I supposed to get from reading it? Mostly, it's a slow, quiet examination of teenage life. It shows the giant burden that's placed on teenage sexual assault survivors. They have to convince people they've been assaulted, and then their past mistakes are used to explain why the assault was their own fault. I can understand why assault survivors are reluctant to tell their stories.

Teens will find this book relatable, but they'll have to be patient with the pacing. It's a character-driven slice-of-life novel. I think some readers will get bored with it.




Then, I went back to my serial killer nonsense and continued with the You books. I'm currently reading You Love Me by Caroline Kepnes. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. Joe has left Hollywood, so that's a promising start. I wasn't interested in the Hollywood stuff.






In The Rest Of My Life


Five things that made me happy last week:

  1. I'm greatly enjoying the serial killer books.
  2. Remember how I was applying for jobs I'm almost qualified to do? For one of the jobs, I made it through two rounds of paperwork and got to have an in-person interview last week. I'm pretty sure it was a disaster because I don't know how to do this job. The interview was all "What would you do?" questions. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do in those situations, so I just guessed and made crap up. I probably should be proud of myself for trying. It really sucked, though. I felt like an idiot.
  3. I rewarded/consoled myself with new books and Cadbury Eggs.
  4. I found a Netflix show called 100 Humans. It reminds me of Mythbusters, which is one of my favorite shows ever. 100 Humans does experiments on 100 humans to find out about human behavior. The "experiments" are closer to games than actual science, but it's surprisingly funny. The test subjects have a good attitude about all the stuff they're put through.
  5. Going for long walks. The weather is perfect: Not too hot and not too cold.




Sometimes I Have Thoughts! (I Know, I'm Shocked Too)


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Take care of yourselves and be kind to each other. See you around the blogosphere!











34 comments:

  1. Yeah for good weather and long walks. Can't say we are experiencing the same here. The end of March was not kind. I have so many friends who listen to true crime podcasts and read serial killer books. Do whatever makes you happy. Congratulations on getting the interview. I am sure it went better than you thought, and if it didn't, at least you had Cadbury eggs, right?

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  2. I really don't like the whole Hollywood/celebrity plotline in books. But the first book sounds amazing. I started watching the show and it really freaked me out! Lol.

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  3. I hope you'll still have the job even if you felt like an idiot AJ!

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  4. 100 Humans!!! My partner and I recently watched that show. It was hilarious!

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  5. Hi there AJ! I've worked in HR for many years before I went into teaching (the little ones are easier to scold and they are mostly smaller than me. Easier to look down and be angry than try to look up at someone towering over you) and sometimes it's those messed-up interviews who are the exact people they want! So don't lose all hope.

    YOU is still a no for me. Nope. Not working for me.

    I hope you will have a good week ahead and I am sooooo sorry I've replied so late to last week's post...

    Elza Reads

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  6. The serial killer book sounds unbearable to read. My imagination is too vivid! I could almost get nightmares from the little you said in your review. So I'm fascinated to hear that you like it.

    best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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  7. I started YOU on Netflix and yikes it got creepy! I can imagine the book is even more so. And congrats on the interview! I had one like that once where they asked me all these questions like I already had the job, and I had no clue! At least you had Cadbury eggs. that's happiness

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  8. Oh, I have always hated job interviews in which I felt lost and out of my element. Especially when it shouldn't have been like that.

    As for You...I couldn't get into it, even though I enjoy serial killer books...usually. I just hated Joe too much.

    Enjoy your week, and here are my WEEKLY UPDATES

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  9. New books and Cadbury eggs is the answer to pretty much anything life throws at us. I am sorry you felt like you didn't ace the interview, but you never know! You might be just what they are looking for. When we hire in my company, we look more for will someone fit in. We can always teach them the skills they lack.

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  10. You're so funny: comfort yourself with new books and Cadbury Easter Eggs after reading serial killers. I can't do creepy stalkers/serial killers anymore so I would just proceed right to the
    candy! Hope you get the job you'd like; good luck on the interviews.

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  11. Haha! That meme though. I relate. I need to read the You series, it's on my list. I also always love serial killer books. 100 Humans sounds amazing too.

    Ash @ Essentially Ash

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  12. Love long walks these days too. Hope the job hunt goes better this week.

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  13. I do like reading creepy stuff sometimes so I might like the Kepnes book. I'll have to check it out. 100 Humans sounds interesting. I'll have to check that out. Have a great week!

