I know that I never know what is popular. But whenever the Goodreads Choice awards lists come out I’m completely befuddled. I mean, I read a lot of books. I read a lot of blogs about books. I browse my library apps as a reading-adjacent hobby. I’m still clueless. Let’s see how clueless I am, shall we?
We’ll be leaving out the categories that I wouldn’t expect myself to know much about like mystery, horror, and YA.
None of them. I’ve literally never heard of any of these books. (Even the one that is missing in the picture.) Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop sounds good though and I put it on my TBR.
I did better here. I can talk about 3 books. I DNFed The Paris Novel. I’ve liked Ruth Reichel’s nonfiction but could not get into this. I was sent an ARC of the Picoult book and it sounded good but I never got to it. I’ve got The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern on my library hold list because it came up once and I sent it back because I didn’t fell like it at the time. So actually, still 0/3.
I DNFed The Pairing at about halfway through. It had turned into a contest about how many random sex partners these people could have on a vacation. I got bored. I looked at The Cinnamon Bun Book Store when I saw it here because that seemed up my alley but the description was all about “steamy” and “tik tok sensation” and it made me back away. What a snob I am! LOL. I did add the Kevin Kwan to my TBR. I did like Crazy Rich Asians.
First of all, do we have to continue to use this term “Romantasy?” Yick. Second of all, I’m not a fan of the youths thinking that authors invented the combination of romance and fantasy in the last three years. (Yes, I heard that said at an event recently.) Third, get off my lawn!
Continuing the theme of the other categories, I DNFed Honey Witch about halfway through the audiobook. It was ok but it just seemed so predictable. Obviously, I don’t know if it was going to end up actually being predictable unless I finished it but it was a risk I was willing to take. I know an IRL person who loved Apprentice to the Villain. The Spellshop is on my library hold list. That’s all I’ve got for this category.
I’ve read a whole book in this category! One, in all of the fantasy category. I read and really liked Black Bird Oracle. This is deep into a series though so if you haven’t read everything else you won’t read this one so it probably won’t win. I would like the read the T.J. Klune book sometime. Other than that I don’t really even know these books.
RED SIDE STORY!!! RED SIDE STORY!!! Guess I’m not the only person who complained for 15 years that this book wasn’t getting written and then gushed incoherently when it finally came out. Yes, I voted for this.
I also really liked I’m Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom. I recommend that one too. I read The Ministry of Time, The Stardust Grail, and Sky Full of Elephants too. Look at me, actually being in the know!
The only one I’ve read is The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory. I did notice that The Backyard Bird Chronicles was very popular among Nonfiction November participants this year. I’m adding The Anxious Generation to my TBR because everyone I work with is younger than me and they are scared of everything. I don’t get it. I’m constantly pushing them to try new things and experience life. I’ve gotten some on planes (There were tears!) and subways and to conference where they go to lecture halls by themselves. Small victories!
I did hear Erik Larson talk about his book at the National Book Festival. I like his writing so I would probably enjoy the book but I’m just not interested in the subject. I did just buy Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here for my husband for Christmas now that I know about it.
I DNFed A Well-Trained Wife. I grew up in the evangelical Christian world. I got through the part about her childhood and there is no shock value in it for me. It is just everyday stuff. I did read The Third Gilmore Girl and liked it. I’m planning on reading Ina Garten’s book because even though I’ve seen her shows, I know nothing about her.
So what have we learned? I think that the key to getting a Goodreads Choice Nomination is for me to either:
- DNF your book
- Never have heard of your book
