Some Average Books Plus a Couple of Good Ones

I wasn't trying to read more than usual, but somehow I managed to finish four five books this week. I figured I would tell you about them in a post devoted solely to books instead of making my Unraveled Wednesday post too long. First is an ARC that I thought might have been written with people like me in mind, but it turned out to be just average for me.

Annie B. Jones' Ordinary Time offers a heartfelt exploration of the beauty and challenges found in the mundane rhythms of life. Her writing is lyrical, reflective, and deeply personal, capturing the ordinary moments that often go unnoticed but can carry profound meaning. The book reads like a collection of journal entries, full of introspection and spiritual undertones, making it a comforting companion for those navigating their own periods of stillness and routine.

While the book succeeds in creating a contemplative mood, it occasionally feels repetitive, with themes and reflections circling back in ways that can lose their impact. The slower pace, while fitting for the subject matter, might test the patience of readers looking for a more dynamic narrative arc.

Still, Jones’ ability to find grace in the everyday is admirable, and her observations will likely resonate with readers who value subtlety and introspection. Ordinary Time isn’t a book that will dramatically change your life, but it gently encourages you to look closer at the life you already have. For those in the right season, it might be just what they need.

Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperOne for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published on April 22, 2025. 

 

 

More or Less Maddy offers a deeply introspective journey into the complexities of identity, relationships, and the diagnosis of bipolar disorder . While the book carries the signature emotional depth and psychological insight that Genova is known for, it doesn't hit the mark of her other works like Still Alice.

The protagonist, Maddy, is relatable in her struggles, caught between the life she has and the one she yearns for. Genova does a good job exploring the depths of depression and the utter chaos of the manic phase, along with the issues and side effects of treatment with lithium. The way Maddy's relationships with her family and friends evolve is both heartwarming and bittersweet, and Genova's prose is as engaging as ever.

However, where the book falters is in its pacing and predictability. Certain plot points felt overly repetitive, and I found myself wishing for more depth in the latter half. While Maddy's personal growth and acceptance of her diagnosis is somewhat compelling, some of the supporting characters felt underdeveloped, leaving their arcs incomplete or unconvincing. Maddy herself was never portrayed as a very likable character, and the book turned into a cycle of Maddy exhibiting depressed or manic phases, her mother being concerned about her and reminding her to take her medications, and help offered by Maddy's older sister, Emily. I'm sure that bipolar disorder is both sad and tragic, but I had hoped that this book might be more than that. I really looked forward to this book because Still Alice is one of my all-time favorite books, but this one was just three stars for me. 

 

I thought I would love Knife Skills for Beginners; a cozy mystery with a culinary twist is my cup of tea. Unfortunately, while the premise was promising, the execution was off.

The idea of a murder mystery tied to a cooking class sounded like it might be fun. Chef Paul reluctantly agrees to stand in for his friend Christian to teach lessons at a cooking school. Paul and Christian have their own history but Paul needs an income. Things move along well with stereotypical characters until Christian is found beheaded with the cleaver that Paul was last seen with. There was a little too much gore for me in the description and that scene didn't fit well with the cozy mystery genre. Murrin was a finalist on Masterchef and has edited BBC Good Food, so he clearly knows his way around a kitchen. Those little touches add some flavor to the story but I found the inserted recipes lackluster and almost condescending to the reader. I don't read cozy mysteries looking for good recipes but I had hoped for more than funeral potatoes made with frozen hash browns, deviled eggs, and poached chicken.

The pacing was uneven, with a slow start and a middle that dragged. The story felt bogged down by unnecessary characters and meandering subplots, such as Johnny and Marcus, who added little to the narrative. The multiple characters, while likable, didn’t have the depth to make me invest in their fates. If you like mysteries with a culinary theme, you might still enjoy this one, but it wasn’t nearly as satisfying as I’d hoped. Two and a half stars rounded up.

 

The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin is a tender, bittersweet story that will tug at your heartstrings, even as it gently reminds you of the beauty and fragility of life. It's a novel about an unlikely friendship between 17-year-old Lenni, who is terminally ill, and 83-year-old Margot, who is grappling with her own mortality. Together, they decide to paint 100 pictures, one for each year of their combined lives, using art to celebrate their stories, memories, and the moments that shaped them.

Cronin’s writing shines brightest in its ability to blend humor with poignancy. Lenni's wit and resilience are a delight, and Margot's rich, eventful past adds a depth to the story that kept me reading. Their friendship feels realistic, and their shared moments are the highlight of the novel. Cronin also weaves in themes of loss, grief, and love with care, creating an emotionally rich narrative.

While the book is moving, it does feel like it may be trying too hard at times. Some of the emotion feels a bit forced, as though the author was trying to wring tears from the reader. The pacing can also be uneven, with parts of the story feeling overly drawn out, especially as Margot recounts her past. Additionally, some secondary characters, like Father Arthur, while charming, feel underdeveloped compared to the main duo.

That said, this is a story that celebrates life and connection in a meaningful way. It’s not perfect, but its heart is in the right place, and it’s hard not to be moved by Lenni and Margot’s journey. If you enjoy life-affirming stories in the vein of The Fault in Our Stars or The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, this one is worth a read. Three and a half stars rounded up. 

 

 

Laila Lalami’s The Dream Hotel is a chilling and thought-provoking dive into a dystopian future where even our dreams are no longer private. Set in a world where citizens are "retained" and monitored under the guise of security and preventing future crimes, Lalami masterfully crafts a narrative that is equal parts haunting and insightful, forcing readers to confront uncomfortable truths about surveillance, control, and autonomy.

The titular Dream Hotel serves as both a sanctuary and a prison—a place where dreams are recorded, analyzed, and exploited. Through a mosaic of perspectives from both "retainees" and "retention officers", Lalami introduces us to characters grappling with the loss of freedom and the intrusion of the state into their most intimate thoughts. Each character's story adds depth to the central theme: how much of ourselves are we willing to sacrifice in the name of safety?

Lalami’s prose is sharp, blending evocative imagery with incisive social commentary. She excels at building tension, and the world she creates feels increasingly and disturbingly plausible. The novel’s pacing keeps you hooked, though at times the shifts between storylines and somewhat abrupt ending left me wishing for more closure with certain characters.

What elevates The Dream Hotel is its relevance—its exploration of surveillance culture, the commodification of personal data, and the erasure of privacy hits frighteningly close to home. It’s the kind of book that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page. The Dream Hotel is a powerful and unsettling tale that will resonate with fans of speculative fiction and anyone who’s ever wondered just how much freedom we’re willing to trade for possible comfort. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy dystopian novels with a philosophical edge! This four star book was a real surprise for me as I'm not big fan of dystopian science fiction novels, but I can't stop thinking about his one.

Thank you to Pantheon and Netgalley for providing me wit a copy of this book. It will be published on March 4, 2025. 

 

What are you reading? I hope it's something good!