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  14. Love the meme and I look forward to reading your post on Tuesday. Not sure yet what I am doing for the "free" topic. Books and chocolate are great ways of rewarding/consoling yourself :)

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  15. Ha ha! I love the meme you shared. It made me laugh out loud. I've had You on my TBR for a while now. I actually won the book through an old website called Klout. I'm glad you liked it. I hope you have a good week.

    My Sunday Post

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  16. I also enjoy serial killer books and long walks. Every day I get up and try to organize my ducks and convince them they are eagles or swans, depending on my goals for the day. Or I just let them be happy as ducks.

    Anne - Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post

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  17. I got You when it was published and still haven't read it.

    "I have no idea what I'm supposed to do in those situations, so I just guessed and made crap up. " Cracked me up :) I hope you get the job you want the most!

    My son went to the store the other day and surprised me with a ton of Cadbury Eggs. He know how much I love them.

    I'll be looking for 100 Humans, it sounds interesting!

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  18. Oh boy, I've gone through a few interviews just like you described! And I got one job from a completely failed interview, so who knows? 100 Humans sounds amazing, I'm going to check that one out. I hope you have a great week.

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  19. I love long walks in the spring! Job interviews where you are out of your element are the worst.

    I am now craving Cadbury eggs.

    Enjoy your books!

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  20. I gave in and watched the first season of You and liked it. I don't know how similar the two are--the book vs the TV series--but I am not sure now if I will go back and read the book--one of the reasons I tend to prefer to read books first (although there are exceptions). I am interested in reading Saints And Misfits and appreciate your thoughts on it. It sounds like a worthwhile read, even if slow going. I will have to check out 100 Humans.

    I hope you have a good week!

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  21. I had never heard of 100 Humans, but now I'm intrigued! That sounds like a good way to chill for a while! - Melinda @ A Web of Stories

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  22. As much as I like murder mysteries, serial killers usually scare me. I'll stick to my cozies. Glad you are enjoying those, however.

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  23. I thought You was very good, but I haven’t read further, the Joe fan clubs make me very uncomfortable.
    Im sorry you felt the interview went badly, but you never know.

    Wishing you a great reading week

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  24. That's awesome that you got an interview! You never know - when I got my first paralegal job, I literally knew nothing about the law. Sometimes it just takes that one person to take a chance on you!

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  25. Sorry the interview didn't go well - but hey, that's awesome you applied and went for it! When I was looking for a new job, I kind of applied all over the place eventually because there's only so many jobs you are kind of actually qualified for. LOl

    Lauren @ www.shootingstarsmag.net

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  26. Good luck on the hunt for a new job. I'm glad you are enjoying your serial killer stories. I find them too creepy for my peace of mind. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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  27. "Read it if you want to be terrified." Okay. That's easy. No. Big NO.

    I'm sorry the interview was a little wonky. But who knows? maybe the people you interviewed with will like wonky.

    I like the idea of 100 Humans. I will look for it.

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  28. Sorry about the disappointing interview. In a previous life I spent 20 years as you of those annoying people asking the questions often. I always tried to put myself in the candidates shoes - of course not always possible.

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  29. Yay, I'm happy you enjoyed the You audio! I never picked up the second book because I never wanted to sympathize with Joe, but since I've been watching the show, I should.

    Interviewing is sooo exhausting.

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  30. Saints and Misfits sounds like something I could add to my reading list. I'm not ready for You yet. Lol

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  31. New books and Cadbury eggs are GREAT rewards! As for the crappy interview, I hope you end up getting the job. In my experience, landing a job always boils down to personalities clicking. I've always hired people or recommended hiring them because they had a fun personality. I figure anyone can learn the job with some training.

    Good luck!!!!

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  32. We've been going for lots of walks here too. It's nice to get out almost every day.

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  33. I spend entirely too much time alone to read those You books. I like horror but something that could actually happen? I don't think I could do that. I'm glad you like them though!

    Cadbury eggs! They're my favorite! But my doctor has told me to severely limit my caffeine intake, including chocolate, so I haven't had any this year. I may cave and have one Easter weekend though.

    Good luck with the job interview!

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  34. I think my ducks are in the same place yours are. That sucks about the interview but Cadbury eggs are always the answer. Good or bad they make everything just a bit better. I hope this week is going better!

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