Rescue Me, Maybe (Jackie Bouchard)

Why I have this book: I got it for maybe .99 ten years ago on Kindle. I'm trying to read some of those older books I have in my quest to get my to-be-read book count lowered!

I really liked this book. I saw some reviewers thought the main character was "unlikable" because she tended to be standoffish and negative, but I liked her. Maybe I relate to her too much. Haha. To me, she just carried a lot of baggage and had been through quite a few really hard things, and she was probably in protection mode. 

In any case, I gave the book four stars on Goodreads, and I also bought another book by the author. I like that pups play a part in her stories (at least this one and the new one I purchased).

Oh, and there's a newer version of this book. The author said it's about 97% the same, but a new publisher wanted her to change a few things. Kinda interesting. I will say the version I read could have been cleaned up just a bit in the punctuation department.

This was my last read of 2023. Just something to note for no particular reason. 

Clean. I don't recall any swearing, so if there was any, it wasn't a big part of the writing. There's some attraction and a thought about a possible future sharing of a bed, but nothing else sexual. 

A Heart Like His (Virginia H. Pearce)

Why I have this book: I had the print edition for years, but bought the Kindle edition at some point, too.

Still trying to clean some of the shorter books off my "to be read" Kindle books, so I picked this one today.

I really loved this book back in the day. I still like it now, even though some of the religious stuff reminded me of how stressful it was to always try to get things "right" and do and be enough. Still, I love and agree with the author that it's so important to learn to open our hearts instead of closing them up to protect ourselves or our feelings. I think for some, God is the motivation or the power behind being able to do that, and maybe for others, it's humanity or light or a positive energy. 

I liked this thought:

"... when you honestly open your heart up to someone, it is a gift. And if they don't take the gift, it's still okay... because [it] feels so good."

I liked that the author (who happens to be Gordon and Marjorie Hinkley's daughter) and her friends who worked on this process were honest about their struggles with it and about how often they lived with hardened or closed off walls. They made a real deliberate effort to be more open. I think it does take effort for most of us.

Even though my religious beliefs are different now, I'm glad I read this again. I skimmed some of the more religious parts, but the ideas aren't necessarily religious in nature. I think they have more to do with being human and being part of humanity, no matter one's spiritual beliefs.

Clean.

Within: Making Peace with Food and Body Image to Create a Healthy Family and Home (Karen Diaz)

Why I have this book: I must have thought it felt inspiring since I bought the Kindle edition.

I gave it two stars on Goodreads. It had some good advice (not necessarily anything new), but felt a little drawn out, and it didn't keep my interest really well.

Clean.

Dark Horse (John Fischer)

Why I have this book: I got the Kindle version for free years ago. Again, it's short, so I moved it up to help get some books off my extensive "to be read" list on my Kindle.

I gave this book one star on Goodreads. I wouldn't have finished it if it hadn't been so short. 

It's an allegory, and I don't really love allegories. This one didn't make much much sense to me, to be honest. I think it wasn't supposed to be about Christ ("The White One?") Maybe? The author is/was a pastor, so that's what I'm guessing. 

Super boring, pretty confusing, and all over the place. 

Clean.

A Horse for Kate (Miralee Ferrell)

Why I have this book: I probably bought the ebook for my daughter back when she was into horses (like all girls go through).

I'm trying to knock some of the books off my Kindle, so I moved this one up the list since it's short and written for kids. I enjoyed it well enough considering that it was written for a young crowd. I gave it three stars on Goodreads.

My only complaint was the random moments where prayer or "God answered her prayers" came into the story. It didn't seem like a religious story, so it felt a little out of place, plus it creates this idea that God will answer your prayer if you're praying for a horse or other desire. The reality is that we don't always get what we want, praying or not.

Clean.

It Will All Work Out: The Freedom of Letting Go (Kevin Hart)

Why I have this book: It was an Amazon First Reads (free) book. I'm not a big fan of Kevin Hart and his filthy mouth, but I decided to give him a chance.

This is a very short book (44 pages), and it really seemed more like an excerpt than a real "short story." (It's not a story, more of a self-help genre.) One reviewer on Amazon said it IS an excerpt of something the author did/wrote/performed. I'm not sure. It shouldn't be promoted as a book, though, even a "short" book.

I gave it one star on Goodreads. It wasn't that interesting, it wasn't funny, the advice wasn't that profound. I'm just glad I didn't pay for it. (I wouldn't have even paid .99 for it, to be honest.)

Lots of profanity (although maybe it was toned down for him). He mentioned sex once or twice, but not in any kind of descriptive way.

Dare: The New Way to End Anxiety and Stop Panic Attacks Fast (Barry McDonagh)

Why I have this book: I saw it recommended quite a few times, so I bought it. I somehow ended up with both the audio and ebook versions.

I did get through the book by listening to the audio version. I only referenced the ebook version when I wanted to make a note of something he said.

I gave it three stars on Goodreads. I think the advice was good, but it felt a little more drawn out than it needed to be. It wasn't even that long of a book to begin with (print length is 244 pages), but it could have been a 1/3 fewer pages, in my opinion. 

Clean. I don't recall anything offensive.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life (Mark Manson)

Why I have this book: My daughter-in-law recommended it, so I bought the audio version.

I wish I would have borrowed it instead. I actually probably wouldn't have listened past the first few chapters if I had borrowed instead of purchased.

I mean, I guess the warning from my DiL about the F-words and the title should have been a clue, but I've watched Ted Lasso, so I thought I was prepared for the F-word. The usage did slow down after the first part, but sheesh. A little extreme and so unnecessary.

The book itself had some good advice and philosophies, but it also seemed to go on too long. I sped up the book twice just to get through it faster. I found my mind wandering more than once. I was glad when it ended.

The author seems full of himself at times, and then he says something to make you think he does have some humility and humanity.

Overall, it was a two-star book for me.

Lots and lots and lots of swearing. Mentions of casual sex (not descriptive). Death is discussed.

Book Lovers (Emily Henry)

Why I have this book: My friend recommended it even after I told her I didn't like the other one I read by this author not that long ago. She discovered this was published after the other one, so maybe her style has become more refined? I decided to try it because everyone seems to love these books.

Sadly, I gave this one two stars on Goodreads just like the other one.

Here's the deal: Too much swearing. Even though I feel like I've loosened up with my tolerance of the F-word, I don't need to hear it all the time. I don't love that for some people, it's just another word in casual conversation. I don't relate to that. I also think it would be super annoying to have someone saying it during... ahem... sex. Again, just as an exclamation of emotion. It's just crass. Blech.

And... I don't want to read detailed sexual encounters, especially these frenzied ones this author seems to enjoy describing. 

The story itself was cute, although I never believe in love that happens so quickly. Lust, infatuation... sure. But real love? No.

I also noted that pressing one's leg against the other person's leg (like under a table) was a theme in both books. It feels like she has her "things" that just are going to be part of the story?

Interesting that both books I read by this author involved the book writing/publishing process. I'm curious if all her books are like that, but not curious enough to read any more of them.

After this one, I deleted two other "rom-com" books I had on loan from the library. I need a break from rom-com books.

Lots of swearing, lots of uses of the F-word, several descriptive sex scenes.

The Code. The Evaluation. The Protocols: Striving to Become an Eminently Qualified Human (Jocko Willink)

Why I have this book: I think my son recommended it? 

This book is surprisingly short... only about 70 pages. There aren't a typical number of words on each page, so it went fast (30 minutes on average, according to my Kindle).

I gave it three stars on Goodreads. Some parts were super inspiring, and other parts gave me anxiety because they reminded me of my religious years when I was always trying (and failing) to do everything "right." Some parts made me think we're supposed to be robots and just be laser-focused on goals. Being that driven doesn't seem like the healthiest way to live or relate to others. I definitely will use the inspiring parts.

Clean.

Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy's Fight for Survival (Omid Scobie)

Why I have this book: I borrowed the audio version from the ebook library.

I'm glad I listened to this book because it helped to make sense of things I've seen online over the past decade or so. Even though this author also wrote Finding Freedom (which I felt was very biased toward Meghan), I think he was a bit more objective and fair in this one. Maybe still a bit biased toward Meghan, but not as blatantly as in his other book. I obviously am just going by what I've heard/read from different sources to help me decide what is true and what isn't, though.

I was surprised to learn the author is in his 40's and that he has a better resume than I had assumed. As the narrator of the audio version, he sounds educated and like a reliable source of information. Again, though, I can't be sure since I know nothing for certain. Haha.

In any case, I enjoyed the listen, and mostly it reminds me that families are complicated. Being in the royal family of Great Britain just makes those complications more complicated AND more visible to everyone. I don't envy them at all.

I gave it four stars on Goodreads.

Clean. I don't recall any swearing or anything, but like the last book I reviewed, it's been a few days, and I might not remember. 

Two Women Walk into a Bar (Cheryl Strayed)

Why I have this book: It was a freebie on Amazon First Reads.

I gave this one four stars on Goodreads. It was a touching record of the last weeks of the author's mother-in-law's life. It brings to the forefront how our lives are intertwined and how we create relationships over time. 

As a short story (not really a "story" since it's true), it was a quick read, but it had a big impact.

Clean. I don't recall any swearing or anything, but it's been a few days since I actually read it, so I can't be sure.

Beach Read (Emily Henry)

Why I have this book: A friend read it and must have given it a high rating because I borrowed it from the ebook library on audio.

Sadly, I gave it only two stars on Goodreads. I thought I'd give it a higher rating at first, but by the end, I wasn't as thrilled.

The narrator did a great job. Some parts of the story were cute and fun, lots of humorous bantor, etc. I guess this is a "rom-com" type of book. Here were the things I didn't like:

The male love interest was way too in touch with his feelings. He spoke like a romantic girl, not a typical man. I can't imagine, in all honesty, any man or woman speaking the way either of them did. Definitely sounded like a movie script and not real life.

The sex scenes were more descriptive than I needed to read (listen to), and they also seemed a bit unrealistic. Too fast and furious and in uncomfortable places. It also kind of annoyed me that both times "protection" was brought up, it was her asking for it. Why can't the guy just be responsible and take care of it without her asking him about it? So dumb.

There was another male character who did some written communication that also sounded a bit too flowery and in touch with his feelings than a typical man. Maybe I'm just not around those type of men or maybe I'm just jaded, but I actually rolled my eyes a few times.

All in all... meh.

There were the above-mentioned sex scenes. There was some profanity, including the F-word. Part of the storyline involved researching a suicide cult, but none of that was graphically described.